India Highlights and Food Experiences Combination
Spend 9 days discovering the sights, sounds, and flavors of India. In addition to covering remarkable heritage sites, this food tour offers a culinary experience of incredible India. You will have a home-cooked meal with a local family, enjoy a fancy dinner inside the Amber Fort, and discover the vibrant street food in Varanasi.
Days
9
Price
from US$1,939 p/p
Best For
First-timers
Best Time
Oct. to Mar.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Great experience in Guilin
Our guide lele is a wealth of information, Lele is very professional and very attentive to our needs. Lele is amazing. Lele got everything spot on. It probably helps that Guilin is a brilliant place to visit so Lele has great material to work with but that doesn't take anything away from how much Lele helped make it a great trip. More
Nags t, Mar 2024
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Thanks Leah and Guide Terry!
Our guide for Beijing was super knowledgeable and experienced and able to help us to achieve as much as we wanted within the time given. We had a fun time guided by him as he is also super humorous and you can see how he interacts with the vendors and people whom he comes by. Thank you for a very enjoyable time in Beijing and accommodating to all our needs! More
Puay Sze L, Mar 2024
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Captivating Pandas! Thank you Michael and Carol!
Our China Highlight guide. Michael, was attentive, thoughtful and knowledgeable. He narrated many interesting historical events about Chengdu while touring around the city and having afternoon tea with us. He was thoughtful to provide us with snacks during long hikes at Leshan or walks around the city. More
, Mar 2024
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Beijing in spring
She was very flexible and added extra time when we needed it and we felt extremely well taken care of. She also chose the best restaurants for us, More
shehla k, Mar 2024
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Greatest Great Wall Camping and Trek
Tom is the guide that will take you to where no other guide will. We pushed for the experience and Tom and the team delivered more than what we could have ever asked for. His English speaking ability and his Chinese history knowledge is second to none. More
Chivadahlii, Mar 2024
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Greatest Great Wall Tour and Trek
Tom is the guide that will take you to where no other guide will. We pushed for the experience and Tom and the team delivered more than what we could have ever asked for. His English speaking ability and his Chinese history knowledge is second to none. More
DaveH, Mar 2024
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https://pAmazing Experience with amazing guide
Our day trip to Hangzhou was phenomenal. Derek, our guide, was impeccable. By far the best guide we have had so far. He is extremely knowledgeable about the country’s history and geography and was always excited to share his insights. More
Felipe L, Mar 2024
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A knowledgeable guide make all the differences.......
He picked up our pre-booked boat/other excursions tickets so we were able to avoid all the long lines and chaos. He is knowledgeable of the places we visited, courteous, fun to travel with and well-versed in Chinese classics. More
weindork, Mar 2024
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Chengdu Pandas
Our tour guide Helen, was excellent, she was very kind, professional and passionate for her work and she also loves Pandas! She will take you to take the best panda photos and to know more about Chengdu city. Our tour was great, she took us to all our destinations always with the best spots: Temples, pagodas, famous streets, theaters, pandas...you name it! Everything was great. More
Megan, Mar 2024
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That was a great experience in Dali…
That was a great experience in Dali with Ms.Nancy. She is so thoughtful and professional. She took us to many beautiful places and told us abt many stories there (history, culture...). More
Nguyen Nga, Mar 2024
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2 day guided tour in Hangzhou with Fiona
Fiona is a wonderful guide with an extensive knowledge of the area and Chinese History. Fiona was able to pass on a lot of interesting information and history to us and made the trip so enjoyable. More
annenguyen2016, Mar 2024
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The beauty of Xi'an
Sherry was our tour guide, she is the best! She knows a lot of information about the city, history, and my favorite the Tang Dinasty! She take care a lot of us, and she supports us always during the tour with doubts and also to communicate with local people, she understood our necessities, excellent service, support, interesting and cool information. I love Xi'an city, is a must during you trip, if you are planning to visit please contact China Highlights, with Sherry as your tour guide, highly recommended ? More
Megan J, Mar 2024
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Nice tour and Best guide Lele
lele was our guide throughout and he is outstanding. Lele is a wealth of information in geology, history, local life, and knew exactly where the best pictures could be taken. Lele was happy to take my iPhone to take pictures for us! I am very grateful for that especially since he has a keen eye for photography. Lele did not sound like recording of facts like many guides are but he was personable and fun. More
Ameri M, Mar 2024
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China highlights & Lele Guilin
Our guide Lele was fun and spoke very good English. He would give us pointers all the time in regards to shopping, food etc.We had so much fun on our river cruise. Lele made sure he pointed out all the interesting highlights along the way. I would highly recommend China highlights to help with the planning details. More
Jade K, Mar 2024
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Xian. Historia y modernidad
Xian es encantadora, el hotel Eastern house boutique muy buena elección por parte de la agencia, los desayunos muy completos para complacer todo tipo de gusto, lo recomiendo 100%, el itinerario fue muy acertado fueron 2 días en la ciudad xian, compartimos con la guía Susana, la atención, la amabilidad y sobre todo su profesionalismo fue lo que marcó la diferencia, sus detalles, estaba siempre en el lugar y momento correcto para hacer de xian un lugar inolvidable. More
pilar d, Mar 2024
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Excelente paseo por Xi'an
Mas aún con nuestro guía Antonio, el cuál nos maravilló con sus explicaciones y anécdotas. Simpatico, agradable y servicial; siempre atento a nuestros requerimientos, y buen dominio del espa?ol. More
sergio p sergiopV7232ZX, Mar 2024
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Hangzhou is beautiful
Derek made this trip especially memorable with his passionate story telling and snippets of history on the traditional Chinese culture. More
James Ong, Mar 2024
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Wonderful guided tour around in Beijing
Wonderful guided tour around in Beijing by Helen. It was really good having a guide who was great at telling about all the history. More
Sebastian Bo Rasmussen, Mar 2024
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Experience Guilin
Frank our guide was fantastic - both taking us to really nice spots, but also very informative. We spent 4 days exploring Guilin. More
James F, Mar 2024
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Thank you China Highlights and Chase
From our train tickets to every little detail, Chase our tour guide took excellent care of us. He was also flexible to accommodate our special requests and for that we are grateful. More
Jen, Mar 2024
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Tour Highlights
Itinerary Details
The itinerary below is only a sample to inspire you. Let us know your preferences and your travel advisor will customize this trip to suit your interests and budget.
Upon arrival, your guide and driver will be waiting for you at the arrival hall with your name sign. They will be happy to assist with the hotel check-in. Have a good rest and adjust to the jet lag!
You will start your tour with the largest mosque in India, Jama Masjid, an Islamic monument. Then, a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk market will introduce you to the local lifestyle.
After lunch, admire the spectacular Qutub Minar, the highest brick minaret in the world. Afterward, step into the beautiful tomb of Humayun, which was the first garden tomb in India. It's said that the Taj Mahal was inspired by it. Follow your guide, explore the peaceful Mughal buildings, and enjoy the exquisite artifacts and vivid stories.
Then, knock on the door of a local family and enjoy an authentic home-cooked dinner with them. Chat with them, get to know their daily lives, and share your stories if you'd like.
After breakfast, you will leave for Agra by a private car, which will take about 4–5 hours.
Upon arrival, check in and freshen up at your hotel. You will explore Mehtab Bagh, the best place to view the Taj Mahal. Sitting across the river from the Taj, you can see the Taj Mahal changing colors during sunset.
Start your day early with the exquisite Taj Mahal. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a symbol of his love for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Known as one of the world's greatest architectural masterpieces, the Taj Mahal reflects different colors of light at different times of the day. When you get close, your guide will show you more secrets of the iconic structure.
Then, move on to Itmad-ud-Daula's tomb. Also known as the "Baby Taj", it dazzles with marble lattice screens and fine carvings. It is an incredible structure that inspired many other marble buildings, like the Taj Mahal.
Finally, pay a visit to Agra Fort. The imposing red sandstone walls have guarded the royal palace for centuries. Walking through courtyard after courtyard, you will learn the story about the considerable changes in its appearance and enjoy lovely views of the Taj Mahal.
Departing from Agra, you will take a 5-hour car ride to Jaipur.
Your will stop at Chand Baori, a stepwell that is over 1,000 years old. This unique well in India is no longer in use, but its exquisite design cannot be missed.
After the hotel check-in, have dinner in Amber Fort. When all the lights turn on, you can see the fort from a different perspective. Sitting inside the fort, surrounded by its incredible ambience, you will get a glimpse of how royalty dined. Silver furniture, Belgian lamps, and live music — all these will make the dinner truly magical.
After breakfast, visit the stunning Amber Fort. The perfect reflection in Maota Lake creates a magical, mirage effect. Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) is another spectacular building that you must not miss. The walls are decorated with tiny mirrors. The hall can dazzle you with the light of a single match.
Afterward, step into City Palace, where you can observe an amazing blend of Rajput and Mughal architectural brilliance. In the late afternoon, have a quick photo stop at the famous Hawa Mahal, which has a delicate façade of carved pink sandstone.
Then, take part in a cooking class at Ikaki Niwas. You will learn to recognize the ingredients and spices, learn some time-tested cooking techniques, and enjoy the food you cooked alongside engaging conversation with the local family.
In the morning, you will fly to Varanasi, the holiest city for Hindus. After freshening up, take a boat ride on the Ganges River. On the ghats and temples along the river, witness thousands of Hindu pilgrims dipping their bodies in the holy water, and observe the rituals of life and death taking place along the riverbank.
As dusk descends, experience the Ganga Aarti ceremony at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Aarti refers to a devotional ritual that uses fire and an offering. The pandits (Hindu priests) will light up lamps and circle around in a clockwise manner, accompanied by chanting or singing songs in praise of Mother Ganga.
Get an early start to catch the sunrise on the Ganges River by boat. As you glide across waters, you can see the entire river being engulfed in orange and red hues. You will witness the peaceful riverbank and see the life around slowly wake up.
Then, stroll through the street and hunt for local street food to get a real taste of Varanasi. Food is always the best way to know the local lifestyle.
Then, visit Sarnath, where the Buddha first taught after achieving enlightenment. One of Buddhism's four holiest sites, Sarnath draws pilgrims from all over the world. Grab a seat to meditate, listen to the monks chanting, or circumambulate around the large stupa.
After breakfast, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel lobby and transfer you to the airport. You will fly back to Delhi and take your flight home.
Price Includes
Price from: $1,939 (Tour code: gh-ah-in-82)
Trip Notes
About the Meals and Food Experiences
The meals included in the itinerary, the cooking class menu, and the street food experience can be customized to be completely vegetarian. Please let your travel advisor know if you have any dietary requirements. He or she will arrange the meals accordingly.
About Extending Your Food Trip
Indian cuisine varies in different areas. This trip includes the highlights and the famous food in North India. If you would like to discover more of this country's delicacies, we suggest that you extend your trip to South India. There, for example, you can discover a lunch box delivery in Mumbai, try the famous Kerala fish in Cochin, visit a spice garden in Periyar, and enjoy a cooking demo on vegetarian sadya in Kumarakom.
About the Car Transfers Between Cities
We will arrange private car transfers from Delhi to Agra and from Agra to Jaipur. Your guide will not be with you during the transfers. You will have different guides in different cities. Your driver will be able to speak basic English so there will be no problems with basic conversation during the transfers.
Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.
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