India Tour with Zahir Khan

Welcome to India! After our arrival, we’ll travel through Mumbai, where the air hums with energy as we pass colonial-era architecture and street stalls selling masala chai. Later tonight, after some time settling in, we’ll regroup for a celebratory feast and get acquainted for the perfect start to our 12-day journey together.

This morning, we set off on a heritage walking tour through Mumbai’s historic districts, where grand colonial facades and Indo-Saracenic domes stand as reminders of the city’s layered past. From the waterfront arches of the Gateway of India to the bustle of Fort and the vibrant arts district of Kala Ghoda, we take in a cross-section of styles and stories. 

Along the way, we pause to sample Mumbai’s iconic street foods: imagine pav bhaji with its buttery rolls, crisp vada pav, and tangy pani puri bursting with spice and crunch. Next, we meet the legendary Dabbawalas—masters of Mumbai’s intricate lunchbox delivery system. They’ve been delivering home-cooked meals to over 200,000 people daily for more than a century, all without tech or error. After a light dabba lunch, the afternoon is yours to relax. 

This evening, we gather at a beloved seafood restaurant where delicacies like flaky pomfret and buttery garlic crab might be on the menu.

After breakfast, we ferry across the Arabian Sea to the forested island of Elephanta, home to 5th-century cave temples carved into basalt rock. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this sacred complex honors Lord Shiva through exquisitely detailed sculptures including the colossal Trimurti, a three-faced embodiment of creation, protection, and destruction. 

After returning to shore, we’re welcomed into the home of Zahir’s family friend for a warm, home-cooked lunch and intimate insight into city life. Later, we wind through Crawford Market, where the scent of ripe mangoes mingles with stacks of fragrant spices, fresh flowers, and handwoven baskets. One of Mumbai’s oldest covered markets, it captures the city’s enduring energy and diversity. 

You’ll have the late afternoon to rest or explore at your own pace before dinner on your own. Perhaps a quiet table by the sea or a late bite at a beloved neighborhood cafe is on the agenda.

Today, we say farewell to Mumbai and fly north to Amritsar, a city rich with history, faith, and Punjabi hospitality. 

Our first stop is the farmhouse of one of Zahir’s friends on the outskirts of Amritsar, where rows of winter vegetables—like cauliflower, mustard greens, and radish—stretch across the fields. It’s a chance to see Punjab’s agricultural traditions up close, enjoy warm hospitality, and connect with the land that fuels the region’s legendary cuisine.

Afterward, we’ll check into our hotel, and the afternoon is yours to unwind and lunch is yours to embellish. We might recommend enjoying a masala chai in the garden or resting before the evening’s culinary highlight.

North India is known for its roadside dhabas, rustic eateries where flatbreads puff over hot tandoors and thick dals simmer slowly in copper pots. Tonight, we’ll experience this tradition firsthand, watching local chefs prepare dal makhani, smoky tandoori roti, and creamy paneer in a live demonstration. These full-flavor dishes have fed locals for generations and are now celebrated across India. 

As the sky darkens, we make our way to the luminous Golden Temple, where devotional chants echo across the water and the temple’s gold-gilded dome glows under moonlight—a serene and unforgettable close to our first night in Amritsar.

Our day begins with a culinary pilgrimage through the streets of Amritsar. From buttery parathas crisped on the tawa to saffron-tinged jalebis and lassi served in clay cups, we follow the scents of breakfast through beloved food stalls and family-run shops. 

After some time to explore the city’s bazaars independently, we’re welcomed into the Golden Temple’s langar kitchen where tens of thousands are served daily in an extraordinary act of Sikh generosity. We’ll step behind the scenes to see how volunteers knead dough, stir vast pots of dal, and serve meals side by side, and then join the communal lunch ourselves.

In the afternoon, we visit Jallianwala Bagh and later, we head to the Wagah Border to witness the theatrical flag-lowering ceremony between India and Pakistan—a fascinating blend of choreography and pageantry. Then dinner tonight is back at the hotel.

After breakfast, we board the Vande Bharat Express for a sleek, comfortable journey to Delhi. Gliding through rural landscapes and small towns, we arrive in the capital by mid-morning. An orientation drive offers a window into the city’s grandeur—Raj-era government buildings, India Gate, and the solemn grounds of the Gandhi Smriti Museum, where we reflect on India’s modern history. 

The afternoon is yours to explore at your own rhythm. Perhaps a serene cup of tea in the hotel courtyard, a trip to an art gallery, or a visit to Delhi’s lively Khan Market is on the agenda. This evening, we gather for a private dinner with Zahir’s family for a truly magical immersion into local culture. 

Our day begins with a rickshaw ride through bustling Old Delhi. It’s a 300-year-old walled city packed with street food, bazaars and artisans. It’s also home to Jama Masjid; this Mughal architectural opus is one of India’s largest and most awe-inspiring mosques, a masterpiece of red sandstone and marble. From here, we explore Chandani Chowk, one of Asia’s oldest and busiest markets. Lunch here will be a moving feast of regional delicacies, and we’ll try it all.

The rest of the day is at your leisure and dinner is on your own tonight.

All aboard to Agra! This morning we’ll check out of our hotel and head to our next destination: Agra. The city hums with history, its streets a blend of old-world grandeur and daily life permeated by the sweet scent of marigold garlands strung for temple offerings. Just beyond the city’s vibrant chaos, the Agra Fort rises from the banks of the Yamuna River, its imposing red sandstone walls glowing warm in the afternoon sun. Once the seat of the Mughal empire, you’ll trace the footsteps of emperors.

We’ll take a mid-afternoon break to check into our new hotel and reconvene for Chai time. Akin to High Tea in Great Britain, chai time in India is a daily ritual of connection. As bubbling masala chai simmers in well-worn steel kettles, we’ll pause to immerse ourselves in the practice of slowing down.

In the late afternoon, as the sun begins its descent into night, we will embark on a guided visit to the Taj Mahal. It’s marble glows as the sun dips lower, shifting from soft rose to deep violet. The iconic, nearly 400-year-old domes alight, reflecting over the shimmering canals below; creating the perfect backdrop for the photo of a lifetime.

Dinner tonight is a traditional Mughlai dinner—think spiced tandoori chicken with tangy yogurt and fragrant biryani—with entertainment by local Kathak dancers.

This morning, we journey to Jaipur, traversing plains and villages on our way into Rajasthan’s famed Pink City. 

Along the way, we’ll make a meaningful stop at a local school, meeting students and teachers in an exchange that bridges cultures. We’ll arrive in Jaipur in time for a casual lunch and a leisurely afternoon. You might choose to rest at the hotel, or head out for a quiet stroll past havelis and spice markets. 

Tonight, we’re invited into the home of a local family for a hands-on dinner that introduces us to the textures and flavors of Rajasthani cuisine. Over open flames and clay stoves, we’ll learn to make stuffed rotis, lentil stews, and vegetable curries—each dish rooted in centuries of desert tradition. The evening ends around a shared table, with stories, laughter, and the warmth of a homemade meal.

Today, we’ll embark on a jeep ride up the ancient ramparts of the Amber Fort, where grand courtyards and mirrored halls whisper tales of Rajput royalty.

After, we’ll stop by Anokhi Museum and try our hand at the traditional Rajasthani craft of block printing in a workshop led by master artisans. For lunch, we head to a village-style restaurant and cultural hub, for a festive meal of local specialties alongside folk performances, puppet shows, and glimpses into rural life.

This evening, we’ll escape the city for a bit of reprieve in the sanctuary that is Dera Amer, a preserved wilderness creating a place for animals—both domestic and wild—to live. After we’ve spent time with elephants, camels, and an array of birds, we’ll sit down under the stars for an intimate dinner of traditional Rajasthani dishes and dances.

As Jaipur awakens, we’ll start our morning by weaving through a bustling local vegetable market, where the scent of fresh coriander and ripe kinnow oranges mingles with the sizzle of street foods crisping on a nearby griddle. Steaming cups of chai warm our hands as we taste our way through the city’s beloved breakfast dishes.

From there, an opulent 300-year-old palace awaits. City Palace is resplendent and meticulously ornate, as intricate marble inlays and vibrant frescoes tell the story of Rajput royalty. From there, we’ll stop by a few other local landmarks. Nearby, the towering astronomical instruments of Jantar Mantar stand in quiet brilliance, a testament to Jaipur’s scientific legacy, and the Hawa Mahal’s honeycomb façade gives a final, breathtaking reminder of the city’s regal past.

By midday, our day together continues with our hands in cool clay during a pottery lesson with a local craftsman, shaping intricate designs—an age-old craft passed down for generations.

After a few hours of independent exploration in the afternoon, we’ll meet up again for a truly magical farewell dinner to celebrate our unforgettable time together in India.

After our final breakfast at the hotel, we’ll delay our final farewell with a scenic drive back to Delhi passing mustard fields, sugarcane carts, and sleepy roadside villages—landscapes that have sustained India’s agricultural heritage for generations. Once there, we say goodbye to our fellow travelers, our hearts and spirits full of all things India. Until next time!