India Food Trail - Classic Tour
Eleven days built as a city-by-city tasting route connecting India's most influential food centres without rushing between them. Delhi sets the tempo with spice markets, street food, and a Mughlai grill dinner at Bukhara. Agra adds Mughal food identity alongside the Taj: petha sweet shops, the mutton-heavy Dal Makhani tradition, and a tasting lunch at a heritage restaurant. Jaipur follows with dal baati churma, Rajasthani thali, and a craft context through block-print and textile studios. Lucknow slows the pace into the nawabi kitchen: Tunday Kababi, Wahid's biryani, chikan embroidery, and the Imambara quarter. Varanasi layers food into daily ritual: baati chokha, thandai, and street food on the ghats with the Ganges as backdrop. Kolkata finishes with the widest range of any Indian city: Mughal, British, Bengali, and Chinese influences visible within a single market circuit. The route prioritises timing and contrast — street and formal, heavy and light, fast and slow.
Trip highlights.
The journey, day by day.
Old Delhi spice markets, street food circuit, and a Mughlai grill dinner at Bukhara.
Agra Fort, a Mughlai food trail through the old city, and the Taj Mahal in the late afternoon.
Sunrise at the Taj Mahal, then drive into Jaipur with a Rajasthani lunch stop en route.
Dal baati churma, Rajasthani thali, Amber Fort, and a craft studio visit.
Domestic flight to Lucknow, Imambara visit, and the nawabi kitchen introduction.
British Residency ruins, old city lanes, chikan embroidery workshop, and a street food afternoon.
Domestic flight to Varanasi, ghat walk, and a street food evening on the river.
Private sunrise boat on the Ganges, Sarnath, and a Varanasi street food afternoon.
Domestic flight to Kolkata, Victoria Memorial, and a Hooghly River evening.
A full Kolkata food day: Bengali, Mughal, British, and Chinese influences in one city circuit.
Private transfer to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport for departure.
What's included.
All guided food and heritage experiences as listed. Entrance tickets quoted separately.
Farbound tour director throughout, with food specialist local guides in each city.
Five-star hotels and heritage stays in every city. Twin-share by default.
Private AC vehicle throughout. All domestic flights included: Jaipur-Lucknow, Lucknow-Varanasi, Varanasi-Kolkata.
Daily breakfast. Curated lunches and dinners at the key food destinations listed each day.
Questions about this trip.
Do you take bookings and payments directly on the website?
Bookings are confirmed after proposal approval. Payments are collected via payment links rather than instant checkout.
What is a Farbound tour director?
A tour director is a Farbound-appointed lead who are local experts, licensed by the ministry of tourism India, & responsible for coordination and issue resolution, either end-to-end or city-by-city.
Is 24/7 support available?
Yes. On-trip support is available for coordination and issue escalation.
Can I request a guide in a specific language?
Language-specific guides can be requested, subject to availability and routing.
Can I upgrade or downgrade hotels?
Yes, subject to availability and repricing.
Is this trip primarily food-focused or mixed with sightseeing?
Food-focused routes still include key city layers and cultural context. Your proposal clarifies the balance and specific inclusions.
Can you accommodate vegetarian, Jain, or no-spice preferences?
Preferences can be accommodated where feasible with advance notice. Some experiences may be substituted to match constraints.
Do you include street food?
Street food layers can be included when requested. Hygiene comfort levels are discussed during planning and alternatives are offered.
Do I need an e-Visa for India?
Most nationalities can apply for an Indian e-Visa online at indianvisaonline.gov.in - it is typically approved within 72 hours and valid for 30 or 365 days depending on the type. We advise applying at least 2 weeks before travel. Some nationalities require a sticker visa from an Indian consulate.
What is the best time to visit India?
India is vast and each region has its own season. The Himalayan north (Ladakh, Himachal) is best May-September. Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle are ideal October-March. Kerala and the south are good November-February. The northeast is spectacular March-May. We'll advise based on your chosen region.
Is India safe to travel to?
India is safe for the vast majority of travellers when you take sensible precautions. Solo female travellers should exercise extra caution in certain areas, and we always advise on destination-specific safety. Our partners and guides are vetted, and we brief guests on local customs and areas to avoid.
What vaccinations do I need for India?
Recommended vaccinations include Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tetanus. Depending on your itinerary, your GP may suggest Hepatitis B, Rabies, or Japanese Encephalitis. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for some rural and jungle regions. Consult a travel health clinic 6-8 weeks before departure.
Is the food safe in India?
Indian food is wonderful but your stomach needs time to adjust. Stick to cooked food, avoid tap water and ice from unknown sources, and opt for bottled or filtered water throughout. High-end restaurants and hotels are generally very safe. We include a food safety briefing in every pre-departure pack.
Is India good for vegetarians?
India is arguably the most vegetarian-friendly country in the world. Virtually every restaurant offers extensive vegetarian menus, and many are entirely meat-free. Vegan options are increasingly available in cities and tourist areas. Please let us know your dietary requirements and we'll ensure every meal is taken care of.
What is NOT included in the price?
International flights, visa fees, travel insurance, personal spending, tips for guides and drivers, and meals not listed in the itinerary. A clear inclusions and exclusions list is in every quote we send.
Should I bring local currency or can I use cards?
A mix of both is ideal. Cards are accepted at most hotels and large restaurants, but local markets, tuk-tuks, tips, and smaller guesthouses are cash-only. We recommend having USD as an emergency backup - it's accepted or exchangeable almost everywhere we operate.
Do you arrange flights?
We can arrange flights as part of a full package or advise on the best routing and airlines for your trip. Many clients prefer to book flights independently for flexibility with points and upgrades - we're happy to work either way and will give you the ideal arrival and departure airport for your itinerary.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking at least 3-6 months ahead for peak season travel (October-March for South Asia). Bhutan during festival season can need 6-12 months lead time. That said we've pulled together excellent last-minute trips - if your dates are flexible get in touch and we'll see what's possible.
Can I customise my itinerary?
Absolutely - customisation is what we do. Every Farbound itinerary is built around your interests, pace, travel style, and budget. Whether you want to add a cooking class in Kerala, a yoga retreat in Rishikesh, or an extra night at a tea estate, just tell us and we'll design it for you.
What is included in the price?
Our packages typically include accommodation, all meals as specified, private transfers, a local guide, entrance fees, and internal transport. International flights are usually separate unless stated. The exact inclusions are listed on every itinerary and quoted in writing before you confirm.
How do I pay and what are the payment terms?
We typically require a deposit of 20-30% at booking to secure your itinerary and accommodation, with the balance due 60 days before departure. For last-minute bookings full payment is taken upfront. We accept bank transfer and major credit cards. Full payment terms are in your booking confirmation.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations made more than 60 days before departure receive a full refund minus the deposit. Between 30-60 days we retain 50% of the total cost. Within 30 days the full amount is non-refundable. We always recommend travel insurance to cover unexpected cancellations. Full terms are in your booking agreement.
Is there a single room supplement?
Yes, single travellers occupy a private room and a supplement applies as hotels charge on a per-room basis. The exact supplement varies by property and destination. We always quote this clearly upfront and work to minimise it where possible - some boutique properties have more affordable single rates.
Do you run group tours or private only?
Farbound specialises in private, bespoke journeys. You won't be sharing a vehicle or guide with strangers. For travellers who prefer a social group setting, we can occasionally match solo travellers or small groups - get in touch to discuss.
What happens if something goes wrong on my trip?
We have a 24/7 emergency contact for all guests travelling with Farbound. Our local partners are experienced in handling medical issues, itinerary changes, and unexpected situations. We also ensure all guests have comprehensive travel insurance before they travel.
Do you cater for dietary requirements?
Yes - vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher, and severe allergy requirements are all manageable with advance notice. South Asia is exceptionally accommodating for vegetarian and vegan diets in particular. Please tell us at the time of enquiry so we can brief every restaurant and property on your itinerary.
Is it easy to find vegetarian food in South Asia?
Extremely easy. India in particular has centuries of vegetarian culinary tradition - most menus are 60-70% vegetarian. Sri Lanka offers wonderful dhal, coconut curries, and rice dishes that are naturally plant-based. Bhutan's cuisine features red rice, buckwheat, and vegetable dishes alongside meat options.
Can I drink the water?
Tap water is not safe to drink in Sri Lanka, India, or Bhutan. All reputable hotels provide filtered or bottled water. We advise carrying a reusable bottle with a built-in filter (e.g. LifeStraw or GRAYL) to reduce plastic waste - Bhutan in particular encourages this as part of its sustainability ethos.
Should I take out travel insurance before booking?
Yes - and we ask that you do so before final payment. A good policy covers medical emergencies, evacuation, trip cancellation, curtailment, and lost luggage. Adventure activities (trekking, rafting, safaris) must be explicitly covered. We're happy to recommend providers if you need a starting point.