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Maestro Jrnys

ChefTZac's Jodhpur & Jaisalmer

A Culinary Trail

TRIP DATES

03 Oct 24 - 06 Oct 24

PRICE PER PERSON

$ 819.50

CULINARY

Overview Stay Itinerary FAQs

ChefTZac's Jodhpur & Jaisalmer: A Culinary Trail

TRIP DATES

03 Oct 24-06 Oct 24

PRICE PER PERSON

$ 819.50

About this Jrny

Rajasthan is widely known for its dal baati, laal maas, and ker sangri, but there is so much more to this state’s rich food heritage. Join Chef Thomas Zacharias, aka Chef TZac, on a 4-day immersive culinary adventure to explore the cuisine of this royal land and eat to your heart's content — not a bad dish in sight.

This trip is a deep dive into the culinary and cultural heritage of Rajasthan, starting with the ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur, where we sample all the traditional fare on offer, taking breaks to explore historical sights between meals. While heading to our next destination, Jaisalmer, we make a stop at Pokhran, in the heart of the Thar Desert, to meet with local farmers and taste local delicacies like camel cheese. Jaisalmer, the ‘Golden City’ of Rajasthan, welcomes us with its charming streets, architectural marvels, and of course, its lively food scene.

Through the trip, we learn what makes Rajasthani cuisine so unique and special while experiencing the warmth of local hospitality. We celebrate the region’s eclectic spice traditions and learn the secrets of cooking in an arid environment. This is Rajasthan like you’ve never seen before, its flavours tell a compelling story about its rich history just as its forts do. Come, join us for this culinary exploration.

Highlights

Dive into a culinary journey with Chef TZac, sampling Rajasthani specialities and dining like the locals.
Explore rural Rajasthani villages and learn about their professions, lifestyle, and food.
Meet local farmers in the Thar Desert and learn about their sustainable agriculture and dairy farming practices. Taste some local camel cheese amongst other delicacies.
Explore the streets of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, visit heritage sites and take in the magnificent architecture.
Explore the markets of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, discovering indigenous ingredients and seasonal produce.

Overview

Dates

3Oct’24 - 6Oct’24

Suggested Ages

Any

Duration

4 days

Activity Level

moderate

Group Size

Travel Style

comfort

Price per person

$819.50

Itinerary

Thu 03 Oct

Arrive in Jodhpur

Fri 04 Oct

A day in Jodhpur

Sat 05 Oct

Jodhpur to Jaisalmer

Sun 06 Oct

Depart Jaisalmer

Stay

CHECK IN 03 Oct

2 N

CHECK OUT 05 Oct

Daspan House

Jodhpur

CHECK IN 05 Oct

1 N

CHECK OUT 06 Oct

WelcomeHeritage Mandir Palace

Jaisalmer

Your Daily Itinerary

Thu 03 Oct

Arrive in Jodhpur

Welcome to Jodhpur, the Blue City! Upon arrival, arrange your own transport to the pre-booked hotel. Check in and rest to unwind from your journey before joining us for a short meet-and-greet session.

Before dinner, meet your maestro and take part in the ‘Locavore Shuffle’, a unique activity where you will meet your fellow travellers and bond over thought-provoking conversations. To close the day, you will join Chef Thomas and the gang for a welcome dinner at Daspan House’s restaurant, with an array of local dishes and classic cocktails.

Meals included: Dinner

Activities

Meet & greet at Jodhpur hotel

17:00 - 17:30

After you’ve had a chance to rest and refresh yourself, head to the hotel lobby to join us for a short meet-and-greet session.

Locavore Shuffle

17:30 - 18:30

Participate in the ‘Locavore Shuffle’, a social experience designed for you to get to know your fellow travellers and set the stage for your upcoming adventures together.

Welcome dinner

19:15 - 21:30

Relish the flavours of Rajasthan’s well-known specialities for your first meal of the trip at Daspan House.

Fri 04 Oct

A day in Jodhpur

Start your day with a walk through the streets of Jodhpur, accompanied by Chef Thomas. Soak in the sights and watch the city wake up as you tuck into a local breakfast. Delve into Jodhpur’s history with a guided visit to Mehrangarh Fort — breathtaking views from the hilltop complimentary!

The afternoon is for a jeep safari, taking you to the villages of rural Rajasthan. Gudha is home to the Bishnoi community, known for its love of animals and nature, and unique lifestyle. You may even spot some wildlife here! Singhasni is home to the potter community, where you can watch amazing clay pieces being created by hand. Salawas is the village of weavers, home to the famous Rajasthani dhurries (rugs). This is followed by a home cooked lunch at a dhurrie maker’s home.

Relax and unwind before having dinner with a local Marwari family, lovingly welcoming you into their home with a feast of traditional dishes whose recipes have been passed down through generations.

Activities

Street food walk with ChefTZac

07:00 - 09:00

Join Chef Thomas for an morning walk, soaking in the sights, sounds, and aromas of Jodhpur. Afterward, indulge in a delicious local breakfast, experiencing the authentic flavours of the city.

Visit to Mehrangarh fort

09:30 - 11:00

Explore the awe-inspiring Mehrangarh Fort, a monumental fortress towering over Jodhpur. The views of the Blue City below are to die for.

Jodhpur village jeep safari

12:00 - 15:00

Embark on a jeep safari through a few Rajasthani villages, known for their culture and handicrafts. Witness skilled artisans at work and observe their craft.

Lunch at a Dhurrie maker’s home

12:00 - 13:30

Engage in conversations with skilled artisans, gaining a deeper understanding of their craft while relishing a home-cooked meal that reflects the region's culinary richness.

Dinner with a Marwari family

18:30 - 22:00

Back in Jodhpur, end the day with a feast of local dishes, lovingly prepared by a Marwari family in their home.

Sat 05 Oct

Jodhpur to Jaisalmer

Set out on a scenic journey from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer. Stop enroute at Pokhran, in the heart of the Thar Desert. Pokhran, surrounded by rocks, sand, and salt ranges, translates to ‘place surrounded by five salt ranges’ in Rajasthani. Meet local farmers while they share their stories of sustainable agriculture and dairy farming, in an experience crafted by a community-owned brand rooted in the desert. This is also a unique opportunity to taste local hard-to-find delicacies like camel cheese

Back on the road to Jaisalmer, stop at Bil Village for a tribal Rajasthani lunch with vegetarian delights including daal baati and ker sangri. This evening, you will experience a truly royal heritage dinner at a local haveli (traditional townhouse) in Jaisalmer. This particular haveli was bvuilt in the early 18th century by Jaisalmer’s royal family and is now adorned with decor blending Rajput and Mughal styles. The walls showcase intricate sandstone carvings and exquisite craftsmanship, offering a glimpse into Rajasthan's regal past.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Activities

Drive to Jaisalmer

07:30 - 09:30

Set out on a 5-hour long, scenic drive from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer, with a stop at Pokhran on the way.

Stop in Pokhran to meet local farmers

09:30 - 11:30

Enjoy an afternoon crafted by Bahula Experience, a community-owned brand rooted in the Thar Desert, highlighting the stories and dedication of local farmers.

Lunch at Bil Village House

11:30 - 14:30

Feast on a traditional tribal lunch hero-ing vegetarian cuisine at Bil Village House.

Dinner at a haveli in Jaisalmer

19:00 - 22:00

Experience a truly royal dining experience with dinner at a local Haveli.

Sun 06 Oct

Depart Jaisalmer

Your eventful trip comes to an end with a bang. Accompany Chef Thomas through the streets near Jaisalmer fort to breakfast on local street food; the pyaaz kachoris (a deep-fried snack stuffed with an onion filling) are not to be missed!

The trip concludes back at the hotel, leaving you with a heavy heart but unforgettable memories. Whether it's the majestic forts, the warm hospitality of the locals, or the delectable cuisine, may these memories serve as a reminder of the beauty and richness of Rajasthan.

Meals included: Breakfast

Activities

Street food tour with ChefTZac

07:00 - 08:30

Walk through the Jaisalmer fort to enjoy the local street food for breakfast and taste Jaisalmer’s famous pyaaz kachoris and more.

Depart from Hotel

11:00 - 12:00

Make your way to the airport, fondly recalling the excitement and learnings from the past few days.

Frequently Asked Questions

- You are passionate about the cultural heritage of a place and are keen to explore it thoughtfully, beyond the typical tourist trail.

- You’ve always wanted to experience a place through the eyes of a locality and interact with them more closely.

- You geek out on local Indian food and are always on the lookout to try new, lesser-known dishes that deserve more of the spotlight.

- You are curious about the people who grow and cook your food.

- You are excited to forge meaningful connections with like-minded travellers, who share the same passion for conscious and sustainable travel as you.

- You are not the kind of tourist seeking only luxurious comfort, and are open to getting your hands dirty while on the adventure!

The tour starts at the Jodhpur hotel at 5pm on 3 Oct. So please ensure you are in the hotel lobby few minutes before. The hotel check in time is 2pm. So please make sure you book a flight that arrives in Jodhpur a couple of hours prior to this as it can take around 30 minutes to an hour from the airport to the hotel. Or you can arrive a day earlier, please let us know at [email protected] if you would like us to book a pre night at the hotel (subject to availability) or you can book a standard category of room directly online.

You can depart anytime after 8:30am.The tour ends in Jaisalmer on 6 Oct morning after our breakfast walk. The hotel check out time is 12noon.

The tour starts in Jodhpur and ends in Jaisalmer. So you should arrive at Jodhpur Airport (Airport code is JDH). And depart from Jaisalmer Airport (Airport code is JSA)

No, As this trip starts and ends at your Hotel. You need to make your arrangements for the hotel and back to the Airport on the last day.

Absolutely, please rest assured. From flavourful vegetarian dishes deeply rooted in local culinary traditions to specially curated menus, we ensure a delightful array of vegetarian choices on all our tours.

We try and cater to other diet restrictions as much as possible. But, we do focus on regional local cuisine. So there will be limitations. Please write to [email protected] with your booking number in the subject line to inform us well in advance of any such restrictions.

Sorry, this trip might not be for you. We endeavour to introduce people to local food & culture and expect our travellers to be adventurous when it comes to life.

Please read through the itinerary in detail. Overall for the tour on a scale from 1 - 5, a fitness level of 2 would be ideal.

The longest drive in this tour appx 2 hrs (depending on traffic).

October is pleasant weather in Western Rajasthan. Daytime will be warm and sunny. Night time is nice and pleasant. So lightweight and breathable clothing is advisable due to the often hot and humid weather. Don't forget essentials like sunscreen, insect repellent, and comfortable walking shoes. This is a casual tour, so no dress restrictions, but once in a while you might want to dress for a nice dinner. Entirely up to you.

- 20% advance payment (fully refundable) is required to confirm the booking.

- Balance full payment to be done 62 days before the date of travel

- Till 62 days, 100% refundable

- From 61 days onwards 100% cancellation charges

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