4 DAYS 3 NIGHTS | LIMITED SLOTS
Chef on the Road
Jharkhand
Connect with the people, communities and culture of Jharkhand
Embark on an unforgettable culinary adventure with Chef on the Road: Jharkhand, brought to you by The Locavore in collaboration with Wild Harvest and the Ekastha Foundation. This unique journey is designed for a small, intimate group of travellers who will have the rare opportunity to explore the region alongside Chef Thomas Zacharias. Together, you’ll uncover Jharkhand’s vibrant culture, rich culinary heritage, and breathtaking natural beauty.
From savouring the sweetness of freshly harvested Mahua flowers in Jonha to delving into the intricate stories behind GI-tagged Sohrai and Khovar art in Hazaribagh, this immersive experience brings together the deep connection between food, culture, and community. Along the way, you’ll trek through lush landscapes, forage for wild ingredients, and share meals with local communities—all with ChefTZac as your guide, bringing his passion for India’s diverse food systems to life.
This four-day journey is more than just a standard itinerary—it is an invitation to connect, learn, and share stories in the company of like-minded explorers and the visionary chef behind The Locavore. Whether you’re a foodie, a culture enthusiast, or an adventurer, this trip will leave you inspired and enriched.
Chef on the Road (COTR) is Chef Thomas Zacharias’ deeply personal exploration of India’s regional cuisines and food traditions. Since its inception in 2013, the series has aimed to uncover the untold stories of indigenous food systems while spotlighting sustainability and community-driven practices. Each journey brings together passionate travellers, curious eaters, and local communities in a shared celebration of food and culture.
“COTR has always been about diving deeper into the soul of a place through its food. Jharkhand offers a unique opportunity to connect with communities who are keeping ancient traditions alive while embracing sustainable methods. This trip is about learning, sharing, and, above all, appreciating the intricate beauty of regional Indian food in a beautiful part of the country less explored by tourists.” — ChefTZac
Through its Jharkhand edition, COTR aims to highlight the work of Wild Harvest while offering participants unforgettable experiences–whether it’s foraging for Mahua flowers, preparing a meal with foraged ingredients, or sitting down to a community cookout under the stars, the trip reflects ChefTZac’s belief in the transformative power of food.
Founded in 2024 by Rishabh Lohia, Wild Harvest is a social enterprise in Jharkhand’s Jonha region. It focuses on reintroducing the Mahua flower as a versatile ingredient in modern diets, while preserving traditional knowledge and supporting local communities. Working with 40 households across multiple villages, Wild Harvest has transformed the way Mahua flowers are harvested—using innovative methods like specially designed nets and bamboo machans to ensure both a cleaner, higher-quality product, while significantly reducing the physical strain on local collectors.
Beyond creating sustainable livelihoods, WIld Harvest is also working to revive the culinary heritage of Mahua, showcasing its potential as a “superfood.” Through cooking workshops, storytelling sessions, and a deep commitment to ecological balance, Wild Harvest is not just harvesting flowers– it’s rewriting the narrative of the Mahua tree and its place in both local and global food systems. Learn more about their journey here.
The Ekastha Foundation is a grassroots organisation committed to empowering marginalised communities in Jharkhand through music, education, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental conservation. Their initiatives range from providing music education to differently-abled individuals to promoting eco-tourism and environmental stewardship through forest trails, all aimed at fostering a vibrant Jharkhand where human, animal, and forest rights are celebrated.
Ekastha Foundation’s programmes range from promoting eco-tourism through their Ekastha Trails, which connect visitors to Jharkhand’s rich biodiversity, to their Sarhul programme that drives sustainable livelihoods and environmental conservation. They also run Taal, an initiative assisting differently-abled individuals through music education, and supporting primary education for underserved children in rural Jharkhand.
As a collaborator on this journey, the Ekastha Foundation offers participants a chance to experience the communities and the natural landscapes of Jharkhand through their community tourism led camping and activities. lens into the heart of Jharkhand’s communities and ecosystems, fostering an appreciation for the region’s culture and its people. Learn more about their work here.
Day 1: Discovering Jharkhandi Cuisine
Welcome to Jharkhand! Upon arrival at Birsa Munda Airport, a private taxi will take you to the Ranchi Gymkhana Club. After settling in and meeting the team and fellow travellers, we’ll head to Ajam Emba to meet founder and chef Aruna Tikrey. Here, we’ll get an introduction to Jharkhandi cuisine—its ingredients, techniques, and traditions—before sitting down to a seasonal feast prepared by Aruna and her team.
Day 2: Hazaribagh’s Art, History, and Forgotten Caves
We start early, making our way to the Sanskriti Foundation in Hazaribagh for breakfast with Padmashree Bullu Imam, who will take us through stories of wildlife, colonial history, and his archaeological explorations. His son Gustav Imam will then take us on a tour of the museum and the painted mud homes of the region.
Next, we head to Isko village, where we’ll enjoy a meal in a home adorned with Khovar and Sohrai art. After an art walk through the village, we visit the Isko Caves, a hidden prehistoric site showcasing rock art that has survived for thousands of years.
In the evening, we return to Ranchi Gymkhana Club for a special dinner that reinterprets Jharkhand’s culinary heritage in a modern setting, paired with cocktails.
Day 3: A Trek to the Source
The day begins with a dive into Ranchi’s street food—sampling local favourites like litti chokha, sattu kachori, jalebi, and dhuska. From there, we journey to Deepa Toli, a hamlet where we’ll meet the local community and witness the seasonal mahua bloom being harvested and dried.
Later, we set off on a foraging trek with the Koynardih and Deepa Toli communities, making our way through dense forests to a riverside campsite. As night falls, we gather under the stars for a community-cooked dinner, accompanied by folk music and storytelling that brings to life the region’s lesser-known legends. Overnight stay at the campsite.
Day 4: Back to the City
After a refreshing morning dip in the river, we trek up to Koynardih village before visiting the Jonha weekly farmers market, where late spring and early summer’s finest produce is on display.
For lunch, we stop at Mandi Eddpa, a local favourite in Ranchi, to savour dishes like dumbu, snails, and chhilka roti. With full hearts (and stomachs), we head to Birsa Munda Airport, marking the end of this immersive journey through Jharkhand.
Where You Will Stay
For the first two nights, you’ll unwind at the Ranchi Gymkhana Club, a serene retreat offering modern comforts amidst greenery. This prestigious establishment, founded in 1988, combines a welcoming ambience with thoughtfully designed accommodation, making it the perfect base to relax after exploring Jharkhand’s rich culture and heritage.
On the third night, the experience takes an adventurous turn as you camp in the Jonha Forest by the river. Surrounded by the tranquil sounds of nature, you’ll sleep in tents set up exclusively for the group. While the campsite offers a shared makeshift toilet, the beauty of the place—under the stars, by the river—will make it a truly memorable and immersive part of the journey.
Accommodation will be on a twin-sharing basis so we recommend only booking in a pair so that you are comfortable sharing a room with your travel partner.
Food and Drinks
Expect a culinary journey as diverse and vibrant as Jharkhand itself. From savouring street food delicacies at bustling local markets to dining at iconic restaurants, every meal will tell a story. You’ll share simple yet delicious meals prepared by local communities, whether in homes of the local community or outdoors, like our campsite by the river. Rooted in local ingredients and traditions, each dish promises to be nuanced, exciting, and reflective of the region’s rich food heritage.
What to Carry
Clothing & Accessories
- Comfortable clothes, Light jacket
- Anti-slip trekking shoes
- A sun hat or a cap
- Sunglasses
- Chargers (and backup battery packs if possible)
- Flashlight/torch
- Sunscreen
- Prescription and sufficient doses of medication
- Mosquito repellants
- A water bottle
Important: Please pack light! You’ll also need to carry a small day bag that can fit essentials and one night’s clothing for our camping experience by the river.
Weather Forecast (check before you pack!)
What This Exciting Trip Will Cost You
The cost per person is INR 48,500 + 18% GST (Total: INR 57,230/-).
Accommodation will be on a twin-sharing basis so we recommend only booking in a pair so that you are comfortable sharing a room with your travel partner.
What the Cost Includes
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner on all days
- Airport Transfers (shared with other travellers)
- Local Transport
- Accommodation
- Experiences
What the Cost Does Not Include
- Flight Tickets to and from Ranchi from your city
- Any personal expenses such as shopping in local markets
- Costs incurred due to deviation from the tour for personal reasons.
- Anything not mentioned under inclusions
Important Terms and Conditions
1. Email us within 24 hours to book your spot.
2. You will receive a confirmation with further details and contact numbers of the points of contact that will guide you through the trip.
3. Payment: Guests must pay the full amount of the tour fee at the time of booking to secure their spot on the trip. Payment can be made online through a secure payment gateway.
4. Cancellation Policy: Spots once booked are non-refundable and non-transferable, even in case of medical emergencies. Latecomers will not be compensated.
5. Changes to Tour Schedule: The Locavore and Wild Harvest reserves the right to modify the tour itinerary and/or reschedule due to weather conditions, availability of food, or other unforeseen circumstances. We will try our best to keep it as close to the itinerary shared as possible.
6. Responsibility of Guests: Guests are responsible for their own health and safety during the tour. The Locavore and Wild Harvest are not responsible for any injuries, illnesses, or accidents that may occur during the tour.
7. Dietary Restrictions: The Locavore and Wild Harvest will make reasonable efforts to accommodate dietary restrictions but cannot guarantee that all requests will be accommodated for every meal.
8. Photography and Video: Guests are welcome to take photographs and videos during the tour, but must obtain permission from The Locavore and any individuals who appear in the photographs or videos before sharing them publicly.
9. Guests assign the irrevocable, sub-licensable right and license to The Locavore & Wild Harvest to use in any media now known or later developed, the Guest’s name, photograph, and/or video presence for any and all non-commercial or commercial purposes either now or later, forever, throughout the world without further obligation or compensation to Guest.
10. Please note, there is low accessibility for wheelchairs and other aids across activities on the trip. We apologise for the inconvenience.
11. Limitation of Liability: The Locavore and Wild Harvest will not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including but not limited to loss of income, injury, or property damage, that may result from participation in the tour. First Aid Kits will be available within easy access. Please note, we do not recommend young children or the elderly to be a part of the trip due to the nature of certain activities. However, please reach out to us if you have any queries.
12. Agreement to Terms and Conditions: By booking and participating in the food tour, guests agree to abide by these terms and conditions.
Have any queries? Reach out to us at connect@thelocavore.in!
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