Grasse of India - Kannauj
Kannauj, a quaint town conveniently situated between Lucknow and Agra and well-connected by the Lucknow-Agra expressway, boasts a perfumery history even older than that of Grasse in France. A comfortable 2-hour drive from Lucknow and about 2.5 hours from Agra, it makes for an interesting stop along this route.
The perfumes of Kannauj carry a rich heritage, having been favored by royalty, including the Mughal Emperors, for their exceptional quality and distinctive aromas. With a perfumery tradition believed to span over a millennium, the intricate skills of crafting these scents are passed down through generations within families. Known traditionally as ‘Itar’ or ‘Attar,’ these perfumes are typically created from flowers, roots, and herbs. Uniquely, Kannauj also produces a special variety of perfume from baked earth, capturing the evocative scent of the first monsoon rain on dry land. Interestingly, several leading international perfume brands source their essential concentrates from Kannauj, giving these traditional scents a global reach.
Despite the transformations in the world around it, Kannauj remains deeply committed to the traditional methods of perfume production, with the art being diligently preserved within perfumer families. Remarkably, the fragrant essence of perfume making permeates the town, noticeable even in the waterways where residue from the numerous perfumeries flows.
We have thoughtfully designed an exclusive experience centered around the perfume industry of Kannauj. This initiative aims to introduce and celebrate the enduring art of traditional perfume making, which has not only withstood modern advancements but continues to produce the finest fragrances.
Programme
- Post breakfast from any hotel in Lucknow / Agra drive to Kannauj (2 / 2.5 hours’ drive).
- Reach Kannauj by 1100 hrs and start your tour by visiting the flower fields to understand the early morning plucking process (plucking of flowers takes place at sunrise, thus it is only possible to see this but will be good to understand the plucking process).
- Break for lunch either at a local restaurant or enjoy a packed lunch within the perfumery itself.
- Later at the perfumery, understand the traditional art of developing the essential oils.
- After understanding the process, visit a perfume store to enjoy a tea session with a perfumer who will talk about different scents.
- Tour will end at about 1600 to drive further to Lucknow / Agra (2 / 2.5 hours’ drive).
TARIFF....
Per Guest
INR 17500 (Min 2 / Max 4 Guests)
(Includes: Cost of an air-conditioned transport from Agra to Lucknow or vice versa with an en route stop at Kannauj or as an excursion from Lucknow or from Agra. Perfume experience in Kannuaj as mentioned in the programme above, specialist guide for the experience, privileged access to a perfumery, lunch and refreshments)
This tour is not conducted on Tuesday & Sunday and on any National Holiday. Also, the tour remains suspended for a fortnight after the Indian festivals of Diwali, Holi and Eid. Guests are picked up from their hotel in the city (Agra/Lucknow) and dropped in any hotel (Agra/Lucknow). The duration of this tour is about 5 hrs.