After breakfast, a guided walk through Fort Kochi uncovers centuries of layered history — the 1503 St. Francis Church, the 1568 Paradesi Synagogue, and Mattancherry Palace’s murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana. The day closes at the waterfront, watching the iconic Chinese fishing nets swing into the tide.

A five-hour scenic drive climbs through the Western Ghats into Munnar’s tea country. In the evening, witness Kalaripayattu — one of the world’s oldest martial art forms — performed live.

Set out on a 9km, three-hour trek through rolling tea gardens, breakfast picnic included along the way. Visit the Munnar Tea Museum, then take in panoramic views from Pothamedu Viewpoint, where tea, coffee, cardamom, and pepper plantations meet the horizon.

Wind through cardamom hills on the drive to Periyar National Park, with a leisurely afternoon to settle in before the next day’s adventure.

A 2.5-hour guided jungle trek offers a chance to spot wild elephant herds, sambar deer, and native birdlife, followed by a bamboo raft cruise across Periyar Lake. The evening brings a Kathakali performance — striking facial makeup, intricate hand gestures, and elaborate costume.

Drive south to Kollam, skirting the calm expanse of Ashtamudi Lake — the tranquil gateway to Kerala’s famed backwaters.

Explore Varkala’s towering red sandstone cliffs above the Arabian Sea, then spend the afternoon gliding through the mangrove-lined waters of Paravur Lake, past coconut groves and quiet fishing hamlets.

Arrive in Alleppey, the “Venice of the East,” and board your private Kettuvallam houseboat. Lunch is served on board as you drift across the vast Vembanad Lake, past fishermen casting nets and artisans crafting coir rope. Dinner is served under the stars aboard the anchored houseboat.

A final breakfast aboard the houseboat before the drive back to Cochin International Airport — itinerary complete.

The morning covers Humayun's Tomb — the garden-tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal a century later — and the soaring Jama Masjid. A rickshaw ride through the packed lanes of Chandni Chowk leads into the afternoon's stops at Qutub Minar and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib.

Drive to Agra for a day built entirely around the Taj Mahal — the ivory-white marble mausoleum Emperor Shah Jahan raised for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, completed in 1653. See it in its best light, then spend the afternoon wandering the surrounding gardens and riverfront.

A last morning in Agra takes in Agra Fort, the red-sandstone stronghold that housed the Mughal court until 1638, and its surrounding bazaars, before the road turns west toward Rajasthan and the Pink City.

A full day through Rajasthan's capital: the pink lattice façade of Hawa Mahal, the stone astronomical instruments of Jantar Mantar, City Palace, the floating Jal Mahal, and the hilltop grandeur of Amber and Nahargarh Forts.

A short flight trades Rajasthan's forts for Varanasi's riverfront. Evening brings a walk along the ghats and a front-row seat for the Ganga Aarti, where priests perform synchronized rituals with towers of flame.

Before dawn, a boat ride drifts past the ghats as the city wakes. By late morning, Sarnath's Dhamekh Stupa and museum — home to the Lion Capital of Ashoka — trace Varanasi's Buddhist history, before an afternoon browsing the Banarasi silk market.

A final breakfast before your transfer to the airport closes out the trip.

Humayun's Tomb — a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 1570 — opens the day, followed by Jama Masjid and a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk's bazaar. The afternoon covers Qutub Minar and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, one of Delhi's most prominent Sikh houses of worship.

A morning superfast train covers the run to Gwalior. Gwalior Fort — once called 'the pearl among fortresses of India' by Emperor Babur — anchors the afternoon, alongside Man Mandir Palace, Gujari Mahal, and the tomb of Tansen, the 16th-century classical musician.

The drive to Khajuraho sets up the next two days among temples built by the Chandela dynasty between the 9th and 11th centuries, renowned for their sculptural detail.

A full morning through the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, including the grand Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, is followed by an afternoon at Raneh Falls, where the Ken River has carved a dramatic red-granite canyon.

Orchha sits along the boulder-strewn banks of the Betwa River. The fort complex here — Jahangir Mahal, Raj Mahal, and Rai Parveen Mahal — is one of the best-preserved in the region.

The road continues to Agra, the historic seat of the Mughal Empire. Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that housed the Mughal court until 1638, fills the afternoon, along with the city’s local markets.

An early start catches the Taj Mahal at sunrise, its marble domes lit gold. En route to Jaipur, Chand Baori — a 9th-century stepwell that plunges 100 feet into the earth — breaks up the drive, before an evening walking tour through Jaipur's bazaars.

Hawa Mahal's five-storey lattice façade opens the day, followed by Jantar Mantar's UNESCO-listed stone astronomical instruments, the City Palace complex, and Galtaji Temple — better known as the Monkey Temple.

Jal Mahal, the Water Palace floating on Man Sagar Lake, opens a day built around Amer Fort, Jaigarh Fort, and Nahargarh Fort perched on the edge of the Aravalli hills.

A short flight trades Rajasthan for the Ganges. Varanasi's markets and winding alleyways, along with its street food, fill the first afternoon.

A pre-dawn rowing boat ride along the Ganges leads into a morning at Sarnath, where the Buddha delivered his first sermon. The afternoon’s stop at Varanasi’s silk market gives way to the evening’s Ganga Aarti.

A final breakfast precedes the transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Delhi, connecting onward.

A pre-dawn boat ride drifts past all eighty-four of Varanasi's historic ghats as the city wakes. The day continues on foot through Kashi Vishwanath, Annapurna, Kaal Bhairav, Sankat Mochan Hanuman, Durga, and Tulsi Manas temples.

A short drive to Sarnath covers the Dhamek Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, the Ashoka Pillar, and the archaeological museum. Back in Varanasi, a guided heritage walk winds through the city’s oldest alleyways.

After breakfast, cross the Ganges to Ramnagar Fort, the 18th-century ancestral home housing royal artifacts, vintage cars, and palanquins. A final stop at Banaras Hindu University takes in the Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum, New Vishwanath Temple, and Bharat Mata Mandir before the transfer to the airport or station.

A roughly three-hour drive covers the 140km to Ayodhya, where the day’s stops include Shri Ram Janmabhoomi, Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, and the Ram Pattabhishek Temple.

The road continues roughly four hours to Prayagraj, where Akbar's 1583 riverside fort and Anand Bhawan — once home to the Nehru family — anchor the afternoon.

A morning boat ride reaches the Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati are said to meet, for a holy dip, followed by visits to the Hanuman Temple and the Alopi Devi Shakti Peeth. On arrival in Varanasi, the evening closes with a Ganga Aarti seen from the water at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

A boat ride past Varanasi’s largest cremation ground and its major ghats leads into visits to Tulsi Manas Temple — where the Ramcharitmanas was written — Sankat Mochan Temple, and Bharat Mata Temple. An afternoon excursion to Sarnath covers the Buddha temple, Dhamekh Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, and the archaeological museum.

A roughly six-hour drive covers the 265km to Bodhgaya, with the rest of the day left free to settle in.

The Mahabodhi Temple — a UNESCO World Heritage Site built around the Bodhi tree where the Buddha attained enlightenment — anchors the day, alongside the 20-metre Great Buddha Statue, the 1956 Wat Thai Temple, the Japanese Indosan Nipponji temple, and a Tibetan monastery.

A short detour through Rajgir takes in the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Bimbisar Jail, and Ajatashatru Fort, followed by the ancient university ruins at Nalanda. The drive continues on to Patna for the departure transfer.

Head north on the highway for the four-to-five-hour run to Chandigarh. In the afternoon, wander through Nek Chand's whimsical Rock Garden, built entirely from salvaged and discarded materials, then unwind beside Sukhna Lake, where you can take a pedal boat out onto the water.

The plains fall away as the road follows the Beas River up into the hills, a drive of seven to eight hours. You arrive in Manali, around 2,050 metres above sea level, in time to settle in and enjoy the cool mountain air.

Spend the day gently getting used to the altitude. Soak in the natural hot springs at Vashisht village, visit the cedar-shaded Hadimba Temple dating to 1553, browse the cafes and craft shops of Old Manali, and stroll down the busy Mall Road in the evening.

Pass through the Atal Tunnel and drive on via Chatru, where lunch is served, and Batal, where there is time for a tea stop. Six to seven hours of waterfalls, wildflowers and widening views bring you to the camp by Chandratal, the "Moon Lake".

Start with an easy, roughly one-hour hike to the shore of Chandratal. Then continue over Kunzum Pass at about 4,550 metres, the gateway into Spiti, and follow the river down to Kaza, the valley's main settlement, some 77 km from the lake.

Drive down the valley via Dhankar, perched high above the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers, to Tabo. Its monastery, founded in 996 CE, is one of the oldest in the Himalaya, and the cave meditation chambers in the cliffs above can be explored.

Take your time in Tabo's ancient assembly halls, with their fine murals, painted thankas and clay sculptures. A short excursion then reaches Gue village, home to a naturally preserved mummy believed to be several centuries old.

Head back up-valley to Langza, a farming hamlet watched over by a large golden Buddha statue and a temple more than a thousand years old. The surrounding slopes are strewn with marine fossils left behind when this land lay beneath the ancient Tethys Sea.

A day among the valley's loftiest settlements. Visit Komic and Hikkim, among the highest villages in the world linked by road, and Tangyud Monastery, before returning to Langza for the night at roughly 4,500 metres.

Retrace the route over the passes, with breakfast and a tea break at Batal on the way. Seven to eight hours later you are back in Manali, where hot showers and a proper bed are waiting.

Nothing is planned. Sleep in, revisit your favourite cafe, shop for woollens and handicrafts, or take a short walk in the nearby pine forests.

Leave the mountains behind with a four-to-five-hour drive down to Chandigarh, where you spend a final night before heading home.

After breakfast, a private transfer takes you to the airport in time for your onward flight.

With a local guide, visit Humayun's Tomb, the garden mausoleum that inspired the Taj, and Qutub Minar, a soaring tower from the 1200s. Then ride a rickshaw through the crowded lanes of Chandni Chowk, step into the vast courtyard of Jama Masjid and finish at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, where the community kitchen feeds thousands each day.

Set out on the roughly four-hour drive to Agra. After checking in, explore the red sandstone ramparts and marble halls of Agra Fort with a guide, and wander the bazaars near the old city in the late afternoon.

Be at the Taj Mahal when it opens, as the first light turns the marble from grey to rose and gold. (The Taj is closed on Fridays, so we shift the day around if needed.) After breakfast, continue to Bharatpur and ride a cycle rickshaw through Keoladeo National Park, a wetland reserve alive with herons, storks and painted storks.

A long scenic drive takes you into Rajasthan's forested hills and to the edge of Ranthambore National Park. Arrive, settle in and spend the evening relaxing before the early start tomorrow.

Climb aboard an open safari vehicle at dawn and again in the afternoon to search the park's lakes, grasslands and crumbling fort walls for tigers, leopards, sloth bears, deer and a rich variety of birds. Between drives, rest at your lodge. (The park is closed during the monsoon months of July to September.)

Drive to Jaipur in about four hours. In the afternoon, try your hand at the local craft of blue pottery in a hands-on workshop, then follow a guide on a walking tour through the rose-coloured streets and markets of the old city.

A full day of sightseeing takes in the honeycombed Hawa Mahal, the giant stone instruments of Jantar Mantar, the City Palace, and the Jal Mahal floating in its lake. Climb up to Amer Fort for sweeping views, and end the day at Nahargarh Fort, a perfect spot to watch the city lights come on.

Take a morning flight from Jaipur to Kochi. In the afternoon, explore Fort Kochi's waterfront heritage: Mattancherry Palace with its murals, the Paradesi Synagogue, the aromatic spice market, and the huge cantilevered Chinese fishing nets at sunset.

Drive about five hours up into the Western Ghats, winding through rubber and spice plantations to reach Munnar. In the evening, watch a live performance of Kalaripayattu, Kerala's ancient martial art.

Tour a working tea estate and its museum to see how the leaf goes from bush to cup, then walk through a spice plantation where cardamom, pepper and cinnamon grow. After lunch, a jeep ride takes you up to the village trails of Mankulam and Anakulam.

Descend through cardamom hills to Thekkady, the base for Periyar Tiger Reserve, a drive of around three to four hours. The rest of the day is free to unwind among the spice gardens.

Follow a naturalist on a guided forest walk, then glide across Periyar Lake on a bamboo raft, watching for elephants, deer and hornbills along the banks. The whole outing takes about six hours. In the evening, see Kathakali, the dramatic dance-theatre known for its vivid face paint and elaborate costumes.

Drive south for three to four hours to Kollam, a relaxed port town at the edge of Ashtamudi Lake. Arrive in the evening and enjoy a quiet night.

Spend the morning at Varkala, where red cliffs overlook a sweep of Arabian Sea beach, then take a boat across the calm, mangrove-fringed waters of Paravur Lake in the afternoon.

Make the short two-hour drive to Alleppey and step aboard your private houseboat. Cruise across Vembanad Lake and through narrow palm-lined canals, enjoying meals prepared on board, and anchor for a peaceful night.

After breakfast on the boat, disembark and drive to Kochi airport for your onward flight.

Drive down the coast to Mahabalipuram, a World Heritage site famed for its seventh- and eighth-century rock-cut art. With a guide, explore the weathered Shore Temple beside the sea, the monolithic Pancha Rathas carved to resemble chariots, and the cave temples with their delicate relief panels.

Head inland to Kanchipuram, one of Hinduism's seven sacred cities. Visit the Kailasanathar Temple, the Varadharaja Perumal Temple and the towering Ekambareswarar Temple, then return to the coast for the evening. Dress modestly, as these are active places of worship.

Follow the coastal road south to Pondicherry. After settling in, visit the Manakula Vinayagar Temple, a lively shrine to Ganesha where a temple elephant often blesses visitors.

Wander the grid of quiet, bougainvillea-draped streets in the old French Quarter on a guided heritage walk, past colonial villas, churches and small cafes. Finish the day with an evening stroll along the seafront promenade and beach.

A drive of several hours inland brings you to Thanjavur, the old Chola and Maratha capital. Visit the Royal Palace and its museum, which houses fine collections of Chola bronzes and sculpture.

Visit the immense Brihadeeshwara Temple and watch a ritual pooja ceremony in progress. Then take a day trip to nearby Kumbakonam to see the intricately carved Airavatesvara Temple, a World Heritage site, and to watch craftsmen at work in a traditional brass workshop.

Drive to Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. After checking in, stroll through the colourful flower market, where garlands are strung by the thousands for the day's offerings.

Explore the vast Meenakshi Amman Temple, whose towering gateways are covered with thousands of painted deities, and witness a pooja ceremony. In the evening, join a walking food tour through the bustling lanes for a sampling of Madurai's famous street food.

A long scenic drive climbs from the plains into Kerala's high-range tea country. After arriving in Munnar, enjoy an evening performance of Kalaripayattu, the region's ancient martial art.

Set off on a guided 3-hour, 9 km soft trek through the tea plantations. Afterwards, visit the Tea Museum to learn how the leaf is processed, and finish with sweeping valley views from Pothamedu Viewpoint.

Drive through cardamom and pepper plantations to Thekkady, the gateway to Periyar Tiger Reserve. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at your resort.

Join a naturalist for a half-day jungle hike followed by a bamboo raft ride on Periyar Lake, around six hours in all. Comfortable walking shoes and long trousers are recommended. In the evening, enjoy a Kathakali performance with its dramatic make-up and expressive storytelling.

Drive down from the hills to the quiet lake village of Kumarakom on the edge of Vembanad Lake, where you have the evening at leisure.

Walk through a local village to see everyday life among coconut groves, rice fields and canals, then glide along the narrow waterways on a traditional shikara boat.

Transfer to Alleppey and board your luxury houseboat for a day of slow cruising across Vembanad Lake and its network of palm-lined canals. Lunch and dinner are prepared on board, and you spend the night at anchor.

Disembark after breakfast and continue to Kochi. Visit the Paradesi Synagogue (1567), the Dutch Palace at Mattancherry with its murals, the fragrant spice market, and the giant Chinese fishing nets along the waterfront.

After breakfast, a private transfer takes you to Kochi airport for your onward flight.

Drive roughly 250 km north to Chandigarh, around four to five hours. In the afternoon, visit Nek Chand's Rock Garden, a fantastical sculpture park built from recycled materials, and relax beside the waters of Sukhna Lake.

The plains give way to hills as you follow the Beas River for about 280 km, a drive of seven to eight hours, arriving in the mountain town of Manali.

Use the day to let your body adjust to the altitude while exploring at an easy pace. Soak in the hot springs of Vashisht village, visit the cedar-shaded Hadimba Temple, built in 1553, wander through the cafes of Old Manali and stroll along Mall Road.

Drive about 100 km through the 9-km Atal Tunnel, one of the longest high-altitude tunnels in the world, and emerge into the stark, wide valleys of Lahaul. Jispa, a quiet village beside the Bhaga River, is your base for the night.

This is the big day: a long, dramatic drive over several high passes and across barren plateaus, with sweeping views of glaciers, multicoloured rock and empty valleys, before descending to Leh in Ladakh. Take breaks often and drink plenty of water.

Start gently, since you have just arrived at altitude. Explore Leh Palace and the hilltop Shanti Stupa with its view across the town, then visit the monasteries at Shey and Thiksey, the latter resembling a smaller version of Tibet's Potala Palace.

Drive along the Indus River to the Hall of Fame, a military museum honouring the Indian Army, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, the curious Magnetic Hill, and the Sangam, where the Indus meets the Zanskar. Continue to Alchi Monastery, a rare survivor from around the eleventh century with remarkable ancient murals.

Climb over Khardung La, one of the highest motorable roads in the world, then descend into the green Nubra Valley. Visit Diskit Monastery and its towering Maitreya Buddha statue, and in the evening ride a double-humped Bactrian camel across the sand dunes at Hunder.

Spend a slow day in Nubra. Walk through apricot orchards and villages, relax in the Panamic hot springs and soak up views of the surrounding peaks.

Cross the Shyok river valley and wind up to Pangong Lake, at roughly 4,350 metres. The saltwater lake, which stretches some 134 km across the border with Tibet, shifts from turquoise to deep blue to silver through the day. Take a lakeside walk or try a yak ride.

Retrace the route toward Leh, stopping at Hemis Monastery, one of Ladakh's largest and most important monastic centres, before returning to your hotel in Leh.

After breakfast, a private transfer takes you to Leh airport for your onward flight.

With a local guide, drive past India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan, then visit Humayun's Tomb and the towering Qutub Minar. Ride a rickshaw through the packed lanes of Chandni Chowk, step into the huge courtyard of Jama Masjid and finish at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, whose kitchen serves free meals to all.

Drive south to Agra, roughly four hours away. Spend the afternoon at the great red sandstone Agra Fort, then wander through the nearby bazaars as the light softens.

Visit the Taj Mahal first thing, when the marble glows in early light. (The Taj is closed on Fridays, so we adjust the order of the day if needed.) Then drive on into Rajasthan, stopping at Chand Baori, a spectacular stepwell of 3,500 steps built around the eighth or ninth century, before reaching the village of Talabgaon.

Spend the morning getting a feel for everyday village life around Talabgaon, walking the lanes and meeting local people. After lunch, continue to Jaipur, the Pink City. A drive of a few hours brings you to your hotel.

Join a guide to tour the sights of Jaipur: the honeycombed Hawa Mahal, the vast astronomical instruments of Jantar Mantar, the City Palace and the Jal Mahal in the lake. Climb up to Amer Fort for sweeping views and end the day at Nahargarh Fort. In the afternoon, try your hand at blue pottery in a hands-on workshop and take a stroll through the market streets of the old city.

Head north-west into the semi-desert Shekhawati region, stopping at Nawalgarh to see its richly painted havelis, the elaborate mansions built by wealthy merchant families. Arrive in Mandawa and settle into your fort hotel.

Explore Mandawa on foot, where nearly every street is lined with havelis decorated with colourful frescoes of gods, soldiers, trains and even early cars. Visit Castle Mandawa, a heritage fort-palace, and soak up the unhurried pace of the old trading town.

Make the drive back to Delhi, a journey of several hours, arriving in time for a final evening in the capital.

After breakfast, a private transfer takes you to the airport for your onward flight.

Head inland to Kanchipuram, one of Hinduism's seven sacred cities and long famous for its silk. Visit three of its great temples: the ancient Kailasanathar, the Varadharaja Perumal and the towering Ekambareswarar, before returning to Mahabalipuram for the night. Dress modestly, as these are active places of worship.

Follow the coast south to Pondicherry. Visit the Manakula Vinayagar Temple, a lively Ganesha shrine, and the neo-Gothic Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Then follow a guide through the quiet streets of the old French Town, with its colonial buildings and bougainvillea, and end the day on the seafront promenade.

A scenic drive inland brings you to Thanjavur. Tour the Royal Palace and its museum, home to a fine collection of Chola bronzes, and in the evening watch the ritual pooja at the immense Brihadeeshwara Temple as lamps are lit and bells ring.

Break the journey at Tiruchirappalli to visit the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam, a sprawling temple complex on a river island with towering gateways and courtyards. Continue to Madurai and settle in for the night.

Start at the busy flower market, where garlands for the temple are strung by hand. Visit the Meenakshi Amman Temple, whose gateways are crowded with thousands of painted figures, then join a guided food tour of Madurai's famous street stalls. In the evening, return for the closing pooja ceremony.

After breakfast, a private transfer takes you to Madurai airport for your onward journey.

Take the morning flight over the Himalaya and land in Leh at over 3,000 metres. Your hotel is a short transfer away. Spend the day resting, drinking plenty of water and letting your body adjust. This slow start is essential for the days ahead.

Once acclimatised, explore the region around Leh. Visit the old Leh Palace, the royal residence of the Ladakhi kings, then continue to Shey Palace and the impressive Thiksey Monastery, rising in tiers up a hillside above the Indus valley.

Learn the story of the Indian Army in Ladakh at the Hall of Fame museum, then visit Gurudwara Pathar Sahib and the baffling Magnetic Hill. At Sangam, watch the Indus and Zanskar rivers merge, then continue to Alchi, an eleventh-century monastery with beautiful old murals. The day ends with sunset views from Shanti Stupa.

Climb to Khardung La, among the highest motorable roads in the world, and then drop into the green, sheltered Nubra Valley, a drive of around 159 km. Settle into your camp or lodge for the night.

Visit Diskit Monastery and its giant Maitreya Buddha. At Hunder, ride a Bactrian camel over the rippling sand dunes, high above sea level. Relax in the Panamic hot springs before returning to your accommodation.

Drive through a landscape of rock, river and sky to Pangong Lake, at roughly 4,350 metres. The saltwater lake looks different at every hour, from clear turquoise to deep blue. Take a walk along the shore or try a yak safari, and stay overnight on the lakeshore.

Retrace your route towards Leh, with a stop at Hemis Monastery, one of Ladakh's largest monastic institutions. Return to your hotel in Leh for a comfortable final night.

After breakfast, transfer to Leh airport for your flight back to Delhi, ready to connect to your onward journey.

With a guide, drive past India Gate and the stately Rashtrapati Bhavan, then visit Humayun's Tomb and the soaring Qutub Minar. Ride a rickshaw through the crowded lanes of Chandni Chowk, look into the vast courtyard of Jama Masjid and finish at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, known for its free community kitchen.

Drive south to Agra and tour the Taj Mahal, a white marble masterpiece, followed by the imposing red sandstone walls of Agra Fort. Browse the local markets as the day winds down. (The Taj is closed on Fridays, so we adjust the order of the day if needed.)

Take the road into Rajasthan, stopping at Chand Baori, a remarkable stepwell with thousands of symmetrical steps. Arrive in Jaipur, the Pink City, and take an evening guided walk through the old city's bazaars.

Spend the day exploring Jaipur with a guide: the honeycombed Hawa Mahal, the giant instruments of Jantar Mantar, the City Palace and the Jal Mahal that seems to float in its lake. Climb up to Amer Fort for sweeping views and end the day at Nahargarh Fort, overlooking the city.

Drive west to Pushkar, a small pilgrimage town around a holy lake. Visit the Brahma Temple, one of very few in India dedicated to the creator god, walk beside the lake's many ghats, and explore the lively market.

Continue to Jodhpur, where the old town is a maze of blue-painted houses. Climb to a rooftop for tea at sunset and watch the city glow beneath the walls of the fort.

Tour towering Mehrangarh Fort, with its museum of royal treasures, then visit Jaswant Thada, a white marble memorial, and Umaid Bhawan Palace, one of the grandest residences in the country. Wander through the lively spice and handicraft markets in the afternoon.

Make the day's drive through the Aravalli hills, stopping at the exquisite Ranakpur Jain Temple, its forest of intricately carved marble pillars. Arrive in Udaipur and visit Fateh Sagar Lake and the landscaped garden of Sahelion ki Badi.

Explore the sprawling City Palace complex above Lake Pichola and the busy Jagdish Temple. In the late afternoon, glide across the lake on a sunset boat cruise. The evening ends at the historic Bagore-ki-Haveli, where the Dharohar show presents Rajasthani folk dance and music.

After breakfast, a private transfer takes you to Udaipur airport for your onward flight.

With a guide, drive past India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan, then visit Humayun's Tomb and the towering Qutub Minar. Ride a rickshaw through the busy lanes of Chandni Chowk, step into the great courtyard of Jama Masjid and end at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, where the community kitchen feeds visitors of all faiths.

Skip the highway and travel to Agra by air-conditioned train, a journey of about two hours. Tour the red sandstone Agra Fort, then visit the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula, nicknamed the Baby Taj for its delicate marble inlay. Finish with a wander through the local markets.

Visit the Taj Mahal in the soft early light. (It is closed on Fridays, so we adjust the order of the day if needed.) Then drive into Rajasthan to Ramathra, where you tour the old hill fort and stay at the resort within its walls.

Travel on to Ranthambore, arriving in time to settle into your lodge. In the afternoon, climb aboard a private open jeep for your first safari, exploring the park's lakes, grasslands and fort ruins in search of tigers.

Start early for a second private jeep safari, when the forest wakes up and wildlife is at its most active. Look out for tigers, leopards, sloth bears, deer, crocodiles and an array of birds. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at your lodge. (The park is closed from July to September, during the monsoon.)

Drive to Jaipur in about four hours. Try your hand at the city's famous blue pottery in a hands-on workshop, then take a guided walk through the old Pink City and its bustling markets.

A full day of Jaipur's landmarks: the honeycombed Hawa Mahal, the giant astronomical instruments of Jantar Mantar, the City Palace, and the Jal Mahal seemingly afloat in its lake. Ascend to Amer Fort for sweeping views and finish at Nahargarh Fort overlooking the city.

After breakfast, make the drive back to Delhi in time for your onward flight.