Depart London Heathrow on Jet Airways non-stop direct flight to Delhi.

Arriving in Delhi we transfer to the Taj Palace Hotel. Our afternoon tour explores the highlights of Old Delhi including the Qutb Minar and Chattarpur temple complex

Morning tour of the capital, where India’s colonial and Moghul past sit in splendid proximity to the bustling markets at Delhi’s vibrant heart. Our tour includes some of the architectural delights of New Delhi originally built for the British Raj

After the flight to Varanasi we transfer to the Taj Ganges for an overnight stay. Located on the banks of the mighty Ganges, the holy city of Varanasi, one of the oldest in India, embodies much of the myth and culture of Hinduism. This afternoon there is the option to visit the sacred Buddhist site of Sarnath.

After a spectacular early morning boat ride along the sacred Ganges we return to the hotel, before a flight to Khajuraho, where we transfer to the Hotel Chandela. This afternoon we will enjoy a sightseeing tour of its remarkable medieval temples, graced with some of the most exquisite sculptures in the country.

Our journey today takes us to Orchha, once the capital of the Bundela kings, where we will spend time visiting some of its majestic monuments. From here we continue to Jhansi and by train to Agra where we stay at the Taj View Hotel.

This morning we visit two of India’s most spectacular buildings, the imposing sandstone edifice of Agra Fort and the magnificent marble splendour of the Taj Mahal, said to represent the epoch of Moghul architecture. Optional evening visit to enjoy the magical sight of the Taj basking in the glow of the setting sun.

Driving via the sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri we journey to Jaipur, the 18th century capital of Rajasthan. This wonderful ‘Pink City’ is an eclectic mix of styles and influences. Our stay in Jaipur is at the Jai Mahal Palace.

Stopping at the extraordinary façade of the Hawa Mahal, the ‘Palace of the Winds’, we continue on to Amber, where we take a jeep ride to the hill-top palace of the Rajput rulers. This afternoon we visit the magnificent Maharajah’s Palace, now a fascinating museum housing some of the treasures of Jaipur’s princely past.

Leaving Jaipur we head into the cooler highlands of rural Rajasthan, towards the wooded principality of Deogarh. We stay at the sumptuous Deogarh Mahal, a 17th century palace set high in the Arvalli Mountains

Today we head towards the magnificent city of Udaipur, the Venice of the east and considered by many the most romantic city in Rajasthan. En route we stop at the Jain temple of Ranakpur, the largest of its kind in India, whose marble elegance matches anything in Asia. In Udaipur we stay at the Trident Hilton

A morning cruise on Lake Pichola affords us the perfect setting to enjoy the romance and beauty of this ‘City of Dreams’. This afternoon we recommend the optional visit to the City Palace, containing many of the city’s artistic treasures.

Jet Airways flight via Mumbai to London Heathrow, arriving later today