Northeast & Rajasthan

Set on the eastern side of India, Kolkata (Calcutta) is the historic capital of British India, a vast and sprawling mass of humanity, where abject poverty rubs up uncomfortably against colonial splendour and modern wealth. The main transport hub for trips up to the relatively little-visited areas of Darjeeling and Assam.

Set in the Sikkim province of northeast India, Darjeeling is an historic mountain town, which served as the summer capital of the British Raj and remains a major centre for high quality tea production. The area is largely Buddhist and there are some wonderful opportunities to explore this gentle culture.

Set in the Assam region in the far northeast of India, Guwahati is ‘The Gateway to North East India’, home to the main airport, providing access to riverboat cruises on the Brahmaputra River and the renowned Kaziranga National Park.

Set in the Assam region in the far northeast of India, Kaziranga is a very important national park, a lush riverine landscape which serves as a critical stronghold for Indian rhinos, Bengal tigers and Indian elephants. Very different from the national parks of central India.

Set in the Assam region in the far northeast of India, Guwahati is ‘The Gateway to North East India’, home to the main airport, providing access to riverboat cruises on the Brahmaputra River and the renowned Kaziranga National Park.

Set in the northwest of India, Delhi is a vast and sprawling city, a ragtag collage of thousands of years of successive empires and a major powerhouse of the modern economy. Although there is plenty of local colour, most international visitors treat the place as little more than a transit stop on the way to more exotic and less hectic locations. A major base for luxury trains.

Set in the Rajasthan province of northwest India, Udaipur is a famously pretty city, centred around seven lakes and featuring a very impressive collection of palaces, including the iconic Taj Lake Palace Hotel. An unusually good area for walking, mountain-biking and horse-riding and with some fantastic forts in the vicinity.

Set in the Rajasthan province of northwest India, Jodhpur is a large and historic city, which is centred around one of the largest and most impressive forts in the country. The adjacent walled city contains a mazy network of famously blue-coloured lanes and alleyways, as well as a large traditional market.

Set in the Rajasthan province of northwest India, Jaipur is a large city which contains a wealth of historic buildings (including the renowned Amber Fort), as well as an impressive artisan tradition and lively street scene. A very popular stop on the famous Golden Triangle route, along with Delhi and Agra.

Set in the Uttar Pradesh province of northcentral India, Agra is a large and rather ramshackle city, which happens to contain some of the most impressive historic architecture in the world, centred on the remarkable Taj Mahal. A very popular stop on the famous Golden Triangle route, along with Delhi and Jaipur.