Bhutan, tigers & Rajasthan

Set in western Bhutan, Thimphu is the capital of the country, a relatively modest little place with a reasonably intimate atmosphere and some strong cultural aspects, but which tends to feature relatively fleetingly in most trips.

Set in western Bhutan, Punakha is the middle of the five main valleys that most commonly feature in trips, much lower in altitude and having a considerably warmer climate, with some fascinating history and culture, great options for hiking, biking and rafting, as well as an excellent range of accommodation options.

Set in western Bhutan, Paro is the most westerly of the five main valleys that most commonly feature in trips, the location of the main airport and more heavily inhabited than more easterly areas, it is home to the renowned Tiger’s Nest Monastery, with excellent hiking trails and a wide range of accommodation options.

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 Madhya Pradesh province of central India, Bandhavgarh is a relatively small national park, but one which has an unusually high density of Bengal tigers, as well as a wide range of other wildlife. The reserve is usually combined with others in the region, including Kanha, Pench and Satpura.

Set in the Madhya Pradesh province of central India, Kanha is one of India’s largest national parks. Best known as the location of ‘The Jungle Book’, it is home to a good population of Bengal tigers, as well as a wide range of other wildlife. The reserve is usually combined with others in the region, including Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench and Satpur.

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.