Passage through Rajasthan

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Mumbai (Bombay) with British Airways. (N)

Arrive and transfer to the Trident Nariman Point for 1 night. Afternoon sightseeing in Mumbai visiting the Gateway of India, Chor bazaar, Dhobi Ghat and Victoria Terminus. (N)

Midday flight to Udaipur. Afternoon boat cruise on Lake Pichola. Stay for 2 nights at Fateh Niwas Palace (or similar) or upgrade to the Oberoi Udaivilas (Premier room) from £895pp. Enjoy dinner at Ambrai restaurant overlooking Lake Pichola. (B, D)

Sightseeing in Udaipur visiting the City Palace, miniature painting studios and Jagdish temple. Optional evening cultural performance at Bagore-ki-Haveli*. (B)

Travel to Rawla Narlai visiting the magnificent Jain temples at Ranakpur en route. Spend 2 nights at the heritage resort of Rawla Narlai. Late afternoon village walk to see rural life. (B)

Choose from a range of optional activities organised by the hotel, from 4x4 safaris in search of leopards to a guided walk exploring the nearby villages*. This evening, dine at the 16th-century baori (stepwell), illuminated by hundreds of oil lamps. (B, D)

Take a scenic 1.5-hour rural train ride from Khamil Ghat to Phulad. The train chugs through tunnels and past waterfalls in an area that inspired Rudyard Kipling's story The Man Who Would Be King. Continue by road to Jodhpur for 2 nights at Ajit Bhawan. (B)

Visit Jaswant Thada and continue to the formidable Mehrangarh Fort. Take a heritage walk through the streets dotted with temples and bazaars and learn more about the 'Blue City' Brahmins. (B)

Drive to Bikaner in the heart of the Thar desert for an overnight stay at the magnificent Narendra Bhawan, a grand residence that was home to the last reigning maharajah of Bikaner. Late afternoon 4x4 safari into the desert to witness the spectacular sunset over the dunes accompanied by Indian high tea. (B)

Morning visit to Junagarh Fort and walk through the old city. Later drive to the royal city of Jaipur. En route, visit the town of Fatehpur and its 'open-air gallery' of beautiful havelis. Transfer to Ramgarh Lodge, a former maharajah's hunting lodge for a 2-night stay. (B, D)

Start the day with a visit to the 16th-century Amber Fort. Spend the rest of the day exploring the royal city of Jaipur, including the City Palace, Jantar Mantar observatory and colourful bazaars. (B, D)

Morning at leisure or explore the local village. Travel to Ranthambore for 2 nights at Sawai Vilas. (B, D)

Early morning safari in search of Bengal tigers. Afternoon at leisure or visit Ranthambore Fort and the NGO-supported Dastkar foundation where local women produce handicrafts*. (B, L, D)

Morning drive to Agra visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted sandstone city, en route. Overnight at the Courtyard by Marriott. (B)

Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. Visit Agra Fort before departing for Delhi and an overnight stay at the LaLit (or similar). (B)

Transfer to the airport for the British Airways flight to London. (B)