Taste of India

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Delhi. (N)

Arrive and transfer to the Eros Hotel Nehru Place for 2 nights. (D)

Take a guided tour of Old and New Delhi including a drive past the Red Fort; a visit to Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in Asia; and Raj Ghat, the simple but moving memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Later, drive past the imposing India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhawan, the president's residence. End the tour with a visit to Qutab Minar tower, a masterpiece of perfect proportions, and the tomb of Emperor Humayun. (B, D)

Take the Express train to Agra. On arrival, check into the Trident Agra for 2 nights and relax for rest of the day. (B, D)

Enjoy a guided tour of Agra, which includes a visit to Itimad-ud-Daulah, the beautiful tomb of Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Explore the massive red sandstone Agra Fort, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture and the seat and stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. Continue to the Taj Mahal, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, a masterpiece in marble and one of the world's most celebrated landmarks. (B, D)

Drive to Jaipur. En route visit Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful deserted capital of Emperor Akbar. On arrival in Jaipur, check into Shahpura House for 2 nights. (B, D)

Tour the hilltop citadel of Amber Fort, en route making a photo-stop at Hawa Mahal, a fivestorey palace with a spectacular pyramidal facade. Amber Fort offers spectacular views of the old town, where Akbar stopped on his annual pilgrimage to Ajmer. In the afternoon, visit the City Palace Museum, which has a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and Mughal and Rajput armoury, and the Jantar Mantar observatory. Walk around the colourful bazaars later in the evening. (B, D)

Drive back to Delhi and stay overnight at the Novotel Aerocity. (B, D)

(B)