Rajasthan

Rajasthan is India at its most regal - a sweep of palaces, lakes, desert dunes and bazaars across Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Jaipur. In the City of Lakes, tour the magnificent City Palace above Lake Pichola, the gardens of Saheliyon Ki Bari and the island palace of Jag Mandir, with a stop at the exquisitely carved Ranakpur Jain Temple on the road north.

Climb Mehrangarh Fort over the blue city of Jodhpur, then push into the Thar to golden Jaisalmer - its living fort, carved havelis and Gadisar Lake - before a camel ride into the Sam Dunes at sunset. Junagarh Fort in Bikaner and Jaipur's icons - Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar - bring the royal circuit full circle, with an optional traditional Rajasthani evening at Chokhi Dhani.