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Classical North India & Rajasthan

North India and Rajasthan are bursting with historical cities and stunning landmarks, so much so that you could easily spend an entire trip in this region alone. Home to iconic sights and encompassing the ‘Golden Triangle’ of Agra, Delhi and Jaipur, this part of India is a must for all first time travellers.

From its colourful cities to the luminous splendour of its rugged landscapes, Rajasthan is wonderfully romantic. The capital, Jaipur, has rapidly become fast-paced and modern, while elsewhere many areas have remained largely untouched and have retained the beauty of rural Rajasthan. Spending time in these remote areas between cities allows you to break up the journey and experience something completely different. A photographer’s dream, traditional Rajasthan heritage tours can take you between wonderful places, from the marble poetry of the Taj Mahal, to the legendary ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, the imposing Red Fort in Delhi and beyond the Golden Triangle to cities such as romantic Udaipur and the ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur. Our specialists can tailor-make a trip to ensure you never run out of things to see and do during your time in the North.

  • Agra

    Set on the banks of the River Yamuna, Agra is a popular destination with visitors. With its shimmering marble domes, the Taj Mahal is India’s most iconic monument and never fails to amaze, especially when viewed at sunset. In addition to the Taj Mahal, Agra boasts a magnificent fort and a sprinkling of fascinating tombs, as well as nearby Fatehpur Sikri.

  • Jaipur

    Leaving visitors feeling tickled pink, Jaipur, with its stunning hilltop forts, glorious palaces and vibrant bazaars, also acts as a wonderful gateway to Rajasthan. Beaming bright at dawn, Amber Fort is best visited in the morning and can be reached on foot, or for the more adventurous, by elephant back.

  • Jodhpur

    The ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur is a tangle of winding streets that never seem to lead where you expect them to and are dotted with bazaars selling everything from trumpets to jewellery and saris. Here the larger-than-life Mehrangarh Fort captures travellers’ imaginations and provides an outstanding vantage point for looking out over the sprawling blue and whitewashed houses scattered below

  • Jaisalmer

    Encased by the vast expanses of the Thar Desert, the medieval city of Jaisalmer emerges from the dusty plains like a golden mirage. The Jaisalmer Fort, a breathtaking sandcastle, evokes exotic camel-train trade routes and desert mystery while the twisting lanes are home to shops swaddled in bright embroideries and ornate Jain temples.

  • Udaipur

    Udaipur has a romantic setting unmatched in Rajasthan, if not the whole of India. Palaces, temples, havelis and countless winding, colourful streets add a human element to the city’s otherwise natural charms. Known as the ‘Venice of the East’, the city’s shimmering backdrop of Lake Pichola boasts the cupola-crowned City Palace lining its eastern shore and almost fairytale Lake Palace that floats on the water.

  • Ranthambhore

    As well as being among the oldest national parks in Rajasthan, Ranthambhore is also famed as one of the best places to spot tigers in the wild. At the heart of the jungle scrub hemmed by rocky ridges sits an amazing 10th century fort with ancient temples and mosques, hunting pavilions, crocodile-filled lakes and vine covered chhatris scattered nearby. Experience an organised game drive to see the park and its wild inhabitants.

  • Delhi

    India’s bustling capital is where many travellers choose to begin or end their journey. Explore the hidden streets of Old Delhi, alive with the noise of daily life, or venture into the heart of New Delhi, a symbol of modern India teeming with official buildings and monuments. Whether you walk in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi or just hop on a rickshaw, Delhi holds many attractions.