Arrival transfer to hotel.

Early morning express train to Agra. Afternoon guided tour of the Taj Mahal.

Drive to Jaipur via the former Moghul capital of Fatehpur Sikri.

Morning orientation tour of the Pink City of Jaipur. Afternoon visit to the Amber Fort.

Morning at leisure in Jaipur. Afternoon drive to the small village of Pachewar where we stay in the lovely 300-year-old fort, with its massive ramparts and large gardens.

A short drive to the laid back desert oasis of Pushkar. There is plenty of time to explore the lakeside with its many holy men, pilgrims and temples.

Continue to Jodhpur. Afternoon visit to the impressive Meherangarh Fort.

We drive into a remote part of the Thar Desert to start our camel safari. We spend the night in a beautiful tented camp.

Cross the desert to the fortress city of Jaisalmer. Within the fortress walls the cobbled streets are strewn with palaces, mansions of rich merchants (havelis), and Jain temples that were built between the 12th and 15th centuries.

A free day to explore this amazing city with its medieval atmosphere.

Drive to Bikaner, a desert outpost which was a major trading centre on the old caravan route from Central Asia. The old city of Bikaner has a maze of narrow lanes and some beautifully carved havelis in red sandstone. We spend the night with a Rajput family.

Visit the fabulous Junagadh Fort. Later board the sleeper train to Chandigarh. the most famous of the hill-stations.

We travel by bus to Shimla, the most famous of the hill-stations.

Free day to enjoy the many beautiful walks in the pine-clad hills that surround Shimla.

Continue by bus to the hillstation of Manali, one of the most scenic areas of Himachal Pradesh.

Full day at leisure. This area is ideal for low level treks and walks with stunning views.

We travel to the hill-station of Dharamsala in a spectacular mountain setting.

Perched on the slopes of the Kangra Valley, Dharamsala is home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile. Their settlement at Mcleod Ganj is a colourful example of Tibetan culture with many brightly coloured prayer flags and temples. We have a full day to explore the town.

Optional walk through the mixed forest of oak, rhododendron and deodar trees to Triund, an alpine meadow situated atop a flat ridge with fine views of peaks of Dhauladhars and Kangra valley.

Travel to Amritsar, the capital of Punjab.

Morning visit to the Golden Temple. Evening express train to Delhi.

Tour ends.