14-Day Rajasthan Discovery

Arrival at Jaipur Airport. Priya meets you for a welcome dinner at the hotel — the Pink City is best seen from above at night, and the Rambagh Palace terrace provides exactly that view.

Morning at Amber Fort by jeep — the Sheesh Mahal mirror hall, the Diwan-i-Aam, the extraordinary views over the Maota Lake. Afternoon: City Palace and Jantar Mantar observatory. Evening walk in the bazaars.

Morning at the Hawa Mahal and the block-printing workshops of Sanganer (20km outside the city). Afternoon entirely free — Priya's recommendations include the gem bazaars of Johari Bazaar and the Albert Hall Museum.

A scenic 5-hour drive west to Jodhpur — the Blue City, named for the indigo-painted houses of the Brahmin quarter that spread below Mehrangarh Fort. Check in. Afternoon walk through the Old City's blue lanes with Priya.

A full morning at Mehrangarh Fort — the most magnificent fort in India, rising 120 metres above the blue city below. The museum inside is exceptional: miniature paintings, howdahs, royal cradles and armour. Priya's narration of the Rathore dynasty battles is extraordinary. Afternoon free.

A 4.5-hour drive northwest through the Thar Desert to Jaisalmer — the Golden City, built entirely of yellow sandstone, rising from the desert like a fortress of gold. Check in to a haveli hotel within the old fort walls. Evening walk on the fort ramparts as the sun sets.

Morning in Jaisalmer Fort — the only living fort in India, where 3,000 people still live inside the medieval walls. The Jain temples within the fort are extraordinary carved marble. Afternoon: the Patwon ki Haveli — five merchant mansions of exceptional carved stonework. This evening, departure for the Thar Desert camp.

Sunrise over the Thar Desert from the top of the dunes — utterly silent, utterly beautiful. Breakfast at camp. Return to Jaisalmer and drive south to Jodhpur for overnight. A long travel day broken by a lunch stop.

A 5-hour drive south through the Aravalli hills to Udaipur — the most romantic city in India, its white marble palaces reflected in Lake Pichola. Check in to your lake palace hotel. Evening boat trip on Lake Pichola.

Morning at the City Palace — the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, built over 400 years by successive Mewar maharanas, overlooking Lake Pichola. Priya's narrative of the Mewar dynasty — which claims 1,400 years of unbroken rule — is exceptional. Afternoon at Saheliyon ki Bari — the Garden of the Maidens, a Mughal garden of exceptional tranquillity. Free evening.

Morning drive to the Monsoon Palace — a dramatic hilltop fortress overlooking Udaipur and the surrounding lakes. The views are extraordinary. Return for a free afternoon — Priya recommends the Shilpgram craft village (traditional artisans from five states of Rajasthan).

A completely free day on the lake. The boat from the hotel to the old city runs throughout the day. Priya is available but not scheduling. A day for the miniature painting galleries, the silver bazaars, the rooftop restaurant lunches and the extraordinary lake views.

Morning domestic flight to Delhi. Afternoon at leisure. This evening, Priya's farewell dinner at a celebrated Delhi restaurant — the meal that is the last conversation about India before you leave it.

Transfer to Indira Gandhi Airport for homeward flight. Rajasthan — every superlative is insufficient.