Delhi & Rajasthan

The Delhi & Rajasthan region concentrates the essential must-sees of North India — a 350,000 km² territory (size of Germany) stretching from the capital northern megacity (Delhi, 32 million inhabitants) across the Gangetic plain to the Thar desert at the Pakistani border. This is where the Taj Mahal (Agra, UNESCO 1983, one of the world's most visited sites), the classic Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur, 1,000 km), and all of Rajasthan's Maharaja palaces converted into exceptional hotels are concentrated.

The Golden Triangle is India's most practised itinerary — proposed by 80% of Indian travel agencies. Delhi opens the journey: chaotic Muslim Old Delhi (Jama Masjid, UNESCO Red Fort, Chandni Chowk), planned British New Delhi (India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan), UNESCO Qutub Minar (73 m minaret, 1192), UNESCO Humayun's Tomb (architectural precursor of the Taj Mahal). Agra (200 km south-east of Delhi, 4h by Shatabdi Express train) hosts the Taj Mahal — Mughal mausoleum commissioned by Emperor Shâh Jahân between 1632 and 1653 for his deceased wife Mumtaz Mahal, 20,000 workers mobilised, white marble inlaid with 28 types of precious stones, one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World. The UNESCO Agra Fort and UNESCO Fatehpur Sikri (abandoned Mughal city) complete the visit. Jaipur (260 km south-west of Agra, 4h by road) is Rajasthan's capital — "pink city" since 1876 (painted terracotta to welcome the Prince of Wales), Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds, 953 windows), UNESCO Amber Fort, City Palace, UNESCO Jantar Mantar (18th-century astronomical observatory).

Beyond the Golden Triangle, Rajasthan unfolds its jewels — each major city is associated with a colour. Udaipur the "city of lakes" (white city, 6h drive from Jaipur) is probably India's most beautiful city — palace on Lake Pichola (Lake Palace, City Palace, Jag Mandir), considered among the world's most romantic. Jodhpur the "blue city" (5h drive from Udaipur) owes its nickname to the indigo houses of the old town, dominated by the imposing Mehrangarh Fort (122 m on its hill, one of India's most impressive). Jaisalmer the "golden city" (5h drive from Jodhpur) is a yellow sandstone fortified city in the heart of the Thar desert — Sonar Quila (the golden fort, UNESCO, one of the last inhabited forts in the world). Pushkar the "sacred city" is one of the oldest Hindu holy sites, on the shores of a sacred lake, hosting the only temple in the world dedicated to Brahma, and hosting the Pushkar Camel Fair in November — one of the world's largest camel gatherings (200,000 visitors, 50,000 camels).