Take a virtual journey through what we consider to be North India's unmissable highlights. We have collated a visual feast of our favourite hotels, landscapes, local scenes, cultural monuments and secret finds. We hope these images inspire and excite you before visiting for yourselves.
Admire the views of the 'Blue City' from Jodhpur's Mehrangarh Fort, one of the most underrated and commanding forts in North India.
2/56Visit Agra's Taj Mahal at sunset for an unforgettable start to the day.
3/56Bathe in the glow of the majestic Mehrengarh Fort from your base at Raas boutique hotel in Jodhpur.
4/56Take tea in your opulent surroundings while at Samode Palace. A short drive from Jaipur, Samode is the site of a small village with a fairy-tale palace.
5/56Take a dip in your own private pool while staying in one of Amanbagh's Pool Pavilions, which are, we think, some of the sexiest private villas in Asia.
6/56Be served on like a Maharaja at Amanbagh's open-air restaurant as local musicians fill the air with atmospheric Indian folk songs.
7/56Overlook paradise, or the closest thing to it on earth, with one of Amanbagh's private dining terrace experiences.
8/56North India has a selection of superb boutique hotels. One of our favourite new openings has to be Lakshman Sagar in Pali, Rajasthan - a candy-coloured jewel in the desert.
9/56Get away from it all and luxuriate in an infinity pool with a view at Shimla's Wildflower Hall.
10/56Try zip-lining over Jodhpur’s 17th Century Mehrangarh Fort in true Batman style (Batman buffs may recognise it as the setting for scenes of the new movie). With emerald green moats beneath you and the blue-walled city in the distance, this cutting edge activity is perfect for daredevil sightseers and it is one of the highlights of visiting Rajasthan.
11/56The epitome of ‘glamping’, Aman-i-Khas is the chicest and most luxurious tented camp in Asia, secluded within the tiger lands of India's Ranthambore National Park.
12/56After a hard day of tiger trekking in Ranthambore National Park, relax by the fire at Aman-i-Khas with a cocktail or two.
13/56Take Afternoon Tea with a view at Glenburn Tea Estate in Darjeeling.
14/56For a once in a lifetime experience, dine by candlelight in the grounds of Jodhpur's Umaid Bhawan Palace.
15/56Snuggle down amongst nature at the Tree House Hideaway, an exclusive jungle camp set in 21 acres of jungle adjacent to Bandhavgarh National Park. It has five bedrooms built on stilts overlooking the jungle, designed in a rustic style using local wood and finished with traditional craftsmanship.
16/56A stay at SUJÁN The Serai, a luxurious tented camp surrounded by sand dunes, is one of the highlights of any visit to Jaisalmer.
17/56Our airport hotel of choice, the Oberoi Gurgaon is conveniently located in Gurgaon, a short drive away from Delhi's main airport.
18/56Dine at Sheesh Mahal, the Leela Palace's fine-dining restaurant with killer views of Udaipur and Lake Pichola.
19/56Enjoy a traditional North Indian breakfast with a view at the Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur.
20/56The Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, a floating palace on Lake Pichola, is one of Rajasthan's most luxurious hotels.
21/56Indulge all afternoon on the Taj Lake Palace's very own spa boat. Enjoy signature spa treatments or soak in the hot tub as you enjoy the view of Udaipur's City Palace.
22/56Take an al fresco breakfast around the Lily Pond at the Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur.
23/56An integral part of Indian culture, her colourful powdered dies are used on the region's famous textiles and brightly-hued saris.
24/56The Manvar Desert Camp and Resort in Shergarh, situated amongst the silent dunes of Rajasthan's Thar Desert.
25/56A hotel so remote that the only way to get there is by foot, Shakti 360 Leti in the Himalayas will suit those with a sense of adventure and a love of stunning panoramic views.
26/56Samode Palace is home to one of Rajasthan's finest rooftop pools. Take a dip, sunbathe under the Indian sun, or enjoy champagne and canapes as the sun goes down.
27/56Get up close and personal with Ranthambore National Park's many Bengal tigers. As well as tigers, Ranthambore is home to hundreds of other animal and bird species.
28/56Go in search of the elegant Bengal Tiger at Rajasthan's Ranthambore National Park, an area of incredible natural beauty.
29/56Admire the ancient intricate carvings of the white marble Jain temples at Ranakpur.
30/56Swim in the historic swimming pool at Rambagh Palace. Gayatri Devi, the last Maharani of Jaipur, swam lengths in this pool every morning.
31/56While in Jaipur stay in style at the unforgettable Rambagh Palace. A majestic retreat that was once home to the Maharaja of Jaipur, Rambagh is one of the finest hotels in the world.
32/56Camp beside the remote and hauntingly beautiful Pang Gong Lake in Ladakh. Although now high up in the Himalayas, Pang Gong is actually the site of a pre-historic ocean.
33/56Explore the winding alleyways of Old Delhi by tuk-tuk with everything from flowered garlands, wedding bangles, saris and spices for sale.
34/56Peer out over your pool at the Oberoi Udaivilas to admire scenic views of the tranquil Lake Pichola and the magical city of Udaipur beyond.
35/56While away an afternoon at the Oberoi Amarvila's impressive Moghul-inspired mutli-layerd swimming pool.
36/56Look out over tranquil Lake Pichola from your room at the Leela Palace Udaipur.
37/56Enjoy an atmospheric candle-lit traditional Rajasthani music performance at the Leela Palace Udaipur.
38/56Feel like a modern Maharani at the glamorous and opulent Leela Palace, a firm Ampersand favourite.
39/56Be blown away by the dramatic landscapes of Ladakh with its snow-capped mountains, deep blue skies and crystal clear lakes.
40/56Try a lassi, a delicious yoghurt-based drink, from one of Jaipur's many vendors.
41/56Explore the forts, dunes and camels of Jaisalmer, a city at the heart of Rajasthan's vast Thar Desert.
42/56Join in the with fun of Holi. The festival normally takes place at the end of March each year and is celebrated with colour and excitement all over India.
43/56Marvel at the Golden Temple of Amritsar, a symbol of human equality and the most important monument of the Sikh faith.
44/56Visit Varanasi, one of the world's holiest cities located on the River Ganges. Love it or hate it, you certainly won't forget it.
45/56Take over the secluded lakeside fort of Seengh Sagar, a short drive from Deogarh. Surrounded by some of Rajasthan's most scenic natural landscapes, this will be heaven on earth for nature lovers and those looking for downtime on a tour of the region.
46/56Spend a night in an authenic Rajasthani palace in the beautiful village of Deogarh.
47/56Spend time with a princess in her regal surroundings at Deogarh Mahal in Rajasthan.
48/56Nostalgic tents right out of a 1920s colonial hunting camp, a sleek little swimming pool, ‘Tigertini’ cocktails served at sunset, oil lamps that hang from branches to light up the earthen paths and pitch-perfect service… and all of this in the middle of the lush Ranthambore forest crawling with tigers, sloth bears, sambar deers. Welcome to Sher Bagh!
49/56Have your every whim catered for at boutique tented camp, Sher Bagh, while visiting Ranthambore National Park.
50/56Dine under the stars and around the camp fire at Sher Bagh, one of our favourite tented camps in India.
51/56Quite a spot for a picnic! Situated on the banks of the Banjaar River, Banjaar Tola overlooks the lush evergreen forests and grassy meadows of Kanha National Park.
52/56Banjaar Tola is a gorgeous Taj Safari's camp with just 18 lightweight tented suites spread over two elegant camps - a wonderfully unique destination for wildlife and luxury enthusiasts.
53/56Like the Ampersand Angels, take a ride on an elephant at Dera Amer stables, just outside Jaipur. Unlike most elephant safaris, this one comes with a glass of champagne!
54/56Enter the ancient fort of Amber outside Jaipur through a majestic sandstone gateway.
55/56Explore the ancient Amber Fort, a citadel that pre-dates Jaipur and one of Rajasthan's most exhilarating sights.
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Client Testimonials
- Mr Richard Stoughton, Sri Lanka
- Mr & Mrs Manson, North India
- Anonymous, India
- Leslie Siben, India
- Mr Geoffrey Johnson, India
- Jaime Benitez, South India
- Krista Weir, Sri Lanka
- Mr David Wallace, North India
- Matthew Nicklin, North India
- Matthew Annable, Rajasthan, India