Formerly known as Bombay, the bustling city of Mumbai sprawls along India’s West Coast and is the largest city in the country. This thriving metropolis is a go-to destination for travellers curious to experience a modern Indian city. It serves as the heart of India’s world-renowned film industry, the incomparable ‘Bollywood’, and offers a kaleidoscope of culture, colour and flavours to enjoy. Lapped by the Arabian Sea, this urban seaside peninsula is a melting pot of old and new India. Towering office blocks and shiny apartment buildings shoulder crumbling grand dames of architecture. People play cricket in the leafy central parks, taxis navigate the jam-packed streets, and families stroll along the seaside promenades of Mumbai. Visitors can look forward to viewing the iconic Gateway of India stone arch at the Mumbai Harbour waterfront, visiting the ancient cave temples on the nearby Elephanta Island or hopping on a tuk-tuk tour to experience the magic and madness of this incredible city.
Dubbed the ‘Venice of the East’, the city of Udaipur is built around three interconnected lakes – Lake Pichhola, Fateh Sagar Lake, and the smaller Swaroop Sagar Lake – and is encircled by the hills of the Aravalli mountain range. It is home to an array of ancient temples and fairy-tale-like palaces (several of the latter have been converted into luxury heritage hotels) and is known as one of Rajasthan’s most beautiful and romantic cities. Must-see attractions include the City Palace, the Lake Palace (set on a small island in the middle of Lake Pichola), and the Udaipur Solar Observatory – Asia’s premier solar-gazing site.
Known as the gateway to the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is the second-largest city in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is a popular tourist destination featuring a variety of ornate palaces, age-old forts, and sacred temples. Dubbed ‘The Blue City’, the old city contains houses in a beautiful shade of indigo. While Jodhpur is largely a sprawling modern metropolis, enclosed within its old city walls is a labyrinth of winding, narrow medieval streets, and bazaars. The massive 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort, which towers over the city from its sandstone plinth, is one of the largest in the country. Other must-see attractions include the Umaid Bhawan Palace, one of the world's largest private residences; and the Jaswant Thada, an intricately carved white marble mausoleum.
Fringed by the rugged Aravali Hills, Jaipur, nicknamed the ‘Pink City’ for its salmon-hued terracotta buildings, is the capital and largest city in the Rajasthan State. This metropolis combines tradition and modernity with its vibrant bazaars, lavish palaces, and ancient temples. Don’t miss the fairy-tale splendour of the Amber Fort, set against the backdrop of the arid landscape and hosting enthralling sound and light shows; the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar, a collection of 300-year-old astronomical tools which look like contemporary art; and the opulent City Palace, with its palatial structures, sprawling gardens, and atmospheric courtyards. Jaipur falls within the Golden Triangle, a popular tourist circuit, which includes Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, and it also serves as a gateway to the neighbouring desert cities of Jaisalmer and Jodhpur.
Set on the banks of the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh, Agra is a beautiful city famous for its incredible Taj Mahal building, one of the seven wonders of the world. Commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 15th century as a memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, this is an architectural masterpiece of exquisite craftsmanship and perfect proportions. The city boasts numerous other superb attractions, including the red-hued sandstone Agra Fort, built in the 16th century; the Shahi Jama Masjid mosque, a 17th-century congregational mosque located in the historic core of Agra, and Itmad-ud-Daulah’s tomb, with its white marble facade embellished with intricate inlaid designs, also called the' Baby Taj'.
An ancient and deeply sacred city, Varanasi rests along the banks of the holy River Ganges and encompasses a wealth of beautiful riverside temples, stately old forts and vibrant markets. It’s considered the spiritual capital of Hinduism, and it’s widely believed that dying here will bring salvation. As a result, the city is home to a multitude of ghats – stone steps leading to the river –some of which are used for bathing rituals and others as cremation sites. An early morning boat ride along the Ganges offers an excellent way to take in the ghats and the bustling activity centred on them.
India’s capital, New Delhi, lies on the Indo-Gangetic Plain, within the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Made up of the ancient walled city of Old Delhi and the more modern sector, New Delhi, the city encompasses a staggering array of beautiful buildings, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the grand, sandstone Red Fort, striking Qutab Minar, and fascinating Humayun's Tomb. Architecture enthusiasts will delight in the iconic Lotus Temple. Hear ‘qawwalis’ (devotional music) at the dargah (tomb) of the Sufi saint Nizam-ud-din Auliya; or wander through the 17th century Chandni Chowk marketplace – still one of the city’s most popular retail centres today, famous for its traditional jewellery and saris. The gorgeous Sunder Nursery and Lodi Garden provide calm, flower-filled oases for picnicking.
