Begin your luxury India holiday in style, at the Imperial New Delhi. It’s one of New Delhi’s plushest addresses, decked out with mahogany wood, hand-woven Persian rugs and oil paintings. Service is of the highest standard here, so get used to doors being opened for you, and staff remembering your drink order.

You’ll focus on New Delhi’s architectural and cultural highlights, with a guide to help you understand the story behind everything. Explore Humayun’s Tomb, India’s first garden tomb, stroll through the leafy avenues of Lutyens’ Delhi and Lodhi Garden and jump in a traditional rickshaw through Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk’s bazaars, filled with centuries-old shops and Asia’s biggest spice market. There’s plenty to pack in, so some of your sightseeing will be done by car. Drive past the imposing Red Fort, pausing at Raj Ghat, Gandhi’s memorial, and swinging past India Gate.

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is one of the most important Sikh temples in India. During a visit here, you can help out in their langar communal kitchens, where thousands of community meals are prepared daily. It’s considered an act of spiritual, selfless service.

You can reach Agra by car or by train, but we’re always tempted by an Indian rail journey. You’ll have reserved seats in the best carriage, so sit back and watch the north Indian countryside roll by in comfort – small towns, fields and the odd burst of energy at a station.

The Taj Mahal has been on enough postcards to lodge itself in your head – but seeing it in real life is something else. Even more so when it’s the first thing you spot from your hotel room.

You’ll stay at the 5* Oberoi Amarvilas Resort and Spa, just 600 metres from the Taj Mahal itself. While the views are top tier, their sunken pool in the hotel courtyard is another reason we love staying here. Claim a sun lounger for the afternoon, and staff will appear with chilled water in no time at all.

As the afternoon heat begins to ease, meet your guide at your hotel before heading to the Taj Mahal. Sunset is one of the best times to see Emperor Shah Jahan’s marble tribute to his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Stop by Agra Fort, just a touch further along the Yamuna River, a red sandstone complex of richly decorated palaces, courtyards, halls and mosque.

Ranthambore National Park is Rajasthan at its wildest: a 1,300sq km patchwork of dry jungle, open grassland, cliffs and lakes, with the weathered outline of Ranthambore Fort watching over it all. Most people come for the Bengal tiger, but sambar, chital deer, crocodiles, and a busy cast of birdlife call the park home too.

You’ll head out on game drives with an expert naturalist. Although not guaranteed, it’s not unusual to see a tiger strolling alongside your Jeep, or stretching out on old stonework on the crumbling fort. While the big cats can be elusive, there’s plenty of other fauna to see, too.

Between morning and evening safaris, take a nap, relax by the pool or pop into the nearby village, and meet people who call Ranthambore home.

Staying right on the edge of the park, you’ll sleep in a luxury, under-canvas suite, with king size bed and an ensuite bathroom. There’s a pool and spa, and meals are cooked using organic ingredients.

Jaipur’s old city is a wash of terracotta pink, especially around the bazaars where shopfronts, balconies and carved window screens catch the late afternoon light.

At the City Palace, you’ll step from sunlit courtyards into cool halls filled with textiles, weapons and miniature paintings. Your guide will point out the details you’d otherwise walk straight past.

Across the road, Jantar Mantar: a cluster of 18th century astronomical instruments. The Samrat Yantra sundial is accurate to within two seconds, and you can literally watch its shadow creep.

Then it’s out to Amber Fort, perched above Maota Lake, with steep ramps, yawning gateways and intricate, stone-carved windows. Stop by the symmetrical Panna Meena Ka Kund stepwell on your way back to town.

The Taj Rambagh Palace is still owned by Jaipur’s royal family, so you’re literally staying with royalty. This is a high-end stay, but it’s not without its fun. Eat dinner in an old train carriage, now a classy dining room, or take a spin in a vintage car. Try traditional block printing (Jaipur is famous for it) or head to the lawn for a spot of croquet.

Dubbed the 'Venice of the East,' Udaipur is set between picturesque manmade lakes and the Aravalli mountains. Every morning, you’ll see residents performing their morning pooja at the lake, dipping their feet into the waters.

Even arriving at your hotel is special. Glide up to Leela Palace Udaipur by boat across Lake Pichola, with views stretching out and across to the City Palace and the hazy Aravali hills.

In comparison to other Indian cities, Udaipur is pretty chilled out. It’s a lot smaller and easier to navigate by foot, and even better with a local guide. Thread through backstreets to lakeside temples and the fruit market (grab a fresh coconut, if you can). Then, step inside the ornate City Palace, famous for its mirrored rooms, vast lakeside views and Mor Chowk – its courtyard of mosaic peacocks.

In the late afternoon, cruise to Jag Mandir, the island palace once used by the royal family and now a favourite wedding spot. Stay for sunset, then head back in time for dinner. We recommend Sheesh Mahal at your hotel – set across two levels, and overlooking Lake Pichola, it’s Udaipur al fresco dining at its finest.

The best way to start your day in Mumbai is early, but we promise you it’s worth it. Meet your private Mumbai by Dawn tour guide and set off into the city before the sun rises. From the Sassoon Docks, where fish auctions will already be in full swing, to fruit, vegetable and flower markets. Stop for a cup of chai as newspapers are sorted on pavements, ready for sale. It’s a real insight into Mumbai’s hustle culture and a way into the city that only a privileged few will have.

After that, the day is yours. Start at the Gateway of India, just across the road from your hotel, take a boat to the ancient cave temples of Elephanta Island, and see the Dhobi Ghats open-air laundry at work. As the sun begins to dip, head to Marine Drive and watch the sun set, shoulder-to-shoulder with Mumbaikars.

You’ll be staying at one of Mumbai’s top luxury hotels: the Taj Palace in Mumbai. The hotel of choice for prime ministers and maharajas, facing the Colaba seafront and some of Mumbai’s best sights, it’s one of our favourite places to stay. Plus, its Sea Lounge serves classic Maharaja-style afternoon tea.