Scott Dunn: ANYTHING ELSE IS JUST A HOLIDAY

Some trains take up to 60 hours to head from Northern to Southern India, and some are fast intercity expresses. You will see ‘Chi –Wallahs’ at work offering mugs of tea for about 5 rupees in small clay cups - they are perfectly safe to drink and are so full of sugar you will instantly wake up! Travelling by train offers better views than driving; partly as train tracks are generally always on raised terraces to avoid being flooded in the monsoon. Thus means you see a great deal of the country as you pass through.

The Shatabdi Express trains are most luxurious and offer ample legroom and comfortable airline seating, serving breakfast on board with tea. These trains generally run between the major cities (an excellent one is the Delhi to Agra train that departs at 0615). Ideally, you want to be in Executive Class. On less popular routes, there are Janshatabdi trains, offering 'Chair Class' a slightly more rustic version of the Executive Class, but still offering airline seating. These generally have smaller windows.

On longer train journeys, all trains operate a sleeper style service where the bottom bunk becomes a seat in the daytime. We only really suggest 1st or 2nd Class AC on these services, and only when Shatabdi trains do not operate the route.

We generally do not suggest overnight train journeys as these are usually far more uncomfortable than the glamorous images of Indian train travel sometimes portrays. It is however a necessity when travelling to some parts of India such as the Himalaya around Kumaon.

For those wanting the luxury trains, then the Maharajas Express (running in Northern India), the Palace on Wheels (Rajasthan) and the Golden Chariot (Southern India) are all excellent ways to spend a week travelling huge distances overnight and waking up to something new each day.

The City Palace is an amazing building full of courtyards and gardens. Interesting rooms include the armoury and the museum which contains a collection of royal costumes. Look out for the rather rotund Maharaja who weighed in at 250kgs and 1.2m wide! Following the City Palace you will visit the Jantar Mantar, an observatory built by Jai Singh in 1728. The Hawa Mahal is possibly the most photographed site in Jaipur, and an impressive 5 storey pink sandstone structure. It was built for royal ladies to peer down at the street below – essentially to people watch! After lunch, you will visit Amber Fort, the former seat of the Maharajas of Jaipur and constructed in 1592. With impressive views from the top and stunning Rajput architecture, Amber Fort is a must see for any visitor to Rajasthan.

Experience the religious life of local communities by visiting colourful temples, interact with residents over a cup of tea in their homes and discover some of the architectural wonders of this fascinating aspect of Jaipur.

Carefully designed to offer a rewarding and enriching experience for our guests this walk reveals some of the best kept secrets of the walled city of Jaipur. Meet resident artisans, shop owners, temple priests and local citizens.

Chand Pol gate, one of the original seven gateways, located at the western end of the old walled city of Jaipur is the point at which this 2 and a half hour walk begins.

Visit Sri Chaturbhuj and Roop Chaturbhuj both grand old temples situated at “Choti Chauper” the city square. As old as the city their elevated location provides excellent views of the surrounding area.

Visit Somani Haveli a beautifully restored building belonging to one of the prominent jeweler families of the city.

Visit a private Tantra Temple with beautifully carved doors and rare pictures of old Jaipur. Few foreigners have seen the 11 shiva lingams housed in this temple that are used during tantric ritual.

Shri Gopinath Ji Krishna Temple – A lively and busy temple where the morning Aarti is a lively and noisy spectacle.

Visit a Rajput family in their Haveli home, Bagru Ki Haveli and join them for early morning tea and traditional Indian snacks.

“Ramchandra Temple” Dedicated to Lord Ram. This ancient Temple is decorated with beautiful frescos including a gold painting of the City Palace.

We find the best stables are at Rohetgarh (with associated hotels at Mihir Garh and the Wilderness Camp). You can head out through nearby Bishnoi tribal villages seeing rural Rajasthan in all its magnificence. We can also arrange riding around Udaipur and Jaipur.

The Taj Mahal, built in the 17th Century by 20,000 workers over a period of 22 years was built as a monument of love by Shah Jehan for his bride Mumtaz Mahal. Such is the beauty and scale of the monument that it is hard not to be totally overawed. Also well worth visiting are Agra Fort, the tomb of Itmad-Ud-Daulah, thought to be the forerunner of the Taj Mahal and just outside the city, the tomb of Akbar at Sikandra.