5 must-see jewels of India

Jama Masjid in Delhi

Marvel at the final architectural splurge of Emperor Shah Jahan, who cut his teeth on the Taj Mahal. The sandstone and marble behemoth can accommodate more than 25,000 worshippers.

Taj Mahal, Agra

More than two million visitors flock here each year to see the most beautiful building in the world. No matter how many photos you have seen, the first glimpse of the Taj Mahal is gobsmacking. If you want a photo at the ‘Diana Bench’, the spot where Princess Diana was snapped in 1992 (followed by Kate and Will in 2016), you’d better get in line quick.

Chandni Chowk market, Delhi

It was once considered Delhi’s finest market. Sadly those glory days have long since passed but this colourful venue still bulges at the seams with shoppers, livestock and tiny stores selling everything from carpets and sweets to a rainbow of saris.

Ranthambore National Park, Sawai Madhopur

India is home to almost 70 per cent of the world’s tigers and, thanks to concerted efforts to clamp down on poachers, the population is slowly increasing. Take a safari where you travel in an open Jeep over 1334 sq km of lush ravines and crocodile-filled lakes, and see leopards, sloth bears, foxes and deer, as well as more than 300 species of birds. If you’re lucky you’ll even spot the elusive Bengal Tiger.

Amber Fort, Jaipur

Ride an elephant to the honey-coloured citadel perched high on the hillside. This magnificent fort has a royal palace, built from pale yellow and pink sandstone and white marble. If you can’t quite convince yourself to get on top of an elephant, you can trudge up to the fort from the road in about 10 minutes.