By Laura Miller

Bored of Bali, tired of Thailand and so over Singapore? Quit the long weekends in Southeast Asia and head instead to the subcontinent that’s mystified and impressed the Beatles, Liz Hurley, hell, even Alexander the Great. OK, so you need a little more time on your hands to get to India, but there are direct flights daily from Hong Kong with Jet Airways, the country’s premier airline (www.jetairways.com), and you’re guaranteed to find it as incredible as the tourist ads promise.

FIRST: Get rid of any preconceived ideas before you go. The fastest growing democracy in the world has long since transformed from a backpacker’s destination into a discerning traveller’s dream, and boasts some of the chicest boutique hotels, luxury spa retreats and gourmet restaurants in Asia.

SECOND: Get in touch with an expert, and preferably bespoke, trip advisor the likes of Banyan Tours & Travels (www.banyantours.com). Why? Because some things never change, and just as India is still the photogenic land of colour and contrast, it’s also still the land of chaos and crowds – if you don’t know your way off the beaten track that is. Banyan Tours knows the country backwards and with superb guides (when you want them), insider knowledge and the ability to plan unique one-off experiences from balloon safaris and elephant polo, to river rafting in the Himalayas, they’ll provide you with a bespoke Indian adventure – hassle-free.

THIRD: Plan your trip for any time of the year – there’s somewhere in India ideal for every season. A bit chilly in Hongkers? Head to Rajasthan to soak up the pleasant sunshine of India’s balmy winter months, amidst awe-inspiring palaces, atmospheric ruins and breathtaking scenery (October-March). And when you feel the need to escape the stultifying stickiness of the Southeast Asian summer, head to Ladakh, India’s starkly beautiful northernmost state. Also known as ‘Little Tibet’ this remote region where snow-capped peaks hold up azure-blue skies over hill-top monasteries, majestic rivers and desolate plains splashed with village oases, is still a major travel secret – yet it’s only an hour’s flight north of Delhi (June-October).

But enough waxing lyrical. Most people know of India’s multi-facetted appeal: They know it’s got exceptional and varied natural beauty, spirituality in the form of a host of fascinating religions, adventure sports such as heritage zip-wiring, and the best yoga teachers in the world. They know it’s a foodie’s paradise, it’s got history coming out of its ears, and boasts some of the most famous monuments in the world. They know all this and more, and the country lures them siren-like. But still they hesitate. Come on, forget Delhi-belly (has anyone really had it in years?) and seize the day. Here’s the low down on treating yourself to a sumptuously decadent north Indian escape – we’ll save the south for next time…

We’ll start with Delhi, the gateway to northern India, before heading to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal, and then moving further into Rajasthan. Saving the best for last, we’ll then fly well off the beaten track into laid-back Ladakh.

Delhi

A fascinating metropolis with as many faces as a Rubik’s cube, Delhi is a city that oozes sex appeal. It’s fast-paced, cosmopolitan and jet-set trendy, yet boasts over 1,000 years of history – vivid reminders of which dot the city. Surprisingly green and clean in the leafy streets of New Delhi, Old Delhi is the clichéd atmospheric spectacle of sights, sounds and smells we all expect and want it to be. Discerning travellers are spoilt for choice: the hotels are grand, the restaurants glam and the shopping – downright fantabulous.

SEE:
Chadni Chowk – as the vibrant walled city of Old Delhi is commonly known
Lal Quila – otherwise known as the Red Fort, built by Shah Jahan of Taj Mahal fame
The tapestry of markets before the walls of Lal Quila – colourful chaos at its best
The Jama Masjid – one of the oldest, best known mosques in India
The Lodi Gardens – tranquil greenery studded with picturesque ruins
Rashtrapati Bhavan – the presidential palace presided over by curious monkeys

SLEEP:
The Imperial Hotel - Gracious, elegant, and exuding colonial charm – a veritable art museum with clipped lawns, an Oriental courtyard, an Italian terrace and stunning suites.
www.theimperialindia.com
The Taj Mahal – Huge marble lobby, stellar restaurants, iconic bar ‘Rick’s’ and lushly shaded pool in frangipani-scented gardens. Staff call you by name and service is superb.
www.tajhotels.com

EAT:
Olive Beach - Chilled, stylish venue serving fabulous Med-inspired food – ideal for lunch and a vibey choice at night. Jewel-coloured cushions shine in the white-washed space and Chef Guiliano’s a charmer.
Wasabi by Morimoto – Delhi’s first contemporary Japanese restaurant. Sleek and sophisticated, it’s already the hottest hang out for the hippest of Delhi-ites and international guests, offering sublime Japanese creations with the ‘Iron Chef’s’ signature twists. Go for dinner.

SHOP:
Chadni Chowk – silver, spices, incense, samoosas, beads, flowers… (Don’t try water-based street food)
Good Earth – A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. interiors and homeware store, check out the Indian bone china crockery
Anokhi – subtle Indian-inspired clothing and home accessories
Khan Market – an all-in-one shopping experience
The Garden of Five Senses – bliss for shopaholics and browsers alike
Sunder Nagar – miniature paintings and antiques
Carma – signature garments from top fashion designers the likes of Manish Arora and Sabyasachi

Rajasthan

Possibly the most colourful of all India’s states, Rajasthan is endowed with exceptional natural beauty and a rich heritage left by the warring Rajputs and the conquering Mughal Empire. The entire state is littered with the ruins of temples and palaces which speak eloquently of Rajasthan’s glorious and bloody past, populated with more heroes and villains than a Marvel comic book. It’s also a mecca for adventure seekers – and offers the first ever heritage zip-wire experience with Flying Fox at Neemrana Fort.

SEE:
Agra: The Taj Mahal (more impressive in reality than any photo can convey), the Red Fort and the deserted city-fort of Fatepuhr Sikri (45 minutes away).
Jaipur: ‘The Pink City’ – Check out Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar observatory, Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) and the City Palace.
Udaipur: ‘The City of Dawn’ – Don’t miss the City Palace, the famed Lake Palace, the Vishnu Temple and the Monsoon palace. Watch Octopussy while you’re there.

SLEEP:
Oberoi Amarvilas (Agra) – Wham-stagger-glam, impressive beyond belief, especially when you see the views from every one of the suites – the Taj Mahal is just 600m away. www.amarvilas.com
Rambagh Palace (Jaipur) – Suitably majestic, this legendary hotel was once the residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur, and retains its marvelously regal air. www.tajhotels.com
Jai Mahal (Jaipur) – Faded grandeur in gracious grounds. Old-world charm through and through.
www.tajhotels.com
Samode Haveli (Jaipur) – Once a nobleman’s mansion, the gorgeous suites of this maze-like hotel are connected by narrow passageways intersected by fountain-centred courtyards. www.samode.com
Devigarh (Udaipur) – Sits like a medieval castle above a village in bucolic bliss. Rural and remote, it’s absolutely fabulous, especially the minimalist, contemporary interiors of the roomy suites. www.deviresorts.com
The Taj Lake Palace (Udaipur) – Sumptuously splendid, an ex-leisure palace of a Maharajah, it appears to float in the middle of Lake Pichola like an intricately carved marble iceberg. Views from restaurant, pool and seven original suites – stunning, particularly at night. www.tajhotels.com
Oberoi Udaivilas (Udaipur) – A masterpiece of a hotel, with king-size grounds and awesome views – consistently voted one of the five top hotels in the world. www.udaivilas.com

EAT:
Cinnamon (Jaipur) – Exquisite modern Indian food in purple splendor – ideal for dinner after a drink in the trendy Marigold Bar.
Dera Amer (Jaipur) – Tuck into an authentic Rajasthani feast after a few G ‘n T’s atop an ellie, pristine wilderness all around.

DO:
Hot air ballooning (Jaipur): Peaceful, serene – see it all from a new perspective.
Horse safaris (Udaipur/Jodhpur): At one with nature in the Aravalli Hills.
Game viewing (Ranthambore National Park): Fancy some tiger spotting?
Elephant polo (Dera Amer, Jaipur): 8 foot long mallets… truly earthquake worthy.
Flying Fox zip-wiring adventure (Neemrana): Fly past turrets with no magic carpet in sight… an adrenalin rush like no other.

Ladakh
This is one corner of India that’s anything but crowded. Only accessible during the summer months when temperatures are pleasantly warm during the day and nights are chilly, this region is snowbound for the rest of the year. Leh, the village-like capital, has long attracted tie-dyed types and has somewhat of a hippie ‘Goa-in-the-mountains’ feel to it, but the discerning traveller just passes through this town (which will take all of 10 minutes) and heads out onto the dramatic Ladakhi plains with Shakti (www.shaktihimalaya.com).
The first and only luxury travel operator in Ladakh, Shakti caters to a maximum of 6 travellers per trip, and offers accommodation in authentic village houses in the remote Ladakhi villages of Stok, Taru and Nimoo. These houses are quaint, yet incredibly spacious, offer breathtaking views and are spruced up with the comfiest of beds and every other creature comfort. During the days you’ll explore the villages with not another tourist in sight, trek through canyons to discover underground streams, river raft on the placid Indus and the roiling Shayok rivers, explore lofty monasteries, and picnic in fields of yellow mustard greens and apricot orchards. At night you’ll eat three-course gourmet meals with fine wines, either under the stars or in the cosy kitchens, and then dream glorious high altitude dreams.
This awe-inspiring region comprises 45,000 square kilometers of high altitude desert dominated by deep turquoise lakes and the rugged snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges – believe us, it’s spectacular beyond compare.

INFO BOX:

Plan your trip: Banyan Tours & Travels provides the highest standard in luxury travel arrangements in India. For superb guides, insider knowledge, bespoke experiences and hassle-free travel, look no further. Email info@banyantours.com , www.banyantours.com

How to get there: Jet Airways is India’s premiere airline offering 385 flights daily to destinations throughout India and beyond. Reservation hotline: (+852) 3966 5008 www.jetairways.com