Arriving at this great monument, the ethereal morning light shimmers on its marble and jewel-rich inlays. Your guide will also take you to the lovely Itimad-ud-Daulah, illustrating the development of architectural design that led to the Taj Mahal, and you can visit Agra Fort, the magnificent building where Shah Jahan, creator of the Taj Mahal, spent the last years of his life, imprisoned.

From Jawai you can choose to explore the stunning landscape on horseback, bicycle or take a walking safari with an expert tracker from the Rabari tribe, who have walked this land for centuries. At the end of the day you can relax with spa facilities and, for serious foodies, you can spend time with chefs in their farm gardens learning about the different flavours of the region.

Built high on a rocky cliff, the views from the Mehrangarh Fort stretch across the plains as far as the Mewari fort at Kumbalgarh. Beside a fortified gateway are handprints of 15 Jodhpur queens who immolated themselves on their husbands’ funeral pyres. Leaving the fort and its museum, meander through narrow alleyways, past local colourful houses, the market and bustling shopping district.

This is your chance to spot leopards as you board a customized jeep with a specialist wildlife guide. Together you’ll explore the stunning scenery, watching out for these elusive cats. It’s not all about the leopards though – you may also see yena, wild fox, sloth bear, eagle owls, pythons and crocodiles, with a range of bird species from pelican and flamingo to laggar falcons and tiny bulbuls.

As the sun sets, relish in a private boat trip on the Lake, visiting Jagmandir Island and the colourful bathing ghats. Afterwards, we suggest a final dinner at the hotel’s LOYA restaurant, leading you on a culinary journey from the foothills of the Himalayas to the flat terrain of Punjab and snow-laden Kashmir. What a way to end your day, and your Indian experience.

Starting in Amber village, you’ll have the opportunity to visit a ruined fort and hidden shrines, then proceed to the Amber Fort, perhaps the finest of all the fort palaces, it reflects the opulence and elegance of the nearby Mughal courts. The Rajputs built their forts high on hills giving them lookouts over the surrounding area and protection from invading armies, so views here are spectacular.