The north of India offers some of the most extraordinary diversity, from lofty Himalayan peaks, to the scorched desert plains of Rajasthan below. Enter ‘Paradise on Earth’, immortalised by the Sufi poet Amir Khusro, and visit Ladakh, the rugged mountain land of the Buddhists. Stay at The Ultimate Travelling Camp, Diskit, the latest luxe outpost in the Nubra Valley, truly at the edge of the world. For a gentler trek head to Himachal Pradesh, dense with fragrant pine forest, rhododendrons and apple orchards.
Experience the summer capital of the Raj by staying at The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla or see the sweeping forest vistas from the grand WiIdflower Hall.
Next year sees the Taj Hotels’ opening just outside Shimla. This season Punjab is firmly on the map with the opening of Vivanta by Taj in Amritsar, home of the legendary Golden Temple. Meanwhile, state capital and modernist masterpiece Chandigarh will see The Oberoi Sukhvilasopen in the beautiful Siswan Forest Range.
Uttarakhand is the birthplace of the godly Ganges, many an ashram, and hallowed pilgrimage sites. Spend time at the peaceful Ananda spa, and nourish your mind, body and soul, or wander the holy holiday towns of Rishikesh and Haridwar. Corbett Tiger Reserve is only six hours from Delhi and has recently seen the openings of The Gateway Resort Corbett on the banks of the River Kosi, along with hotly anticipated Park Hotel. The historic capital of New Delhi offers a visually harmonious view of India’s extraordinary past, through its diverse architecture, monuments, bazaars and gardens.
Stay at The Imperial for a taste of art deco-dence or at The Taj Mahal Hotel located in the heart of Lutyens’ Delhi Leave the sprawling city behind and find an oasis of calm at The ITC Grand Bharat, a sprawling spa-retreat with first-class golf courses. The neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh is home to some of the most mythical cities in India – Agra with the dreamlike Taj Mahal, the world’s greatest monument to love, the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri. Lucknow. Buddha’s Samath and the holiest of cities – Varanasi.