They take their horns very seriously on the roads here. A toot can mean anything from "I'm passing you", "I'm behind you", "get out of the way", or "you look very nice today".

Leave your expectations on the train because this is better than any postcard. Is that a tear in your eye, or are your allergies playing up again?

Everything seems brighter in this tiny village - the saris, the smiles, the marigold chains they put around your neck when you get here. Good thing you bought three pairs of Ray Bans for $11 in the markets of Delhi.

After the Amber Fort, Palace of the Winds and Johari Jewellery Bazaar, let your local tour guide show you his favourite food hall for masala dosa and thalis.

Back in Delhi there's time for a hot shave and a haircut from one of the barbers lining the streets. You'll go home looking fresh as a daisy.

Whether you’re taking in man’s greatest works at places like Petra or Angkor Wat, experiencing grand set-pieces like the Trans-Mongolian Railway or trying your hand at regional specialities like tango in Buenos Aires, getting to grips with local cultures is what travel’s all about. A few tips from a guide and a sense of adventure are pretty much all you need. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to get the lowdown on high Tibet among Lhasa’s magisterial temples; follow up Delhi’s eye-popping bustle with a fix of its fiery food; and mix manic markets and Incan masterpieces in Peru.

- Gecko’s expert English-speaking local tour leaders.- Sightseeing (including entrance fees where applicable): Agra including the Taj Mahal; Tordi Garh Jaipur including Amber Fort, Old Bazaar and The Palace of the Winds; and Delhi including Chandni Chowk and Connaught Place. - Off-the-beaten-track experience in Tordi Garh – village walk, a visit to ruined temples and a fortress.- Overnight accommodation in the 16th Century Tordi Palace - Free time to explore Agra, Tordi, Jaipur and Delhi.- Express train from Delhi to Agra.

5 breakfasts, ,

International flights, arrival and departure transfers, airport/departure taxes, visas, pre or post tour accommodation, meals, optional tours sightseeing or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature, laundry and flights unless specified. Some places that we visit charge additional fees if you are entering with a camera or camcorder - your city guide will advise on these and they can be paid for locally.