Explore the rural landscapes of Udaipur on a gentle guided bike ride to Lake Badi, passing local villages and the spectacle of the Monsoon Palace en route. The perfect activity for families, the 2 to 3 hour tour unveils tranquil landscapes, brightly clad women and thriving farming communities. Look out for kingfishers, cows, goats and dancing peacocks along the way before stopping to visit a local family for a cup of warming masala chai.

There is incredible amount of diverse and imaginative creativity found in Rajasthan, and the city of Udaipur is an excellent place to see this first hand. One of the most extraordinary art forms found in the city is a painting on water technique known as Jal Sanjhi, where coloured pigment and stencils are used to create designs that are then skilfully lifted from the water. You can also see miniature painting and the art of koftgari, a technique for decorating arms and weaponry.

The City Palace in Jaipur showcases a wonderful fusion of Mughal and European architecture. A private guided tour gives you access to some of the private rooms within the complex. See an exquisite gold-lacquered room designed by master craftsmen, considered to be one of the most beautiful rooms in the palace, and discover other hidden treasures including early Mughal paintings, artefacts and furniture commissioned directly by the maharajah of Jaipur.

Drift slowly over the 'Pink City' of Jaipur experiencing the sights from the air on an exhilarating one-hour sunrise or sunset hot air balloon ride. Highlights include seeing the mesmerising Amber fort from above, the vast Aravalli mountain ranges surrounding it and the hidden forts and palaces of the Rajasthan countryside. As you sail over the vast terrain, you will pass over many traditional villages and see friendly locals waving from below from a very special perspective.

The village of Sanganer, near Jaipur, is a hub for local artisans who create wonderful handmade crafts using traditional techniques. Visiting workshops and factories, see the simple but compelling technique of wooden block printing, watch paper being made by hand and see potters at work. Also to be discovered are several Jain temples, a ruined palace, and on a walk along the river you will have the opportunity to see brightly coloured fabrics drying in the sun.

Visit the Bishnoi community close to Jodhpur, who have become known for their conservationist religious beliefs. Living in tiny hamlets, they protect their flora and fauna with reverence and farm large agricultural tracts, of which they keep parts fallow for the benefit of wildlife. Their history and customs have become legendary and as far back as the 16th century they are known to have resisted royal edicts ordering the felling of trees by wrapping themselves around them.

There are many hidden gems in Delhi away from the main tourist trail. Explore the charming Hauz Khas village, a blend of boutique shops and cafes set against the backdrop of Hauz Khas lake with its mosque and tomb; visit the historic stepwell of Agrasen-ki Baoli; and the nearby Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Sikh temple. Witness the pomp of the Saturday morning changing of the guard ceremony at the President's Palace and indulge your taste buds on a paratha tour of Chandi Chowk.