Approaching Jaipur, we drive past stretches of golden sand and low, rocky hills dotted with tiny fortresses. Occasional camel-drawn carts share the road. Their riders wear the colorful turbans and fierce mustaches of the fabled Rajput clans. The fortifications surrounding Jaipur give it a medieval atmosphere. The delicate honey-comb design of the ‘Palace of Winds' glows in the light of the setting sun. Quaint bazaars thrive around this edifice. High above the city, the towers and domes of the Amber Palace are reminiscent of scenes from a fairy tale. Indeed, Jaipur embodies all that you may have heard about the pomp and pageantry of India, its Maharajahs and their fabulous palaces, and the marvelously colorful drama of Life on its bustling streets. 

The ultimate symbol of the Mughal empire's achievements in India is the Taj Mahal at Agra. Built by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his queen, it is unquestionably the world's most magnificent monument to conjugal Love. A colossal, perfectly proportioned mass of marble, the Taj Mahal is literally a jewel, fashioned over 17 years by 20,000 craftsmen & laborers. It seems to float, like a fantastic mirage, upon the banks of the River Yamuna. 

The Agra Fort was once the flourishing headquarters of the Mughal dynasty, and four successive emperors helped to create its massive walls, within which Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture blend in a splendid fusion of military might and lavish beauty. About one hour's drive outside Agra lies the magnificent but deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, the dream capital of the greatly loved Emperor Akbar. During his brief stay here, a great complex of palaces and mosques was built, but Akbar was finally forced to abandon his dream city due to scarcity of water, and it became a ghost town.

At Khajuraho, the mighty Chandela kings built 85 temples from about 950 AD to 1000 AD. The few that have survived represent an unparalleled fusion of architecture, sculpture, religion, philosophy, and even ribaldry. Both sublime and sensual, the sculpture of  Khajuraho venerates the Creator as well as a wonderful life of celebrations, dancing - and Loving. Here, handsome lovers are eternally frozen in stone in the most plastic postures of sensual love. 

 Benaras or Varanasi is probably the world's oldest living city. Since time immemorial, millions of pilgrims arrive every year in Benaras, in search of salvation in the waters of the holy river Ganges. At the crack of dawn, they become a thousand spots of colour bathed in the golden    waters of the Ganges. The scene on the bathing ghats is quite fascinating to the western eye. Yogis meditate in  impossible positions. Brahmins sit under mushroom-like umbrellas, to bless everyone for a fee. Men and women in various stages of wetness reverently launch little oil-lamps on to the water.Bursts of religious song mingle with the tolling of temple bells, and the rhythmic beat of washer-men pounding the city's laundry.

The kingdom of Nepal is an exotic country cradled by the magnificent Himalayas. It has more than 100 peaks over 20,000 ft. straddling its border with Tibet, including Mt. Everest. Within a distance of 30 miles as the crow flies, the terrain descends southwards across terraced farmlands to an elevation of apx. 250 ft. at the rim of the fertile Indo-Gangetic Plain.

Katmandu is an exotic town cradled by the magnificent Himalayas. It has a quaint and easy  charm. The temples of Hanuman Dhoka are exotic and impressive, and have erotic carvings on the roof struts. A little girl is selected every few years to be the "Kumari" - a Living Goddess. She is worshipped as one till she attains puberty. 

Katmandu also has the largest Buddhist Stupa in the world at Budhanath. The Hindu Temple at Pasupatinath (see pic) has superb golden-roofed shrines and huge doors sheathed in heavy - worked silver. Surrounding hills provide close views of Himalayan giants.