Discovery of the Lesser-Known Rajasthan
The Thar Desert, located 200 km west of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, lies at the gates of the Jaisalmer Fort, just 100 km from the border with Pakistan. The fortress houses a magnificent palace and Jain temples. Below, you can admire the Havelis, homes of wealthy merchants. Jaisalmer is the starting point for a camel-back excursion, where one of the most popular activities is watching the sunset from the Khuri or Sam dunes.
In the state of Punjab, in Amritsar, is the Golden Temple, the most sacred of Sikh temples. Its true name is "Harmandir Sahib" (the illustrious temple of God in Punjabi), but it has been renamed as such because it is covered in gold.
From Leh, in Ladakh, trekking enthusiasts will be delighted by grand and varied landscapes, with dizzying peaks and magnificent monasteries, particularly in the Zanskar region.
Not far from the Himalayas, in the heart of West Bengal, is Darjeeling, famous for its black tea cultivated since the 19th century. Make wonderful taste discoveries there during tea time. Board the Toy train, a UNESCO World Heritage site, for a ride to the Ghoom monastery. Darjeeling is a peaceful mountain village with pretty picturesque streets; it's hard not to fall under its charm.