Watching the sun's first rays tint the Taj Mahal saffron and coral? Or walking with a shepherd

and his oxcart on the footpath to Delwara village? As we look back on India, we never can decide which was more memorable. India is fantastical—and we visit sumptuous palaces and temples for the photogenic proof. India is intensely human too, but visitors who only see the raucous cities miss the point. So we arrange one-of-a-kind countryside walks that introduce you to villagers and rural life…as well as descendants of royal families, sari- and turban-tying experts, and eminent naturalists. India is a rush of mind-bending contradictions. (Think: “safaris” into the jungle habitat of tigers, New Delhi, and the desert at Pushkar—on camelback.) Most of all, our beloved India is epic. And that’s where Classic Journeys comes in with a thoughtful, well-edited itinerary that handles the complex logistics and frees you to absorb an amazingly broad wealth of experiences.