For a Half Day

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary: Situated in the neighbouring state of Haryana, it takes about 50 minutes by taxi to get to Sultanpur, 47km (29 miles) from Delhi. The small lake and marshland is best visited between November and March when migratory birds, including the greater flamingo, along with bare-headed and Brahminy ducks from Tibet, flock to the verdant sanctuary.

Suraj Kund: Also in Haryana, the ruins of Suraj Kund are just 16km (10 miles) from the outskirts of Delhi, a journey of about half an hour by taxi. Its 10th-century amphitheatre is the only great Hindu shrine left intact by invading Muslims. The shrine is surrounded by tranquil parklands and a small artificial boating lake and is a popular Sunday lunch picnic destination for middle-class Indian families.

For a Whole Day

Agra and Taj Mahal: The radiance of early morning is one of the best times to first glimpse the flawless proportions of the Taj Mahal, built entirely out of marble, by Shah Jahan, to serve as a mausoleum for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The complex consists of five main elements - the Darwaza or main gateway, the Bageecha or garden, the Masjid or mosque, the Naqqar Khana or resthouse and the Rauza or the Taj Mahal mausoleum. The actual tomb is situated inside. Most impressive are the four tall minarets (40m/131ft high) at the corners of the structure, the majestic dome in the middle and the black and white chessboard marble floor.

The other monument of note in Agra is Agra Fort, with high red sandstone ramparts. The fort houses the graceful Diwan-i-Am, the royal pavilions, the Hammam-i-Shahi (royal bath), the Nagina Masjid (Gem Mosque) and the Zenana Meena Bazaar, where the ladies of the court would linger over silks, jewellery and brocades.

The Shatabdi Express, an air-conditioned train, covers the 199km (124 miles) to Agra in approximately two hours, departing from New Delhi station (website: www.indianrail.gov.in). Tickets can be purchased at the International Tourist Bureau on the first floor of New Delhi station. Payment is only accepted in foreign currency (US Dollars, Euros and Pounds Sterling) or in Indian Rupees if backed up with money-exchange receipts. Credit cards are not accepted. To circumvent the tiresome queuing necessary to purchase tickets in person, a travel agent will do this for tourists (for a small fee) but choose an accredited agency to avoid scams.

Indiatourism at 191, The Mall, Agra (tel: (0562) 222 6368) can provide further information.