Just on the cusp of New Delhi and over the state line in Haryana, the metropolis of Gurgaon sprouts from the dusty lands of Northern India in a forest of gleaming skyscrapers and high-rise apartment blocks. With stacks of Fortune 500 offices and start-outs, it’s become something of a business hub for the sub-continent. That, in turn, has spurred speedy growth and expansion (traffic jams et al), and now nearly one million people call it their home.

Whether you’re in town on a business trip, or just passing through on route to the Golden Triangle, Gurgaon tour guides can point out various points of interest: the bright lights at mega malls, golf courses at Cyber City, and Bollywood premiers that are staged at the colossal Kingdom of Dreams complex are just an example.

Day trips to Delhi’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites can also be on the menu, but you might prefer to shorten the bucket list with a jaunt down to the Taj Mahal in Agra – doable in a day. Closer to town, the Sultanpur National Park is a haven for migratory birds, so keep an eye out for wagtails and purple sunbirds between the acacias and lakes there.