India, Nepal and Bhutan Highlights

This private guided tour of Old & New Delhi boast spectacular monuments and holy sites. The city of New Delhi was designed in the typically British colonial style, with tree-lined avenues and colonial bungalows. Whilst on this tour you will see the Laxminarayan Temple, a modern Hindu temple, and Gate of India which is a 42 m high War Memorial Arch. On route you will drive past the Parliament House, the Secretariat buildings and the Vice Regal Palace, which is now the official residence of the President of India. Also visit the Red Fort which was the palace for Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan's new capital, Shahjahanabad, when he moved his capital from Agra to bring prestige to his reign. Its wall is 1.5 miles long, and varies in height from 60-110 ft. At 72.5 meters, the Qutab Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world. Surrounding the building are many fine examples of Indian artwork dating back to 1193. Humayun's tomb is a complex of buildings of Mughal architecture dating to the Slave Dynasty (1268-1287 AD). The complex is a World Heritage Site and the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India. This style of mausoleum is similar to the Taj Mahal in Agra.

Meet your driver for a private transfer to Jaipur. (258 Kms/5.5 Hrs)

Private guided tour of the City Palace of Jaipur, an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthan and Mughal architecture, originally built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of the Kachhwaha clan of Rajputs. The vast palace complex occupies one seventh of the walled city of Jaipur. The Jantar Mantar is a collection of massive astronomical instruments, built of local stone and marble. Each instrument carries an astronomical scale marked on the marble inner lining, and bronze tablets were also employed. Adjoining the Palace is the  Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the Hawa Mahal overlooks one of the main streets and also provides some excellent views of the city. We feel the Amber Fort is best reached by car, but an optional elephant ride is available should you prefer (cost not included).

Enjoy this transfer to Agra in a private vehicle with driver. On the way, you will visit the ancient ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri. This area was built during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, and was known as the "City of Victory", and the capital of the Mughal Empire for 10 years. The complex of monuments and temples boasts uniform architectural style, which includes one of the largest mosques in India, the Jama Masjid.

Be amazed on this private guided tour of Taj Mahal, one of the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his dear wife and Queen Mumtaz Mahal. Also visit Agra Fort, built of red sandstone and marble. This great monument of red sandstone dominating a bend in the river Yamuna, 2km northwest of Taj Mahal was constructed by the Mughals during 1565-1571.

Meet your driver for a private transfer to Delhi. (205 Kms/5 hrs)

Relax and enjoy an airport transfer in a private vehicle, with driver, and English-speaking assistant.

Enjoy your flight from Delhi to Kathmandu. The flight duration is approximately 90 mins.

Sit back and relax for this airport transfer in a private vehicle with driver.

Pashupatinath temple that is noted for its erotic woodcarvings of the struts. This is a replica of the famous Pashupatinath temple of Kathmandu built by the Yakchya Malla. Bodhnath the colossal stupa, is one of the largest in world. This Stupa has the all seeing-eyes of the Buddha by kind Mana Deva in expiation of his sins of the advice inset with prayer wheels. After lunch, transfer to visit Bhadgaon city - another newer city founded in the 9th century. Visit the ancient gateway, Durbar square the royal residential quarter of Bhupendra Malla, famous five storied temple of Nytapole in Pagoda style and other temples.

This Mount Everest Scenic flight provides the best way to catch a birds-eye view of the picturesque Everest region. The highly trained and experienced pilot takes the plane a mere 200 meters away from the mountain peaks, bringing the top of the world to the lens of your camera.  This flight is a once in a life time experience, and will provide memories you will never forget.  This panoramic flight takes approximately one hour to complete. 

Visit Patan's museum which exhibits cover a long span of Nepal's cultural history and some rare objects are among its treasures. They belong both to Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Most of the exhibits have been cast in bronzes and have Gilt Copper repose work, for which Patan is famous.The golden spire of the 5th-century Swayambhunath stupa is adorned with a colorful fluttering of prayer flags; it crowns a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley and offers fantastic views over the city of Kathmandu. Swayambhunath is one of the most recognizable symbols in Nepal and the painted eyes of Buddha watch all those who ascend the worn stone steps. It is a World Heritage Site and one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal, and is at the source of the Valley's mythical beginning.

This trip is ideal for easy going and luxurious travelers who want to travel in the lowlands of Nepal, whilst experiencing the excitement of river rafting. The Trishuli River is one the closest waterways near to the city of Kathmandu and passing roadways, and as such has become the most rafted river in Nepal. The rapids along this route are fairly small, with the exception of a few of grade 3 swells. This rafting trip starts at around 9.30 and stops at noon or so for lunch. Your lunch is a dry picnic style meal with drinking water provided and purified by iodine or boiling, all day long. After lunch, there will be 2 or 3 hours of time allotted to enjoy more rafting. It has only been recently that the roar of Nepal’s mighty rivers has fallen upon public ears. The immense vertical drop between glaciers high in the Himalaya and the flood plains of the low-land terrain region makes for some of the best and most scenic white-water runs on earth.

Sit back and relax for this airport transfer in a private vehicle with driver.

Enjoy your flight from Kathmandu to Paro today. The flight duration is approximately 2 hours.

Upon arrival in Paro, you will be required to present two passport photos to the immigration official for your Bhutan visa (included), which will be stamped into your passport. Once you pass through customs your guide and driver will be waiting for you.

You will be met on arrival at Paro airport by our local guide. Once you have completed all airport formalities, you will begin your drive toward Thimphu. This is a scenic journey and takes roughly 1.5 hours. On arrival in Bhutan's modern capital, you will check in at your hotel.

Visit the Changangkha Lhakhang, built in the 12th century, this is the oldest temple in Thimphu. It is hovering over a ridge above Thimphu, near Motithang. Lama Phajo Drukgom Zhigpo who hailed from Tibet chose this site to build this Lhakhang. The Lhakhang houses Chenrizig, an 11-headed, thousand-armed manifestation of Avolokitesawara. The prayer books in this Lhakhang are larger than the usual Buddhist texts. You can purchase some of the world’s most beautiful postage stamps, collector’s items and postcards at face value from the general post office, and you will also see the Bhutan National Bank. Next head to a local arts and crafts school, to visit with some local children, and then carry on to the Traditional Medicine Institute where ancient healing arts are still practiced. Finally, visit the Motithang Takin Preserve, which is a local wildlife reserve. Later, if time permits, take a stroll through the main streets to see the interesting Himalayan artifacts and textiles that make Bhutan famous.

After breakfast begin your day of sightseeing with a visit to the weekend market to see local people selling and purchasing their staples. The market also has a few souvenir shops for visitors. Then embark on a drive 12 km north of Thimphu where you will participate in an hour long hike to Cheri Monastery. There will be enough time for individual contemplation, journaling, meditating, etc while visiting the monastery. Later, drive back to the hotel or to a local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon observe traditional paper making from Daphnia and Edgeworthia shrub, and have a chance to purchase some beautiful writing sets from the factory. Next, visit the Handicraft Bazaar, a new project initiated by the Government that promotes locally produced handicrafts. Buy stunning kiras which can be used as bed covers or wall decoration, jewelry and much more.  Finally, visit Memorial Chorten built in 1974 to honor the memory of Late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, popularly known as the Father of Modern Bhutan. A multi-storied Stupa will introduce you to the vitality of Tantric Buddhism. Finish up back at your hotel.

This morning, set off for Paro after an early breakfast and en route visit Semtokha Dzong, “the place of profound tantric teaching”, which stands on a hill a few kilometers out of town. On arrival in Paro, check in at your hotel.

After lunch today, you will visit Ta Dzong, originally built as a watchtower, which now houses Bhutan’s National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armor, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. Walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore, such as the legend of the four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount Sumeru and other cosmic mandalas. Along the way you will also see the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of 108 temples built in the Himalayas by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan. In the evening visit a traditional farmhouse for an opportunity to interact with a local family and gain insight into the local lifestyle and cultures.

Today you will embark on an excursion to view the spectacular and famous Taktsang monastery. The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest with many trees festooned with Spanish moss and the occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. The hike will take you past a small cafeteria if a break is needed.  Built in 1600’s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. It is believed that, in the 8th century Guru Rimpoche, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tigress to subdue a demon. Guru Rimpoche is believed to have meditated here for three months and this place is considered as a ‘Mecca’ for Buddhists. Lunch will be served at the cafeteria. After the hike, we will pay visit to the ancient ruins of Drukgyal Dzong. The Dzong was destroyed by fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. There were several unsuccessful attempts to invade Paro by the Tibetans from the north. The fortress was featured on the cover of the US National Geographic magazine in year 1914. The fortress served as an administrative center until year 1951 when a fire brought it down. From here, on a clear day, you can get a magnificent view of the Mount Jumolhari. Drive south to Satsham Chorten, built in memory of the late Dilgo Khentse Rimpoche, and continue on to Kyichu Lhakhang, built in seventh century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gonpo. This evening, once back to your hotel, you can take a leisurely guided walk of the town of Paro.

Your guide will escort you to the airport for departure from Paro.