Destinations Covered: Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Delhi - Kathmandu - Pokahara - Kathmandu - Paro - Thimpu - Punakha - Thimpu - Paro
India, Nepal and Bhutan are three of the most peaceful and beautiful nations in the Indian subcontinent. Each country has its own culture, tradition and history but they look so similar to each other in every sense. A well-planned tour package of 16 days offers you a chance to visit these places to savor the best of sights, smells and sounds. The itinerary takes you to important destinations of these countries including Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Thimpu, Paro and Punakha. Enjoy visits to temples, historical monuments, forts, dzongs and monasteries etc.
Upon arrival at the Delhi Airport, meet our tour representative who provides you an assisted transfer to the hotel. Complete the check-in formalities. The day is at leisure. You are free to explore the national capital city on your own that has various historical monuments, modern structures, stylish discotheques, fashionable markets, amusement parks, holy sites, shopping malls, and much more. You can visit attractions like the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Red Fort (official residence of the Mughal Emperor till 1857), Jama Masjid (one of India's largest mosques) and Raj Ghat (memorial of Mahatama Gandhi). Savor the lip-smacking street food. Explore the place at your own pace.
Stay overnight.
After breakfast, continue with the city tour. Visit the World Heritage Site of Humayun's Tomb. This tomb of the Mughal Emperor was built by his wife Hamida Banu Begam in 1569. Next you can visit the India Gate. This is war memorial dedicated to Indian soldiers who laid their lives during the First World War. Other popular attractions of Delhi worth-visiting are Qutub Minar, Chandni Chowk, Birla Temple, Akshardham temple, Jantar Mantar, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Delhi Haat and so on.
Stay overnight in Delhi.
Post breakfast, start your road journey to the desert city of Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan state. The city is lovingly known as the 'Pink City' and has a very vibrant infectious feel. On reaching, complete the check-in. The rest of the day is at leisure. Known to be the first planned city of India, it is visited by tourists from all across the globe. Jaipur has a lot to offer including bustling colorful bazaars, mighty forts, wonderful palaces, gardens, temples and so on. Explore the city on your own.
Overnight in Jaipur.
Post breakfast, day 4 of the tour is for city tour of Jaipur. You start with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Amber Fort, built on the top of a hill, 11 km from the main city. A blend of Rajput and Mughal style of architecture, it was commissioned by Raja Man Singh I in the late 16th century. Back to the city to continue the sightseeing. Explore the grand City Palace- blend of Mughal and Rajput styles of architecture, it has several architectures in its complex. Chandra Mahal is still the official residence of the city's royal family. Next is the World Heritage Site of Jantar Mantar. Built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, it was 19 astronomical devises. Lastly, visit the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds. It has 953 jharokhas (small windows) built by Ruler Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 so that the royal ladies could witness the city life.
Stay overnight.
Start your day early after breakfast. Depart for the Mughal City of Agra by road. You must make a halt at the World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri. It was founded in the 16th century by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan who sifted his capital here from Agra. The city remained flourished for 14 years but was abandoned due to the lack of water. The complex has a number of structures such as Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chishti, Hirnar Mahal, Panch Mahal etc. Later, continue your journey to Agra. As you reach, you can opt for exploring the popular Mughal structures including the mighty Agra Fort, another World Heritage Site. It was the main residence of the Mughal emperors till 1638 after which the capital was shifted to Delhi. During sunset, visit one of the 'Seven Wonders of the World' the Taj Mahal. This is a white-marble mausoleum that was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his deceased wife Mumtaz Mahal. Check into the hotel.
Overnight stay in Agra.
Post breakfast, return to Delhi. From the airport board the flight to Kathmandu. On arrival, meet our tour representative who helps you with an assisted transfer to your hotel. The evening is at leisure. Explore the place on your own. The capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu has stunning smells, sounds and sights. It houses a number of old temples along with wonderful modern buildings. Kathmandu Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Center.
Overnight stay.
On day 7, have your breakfast and get ready to explore the frenzied capital city of Nepal. Kathmandu has royal palaces, busy squares and stunning medieval temples, around the bustling Durbar Square. The daunting Swayambhunath temple, also called the Monkey temple, stands atop a hill, overlooking the city. This temple is probably the most important Buddhist religious site here. Next, start your journey southwards for exploring the Patan city, which is one of the 3 royal cities of the Valley. Patan is also known to be the hub of Buddhist as well as Hindu culture in Nepal. Today, it is known as Lalitpur. Patan has several temples, monasteries and other religious sites. Some of the popular attractions here are four Ashoka Stupas, Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, Rato (Red) Machhindranath Temple, Mahaboudha Temple, Godavari Botanical Garden and Patan Zoo.
Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Post breakfast, leave Kathmandu and head westwards to Pokhara, the second largest city of Nepal. Afternoon arrival in Pokhara. Check into a hotel. Pokhara is a wonderful city with a number of lakes, waterfalls, religious sites and raw natural beauty in abundance. A visit to this place is peaceful and relaxing, away from regular hustle-bustle.
Overnight in Pokhara.
Today, after relishing breakfast, partake in sightseeing of Pokhara including Devi's Fall- locally called Patale Chhango, the waterfall comes from Lake Phewa and enters into a cave into the earth. Next, you visit Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave- dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is known to be the largest cave in Nepal, and later visit the Seti River Gorge. If you want, you can opt for a boat ride on the Phewa Lake, which is the second largest in Nepal. Enjoy the surroundings views.
Stay overnight.
Have your breakfast and start the return journey to Kathmandu. Arrival in Kathmandu around afternoon. After relaxing for a while, visit the very popular Century Boudhanath stupa- one of the most important Buddhist monuments outside of Tibet. It is also one the world's largest Buddhist temples. Constructed in the 14th century, this stupa is located in Boudha town, on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu. In February/March, the temple complex hosts the largest celebration in Nepal at the time of Losar Festival (Tibetan New Year).
Stay overnight.
After breakfast, complete the check-out. Head to the airport to board a flight to Paro. The views from the sky are beautiful. If you are lucky, you might spot Mount Everest. On arrival, meet our tour representative who helps you with an assisted transfer to Thimpu, the peaceful riverside city. The day is at leisure. In the evening, enjoy a visit Kuensel Phodrang- one of the most happening points in Thimpu. It also has the one of the tallest and the largest statues of Lord Buddha in the world.
Stay overnight.
Post breakfast, the day is scheduled for sightseeing. The attractions of Thimpu that you visit today include the National Memorial Chorten- a huge Tibetan-style chorten that was built in 1974 as a memorial of the 3rd king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck; the Handicrafts Emporium- a government-run souvenir emporium that houses traditional boots, bamboo baskets and festival masks etc.; and the Institute for Zorig Chusum – a place where students undertake a 6 year course on 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. The last visit of the day is to Tashichho Dzong- a Buddhist monastery and fortress. Located on the western bank of the Wang Chu River, this fortress has traditionally been the seat of the Druk Desi, the head of Bhutan's civil government.
Overnight in Thimpu.
After breakfast, get ready for an ascending up to the Dochula Pass. The pass lies at an altitude of 3088 meters above the sea level. Once on the top, savor panoramic 360 degree views of the surrounding Himalayas. You can also continue the tour and explore the former capital city of Punakha. Here, you can visit the Punakha Dzong. Also known as Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong, it was built by Ngawang Namgyal, the first Zhabdrung Rinpoche in 1637–38, Punakha Dzong is the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan. Return to Thimpu.
Stay overnight.
In the morning, enjoy a relaxed breakfast. Now, start your road journey to the Paro city. On the way, halt to explore the Simtokha Dzong. Also known as Sangak Zabdhon Phodrang, it is not only a significant historical monument but also a former Buddhist monastery. This small dzong was commissioned in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who unified Bhutan. Continue your journey to Paro. On reaching, complete the check-in formalities at the hotel and continue with sightseeing. The attraction that you visit here are include the Ta Dzong. Converted into the National Museum, it is a store house that has a 17th century watch towers, paintings, handicrafts section, stuffed animals and butterflies, various kinds of stamps such as record stamps and embossed stamps, jewelry, textiles etc. Later, visit the Rinpung Dzong- a Buddhist monastery and fortress. In the 15th century, it was built as a small temple and later turned into a dzong.
Stay overnight.
On the 15th day of the tour, after breakfast, get ready to visit the Taktsang Monastery or Tiger's Nest, seen as a real representation of the Bhutanese nation. A significant Himalayan Buddhist sacred temple complex, it lies on the cliff-side of the upper Paro valley. The temple complex was constructed in 1692, around the Taktsang Senge Samdup cave where Guru Padmasambhava is believed to have meditated in the 8th century for 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days and 3 hours. In the afternoon, you can visit the Drukgyel Dzong, a 17th century fortress, which now is almost in ruins. It was a fortress and a Buddhist monastery that was built in 1649 by Tenzin Drukdra on the behalf of Ngawang Namgyal, Zhabdrung Rinpoche, for commemorating their victory over an invasion from Tibet. The last visit of the day is to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most beautiful Buddhist temples in Bhutan. It was originally built in the 7th century.
Stay overnight.
After breakfast, morning transfer to the airport for boarding the flight to Delhi from your board the flight for your onward journey.
