Pair the grandeur of India’s Golden Triangle with the quiet Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. After the forts, palaces and the Taj Mahal of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, fly to Paro and travel through prayer-flag-draped passes, fortress monasteries and rice valleys to Thimphu, Punakha and the cliffside Tiger’s Nest monastery.
On arrival at Delhi, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.
Full-day sightseeing of Old and New Delhi. Visit the Red Fort and Jama Masjid, and enjoy a cycle-rickshaw ride through the busy lanes of Chandni Chowk.
In the afternoon, see the wide avenues of Lutyens’ New Delhi — Rashtrapati Bhawan, India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb and the 12th-century Qutub Minar. Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.
Morning drive to Agra, the city of the Mughals. After check-in, visit the magnificent Agra Fort, the main residence of the Mughal emperors, and watch the sun set over the Taj Mahal from the Mehtab Bagh gardens across the river. Overnight stay at the hotel in Agra.
Early morning visit to the Taj Mahal, the marble monument to love built by Shah Jahan. After breakfast, drive to Jaipur, stopping at Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s abandoned red-sandstone capital, on the way. Overnight stay at the hotel in Jaipur.
Full-day sightseeing of the ‘Pink City’. Visit Amber Fort, with an optional elephant ride up to the ramparts, the City Palace museum and Jantar Mantar observatory, and photograph the pink-sandstone facade of Hawa Mahal. Evening free to browse the bazaars. Overnight stay at the hotel in Jaipur.
Morning drive back to Delhi. Rest of the day is free for shopping or relaxing before the international leg of your journey. Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.
Morning flight from Delhi to Paro, with views of the Himalayan peaks on a clear day. Met by our Bhutanese guide, transfer by road along the Paro and Wang Chhu rivers to Thimphu, the capital. Evening stroll along the main street. Overnight stay at the hotel in Thimphu.
Full-day sightseeing of Thimphu. Visit the National Memorial Chorten, the giant Buddha Dordenma overlooking the valley, the Folk Heritage Museum, the Institute for Zorig Chusum (traditional arts school), a handmade paper factory and the Textile Museum. End the day at Tashichho Dzong, the seat of government and the monk body. Overnight stay at the hotel in Thimphu.
Drive east over the Dochu La Pass (3,100 m), where 108 memorial chortens stand against a Himalayan backdrop, and descend into the warm, fertile Punakha valley. Visit Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple, on a short walk through the fields. Overnight stay at the hotel in Punakha.
Morning visit to Punakha Dzong, one of the most beautiful fortresses in Bhutan, at the meeting of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, and walk across the long suspension bridge. Drive back to Paro, stopping in Thimphu for lunch. Overnight stay at the hotel in Paro.
Morning hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), clinging to a cliff 900 m above the valley — about 5 hours return, with a tea stop at the cafeteria viewpoint. In the afternoon, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, and Paro Dzong. Overnight stay at the hotel in Paro.
After breakfast, transfer to Paro airport for your flight to Delhi or onward destination. Tour ends with the blessings of the Land of the Thunder Dragon.