Day 01 - Arrive Delhi.
Upon arrival in Delhi you are met and transferred to your pre Bhai’s Tebooked Hotel.
Upon arrival at the hotel you are received with a traditional Indian welcome with Garland and Welcome Drink
Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 02 Delhi
After breakfast take sightseeing tour of historic city visiting Old Delhi visiting the majestic Red Fort, a marvel in red sandstone, Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, both built by emperor Shah Jahan of Taj Mahal fame, Rajghat - memorial of Mahatma Gandhi & a Rickshaw ride past through the silver street in Chandani Chowk. , later sightseeing continues to visit New Delhi include Rashtrapati Bhawan, one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys; the India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war; the Laxmi Narayan Temple, built by the Birlas, one of India’s leading industrial families; Humayun’s Tomb, lotus shaped Bhai’s Temple, Qutub Minar, built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty; in the evening you can visit see light an sound show at Red fort
Day 03 Delhi – Jaipur (by surface 258 Kms 04 ½ Hrs Drive)
Morning leave by surface for Jaipur. Upon arrival in Jaipur check in at your pre booked Hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 04 Jaipur
Today after breakfast explore the Pink City with an excursion to Amber Fort, situated just outside the city, enjoy the experience of ride on elephant back to and from the top of the hill on which the fort is situated. Afternoon sightseeing tour of City Palace in the heart of Jaipur is known for its blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Not far away is the Central Museum. Jantar Mantar is the largest of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. The Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds was constructed for the royal ladies to watch the royal processions without being seen, all monuments are located in the vicinity of City Palace Complex of Jaipur. Later late afternoon is kept free to visit the famous Markets of Textiles, Gems, Carpets, and handicrafts. Jaipur is an ideal place for buying souvenirs. One can also visit Nahargarh Fort to see it illuminated over the floodlights. Return to the hotel for overnight.
Day 05 Jaipur – Agra (by surface) enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri (by Surface 250 Kms 04 ½ Hrs Drive)
Morning leave by surface for Agra enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri. Upon arrival in Agra check in at your pre booked Hotel. Overnight at the Hotel
Day 06 Agra
Early morning, visit to witness the incomparable Taj Mahal with it’s speculative view at the time of Sunrise. Taj Mahal, the architectural modern day wonder of the world; this monument is a fine example of the fusion of many architectural styles is one of the wonders of the modern world. Taj, endowed it with some of the loveliest buildings in the world. The tour continues with a visit to the Agra Fort from where one can get the most moving view of the Taj from the little octagonal tower in the Agra Fort, which lies, across the river Jamuna, followed by visit to Pearl Mosque and the Tomb of Itamad-ud-Daula built by Empress Noorjehan in memory of her father. In the evening you may visit to the souvenirs market of Agra, one should visit Oswal Emporium where they have built a Mini Taj Mahal inside their showroom and it took 10 years for the artists to complete the mini replica of the Taj. The show room conducts free sound & light show showing the eras of Taj Mahal. Overnight in Agra.
Note: Taj Mahal is closed on every Friday
Day 07 Agra – Delhi (by surface 203 Kms 04 ½ Hrs)
Morning leave by surface for Delhi . Upon arrival in Delhi check in at your pre booked Hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 08 Delhi – Paro (by flight) and Drive to Thimpu
The flight into Bhutan takes you over the great Himalayas, offering the scintillating scenery of the world's highest glacial peaks. As you enter Paro valley, you will see the silvery Pa Chu (Paro river) meandering down the valley, the Paro Dzong (fortress) and Ta Dzong (watch tower).
On arrival you will process your visa at immigration (clearances will be obtained by us in advance).
At the airport you will be received by our representative and drive to Thhimpu, the capital town of Bhutan. This journey of 54 kilometers (34 miles) will take you around 2 hours.
Thimpu is the center of government, religion and commerce for this small mountain kingdom, Thimphu is a lively place, an interesting combination of tradition and modernity. Home to civil servants, expatriates and the monk body, Thimphu maintains a strong national character in its architectural style.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 09 In & Around Thimpu
Today's full day of sightseeing in Thimphu valley will be your first real introduction to the way of life in this peaceful part of the world. Visit the National Library. Established in the late 1960s primarily to conserve the literary treasures which form a significant part of Bhutan’s cultural heritage, the National Library now houses an extensive collection of Buddhist literature mostly in block-printed format, with some works several hundred years old. This collection, known as the Choekey Collection, mainly comprises Buddhist literature written in Choekey, the religious script of Northern Buddhism, but also includes works written in Tibetan and in Dzongkha, Bhutan’s national language. There is also a small Foreign Books Collection, stock of which mainly comprises works written in English, with subject interest on Buddhist studies, Bhutan, the Himalayan region and neighboring countries.
A special visit this day will be to the Institute for Zorig Chusum: Commonly known as the Painting School, the Institute offers a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. On a visit one can see students learning the various skills taught at the school. This is quite a unique place.
Also visit the Textile & Folk Heritage Museum, a fascinating testimony of Bhutan’s living traditions.
National Memorial Chorten is another stop on the tour: The building of this chorten was originally the idea of Bhutan's third king, H.M. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (“the father of modern Bhutan”), who had wished to erect a monument to world peace and prosperity, but was unable to give shape to his idea in his lifetime due to pressures of state. After His Majesty’s untimely death in 1972, the Royal Family and Cabinet resolved to fulfill his wishes and erect a memorial that would perpetuate his memory and also serve as a monument to peace. The National Memorial Chorten was consecrated on July 28, 1974. The finely executed wall paintings and delicately fashioned statues within the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.
And finally we drive past the Tashichhodzong: The “fortress of the glorious religion”, was initially erected in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s. Tashichhodzong houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. It is open to visitors during the Thimphu Tsechu (held in autumn) and while the monk body is resident in its winter quarters in Punakha.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 10 Thimpu to Punakha
After breakfast drive to Punakha via Duchula pass. An hours drive from Thimphu will take you to this pass (3050 meters), from here one can have superb view of the Mountain ranges on a clear day. Drive on to Punakha (1,300m/4,265ft)
Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still it is the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot). Blessed with a temperate climate and fed by the Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) rivers, Punakha is the most fertile valley in the country.
Afternoon explore beautiful Punakha valley and later take a stroll around town's main street visiting shops and local market.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 11 Punakha to Paro
This morning sightseeing will include visit to Punakha Dzong: Placed strategically at the junction of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, the dzong was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative center of the region. Damaged over the centuries by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the dzong has been fully restored in recent years by the present monarch. Also visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, the newly built stupa.
We shall also visit Wangduephodrang (1,300m/4,265ft). Located south of Punakha and the last town before central Bhutan, Wangduephodrang is like an extended village with a few well-provisioned shops. The higher reaches of the Wangduephodrang valley provide rich pastureland for cattle. This district is famous for its fine bamboo work, stone carvings, and slate which is mined up a valley a few km. from the town. Wangduephodrang Dzong: Stretched along the hilltop above the confluence of the Punakha Chu and Tang Chu rivers, the imposing Wangduephodrang Dzong is the town’s most visible feature.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 12 In & Around Paro
After breakfast drive to Paro (1125 km, 4.1/2 hours drive).
Paro lies at a height of 2,200m/7,218ft. This beautiful valley encapsulates a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries, the country’s only airport, and the National Museum. Mt. Chomolhari (7,300m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley, its glacial waters plunging through deep gorges to form the Pa Chu (Paro river). The Paro valley is one of the kingdom’s most fertile, producing the bulk of Bhutan’s famous red rice from its terraced fields.
Your today's sightseeing today will include
Rinpung Dzong: The “fortress of the heap of jewels“ was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal on a hill above the township. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge (called the Nemi Zam) and then up a paved stone path running alongside the imposing outer walls. The valley’s annual springtime religious festival, the Paro Tsechu, takes place in the courtyard of the dzong and on the dance ground on the hillside above.
Ta Dzong: On a ridge immediately above Rinpung Dzong is Ta Dzong, built as a watchtower to protect Rinpung Dzong. (“Ta” means “to see” in Dzongkha, so the watchtower of a dzong is always called a “Ta dzong”). On account of their function, watchtowers are always round in shape. In 1968 Paro’s Ta Dzong was inaugurated as the National Museum, and now holds a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings, Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps, coins and handicrafts, together with a small natural history collection.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 13 In & Around Paro
After breakfast visit to ;
Drukgyel Dzong:Located 15 KM away towards north. This dzong, with a picturesque village nestling below its ramparts, was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. Though largely destroyed by fire in 1951, the towering outer walls and central keep remain an imposing sight. On a clear day, there is a splendid view of Mt. Chomolhari from the approach road to Drukgyel Dzong.
En route visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom.
LATER DEPENDING UPON INTEREST AND FITNESS, HIKE TO TAKTSHANG MONASTERY VIEW POINT :
This most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries is perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress, and meditated at this place, hence the monastery is also called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site, which has long been recognized as a most sacred place, was visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646, the religious and temporal ruler of Bhutan. It is a place of pilgrimage which Bhutanese try to visit at least once in a lifetime. In April, 1998 a fire severely damaged the main structure of the building but now it has been fully restored to its original grandeur. The excursion up to the cafeteria which is situated on a rocky outcrop across a ravine from the monastery, takes about five hours round trip. Though the climb is steep, the journey is most worthwhile on account of the superb views en route and especially from the cafeteria viewpoint itself. Also horses can be arranged for this excursion.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 14 Paro – Delhi (by flight)
You are transferred to Paro airport to board flight for Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi you Are connecting the flight for your onward Journey.
|