Highlights:

Day 1: Arrive at Delhi
Welcome to India! Upon your arrival, after collecting your luggage, you will be greeted by our travel facilitator at the airport. You will then be taken in a chauffeur-driven vehicle to your hotel and assisted with check-in. After ensuring your comfort, our travel facilitator will hand over your travel documents and briefly review the next day’s program.

Day 2: Delhi
Your exploration of India begins in Old Delhi, which was the citadel of the Mughal Empire between the 17th and 19th centuries. You will visit the impressive Red Fort, built in 1648, which was the seat of the Mughal Empire. The fort's imposing 1.24-mile-long red sandstone walls are a sight to behold. Next, experience an exhilarating cycle rickshaw ride through the vibrant alleys of Chandni Chowk, passing by sacred temples and old houses with fascinating architecture. This will give you an insight into the real India. You will also visit Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, built by Shah Jahan in 1658. Later, visit Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, situated on the banks of the river Yamuna.

Afternoon:
After the Old Delhi tour, you will be driven to New Delhi, built by the British as a regal capital. The contrast between Old and New Delhi represents the division between the Mughal and British capitals. Your tour includes a visit to Qutab Minar, the 234-feet high sandstone Victory Tower built in 1193. The tour also includes a drive past India Gate, the 138-feet high stone arch of triumph bearing the names of 90,000 Indian Army soldiers who lost their lives in various wars. You will visit Humayun’s Tomb, a beautiful Mughal red sandstone structure. The tour continues through Lutyen’s New Delhi, including the Diplomatic enclave, various spectacular Government buildings from the Victorian era, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, and the ornate Hindu Birla Temple. The tour concludes at Connaught Place, New Delhi’s main shopping, business, and tourist center.

Day 3: Delhi – Agra
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and drive to Agra (about 4 hours) on North India’s newest highway. Upon arrival in Agra, check in to your hotel.

Afternoon:
You will visit the massive red sandstone Agra Fort, built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, primarily as a military structure. During Shah Jahan’s reign, it was converted into a palace and eventually became his prison. The fort contains numerous courtyards, private chambers, and a marble mosque. You will also visit Itmad-ud-Daulah, an exquisite monument built in 1628 by Emperor Jahangir’s queen, Nur Jahan, in memory of her father.

Late Afternoon:
Witness a sunset visit at the spectacular Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. Built by Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal in 1653 AD, the Taj Mahal is an extravagant monument dedicated to love. It took 22 years and 22,000 craftsmen to complete. The white marble is inlaid with semi-precious stones in intricate patterns, and the structure is perfectly symmetrical with a minaret at each corner.

Day 4: Agra – Ranthambore
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive to Ranthambore. En route, visit the Chand Baori stepwell at Abhaneri, one of the oldest, deepest, and largest stepwells in Rajasthan, dating back to the 8th century. Arrive at Ranthambore and check in to your resort. Ranthambore National Park, surrounded by the Vindhya and Aravali hill ranges, is one of the finest tiger reserves in India and a prime example of Project Tiger’s efforts to conserve wildlife.

Day 5: Ranthambore
Enjoy wildlife safaris into the sanctuary early in the morning and late in the afternoon. The park covers an area of 410 square kilometers and is home to a large population of tigers, as well as other wildlife like leopards, chital, nilgai, jackals, wild boars, hyenas, sloth bears, jungle cats, and a wide variety of birds. Ranthambore is one of the most filmed reserves in the world, where tigers roam fearlessly. The landscape, consisting of dry deciduous forests, open bushland, lakes, and rivers, provides a picturesque setting for wildlife viewing.

Day 6: Ranthambore – Jaipur
Enjoy another morning wildlife safari for game viewing. Afterward, check out of your hotel and drive to Jaipur.

Afternoon:
Arrive in Jaipur and check in to your hotel. Jaipur, known as the 'Pink City,' is the vibrant capital of Rajasthan.

Day 7: Jaipur
After breakfast, drive 7 miles north of Jaipur to visit the Amber Fort and Palace, the ancient capital of Jaipur state. Ascend to the main gate of the splendid Amber Fort on a caparisoned elephant (or by jeep, if preferred). The fort, completed in the early 18th century, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Rajput rulers. The fort’s rugged exterior contrasts with the opulent interiors, especially the Sheesh Mahal or the Hall of Mirrors, adorned with intricate mirror work.

Afternoon:
Continue your tour of Jaipur city with a visit to the City Palace Complex, a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture, consisting of courtyards, gardens, and buildings. The royal family of Jaipur still resides in a part of the Palace. You will also visit Jantar Mantar, the astronomical observatory, and the Hawa Mahal, or the Palace of Winds, a pink sandstone building with numerous intricately designed windows. The Hawa Mahal was originally built to allow royal ladies to observe the bustling city without being seen.

Day 8: Jaipur – Delhi.
Check out from the hotel after breakfast and enjoy the scenic drive to Delhi through the fields, small towns, and villages of Rajasthan. Admire the vibrant turbans and attire of men and women of Rajasthan.
Arrive in Delhi and check in at your hotel next to Delhi airport. Bid farewell to your India Tour Director here.
During your check-in, please remind the staff of your scheduled transfer to the airport for the next morning – our staff will book this, but it is advisable to remind them again.

Day 9: Delhi – Paro, drive to Thimphu.
Check out from your hotel in the morning, and you are driven by a hotel chauffeur to the airport in time to board your flight to Paro. You are greeted at the Paro airport by your Bhutan Accompanying Tour Director and your chauffeur. Then proceed on an interesting drive of about one and a half hours to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan. Arrive at Thimphu and check in to your hotel.
Late afternoon - you may want to rest for the remainder of this day to acclimatize yourself to the 7,612-foot elevation. All of Bhutan’s main towns are great to explore on foot, and if you are up to it, we recommend that you take a guided walk around the enchanting town of Thimphu.

Day 10: Thimphu.
Proceed for a visit to Trashichhoedzong (“fortress of the glorious religion”). This is the center of government and religion, the site of the monarch’s throne room, and the seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in 1960 in the traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.
Afternoon – Visit the National Memorial Chorten. The building of this landmark was originally envisaged by Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”), who wished to erect a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace.
Visit the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and privately owned crafts shops, which offer a wide range of handcrafted products, including the splendid thangkha paintings and exquisitely woven textiles for which Bhutan is famous. Also, visit the Folk Heritage and National Textile Museums, a fascinating testimony of Bhutan’s living traditions.

Day 11: Thimphu – Punakha.
Check out from your hotel after an early breakfast and drive to Dochu-la pass (3,088m/ 10,130 ft), stopping here to admire the view of chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right) - Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m), Kangphugang (7,170 m), Zongphugang (7,060 m), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana - finally Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.
Later visit Punakha Dzong, built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative center of the region. Punakha Dzong has played an important role in Bhutan’s history. Damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored by the present King.
After that, drive to Wangduephodrang to visit Dzong and the local market. The district of Wangduephodrang is also famous for its bamboo products, slate, and stone carvings. Arrive at Punakha and check in to your hotel.

Day 12: Punakha – Paro.
Check out of your hotel after breakfast and drive to Paro, en route visit Simtokha Dzong. This dzong, built in 1627, is the oldest in Bhutan. It now houses the Institute for Language and Culture Studies. Arrive at Paro and check in to your hotel.
Afternoon – Proceed for a visit to Ta Dzong, once a watchtower, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as Bhutan’s National Museum in 1968.
From here, walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong. Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head), and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge called Nemi Zam.

Day 13: Paro.
Proceed for an excursion to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong. It was from here that the Bhutanese repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century. Also, visit Taktsang Monastery, the most famous of Bhutanese monasteries. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery, hence it is called “Tiger’s Nest”. The excursion to the monastery takes about 5 hours for a round trip.
Late afternoon – Drive back to Paro en route visit to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom.

Day 14: Depart Paro.
Check out of your hotel and board the flight to your onward destination. Your vehicle and driver are available till your assisted check-in at the airport.
Our services end at Paro airport.

Luxury Level Lodging

• Delhi – The Oberoi New Delhi - Premier Plus Room (First Stay)
• Agra – Oberoi Amarvilas – Premier Room
• Ranthambore – Oberoi Vanyavilas – Luxury Tent
• Jaipur – Oberoi Rajvilas – Premier Room
• Delhi (airport) – Pullman – Executive Room (Second Stay)
• Thimphu – Druk Hotel – Suite
• Punakha – Dhensa Boutique Resort – Suite
• Paro – Zhiwa Ling – One Bedroom Suite
  
  

Deluxe Level Lodging

• Delhi – Taj Palace – Superior Room / Lalit – View Room (First Stay)
• Agra – Taj Gateway - Taj View Room / The Trident - Garden View Room
• Ranthambore – The Sher Garh Resort / The Tigress Spa & Resort
• Jaipur – The Trident - Lake View Room / Rajputana Sheraton – COE
• Delhi (airport) – Pullman – Deluxe Room (Second Stay)
• Thimphu – Druk Hotel – Deluxe Room
• Punakha – Dhensa Boutique Resort – Deluxe Valley View Room
• Paro – Zhiwa Ling – Junior Suite
  
  

Inclusions

• 13 nights stay at the hotels on the entire trip
• Breakfast at all the hotels
• All 3 meals in Bhutan
• All transfers and sightseeing by your personal A/C SUV
• Hotel check-in time is 2 pm and checkout is at noon for almost all the hotels
• One cycle-rickshaw ride to explore the famous Chandni Chowk market in Delhi
• One elephant ride (per couple) at Amber Fort, Jaipur
• Entrance fees to the monuments as per the itinerary
• Services of an accompanying Tour Director as per the itinerary
• Services of one of Bhutan’s best Accompanying Tour Directors in Bhutan
• Bhutan Tourism Development Fees & Bhutan Government Royalty Fee
• Bhutan Visa fee and procurement
• Representative for assistance on all arrivals and departures transfers
• Jeep safaris with Naturalist at Ranthambore National Park
• Bottled water during sightseeing/excursions and long drives
• All currently applicable taxes
  
  

Not Included

• Any personal expenses such as tips, laundry, and drinks
• Any meals other than those specified above
• Personal Travel Insurance, visa, etc.
• Camera fees (both still and video)
• International flight tickets (except Delhi – Paro)
• Miscellaneous