Highlights:

Day 1: Arrive at Delhi

Welcome to India! On your arrival, after you collect 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 your check-in. After making you comfortable, our travel facilitator will hand over your travel documents and briefly go over the next day’s program.

Day 2: Delhi

Your exploration of India will commence at 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. You will be amazed at the imposing 1.24-mile-long red sandstone walls of the fort. Next will be a thrilling experience of a cycle rickshaw ride through the vibrant alleys of Chandni Chowk, past sacred temples, and old houses with fascinating architecture. This will provide you with an insight into the real India. You will also visit India's largest mosque, built by Shah Jahan in 1658, the Jama Masjid, an architectural delight as much as a holy place. Later, visit Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, which is situated on the banks of the river Yamuna. A humble black marble amid lush green lawns marks the cremation spot.

Afternoon: After the Old Delhi tour, you will be driven to New Delhi, which was built by the British as a regal capital. The difference between Old & New Delhi is the division actually between the two capitals – Mughal & British. You will visit the Qutab Minar – the 234-foot-high sandstone Victory Tower built in 1193. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate, the 138-foot-high stone arch of triumph which bears the names of 90,000 Indian Army soldiers who laid down their lives in various wars across the world. It has an eternal flame in honor of the Unknown Soldier. Visit Humayun’s Tomb, a beautiful Mughal red sandstone structure. After this, you will drive through Lutyen’s New Delhi, which includes the Diplomatic enclave, various spectacular Government buildings that originated in the Victorian era, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara (a magnificent temple for people of the Sikh religion), and the impressive and ornate Hindu Birla Temple. Finish your tour of New Delhi at Connaught Place, which is New Delhi’s main shopping, business, and tourist center.

Day 3: Delhi – Agra

Checkout from your hotel after breakfast and then you are driven to Agra (about 4 hours) on North India’s newest highway. Arrive at Agra and check in to your hotel.

Afternoon: You will visit the massive red sandstone Agra Fort which was built by the famous Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, primarily as a military structure. During Shah Jahan’s reign, it was converted into a palace. It finally became a prison for Shah Jahan after his son came to power in 1658. The fort has numerous courtyards, private chambers, and a marble mosque. On the opposite side of the Yamuna River is the exquisite Itmad-ud-daulah built in 1628 by Mughal Emperor’s queen, Nur Jahan, in memory of her father. The tomb is the first monument that was constructed entirely of marble inlaid in Pietra Dura.

Late afternoon: Sunset visit to the spectacular white marble mausoleum and one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. Tourists come from all over the world throughout the year to gaze at the extravagant monument dedicated to love. This wonder was built by Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, in 1653 AD. It took 22 years and 22,000 craftsmen to build the Taj. The white marble is inlaid with semi-precious stones in beautiful patterns in a process called pietra dura. A minaret at each corner of the Taj gives it a perfectly symmetrical look. The Taj houses in its basement the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.

Day 4: Agra – Ranthambore

Check out of your hotel after breakfast and drive to Ranthambore. Enroute stop to visit the Chand Baori stepwell at Abhaneri. The Chand Baori is one of the oldest, deepest, and largest baoris (stepwells) in Rajasthan. The oldest parts of the structure date back to the 8th century. This colossal stepwell has a depth of 20 meters, with 13 levels. Despite being so huge, the well still has delicate and intricate carvings which are a visual treat. Arrive at Ranthambore and check in to your resort. Surrounded by the Vindhya and Aravali hill ranges and located near the fringes of the Thar desert, Ranthambore National Park is one of the finest tiger reserves in India. It is a prime example of Project Tiger’s effort to conserve wildlife.

Day 5: Ranthambore

Enjoy the wildlife safaris into the sanctuary early morning and late afternoon. Covering an area of 410 sq km, the park has a huge population of tigers. It is also home to leopards, chitals, nilgais, jackals, wild boars, hyenas, sloth bears, jungle cats, and a wide selection of birds like crested serpent eagles, paradise flycatchers, and the more common painted storks. Ranthambore is also one of the most filmed reserves of the world as the tigers roam around fearlessly, used to being stared at by human beings. Dry deciduous dense forests, open bushland, lakes, and rivers form a perfect picturesque combination to admire.

Day 6: Ranthambore – Jaipur

Enjoy another wildlife safari to the park for game viewing in the morning. Check out of your hotel in the late morning and drive to Jaipur.

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

Day 7: Jaipur

After breakfast, drive 7 miles north of Jaipur to visit the Amber Fort and Palace. This was the ancient capital of the Jaipur state. Mount your caparisoned elephant to ascend up (an option to use a jeep is available) to the main gate of the splendid Amber Fort situated on a hillock overlooking a lake. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Rajput rulers, a clan famous for its military heroism. In sharp contrast to the rugged exteriors of the soaring fort is the opulent ambiance of the interiors, especially the Sheesh Mahal or the Hall of Mirrors which is a result of the intricate and delicate use of mirrors.

Afternoon: Continue your tour of Jaipur city; visit the City Palace Complex, a fine 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 then visit the Jantar Mantar, the astronomical observatory. Enjoy your visit to the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds. Located in the heart of the old city’s bustling marketplace, the Hawa Mahal is a pink sandstone five-story building that has a fascinating façade of numerous intricately designed and embellished windows. It was originally built to enable the royal ladies to look at 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 at 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' duration 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 so as to acclimatize yourself to the 7612-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 to 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 to 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 (7,158m), Kangphugang (7,170m), Zongphugang (7,060m), 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 the 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 onwards destination. Your vehicle and driver are available until 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