22 Days In-depth India Nepal Bhutan Tour

Highlight: Meet your warm guide and get prepared for the wonderful journey.

Welcome to India!

When you arrive at the Airport in New Delhi you will be met by your Indian guide and transferred to your hotel to rest from your flight. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing and exploring the area around the hotel.

Stay overnight in Delhi.

New Delhi City

Highlight: Explore Old and New Delhi by visiting Jama Mosque, Raj Ghat, India Gate and Qutub Minar.

In the morning, you will leave your hotel to take a tour of New and Old Delhi, with your first stop being at the famous Jama Mosque, renowned as one of the largest mosques of its kind in India. With some of the most spectacular architecture in India, you can join the crowds of locals and tourists praying inside the mosque, before heading out to enjoy a rickshaw ride. The rickshaw will take you through the old Chandni Chowk Bazaar, one of the largest spice markets in Asia, as you head off to visit Old Delhi.

After the tour of the bazaar in Old Delhi, you will head next for Raj Ghat, the memorial of the Indian sage, Mahatma Gandhi, known as the “Father of the Nation”. The monument is set in enchanting and peaceful gardens, which you can explore in tranquility.

Later, you will move on to New Delhi, the area of the city that was built during the British colonial era. Entering New Delhi, you will pass by the official offices and residence of India’s President, before heading to visit the India Gate, the iconic memorial to the patriotic Indian soldiers that died during World War I. In the late afternoon, you will visit the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site of Qutub Minar.

Stay overnight in Delhi.

Visit Taj Mahal

Highlight: Take a 5-6 hours’ drive from Delhi to Jaipur, and visit the Hindu Temple of Galta Ji.

In the morning, you will move north to the famous Pink City of Jaipur, in the State of Rajasthan in Northern India. The drive to the Pink City takes around 5-6 hours, and you will pass through small local villages and idyllic landscapes as you cross over the beautiful area of the Aravalli Hills.

When you arrive in the Pink City, you will head straight for the hotel, where you can settle in and the rest of the day is yours. Alternatively, you can opt to take a tour of the local Hindu temple of Galta Ji. Famous for having some of the most unique architecture in Jaipur, the temple is now overrun by monkeys.

Stay overnight in Jaipur.

Visit the Hindu Temple of Galta Ji

Highlight: Visit Amber Fort, Jaipur City Palace, and Jantar Mantar.

After a decent breakfast and a good night’s sleep, you will leave your hotel to travel to the famous Amber Fort, one of the most popular UNESCO sites in Jaipur. The steep stairs to enter the fort are open to the public, and you can climb up to enjoy the view from the top. You can also enjoy an elephant ride tour around the site. The fort was once the home of the Belgian glassworks, which was responsible for making the glass for the windows of the Taj Mahal. Known as the Sheesh Mahal, the site is filled with exquisite artworks carved into the stones by the local masons.

After lunch, you will head for the Jaipur City Palace, an exquisite palace that was built in the 18th century by the Maharaja of Amber, Jai Singh II, who ruled the Kingdom of Amber (Jaipur State) from the age of 11. The palace has some of the most sublime architecture in Northern India, and contains one of the largest collections of textiles, weapons, costumes, and jewels in the world.

Your final stop for the day is at Jantar Mantar, the scientific center of the Kingdom of Amber. There, you can see the amazing scientific instruments that were built by Jai Singh II himself.

Stay overnight in Jaipur.

Visit Amber Fort

Highlight: Drive from Jaipur to Agra and visit the 9th Century step-well of Abhaneri.

Today’s long drive will take us from Jaipur to Agra, one of the major tourist cities in India. On the way, we will make a brief visit to the 9th Century step-well of Abhaneri. More than 3,000 crisscrossing steps arranged in a geometric architectural design will leave you in awe. Then we will move on to the Ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri. You can stroll around the imperial complex of pavilions and palaces spread amongst a large abandoned 'city' that is peppered with Mughal masterpieces.

Finally, you will arrive in your hotel in Agra.

Stay overnight in Agra.

Visit Agra

Highlight: Visit Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and drive back to Delhi.

You will have an early start today to enjoy the sunrise at the world-famous Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. You can enjoy the spectacular architecture, take some brilliant pictures, and walk through the history of India.

Later, you will get back to the hotel for breakfast and check out from the hotel. After loading into the car, you will explore Agra fort, the awesome military fort situated down river from Taj Mahal.

Then, you will finish your journey back to Delhi. You can spend the evening relaxing or head out to do some shopping and enjoy your last night in India.

Stay overnight in Delhi.

Explore Agra fort

Highlight: Take the international flight from Delhi to Kathmandu.

In the morning, your guide will transfer you to the Delhi airport for your flight to Kathmandu in Nepal.

When you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, your guide will collect you from the airport and take you to your hotel, where you can spend the rest of the day relaxing, or take in the local sights.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Highlight: Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa and Patan Durbar Square.

Today, we will enjoy a full day valley sightseeing in Kathmandu. Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, the place of the Malla and then the Shah Kings of Nepal, visiting Kumari Temple, house of the virgin goddess, visiting Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), a stupa on the top of hill - from here you can overlook the scenery of Kathmandu, Visiting Patan Durbar Square, the second largest town in the valley, with Krishna Mandir, Golden Temple etc.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Visiting Kathmandu Durbar Square

Highlight: Visit Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath and Bhaktapur's Durbar Square.

In the morning, we will take you a glimpse of half day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu Valley. Visit the famous Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most important Hindu temples in Nepal. Then go for a walk to see the huge stupa of Buddha, also known as Boudhanath, the largest stupa in Nepal. Afterward taking a ride to Bhaktapur, a fascinating town, visit Bhaktapur's Durbar Square featuring the Victorian illustrations style with temples and temples complex.

After the sightseeing in Kathmandu, drive to Nagarkot.

Stay overnight in Nagarkot.

Highlight: Take in sunrise view over the Himalayas and enjoy cultural performances like bonfire.

In the early morning, we will enjoy the stunning sunrise view over the Himalayas (weather permitted) from the top of Nagarkot hill (2175m). The sunrise viewed from this hill will present you the ever-refreshing memory of the majestic panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges from Dhaulagiri in the west and Mt. Everest in the east. 

Then after breakfast, travel overland from Nagarkot to Chitwan National Park. It is a long drive of about 6 hours. Upon arrival, you can take a good rest. Once the night falls, you will enjoy cultural performances including bonfire provided by us before getting in bed.

Stay overnight in Chitwan.

Highlight: Enjoy safari in Royal Chitwan National Park and discover amazing creatures there.

Today you will get a full day safari activity in Royal Chitwan National Park. If you are lucky, you will see many amazing creatures that you spend most time to looking for, such as rhinoceroses, Chitwan's royal Bengal tigers, leopards, monkeys, many types of deer and reptiles. Check your camera gear, preferably with a telephoto lens and you will not miss any shots.

Stay overnight in Chitwan.

Highlight: Enjoy relaxing boating on Phewa Lake.

Today we will travel overland from Chitwan to Pokhara. Upon arrival, you will enjoy boating on Phewa Lake, the second largest lake in Nepal and lying at an altitude of 784 m. The lake is peaceful place to let you fully relax yourself.

Stay overnight in Pokhara.

Highlight: Sightseeing besides Phewa Lake and visit Seti River gorge.

After breakfast, we will first enjoy a half day sightseeing of Pokhara city, the most popular destination in Nepal after Kathmandu. Enjoy the morning trip along the bank of Phewa Lake, you can admire the stunning view of the Fish Tail's Peak reflected in the silver surface of the water. You can also see the wonderful Annapurna panorama forms a superb backdrop to Pokhara from the lake.

After sightseeing in Phewa Lake, we keep visiting the Seti River gorge - one of the best places to see, Mahendra Gufa, used to be well-known for its stalactites.

In the evening, you can walk around Lakeside Market.

Stay overnight in Pokhara.

Highlight: Appreciate beautiful landscape along the drive back to Kathmandu.

Today, we will drive back to Kathmandu, which takes about 6 hours in total. You can appreciate the stunning view along the way.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Highlight: Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong, Ta Dzong Museum and Kyichu Lhakhang.

Upon your arrival in Paro by Druk Air, Bhutan’s national carrier, you will be picked up by your tour guide at the airport and then escorted to the hotel. After a short rest, you will go to tour the Paro city.

This first landmark in Paro you will visit is the Ta Dzong Museum, the national museum located on the hill behind the Paro Dzong. It houses many fine arts, religious relics, handicrafts, as well as textiles, jewelry etc., offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Then head to visit the Kyichu Lhakhang, which is one of 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Built in a manner similar to the Jokhang in Lhasa, Tibet, the temple has the great golden image of Buddha Shakyamuni.

After that, you will go to explore the famous Paro Rinpung Dzong. It is a large Dzong, Buddhist monastery and fortress built in 17th Century to protect Paro valley. Rinpung Dzong houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag.

In the evening, we will head to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan and spend the night there.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Paro including Ta Dzong Museum

Highlights: Explore the essentials of Thimphu, such as King’s Memorial Chorten, the Buddha Point, the Changangkha Lhakhang, and Folk Heritage Museum, etc.

Today’s tour will firstly bring you to visit the King's Memorial Chorten (National Memorial Chorten), a stupa built in memory of the third king in 1974. The display inside shows good statues of tantric Buddhist and its philosophy.

Then, you will head to visit the Buddha Point (also known as Buddha Dordenma Statue). This massive statue of Shakyamuni measures in at a height of 51.5m, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. Here, you can also get a breathtaking view of Thimphu valley.

After that, you are going to explore Changangkha Lhakhang. It is a Buddhist fortress-like monastery and also is one of the favored sightseeing places in Thimphu. Later, you will drive to upper Motithang in Thimphu to visit Motithang Takin Preserve, a wildlife reserve area for takin (Budorcas taxicolor), the national animal of Bhutan. It's worthwhile taking the time to see these oddball mammals here.

In the afternoon, your guide will bring you to visit the National Library of Bhutan. Built in 1967, the library houses about 6,100 Tibetan and Bhutanese books, manuscripts, and xylographs and about 9,000 printing boards and the wood printing blocks for religious books. If you are interested in the history of Bhutan, the National Library can be the best place for you to have a deeper understanding of this unique country.

Thereafter, you will head to the National Institute for Zorig Chusum (also known as the Painting School). It operates four to six-year courses that provide instruction in Bhutan's 13 traditional arts. In the showroom, it displays good value pieces made by students.

Next, you can pay a visit to Bhutan Textile Museum. The museum has garnered a substantial collection of antique textile artifacts of Bhutan. After visiting the museum, we just go ahead to visit the Folk Heritage Museum. It will offer you a glimpse of the traditional Bhutanese lifestyle. Except for artifacts from rural households, it also displays an impressive collection of typical household objects, tools, and equipment.

Finally, you can visit Tashichho Dzong, the eminent fortress where the national government and central monastic body are located. In addition, here sits the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan.

In the evening, you are able to take a stroll in the town or visit the Local Crafts Bazaar. The bazaar is full of hand-woven textiles, thangka paintings, masks, ceramics, etc. If you like, you can choose some gifts for your friends and relatives here.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Buddha Dordenma Statue

Highlights: Cross the Dochula Pass to Punakha and visit the famous Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang.

Today, you will drive from Thimphu to Punakha (1,242m). The distance between Thimphu to Punakha is 71 kilometers, and it will take you 3 hours to get there. One the way, you will have an excellent opportunity to enjoy the panoramic view of the solemn Bhutan Himalaya Ranges and even take photos at the impressive collection of 108 chortens at Dochula Pass (3,140m).

After arriving at Punakha, your guide will help you check in the hotel. In the afternoon, you will head to visit the Punakha Dzong. Standing by the riverside of Pho Chu and Mo Chu, Punakha Dzong is one of the most impressive buildings and one of the top favorite attractions in Bhutan. Moreover, the rectangular shape fortress is also an honorable treasury where preserves numerous Buddhist relics and historical legacies.

After witnessing the superb Punakha Dzong, you will have a 20-minute hike to Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Monastery. The monastery is a beautiful Buddhist monastery located in the Punakha District of Bhutan. It stands on a small round hillock close to the village of Lobesa and was built in 1499 by the 14^th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Punakha Dzong

Highlights: Move on to Trongsa and visit Mangde Chhu Valley and Trongsa Dzong.

After breakfast, your local representatives will take you to a scenic drive to Mangde Chhu Valley. To reach your destination, you will pass by Pele la (3240m) mountain pass.

We will then visit Trongsa Dzong. As the largest Dzong in the country, the temple was constructed in the 16th Century. Located in the central area of Bhutan, Trongsa Dzong has an extensive and complex structure as it should have as a strong and powerful fortress.

Stay overnight in Trongsa.

Trongsa Dzong

Highlights: Enjoy the beautiful scenery in Phobjikha Valley and visit the ancient Gangtey Goenpa Lhakhang.

In the morning, after breakfast, you will drive to Gangtey. During the drive, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and wild life along the road.

Then, arriving at Phobjikha, your guide will take you to the Gangtey Goenpa Lhakhang, sitting on the hilltop overlooking the Phobjikha Valley. This is also home to the endangered Black neck Crane.

Stay overnight in Gangtey.

Gangtey Monastery

Highlights: Back to Paro to visit the famous Paro Dzong and Drukgyel Dzong.

In the morning, after breakfast, we will say goodbye to the wonderful Probhikha Valley and drive back to Paro.

After lunch, we will visit the Paro National Museum and the Paro Dzong. The museum is in a round building in the shape like a conch shell. A good collection of thangkas and festival masks are exhibited in the museum.

Then we will drive to visit the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, which is built by the Tibetan Emperor in the 7th century and is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Paro Rinpung Dzong

Highlight: Enjoy the wonderful trekking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Today, you will go to enjoy the exciting trek to the Taktshang Goemba, also known as Tiger's Nest. Standing incredibly on the side of a sheer cliff 900m above the Paro Valley, Taktshang Goemba (3210m) is the landmark of Bhutan and also the holiest temple of the country. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche) had flied here on the back of a tigress and meditated in the caves on the cliffside for three months. The temple has therefore become the holy site worshipped by all Bhutanese devotees, and known as one of the world’s top ten temples. 

The rest of the day at leisure. You could also take a stroll around the valley to explorer more about the local lifestyle.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Trek to Taktshang Monastery

Your tour guide will transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination.

Tour service end.