Day 1
Overnight international flight to New Delhi.
Day 2
Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 3
Begin your morning tour of Old Delhi with a cycle rickshaw ride through the streets. You will visit the Red Fort, which was once the most affluent fort and palace of the once reigning Mughal Empire; Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi; and Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Your final stop in Old Delhi will bring you to Chandni Chowk, a lively and colorful market that was once the commercial center of the city.
You will then drive to New Delhi which will provide a stark contrast between the old with the new, a recurring theme throughout India. In New Delhi you will visit the India Gate monument, followed by the Parliament House (from the outside) and other extravagant government buildings. Then continue onward to Humayun’s Tomb, built in honor of India’s second Mughal emperor, followed by a visit to The Bahai Temple (Lotus Temple), the house of worship. This temple, designed in the form of a lotus, offers a simple message of humanity as a single race and calls for the Oneness of Mankind. Later you will visit the world’s tallest brick minaret, Qutub Minar. In store for today are also several other modern day landmarks, as well as some good opportunities to do some shopping.
Note: Yampu recommends one of our optional tours (price not included) to enjoy a fine dinner at the Veda Restaurant, a lavishly designed nouvelle cuisine curry house that offers a fusion of traditional Indian food with a modern spin. A second option is a visit to Akshardham, a unique, yet stunning monument that boasts 234 elaborately carved pillars, 9 decorative domes, 20 quadrangled shikhars (towers of Hindu architecture), stone elephants sculptures and 20,000 murtis (Hindu images portraying Divine spirits). Please enquire with a Yampu travel consultant for more information.
Day 4
Begin with a drive to Agra that will take approximately 4 hours. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. You will then proceed for your sightseeing tour of the stunning Taj Mahal, India’s most picture perfect work of architecture and one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
As you then drive through the city to the Agra Fort, you will get some good images of the local scene and bazaars and the everyday buzz of India. Once at the Agra Fort, you will be led through its regal chambers that were once home to some of India’s most powerful Mughal emperors
Note: We recommend an optional tour (cost not included) to a showing of Mohhabbat The Taj, a live show with a touch of Bollywood. This 80 minute presentation is a charming way to top off your day at the Kalakriti Auditorium. Please inquire with a Yampu travel consultant for more details.
Day 5
Drive approximately 4-5 hours to Jaipur. En route, you will stop to enjoy an excursion to the abandoned city of Fatepur Sikri, the once imperial city of the Mughal dynasty that was mysteriously deserted years after its inception. This ornate city was built with such grandeur that words do not do justice to the glorious atmosphere created by its buildings. Once arrived, you will check in and have some time to relax before a sound and light show at the city’s Amber Fort.
Day 6
This morning you will return to the Amber Fort for a half day excursion. As you stroll through the magnificent rooms and chambers, observe the various intricate ivory, mirror and glass work. In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour that will begin at the City Palace Museum, followed by a visit to Jantar Mantar (an accurate observatory built in 1726), and great photographic opportunity at the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds – a spectacular five storied, honeycomb styled building exemplifying superb Rajput artistry.
Note: Yampu recommends an optional tour (price not included) of an evening elephant safari. After a chance to feed these gentle creatures, ride upon their backs through a private jungle area, passing many villages, fields and a medieval fortress as the sun sets. Please enquire with a Yampu travel consultant for more information.
Day 7
After a free morning in Jaipur, return transfer to New Delhi. After check in at your hotel, enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure.
Day 8
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Bagdogra. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Darjeeling (90 kilometers, 3-4 hours). Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 9
Early morning excursion to Tiger Hill, the highest point in Darjeeling at 2500 meters (8202 feet). This hilltop offers breathtaking views over Mt. Kanchenhunga and the towering peaks of the eastern Himalayas, including Mount Everest. Waking at 4 a.m. is sure to provide a rewarding experience as you watch the sun rise over these wondrous mountains.
Later in the morning, visit the Ghoom Monastery (8 kilometers from Darjeeling). Built in 1875, the Ghoom Monastery is the largest and most famous in the region. Many Buddhist texts are found here including the Kangyur and 109 volumes of the Buddhist Tibetan gospel. Spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
Day 10
Drive from Darjeeling to Gangtok (95 kilometers, 3-4 hours). En route, you will visit the Rumtek Monastery, the seat of his holiness, the XVIth Gyawla Karmapa, the head of the Karma Kagyu order of Tibetan Buddhism. Situated near Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, the Remtek Monastery is world renowned, but even more so among Tibetan Buddhists. After the Chinese occupation of Tibet, the monastery gained in renown on the Buddhist pilgrimage map, as well as subsequent other relocations of Tibetan religious gurus to Sikkim. Afterwards, spend the afternoon at leisure.
Day 11
Enjoy a morning visit to the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. Founded in 1959, this institution was established for research of Mahayana Buddhism and Tibetan culture. This traditionally styled Tibet building houses the world’s largest collection of Buddhist books and manuscripts, as well as statuettes, thangkas (Tibetan cloth paintings), and many sacred objects, such as human thighbone trumpets. After your visit, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 12
Early morning drive to the Bagdogra airport (125 kilometers, 4-5 hours) for your flight to Paro via New Delhi. In clear weather, the flight into Paro is a fitting introduction to Bhutan, as you can enjoy aerial views of the highest mountain peaks in the world that rise out of the lush green Paro Valley. Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to Thimphu (55 kms, approx. hours). Spend the remainder of the evening at leisure.
Day 13
Visit several sites around the city today, beginning with the National Memorial Chorten. Erected in 1974 to honor His Late Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, this large Tibetan styled chorten (or stupa) exhibits many religious paintings and tantric statues that reflect several aspects of Buddhist Deities.
Carry on to Changangkha Lhakhang, an old fortress styled temple. Also the site of a monastic school, this temple offers excellent views of Thimphu as it is perched on a ridge above the city. From here, a brief trip to the mini zoo (essentially a large fenced in area) is in order, where one can see the Takin – the national animal of Bhutan.
Then, go to Thimphu’s telecommunication tower, which is situated on a hillside (2865m) offering great photographic scenes of Thimphu Valley. Covered in prayer flags, the complex houses the Bhutan TV studio and although it cannot be photographed, the views of the valley are definitely worth the trip. With the remaining time in the day, you can enjoy a visit to the Paper Factory, where traditional Bhutanese paper is produced from the Daphne plant.
Day 14
Today, begin with a visit to the National Library, which was founded in 1967 and preserves many ancient Dzongkha and Tibetan texts. On the upper floor, one can see traditional Tibetan styled books that are written on long strips of handmade paper, stacked between pieces of wood and wrapped in silken cloth. You can also see several wooden blocks that are used for printing books and prayer flags as well as a collection of more contemporary books.
Next, visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, Thimpu’s popular painting school that offers a six year course that offers teachings of traditional Bhutanese arts. Beginning with drawing, the students follow a curriculum that progresses to painting, woodcarving, embroidery and statue making.
Also on the list for the day is the National Institute for Traditional Medicine, which is an impressively large lab that dispenses herbal and other medicines. Follow this with a leisurely visit to the National Textile Museum to learn about the national art of weaving. The Folk Heritage Museum is also worth a visit, as it is a unique three story mud and timber building that acts as a living museum to give visitors insight into the ancient Bhutanese lifestyles.
Day 15
Morning transfer back to Paro. In the afternoon, enjoy a visit to the Ta Dzong – a uniquely round building that is said to be built in the shape of a conch shell. Within its interior is the National Museum of the Kingdom, which displays a remarkable collection of Thangkhas, an extensive philatelic collection, ancient bronze and stone objects, statues as well as a variety of ancient weapons and shields.
Also visit the Paro Dzong also referred to as the Rimpung Dzong. Constructed in 1644, today it encompasses a Monastic school and several government offices, including that of the local governor. Afterwards, enjoy a short walk down the nearby hill, where you will cross a traditional cantilever bridge over the beautifully flowing Paro River.
Day 16
In the morning hike to the renowned Taktsang Monastery (3100m), which literally translates to Tiger’s Nest. Built in the 1600s, this monastery impressively clings to a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters to the valley floor. According to ancient legend, the Buddhist Guru Rinpoche flew to this site on the back of a tigress to subdue the eight evil spirits that were preventing to spread of Buddhism into the area. Tragically, the original monastery was destroyed by a fire in 1998, however it has been recently built in its original form. After an hour and a half walk up the hill, you can enjoy lunch at this magnificent spot.
After lunch walk back to the base to embark on a short drive north to the Drukgyel Dzong, which was built in 1649 to commemorate Bhutan’s many victories over the Tibetan invaders. Sadly, this Dzong also fell victim to an accidental fire, yet its ancient ruins remain. However, on a clear day, you can see the amazing 7314m (24,000 ft) sacred Mount Jomolhari.
Lastly, visit one of the two oldest lhakhangs (or monasteries) in the county, the Kyichu Lhakhang. This building was constructed in the year 659 by the Tibetan King Songsten Gyampo. One of the 108 temples built by this king, it is said to hold down the left foot of an ancient demoness.
Day 17
Transfer to the airport for your connection to New Delhi and flight home or continue with the Yampu Tours add-on of your choice.
Combined India and S. Asia
Darjeeling
Paro Dzong
Taktsang Monastery
