Colors of India - Nepal & Bhutan
Destination
Beyond the Boundries - Traditions of India & Nepal
Overview
Embark on an enriching 14-day journey through the vibrant heritage and natural beauty of three captivating nations: India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Your journey begins in India’s capital, Delhi, where ancient Mughal monuments blend seamlessly with colonial grandeur and bustling bazaars. Further continuing to Agra discovering Mughal marvels like the Taj Mahal and the royal city of Jaipur, home to majestic forts, palaces, and colorful markets. From India, fly to Nepal, where the cultural richness of Kathmandu Valley meets the serene hill station of Nagarkot, offering dramatic Himalayan views. Then, travel to the mystical Kingdom of Bhutan—a land of monasteries, dzongs, and pristine landscapes. Explore the capital city of Thimphu, the scenic Punakha Valley, and the picturesque town of Paro. Hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest monastery and immerse yourself in Bhutan’s deeply spiritual and culturally preserved lifestyle. This cross-cultural odyssey is perfect for travelers seeking history, nature, architecture, and authentic local experiences.
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Tour Highlights
- Delhi city tour including rickshaw ride at Chandni chowk, old Delhi
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Humayun’s Tomb & Qutub Minar
- Visit to the World Wonder: Taj Mahal, Agra
- UNESCO World heritage site: Amer Fort & Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
- Cultural walking tour of Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur
- Witness a breathtaking Himalayan sunrise and sunset in Nagarkot
- Explore Kathmandu’s key spiritual sites
- Scenic drive from Paro to Thimphu via Chuzom confluence
- Visit the National Memorial Chorten, Buddha Dordenma, Textile Museum, and Zorig Chusum Art School in Thimphu
- Explore Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang (Fertility Temple)
- Hike to the legendary Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) in Paro
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Tour Plan
Upon arrival in Delhi, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight stay in Delhi.
After breakfast, explore Old and New Delhi. Begin with a rickshaw ride through the bustling lanes of Chandni Chowk, followed by a visit to Jama Masjid, one of India’s largest mosques. Pay homage at Raj Ghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, and drive past the ceremonial boulevard of India Gate. Continue to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Humayun’s Tomb and the towering Qutub Minar, showcasing the grandeur of Mughal and early Indo-Islamic architecture. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.
After breakfast, drive to Agra. En route, visit Sikandra. Resume your journey to Agra, on arrival, check in at the hotel & visit Mehtab Bagh, a Mughal garden situated across the Yamuna River, offering the most enchanting views of the Taj Mahal at sunset — an unforgettable sight as the marble monument glows in the golden light. Overnight at the hotel.
Get up early in the morning & visit the stunning Taj Mahal at the time of sunrise, witnessing its beauty. After breakfast, visit the Agra Fort, a UNESCO-listed red sandstone fortress that served as the main residence of the Mughal emperors, and visit the exquisite Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb, often referred to as the Baby Taj for its delicate marble inlay work and design — a forerunner of the Taj Mahal itself. In the evening, enjoy a stroll through the local bazaars. Overnight stay in Agra.
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur. En route, visit Fatehpur Sikri (once capital of Emperor Akbar) now just ruins of fort area and Abhaneri (Chand Baori step well). On arrival, check in and overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, visit Amer Fort where we will take an elephant ride to reach the hilltop of the fort, Jal Mahal. Continue with a photo stop at Jal Mahal, the serene Water Palace floating on Man Sagar Lake. Next, visit the City Palace, a sprawling complex that showcases artifacts, royal costumes, and weaponry. Adjacent to the palace is the Jantar Mantar, an extraordinary astronomical observatory from the 18th century, also a UNESCO site. Conclude your sightseeing with a visit to the iconic Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds. Enjoy the vibrant bazaars of Jaipur. Overnight stay in Jaipur.
After breakfast, drive to Delhi and transfer to the airport to take a flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival at the airport in Kathmandu, you will be assisted by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Overnight at the Hotel in Kathmandu.
After breakfast, visit Patan Durbar Square and drive to Nagarkot en route to a sightseeing tour of Bhaktapur. On arrival in Nagarkot, check in at the hotel & enjoy the sunset view from the hotel premises. Overnight at the hotel.
Wake up early to witness a breathtaking sunrise over the Himalayas from the Nagarkot View Tower – on a clear day, you may even spot Mount Everest in the distance. After breakfast, embark on the Nature Trail Hiking Trek, a scenic walk through pine forests and terraced farmlands offering panoramic views of the surrounding hills and countryside. In the evening, head to the Sunset View Point to enjoy the golden hues over the mountain ranges. Overnight at the resort.
After breakfast, drive to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, check in & visit Pashupatinath temple situated on the banks of the sacred river Bagmati, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Further, continue to one of Nepal's largest Stupas, of Baudhanath Stupa. This Stupa, set in a pattern of a "Mandala" is encircled by houses and monasteries where Rinpoches (Buddhist monks) reside followed by the old Kathmandu Durbar Square with its stone-paved lanes, colorful bazaars, the Temple of the Living Goddess - Kumari who is considered to be the incarnation of the "Virgin Goddess". The old Durbar Square consists of the old palace and innumerable temples of different architecture. After that, visit Swayambhunath stupa, situated west of Kathmandu. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take a flight to Paro, and drive further to Thimphu (50 Km/ 1½ hrs). En route, stop at Chuzom, the confluence of the Thimphu and Paro rivers. Three different styles of stupas, Tibetan, Nepalese, and Bhutanese, adorn this confluence. On arrival, check in at the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the National Memorial Chorten located close to the centre of Thimphu city, a large white structure crowned with a golden spire. Evening explore the Thimphu main street and market area and overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
After breakfast, drive to Kuenselphodrang National Park to visit Buddha Dordenma (massive statue of Shakyamuni made of bronze and gilded in gold). Then, visit King's Memorial Chorten. Afternoon visits include: Postal Museum, Textile Museum, DrubthobGoema/ Zilukha Nunnery, National Institute for Zorigchusum- premier institute to preserve & promote 13 arts & crafts of Bhutan, Folk Heritage Museum, and Trashuchhoedzong. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
After breakfast, drive to Punakha / Wangduephodrang across Dochula Pass. At Dochula Pass, 108 chortens or stupas known as Druk Wangyal Chortens have been built. Also, visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (temple). On arrival in Punakha, check in at the hotel & post lunch visit Wangduephodrang Dzong. Later in the afternoon, visit Punakha Dzong (Palace of Great Happiness). Later, a short walk across farmhouses & rice paddies to Chimi Lhakhang- a 15th century fertility temple dedicated to Drupka Kuenley. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.
After breakfast, drive to Paro. En route, visit handsomely proportioned Simtokha Dzong, built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and modelled on Gyal Gyad Tshel Institute of Ralung (Tibet). Officially known as Sangak Zabdhon Phodrang (Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras), Simtokha is often said to be the first dzong built in Bhutan. It is also the oldest dzong to have survived as a complete structure. On arrival in Paro, check in at the hotel & proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as a Watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning “fortress of the heap of jewels”). Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
After breakfast, excursion to Taktshang Monastery, also called ‘Tiger’s Nest’ (approx 5 hours round trip walk). Late afternoon, drive to the end of the Valley to the newly restored Drukgyel Dzong. Built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 to commemorate an early military victory over Tibetan invaders, the dzong name means, indeed, ‘victorious Druk’. On the way back to town, stop en route to visit KyichuLhakhang: It is one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom, dating back to the 7th century (the other is JambeyLhakahng in Bumthang). The lhakhang complex is composed of two temples. The first temple was built by the Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo, in the 7th century, and in 1968, H.M. Ashi Kesang, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, built the second temple in the original pattern. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the Paro Airport to take a flight to Delhi for your homebound journey.
