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Day 01: Delhi (Arrival)
Around midnight arrival in Delhi. The cosmopolitan city and
capital Delhi is the main gateway for travellers. Upon
arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred
to the hotel.
Day 02: Delhi - Paro (by air)
In the morning you will drive to the airport for the flight to
Paro. This beautiful valley with its rich terraced farmland,
is home to some of the Bhutan's oldest temples and monastries.
Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and
transferred to the hotel in Paro. In the afternoon you will
visit the Rinpung Dzong. It was built in 1646 by Shabdrung
Ngwang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of
Bhutan. Rinpung Dzong means the fortress on a heap of jewels.
This fortress now houses the Paro monastic school and the
office of the civil administration. Then you will visit the
National Museum. After the visit of the National museum you
will go for an excursion to Takstang monastery. In April 1998
a fire destroyed the main structure of Taktstang Monastery,
perched on the side of a cliff 900 m above the valley floor.
It is also known as "tiger's den" because Guru Rinpoche is
said to have flown to the site on the back of a tigress in the
eighth century.
Day 03: Paro
In the morning you will visit the Ta Dzong. The Ta Dzong was
built in 1651 as a watch tower. This dzong is round more like
parts of an European castle. In the afternoon you will visit
the Drugyal Dzong. It means the victorious fortress which was
built in 1647 by Shabdrung to celebrate his victory over the
Tibetan invaders. Strategically built over the only passage
into the Paro valley, the dzong helped to rebel various
invasions through the course of Bhutanese history. Evening
free for leisure.
Day 04: Paro - Thimphu (about 65 kms.)
Today after having breakfast you will drive to Thimphu.
Thimphu is the modern capital of Bhutan. It lies at an
elevation of 2300 m in a valley traversed by the Wang Chu
river. This city maintains a strong national character in its
architectural style. This morning you will set out on a
sightseeing tour of Thimphu. First of all you will visit the
Tashichho Dzong on the bank of the river. It is the main
Secretariat building which houses the throne room of His
Majesty, the King of Bhutan and is also the summer residence
of the central monk body. After visiting the Secretariat
building you will visit the national library to see the rare
and precious collection of Buddhism.
Day 05: Thimphu
In the morning you will visit the 17th century Simtokha Dzong.
It is the oldest Dzong in the country which stands on a lofty
ridge at the end of the valley. It was built in the year 1627
and now houses the school for Buddhist studies. Today you will
also visit a painting school. In this painting school the
young children learn the ancient art of paintings. After
visiting the painting school you will visit the centre of
traditional medicines. Bhutan has its own brand of Himalayan
herbal medicines.
Day 06: Thimphu - Paro (about 65 kms.)
In the morning you will drive to Paro. Enroute visit the 17th
century Simtokha Dzong. It is the oldest Dzong in the country
which stands on a lofty ridge at the end of the valley. It was
built in the year 1627 and now houses the school for Buddhist
studies. In the afternoon reach Paro. Rest of the day free for
leisure.
Day 07: Paro – Kathmandu (by air)
In the morning transfer to the airport for the flight to
Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative
and transferred to the hotel. In the afternoon you will enjoy
the first impression of Kathmandu.
Day 08: Kathmandu
In the morning you will start your sightseeing by visiting
Durbar Square. Durbar Square is the spiritual heart of
Kathmandu. The old royal palace at the centre of the city was
surrounded by temples and other important buildings. This is
the most important point in Kathmandu to observe the culture
and religion of Nepal. After the visit of Durbar Square you
will proceed to visit Swayambhunath. Swayambhunath Stupa is
famous for the eyes of Buddha which seem to observing the
world from all 4 directions. After Swayambhunath you will
visit Bodhanilkantha. Bodhanilkantha is one of the most
photographed sights. Here, you will see a Vishnu statue of 5th
century reclining on his bed of serpents in the pool.
Day 09: Kathmandu
Today you will drive to Patan. Patan was the second largest
town in the valley but it has been absorbed into Kathmandu.
Patan was previously known as Lalitpur, the beautiful city.
After visiting Patan you will proceed to Bhaktapur, the third
biggest city of the valley. Bhaktapur has preserved it's
medieval character better than Patan. Here, you will visit the
golden Door, the Palace of 55 windows (15th century) and
Pagoda Nyatapola (18th century).
Day 10: Kathmandu
Today you will visit the temple city of Pashupatinath which is
Nepal's most important Hindu pilgrim site on the banks of the
Bagmati river. The temple of Pashupatinath is dedicated to god
Shiva. Pashupatinath is one of the seven most important holy
cities to Hindus. After the visit of Pashupatinath you will
visit Bodnath. Bodnath is the largest Stupa of Nepal. Around
the octagonal base of Stupa there are 108 images of Buddha
where prayer ceremonies of Buddhist Lamas are taking place
since over 2000 years.
Day 11: Kathmandu
Today you will drive to the Changu Narayan Temple. This temple
is 125 m above the Kathmandu valley and dates from 4th century
AD. This temple is famous for its sculptures of god Vishnu
showing him in different reincarnation. In the afternoon you
will drive to Nagarkot. Nagarkot has the best vantage point
for a view of the Himalayas from the Kathmandu valley. On
clear weather you can enjoy the view from Annapurna range upto
Mount Everest.
Day 12: Kathmandu
Today you will drive to Dakshinkali. On the way you will pass
through the villages and small localities. On the way to
Dakshinkali you will see the rural area where most of the
people make their living by cultivating their fields. The
temple of Dakshinkali is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus
where still animals sacrifices for the goddess Kali are
performed. In the afternoon you will drive to Dulikhel.
Dulikhel lies at an altitude of 1650 m and offers a beautiful
view of Himalayas on clear days. Later return back to
Kathmandu.
Day 13: Kathmandu - Lhasa (by air)
In the morning after having breakfast transfer to airport to
connect flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Upon arrival at Gongor
airport at Lhasa, you will be met by our representative and
transferred to the hotel. Rest of the day free for
acclimatization in Lhasa.
Day 14: Lhasa
In the morning after having breakfast you will visit the Sera
Monastery. Sera is more like a small town on the outskirts of
Lhasa at the base of Tatipu hill. It is the main teaching
monastery and one of the three great Gelukpa Universities -
once housing more than 5500 monks. Here one can see the young
novices learning scriptures in the Debating Garden. After
visiting the Sera Monastery you will drive to visit the Jokhang temple. Jokhang temple was built in the 7th century AD
and houses the most prized Buddhist relic, a 1300 year old
Sakyamuni Buddha statue. The main section of the temple is
topped with golden roofs found nowhere else except in Tibet.
In the evening you will have a walk in the Barkhor Bazaar. It
is a lively and colourful market where you can bargain over
such treasures like ornate long bladed knives, prayer wheels
and exquisite jewellery.
Day 15: Lhasa
In the morning you will visit the Potala Palace. Potala Palace
is the dominant landmark of Lhasa which is situated at a
height of 117 meters above the sea level. It was both the
residence of the current Dalai Lama and tomb of the former
head of state. The Potala is full of elaborate art work and
frescos that tell many stories. After the visit of Potala
Palace you will visit the Norbulingka Summer palace. On the
banks of the Kyichi River, there is a tree and flower filled
pard known as the Norbulingka or the Jewel Park. Covering a
total area of 360,000 square meters, the park was originally
laid out in the year 1750. Norbulingka is also the site of the
summer palace of the Dalai Lamas (8th to 14th). In the evening
you will visit the Drepung monastery. This monastery is
situated in the west suburbs of Lhasa city. It was formerly
the largest and richest monastery in the world with 10,000
monks. Of particular interest is the medieval monk's kitchen
with its great cauldrons of steaming barley 'stamp' sitting on
top of huge earthen stoves and tented by saffron robed monks
wielding massive ladles. From the roof of the monastery one
can enjoy the natural beauty of the Lhasa valley.
Day 16: Lhasa - Kathmandu (by air)
In the morning after having breakfast transfer to airport to
connect flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you will
be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure for personal activities.
Day 17: Kathmandu - Delhi (by air)
In the afternoon transfer to airport for the flight to Delhi.
Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and
transferred to the hotel.
Day 18: Delhi (Departure)
Around midnight flight to home destination.
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