16 Day Best of India Bhutan Nepal and Tibet Tour

When you arrive in Delhi by flight, your tour guide will meet you at the airport and accompany you to the hotel. The rest of the day is for you to have a good rest or enjoy a local sightseeing of the city by yourself.

Stay overnight in Delhi.

Today, we will first visit the Old Delhi in the north part of the city. As the former imperial capital of Mughal Empire, Old Delhi is featured with medieval styles. We will visit the beautiful serene monument of Raj Ghat here. This memorial is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, India’s best-known statesman, the father of the nation. Then we will visit the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. It is also one of the world’s top three mosques, attracting thousands of tourists every year.

In the afternoon, we will head to New Delhi for its highlights. Compared to the narrow lanes of Old Delhi, the New Delhi is provided with board and tree-lines avenues and neat streets. It is the center of the government for the world’s largest democracy. Here we will see the India Gate, a 43-meter high triumphal arch, which is the national monument to India’s independence. Then we will visit Qutab Minar, the highest minaret in India. It is a famous symbol of Indo-Islamic architecture and now has become a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Stay overnight in Delhi.

After breakfast, we will move on to Agra for a trip to the popular Taji Mahal. As one of the most world-famous historical sites in India, Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, with whom he fell in love at the first sight. The construction of this great architecture was commenced in about 1632, and was completed until 1653, with the endeavor of thousands of craftsmen. Now Taj Mahal has become one of the most sought-after destinations in the world.

Then, we will visit the sprawling Agra Fort, which is located on the bank of Yamuna River. The fort was the main residence of Mughal emperors till 1638. As a perfect combination of military might and lavish beauty, Agra Fort is one of the Three Red Forts in India.

Stay overnight in Agra.

Today, we will keep our journey from Agra to Jaipur. On the way, we will take a short trip to Fatehpur Sikri, an abandoned palace built by Emperor Akbar at 16th century.

After visiting Fatehpur Sikri, we will reach Jaipur, which is known as the “Pink City” as it features high and ancient rosy sandstone buildings. 

Stay overnight in Jaipur.

In the morning, we will take an elephant ride to explore the Amber Fort. After visiting the splendid palaces there, we will get to the City Palace Museum, which contains a unique collection of ornaments, paintings, manuscripts, etc. Then, we will visit the Jantar Mantar and Hwa Mahal to fully explore the best of this city.

Stay overnight in Jairpur.

Today, we will drive back to Delhi for about five hours. After arriving in Delhi, you can have a good rest at your hotel or explore this city yourself.

Stay overnight in Delhi.

In the morning, you will take a flight from Delhi to Paro in Bhutan. When you arrive in Paro International Airport, your tour guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel in Thimphu. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Thimphu. The rest of the day is for you to take a rest in the hotel or stroll around.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Today you will have a sightseeing in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. While strolling Norzin Lam, the main avenue of the city, you will see clubs, shopping complexes and hotels at both sides. Then you can visit the Drubthob Goemba Nunnery, also called Zilukha nunnery, which houses around 70 resident nuns, and the National Memorial Chorten (Thimphu Chorten), one of the most prominent religious structures in Bhutan.

After that, you will visit the National Library and Folk Heritage Museum. The National Library of Bhutan collects a large number of the religious and cultural texts of the Bhutanese people, while the Folk Heritage Museum can allow tourists to have a glimpse into the rural Bhutanese life.

Then late in the afternoon, you will drive to Punakha from Thimphu. On the road, you will pass Dochu La Pass (3100m), where you can see the 108 memorial chortens. Known as "Druk Wangyal Chortens", these chortens have been built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest Queen Mother.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

In the morning, you will first visit the famous Punakha Dzong, which is also known as Pungtang Dewa chhenbi Phodrang. It is constructed by Ngawang Namgyal in 1637 and it the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan. After that, you will drive to Paro.

In the upper part of Paro, you can visit the famous Drukgyal Dzong. Built in 1649, the Dzong was a fortress and Buddhist monastery, but now in ruins. Then, you will visit the Paro Dzong, commonly known as Rinchen Pung Dzong or Ringpung Dzong in short. Paro Dzong is regarded as one of the finest Bhutanese architecture. In 1968 it was renovated as the home of the National Museum of Bhutan. Above the Dzong there is a seven-storied the watchtower fortress built in 1649.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Today, you will fly to Kathmandu from Paro International Airport. Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, your Nepal tour guide will meet you and take you to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to rest in the hotel or have a strolling around.

Stay overnight in Kathmanud.

After tasty breakfast in hotel, let’s enjoy the spiritual odyssey in a number of must-visit medieval heritage sites. As one of the iconic buildings of Nepal, Kathmandu’s Durbar Square would be our first stop. Durbar literally means palace, where the former kings ascend the throne and rule the country. You can stroll along the three main parts of Durbar Square and sit on the terraced platform to feel the vibe of Nepali city.

Then we will head to the renowned “Monkey Temple” - Swayambhunath. With lovely monkeys jumping around on the gilded spire of the temple, you can see the iconic Buddha’s eye on the stupa. The pious religious worshippers doing kora around the stupa and burning butter lamps and smell of incense draw you back to the similar experience in Tibet.

Afternoon we are about to visit Patan City, 15 minutes’ drive from Kathmandu. In fact, Durbar Square is not exclusive to Kathmandu. Ancient temples literally is packed in Pantan City. Pantan Durbar Square, Golden Temple and Taleju Temple, etc. are some of the best places to take photos. You will learn more of the legends of Nepali deities and kings.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

The last day of the Nepal tour, we will cover some of the most important Hindu temples in Nepal. Though looked not that impressive that exterior, Pashupatinath was served as the source of Hindu spiritual power. Shiva is worshipped here as Pashupati, the lord of the beasts. You can see the dead of Shiva, being cremated on the banks of the holy river. Don’t forget to take photos with sadhus with outlandish clothes and red tika on the forehead.

Then Bouddhanath is our visit. The gigantic stupa originally serves as the staging post for businessman travelling between Lhasa and Kathmandu. Now, the holy stupa is a hot destination, drawing numerous pilgrims, both Hindus and Tibetan Buddhists, to do the kora under the gaze of the Buddha. Monasteries and workshops selling incense, butter lamps, and Tibetan drums and other souvenirs can be found. The strong bond between Tibet and Nepal and historical significance are so palpable.

After lunch we will tour Bhaktapur City. Bhaktapur is three of the best preserved medieval cities in Nepal. Three major Durbar Squares here hold some of the finest religious sites in the country. The town is also known for its skillful artisans who lead a peaceful life and are experts for making pottery, wood craving, etc. The final tour highlights the ancient arts of Nepal.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Today is free for you until you take the flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa.

When you arrive in Lhasa, your tour guide will hold a board with your name on it at the exit to welcome you. A private car will take you to the reserved hotel.You may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River/ Bhamaputra river (the longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa river on their way to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, you’ll pay a visit to the famous Potala Palace, the world culture heritage. You can explore its audience halls, the jeweled and Golden burial chortens (stupa Tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, and tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, thangkas, combinations of mandala, etc.

Then tourists will head to the holiest temple in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple, built during Songtsen Ganpo's reign by princess Wencheng of Tang dynasty, 647 A.D. Here you can observe sincere pilgrims making prostration in front of Jokhang Temple. While entering inside the temple, you can see the holiest statue of Buddha. Around the monastery is the famous Barkhor Street, where you can do the kora with pilgrims and locals. And then we’ll go to explore the old market and you may have chance to see the traditional jewelry trading between people from different part of Tibet.

Finally, we’ll taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea house and enjoy a welcome dinner at night.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Optional:
After finishing the sightseeing, if time allows, you may go with tour guide to visit Tibetan handicraft art or Tibetan Traditional Medicine center. Besides, you can also choose to upgrade your tour to enjoy Tibetan Culture Show in the evening (fr. 60USD).

Today, you will visit two important monasteries in Lhasa, the Drepung and the Sera. Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet, was founded by Jamyang Choeje in 1416. Situated at the foot of Gebeiwoze Mountain, it was once home to more than 10000 monks. Here you can see the biggest monastery kitchen inside and then pay a visit to the Buddhist Sculpture Carving near Drepung.

After having lunch, you’ll continue to visit the Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamchen Choeje. The most interesting thing is to see monks debating in the courtyard at around 3-5 in the afternoon. Besides, you can also see the colorful Rock Painting of Buddha and the three sand Mandalas and then visit the Tibetan religious text printing house.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

The driver will take you to airport or train station.

Service end.