The India – Nepal & Bhutan Expereince
- Pashupatinath & Swayambhunath temples
- Dzong and Museums
- Passes & Valley
- One Horn Rhino
| Title | The India – Nepal & Bhutan Experience |
| Details | Delhi – Kathmandu – Paro – Thimpu – Wangdue Phodrang – Bumthang – Mongar – Trashigang – Samdrup Jongkhar – Guwahati – Kaziranga National Park – Dibrugarh – Kolkatta |
| Duration | 18Nights / 19 Days |
Nepal is a country of ancient civilization which can be traced thousands of years before the birth of Christ (B.C.). In its along and glorious history Nepal has remained always sovereign and never bowed to any foreign power. Although Nepal was modernized by King Prithivi Narayan Shah of present dynasty after consolidating number of principalities and conquering the Kathmandu Valley in 1768 A.D., there were many glorious dynasties who contributed a lot to its sovereignty, In fact most of the monuments, Pagodas and Stupas, Monasteries which stand as an example of our glorious past originated from the Mall dynasty i.e. from 12 to 18 century.
Bhutan is cradled in the deep folds of the Himalayas. Very little has been heard of Bhutan and to most people it is a hidden kingdom shrouded in mystery. It is classed as one of the most exotic destinations in the world today. This kingdom, often referred to as the last Shangri-la, a land of outstanding people, remarkable scenery, natural wonders with proud and vibrant culture. A unique and rare place that few people have the privilege of visiting.
You will be assisted on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Morning is at leisure. In the afternoon, drive to visit Humayun’s Tomb built in the Indo Persian style and a predecessor to The Taj Mahal in Agra; India Gate - A War Memorial Arch. Also drive past the President's House called Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House, Government Secretariat buildings and Connaught Place - the heart of New Delhi and a busy shopping center.
You have an early morning flight to catch on Druk Air for Kathmandu. You will be received on arrival. The day is at leisure
After breakfast proceed for a city tour of Kathmandu. The most important temple in Kathmandu and really all of Nepal is Pashupatinath, dedicated to Shiva in his form as protector of animals. Also visit Swayambhunath that is the most famous of the Buddhist stupas in Kathmandu. Later drive to visit the Nepal’s very own little Tibet, Boudha (Boudhanath) is exactly what the name tells you it might be.
Today you will drive 32 kms from Kathmandu to visit Nagarkot. Everest is easily visible if the sky is clear. Later drive to Bhaktapur,
Day 05 : To Paro – by flight
After breakfast you will be transferred in time to the Airport to board your flight for Paro. You will be received on arrival and transferred to your hotel.
In the afternoon you visit to Ta Dzong or National Museum, rated among the best natural history museums in Asia. Just below the Museum lies the Rinpung Dzong or Paro Dzong at the confluence of Do Chu and Paro Chu.
While still in Paro take a morning drive on a road that leads to Drukyel Dzong, which is where the road ends. After your return you continue to Thimpu. In the afternoon visit The Textile Museum. In Bhutan textiles are an art form integrated with all aspects of life. This is followed by a visit to The Folk Heritage Museum (Phelchey Toenkhyim). In the evening visit Tashichoedzong, which delights the eye with its balanced proportions and air of majesty
You take the diversion to visit Phunakha Dzong. Shabdrung Nyawang Nangel built Phunakha Dzong in 1637. In the evening you visit to Wangdue Phodrang Dzong that is perched on a spur at the confluence of two rivers. On the hill opposite the Dzong is the picturesque village of Rinchengang whose inhabitants are celebrated stone masons. This kind of village with its houses all attached to one another is rare in Bhutan.
Day 08 : To Bumthang - by surface / 197 km / approx 6 hrs
Bumthang is the general name given to a complex of four valleys – Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura. Choekhor and Chumey are agricultural valleys; Tang and Ura are given over more to yak – and sheep – breeding but potatoes are now an important cash crop.
You drive to the Choekhor Valley to the village of Chamkar, which has grown up on flat ground at the base of its hill. The place is more normally referred to as Jakar..
As you drive further eastwards you pass through the Ura Valley, the last and the highest of Bumthang valleys. At the far end of Ura Valley, the road starts climbing towards the highest pass in Bhutan, the Thumsing La (3,800 m / 12,465 ft). Finally the road comes out on to a plateau where Sengoris situated. This is the last village where Bumthangkha is spoken. Finally by early evening you reach Mongar.
After breakfast visit the Mongar Dzong. The present Dzong dates from 1953, when it was founded on orders from the Third King, Jigme Dorje Wangchuk Trashigang is the center of a region where several international development projects have been implemented and is the largest mountain town in Bhutan after Thimphu.In the evening visit the Trashigang Dzong. It was built in 1659.
Today you will be on your last day’s drive through the Land of the Thunder Dragon as you drive south to the border town of Samdrup Jongkhar.
From the border town of Samdrup Jonghkar you drive to Guwahati where, on arrival, you check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
In the morning you drive up to Nilachal Hill to see the holy Kamakhya Temple. With its tantric rites & animal sacrifices, the more squeamish may prefer to content themselves with the exterior. After the visit you set out for Kaziranga National Park where you will arrive by the evening.
Day 14 : In Kaziranga National Park
You embark on a pre-dawn elephant ride to Kaziranga’s Central Range, the best way to get really close to the Rhino & other animals. After breakfast at the lodge, you take a walk through a terraced tea garden & past a Karbi tribal village, then drive to a Mising tribal village, with their distinctive house raised on piles.
Later in the evening you will drive to Kaziranga's Western Range for a jeep safari & to scan the wilderness from an observation tower. Kaziranga is a World Heritage site & with a population of well over 1000 rhinoceros is the best place in the world to see these beasts.
You have another full day to explore your wildlife experience to the hilt with elephant and jeep safaris.
After breakfast you drive to Dibrugarh – the “Camellia” town of Assam, an undisturbed haven, with its endless stretches of tea gardens. In the evening you will be going for a tea tour to learn about tea – its origin, how it is grown & experience the fine art of tea tasting.
Your sojourn in the North East ends with a flight from Dibrugarh to Kolkatta. On arrival at Kolkatta you will be received. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Today you have a full day city-tour of Kolkatta.
Depending on the time of your flight back home you will have a city tour and later be transferred to the International Airport to board your flight back home.