7
Days Holiday in India and Bhutan |
Meeting
and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel of your choice. Evening tour of
Old Delhi visiting Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat, Red Fort and Chandni Chowk. Overnight
at the hotel.
Fly
into the Himalayas with the Druk Air, Bhutan's National carrier. The green wall
of hills known as "Duars", or the gateways into Bhutan from the plains of India
rise ever higher as the plane flies north towards the Tibet border. Silvery rivers
rush along the valleys, waterfalls plunge down forested mountainsides and to the
north the great snowcapped peaks of the inner Himalayas rise up to the heavens.
Farmhouses dot the hillsides on either side of the plane. As the aircraft enters
the Paro valley look down and you will see Paro Dzong on the hillside overlooking
the Paro Chhu (river), with Ta Dzong, formerly watchtower and now the National
Museum above it. Your escort who will be with you throughout your visit will be
waiting for you at the Paro airport. After completion of airport formalities,
you will drive through the lovely Paro valley to your hotel. Afternoon free for
activities or at leisure. 
Overnight
at your hotel.
After
breakfast in the hotel, we drive up to visit the Ta Dzong, originally built as
a watchtower, which now houses Bhutan's National Museum. The extensive collections
include antique Thangka paintings, textiles, weapons & armor, household objects
and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. Then walk down the trail
to visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong (fortress of the heap of jewels), which has a
long and fascinating history. We then drive towards Thimphu, the capital town
of Bhutan. The road runs down through the Paro valley to Chuzom (confluence) at
the entrance to the valley, where the Paro and Thimphu rivers meet. Upon arrival
in Thimphu, you can visit the National Library, housing an extensive collection
of priceless Buddhist manuscripts; The Memorial Chorten, continuously circumambulated
by the faithful, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. The construction
of this landmark was the vision of Bhutan's third King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji
Wangchuck (also known as the father of modern Bhutan). Then visit the many handicraft
emporiums and local crafts shops, in the evening, to browse through examples of
Bhutan's fine traditional arts and crafts. Overnight at a hotel.
| DAY
4° : THIMPU - PUNAKHA |
Morning
visit the Tashichhodzong, the main secretariat building which houses the throne
room of His Majesty the King. Tashichhodzong is also the summer residence of the
Chief Abbot and the central monk body. After lunch, proceed to Punakha across
Dochula Pass (3,088m / 10,139 ft). The highest point on the road is marked by
a large Bhutanese chorten and prayer flags fluttering on the hill. On a clear
day, there is breathtaking view over the high peaks of the eastern 
Himalayas
from this spot. Check into the hotel on reaching Punakha. Until 1955, Punakha
served as the capital town of Bhutan and is still the winter seat of the Chief
Abbot and the central monk body. Overnight at hotel.
Today
morning you can visit the Punakha Dzong built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in
the 17th century. The dzong is situated at the confluence of the Pho Chhu (Male
River) and the Mo Chhu (Female River). Bhutan's first King, Sir Ugyen Wangchuck
was crowned here in 1907. The fortress has withstood damage from fire, earthquakes,
and flood over the century. After lunch proceed to Paro. Evening at leisure. Overnight
at hotel.
Check
out from the hotel and proceed towards the airport to catch your flight to Delhi.
Arrival at Delhi and transfer to the Hotel.
Evening tour of New Delhi visiting Qutab Minar, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, India
Gate (memorial to the Indian army soldiers who died in World War 1), Rahtrapati
Bhawan (formerly the viceroy’s reseidence), Parliament house and Government buildings.
Overnight at the hotel.
In
time transfer to airport to connect flight for onward destination.
