India Nepal & Bhutan Odyssey
Private Group Journeys

India Nepal & Bhutan Odyssey

Cultural Odyssey of North India,Nepal & Bhutan

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Only a few trips on earth can combine such diversities in a single trip as our India, Nepal & Bhutan Odyssey. It is crafted and marked with such a pace that it carefully examines myriad aspects such as culture, tradition, and natural and religious landscapes that define these countries. Be it India’s captivating diversities, Nepal’s impressive mountains, and Bhutan’s pristine environments and quaintness.

Structurally, these countries may offer fascinating contrast in essence and perception. But one common yet distinctive feature that brings forth the nuanced and palpable aspect of the trip as a unit is the warmth and congeniality of the PEOPLE. In this trip, we center on this theme (people) through significant interaction with them and their culture, with visits to famous monuments.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi
Day 2: Delhi-Agra
Day 3: Train to Jhansi – Orchha
Day 4: Drive to Khajuraho
Day 5: Fly to Varanasi – India’s Religious Capital
Day 6: In Varanasi(Sunrise Cruise, Heritage Walk & Silk Weaving Community)
Day 7: Varanasi to Kathmandu
Day 8: Kathmandu Tour & fly to Pokhara
Day 9: Full Day in Pokhara
Day 10: Fly Kathmandu-Tour Bhaktapur
Day 11: Fly to Paro, Bhutan
Day 12: Paro – Punakha
Day 13: In Punakha & Wangdue valley
Day 14: Punakha – Thimphu
Day 15: Thimphu & Paro Valley
Day 16: Paro (Hike to Takstang)
Day 17: Departure

 

Overview

cultural_tour Trip Type Culture Tours
Activities Included Activities Included
Activities Included Culture Tours Activities Included Village Tours
Accommodation Accommodation 4-5 star and heritage hotels in India and Nepal. 3-4 star mix in Bhutan.
Meal Meal All breakfasts & dinners in both India and Nepal while all meals are included in Bhutan.
Best Seasons Best Seasons This trip is best from October through March but it is also relatively fine in April and May. Delhi can get hot in April and May but Nepal and Bhutan will be fine.
Route Route Delhi, Agra, Orcha, Khajuraho, Varansi, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bhaktapur, Paro, Punakha, Thimphu, Takstang Monastery (Paro)
  Best Months Best Months January, February, March, October, November, December

Good Months Good Months April, May, September

Lean Months Lean Months June, July, August

  • Taj Mahal
  • Forts, Palaces, Temples & Monasteries
  • Walking in Colorful Markets
  • Local Home visit
  • Try local cuisines
  • Indian rail journey experience
  • Rural village Tour
  • Boat rides on Ganges & Pokhara
  • Weaving & textile
  • Walking tour(option)
  • Staying in palace hotels

Cost Information

In order to offer the lowest possible price,this trip is priced according to number of participants.  Trips can be taken privately with your own dates as well.

Full details of the tour and costs available upon request.

 

Included

  • Accommodations in hotels as listed.
  • Meals: Daily breakfast and dinner in India & Nepal. All meals with evening tea in Bhutan.
  • All land transfers by private Vehicle, Trains, Boat rides as per itinerary.
  • Sightseeing and tours as per itinerary including entrance fees.
  • English-speaking local tour guides.
  • Bhutan visa and daily tourist fees.
  • Fight from Khajuraho to Varanasi, Kathmandu to Pokhara & back, Kathmandu to Paro, and Paro to Delhi (listed separately)

Not included

  • International flight to Delhi and return or return from other cities (estimated between $1000-$1500 from the US).
  • Indian visa (we provide assistance to apply for Indian Visa).
  • Nepal visa (upon arrival US$40).
  • Optional medical & travel Insurance.

Detailed Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1:

Arrival in Delhi

Upon arrival in Delhi, meet our representative and transfer to the hotel. You can arrive at any time, as there is no activity for today. The rest of the day is to relax and adjust to the time change. Overnight in Delhi.

MEALS:
Dinner
Altitude Altitude: 239 m
Day 2:

Delhi-Agra

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the Railway Station to board a fast train to Agra. Visit Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal. Other optional activities are available. Overnight in Agra.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Dinner
Duration Duration: 6-7hrs
Day 3:

Train to Jhansi-Drive to Orchha

The train to Jhansi departs in the morning. On arrival at Jhansi, transfer to quaint Orcha, where forts, palaces, and temples jostle with each other. The place packs more history into every square meter than many better-known places. Tour in Orcha. Overnight in a former Palace.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 4:

Drive to Khajuraho

After breakfast, drive around 4hrs to Khajuraho, known for its erotic sculptures. In the afternoon, tour the Eastern & Western Group of the temple complex and stroll around the small market and township. Free evening to do many other optional activities available. Overnight in Khajuraho.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Dinner
Altitude Altitude: 1540m
Day 5:

Fly to Varanasi

This morning we will fly to Varanasi. Varanasi is one of the oldest and the holiest cities in India. It has an intense, almost palpable atmosphere of spiritual devotion, a feeling of an unending religious festival. Pilgrims from every part of this vast nation crowd the narrow streets and the riverside ghats. Towards the evening, walk through the old city to the bathing ghats located alongside River Ganges. Feel the timelessness of Varanasi as the sun sets and as the temple priests perform aarti, the sacred light ceremony. Overnight in Varanasi.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 6:

In Varanasi

At sunrise, the temples get bathed in soft light we board a small boat for a cruise on the Ganges. Observe the day-to-day life of the people. Watch the people arrive at the ghat at dawn to take a ritual dip, perform yoga asanas, wash clothes, and offer flowers and incense to the river. Return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, head for a heritage walk in the old part of Varanasi. Stroll in the narrow lanes with a local expert who will weave the charming story of this ancient city as you pass by Ashrams, temples, flower shops, and eateries. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Silk weaving community, which still adheres to an age-old practice of making the famous Benarasi Sari. Taking a closer look, we can find social fabric interwoven with a thread of silk that helps to make their living. Overnight in Varanasi.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 7:

Fly to Kathmandu

On some days of the week, you can fly directly to Kathmandu from Varanasi in the afternoon. But in general, we need to plan a morning flight from Varanasi to Delhi and connect with a noon flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, meet our guide/representative and transfer to the hotel. As per the available time, we will explore the Kathmandu Durbar (royal) Square area. Dinner with a cultural show at a typical Nepali restaurant. Overnight in Kathmandu.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Dinner
Altitude Altitude: 1350m
Day 8:

Kathmandu Tour-Fly to Pokhara

After breakfast, begin a half-day tour in Kathmandu Valley. Later in the afternoon, take a short flight to the lake city of Pokhara. The evening is free to wander around the Phewa Lakeside area. Overnight in Pokhara.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Dinner
Altitude Altitude: 822m
Duration Duration: 3-4hrs
Day 9:

In Pokhara

Early in the morning, drive to Sarangkot hilltop to watch the color of changing hues catch the peaks of the Annapurna range. On the way back, visit the Bindesbani temple. After breakfast at the hotel, take a short rest before beginning the rest of the Pokhara tour, including a short boat ride and a walk to the Peace Pagoda for sunset views. Overnight in Pokhara.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Dinner
Duration Duration: 5-6hrs
Day 10:

Fly to Kathmandu(Tour Bhakatpur)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in time for your 30-minute flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, drive to the suburbs to visit the medieval city of Bhaktapur, a spectacular World Heritage Site founded in the ninth century. As the streets are pedestrianized, we will explore this open-air living museum on foot, walking from square to square and pagoda to pagoda. Overnight in Kathmandu or Bhaktapur as per your choice.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Dinner
Duration Duration: 4-5hrs
Day 11:

Fly to Paro(Bhutan)

Transfer to the airport in time for your flight to Paro. (Generally, the flights tend to be in the morning, but on some days, flights could be in the early afternoon. If the flight is in the afternoon, you have a free morning to stroll in Bhaktapur). A spectacular 40-minute mountain flight (with views of many of the highest peaks, including Everest) will take you to the emerald-green Paro Valley. Meet our Bhutanese guide and transfer to your hotel. Later visit Paro Rinphung Dzong, an imposing fortress built in the 17th century. It is the administrative seat of the Paro district that also houses a state monastic community. We can walk across the ancient cantilevered bridge and stroll in the charming township of Paro. Overnight in Paro.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 12:

Drive to Punakha

Following a short tour in Paro, we shall drive through the countryside for about an hour to Thimphu. Before reaching Thimphu, we will take a diversion and continue uphill for another forty-five minutes to the Dochu La pass (3100m). Dochu La Pass offers astounding panoramic views of the Eastern Himalayan range. After lunch, we shall descend through ever-changing vegetation into the relatively low altitude of Punakha & Wangdue Valley. Punakha and Wangdue are located at about 1350m and enjoy a semi-tropical climate where oranges, mangoes, and bananas, cactuses grow. Upon arrival, enjoy a half-hour walk through fields and villages to Chimi Lhakhang monastery and fertility temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint popularly known as The divine madman. Overnight in Punakha/Wangdue.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 13:

In Punakha and Wangdue valley

Punakha was the winter capital of Bhutan until the 1950s. The state monastic body continues this tradition by moving to Punakha from Thimphu during winter. We drive north through the idyllic countryside and take a 40min uphill hike (optional) to visit Khamsum Yuelley Chorten. Upon return, visit the impressive Punakha Dzong, built at the convergence of the Mo Chu and Po Chu (the male & female rivers) in 1637. Punakha Dzong is an architectural wonder and the seat of the head abbot of Bhutan. Later, pay a visit to the Nunnery, built in 2009 for young nuns to train and study Buddhist text and meditation. Wangdue Phodrang lies towards the southeast corner of the valley, with a larger township. Visit the town, then view the ruins of Wangdue Dzong. As per available time, we will also visit Richengang village, which is unique for a cluster of connected houses. Overnight in Punakha/Wangdue.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 14:

Drive to Thimphu

We retrace our drive back across Dochu La pass to Thimphu. At Dochu La, we have one more opportunity to see the peaks of the Bhutanese Himalayas (3+ hrs drive). There is also an option to take a 3 hrs gradual hike to Lungchuzekha & Trashigang hilltops starting from Dochula Pass. The walk goes through high-altitude forests filled with rhododendrons, spruce, firs, and giant cedars, with good views, past some remote temples and monasteries. Upon arrival in the capital Thimphu, visit the courtyard of great Tashicho Dzong, the seat of government, then take a stroll in the farmers market. Overnight in Thimphu.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 15:

Thimphu and Paro Valley

As the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu has many attractions to see or shop around. Based on your interests, we will take you to places of your interests first and cover others as per available time. Among others, visit the Giant Buddha statue, located atop the Kuensel Phodrang ridge, circumambulate around the memorial Chorten in a clockwise direction with locals as they say the prayers. See the weird-looking Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. Take photographs from the ridge top, visit the School of Traditional Arts (also called Painting school), and more as per your interest. Towards evening drive to Paro, we will visit a local farmhouse and tour a village. Overnight in Paro.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 16:

Paro (Hike to Taktsang monastery)

Hike to the legendary Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery and visit other sights in Paro, as per available time. Riding Horses are available for hire at the start of the hike, that can take you to the viewpoint. If you think you cannnot make the Tigers Nest or decide to opt-out. Your guide can arrange for another alternative. In the evening, gather together for a farewell dinner. Overnight in Paro.

MEALS:
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 17:

Departure

Departure transfer to the airport in time for your flight out of Bhutan. You can fly to Delhi, Kathmandu, Bangkok, or other cities covered by Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines.

MEALS:
Breakfast

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Overview

cultural_tour Trip Type Culture Tours
Activities Included Activities Included
Activities Included Culture Tours Activities Included Village Tours
Accommodation Accommodation 4-5 star and heritage hotels in India and Nepal. 3-4 star mix in Bhutan.
Meals Meals All breakfasts & dinners in both India and Nepal while all meals are included in Bhutan.
Route Route Delhi, Agra, Orcha, Khajuraho, Varansi, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bhaktapur, Paro, Punakha, Thimphu, Takstang Monastery (Paro)
Max Group Size Max Group Size 9 maximum for scheduled small group Journey, but any size for private trip
Best Seasons Best Seasons This trip is best from October through March but it is also relatively fine in April and May. Delhi can get hot in April and May but Nepal and Bhutan will be fine.
Best Months Best Months January, February, March, October, November, December

Good Months Good Months April, May, September

Lean Months Lean Months June, July, August

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