21D India Nepal & Bhutan

Drive / Flight: Airport transfer – approx. 16 km / 45 min | Overnight: Delhi (216 m) | Meals: –

Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport, where our representative meets you after customs and transfers you to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to recover from your journey.

Drive / Flight: Private vehicle – approx. 45 km city driving | Overnight: Delhi (216 m) | Meals: B

Begin in Old Delhi, the Mughal capital of Shahjahanabad. Visit Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, then take a cycle-rickshaw ride through the spice markets and silver lanes of Chandni Chowk, with a photo stop at the Red Fort (UNESCO). Continue to Raj Ghat, the memorial where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.

In the afternoon explore New Delhi: Humayun's Tomb (UNESCO), the garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal; Qutub Minar (UNESCO), the 73 m victory tower of 1193; and drive past India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan and the government buildings designed by Lutyens. Visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the Sikh temple where volunteers serve free meals to thousands every day.

Today's highlights:

• Jama Masjid & rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk
• Red Fort (photo stop) & Raj Ghat
• Humayun's Tomb & Qutub Minar
• India Gate & Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

Drive / Flight: Private vehicle – approx. 230 km / 4 hrs via Yamuna Expressway | Overnight: Agra (170 m) | Meals: B

Drive to Agra along the Yamuna Expressway. After check-in visit Agra Fort (UNESCO), the red-sandstone Mughal citadel where Emperor Shah Jahan spent his last years imprisoned, gazing at the Taj Mahal across the river.

In the late afternoon visit the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays), the white-marble mausoleum built by Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Watch its marble change colour with the setting sun, or view it from Mehtab Bagh across the Yamuna.

Today's highlights:

• Agra Fort
• Taj Mahal at sunset
• Mehtab Bagh viewpoint

Drive / Flight: Private vehicle – approx. 240 km / 5–6 hrs | Overnight: Jaipur (431 m) | Meals: B

Optional sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal before breakfast. Drive west to Fatehpur Sikri (UNESCO), Emperor Akbar's abandoned red-sandstone capital, with the Buland Darwaza gateway and the Jama Masjid enclosing the white marble tomb of Sufi saint Salim Chishti.

Continue to Abhaneri to see Chand Baori, a dramatic 9th-century stepwell with 3,500 narrow steps on 13 levels, then on to Jaipur, the 'Pink City' of Rajasthan. Evening at leisure.

Today's highlights:

• Fatehpur Sikri
• Chand Baori stepwell at Abhaneri

Drive / Flight: Private vehicle – approx. 30 km | Overnight: Jaipur (431 m) | Meals: B

Morning excursion to Amber Fort (UNESCO), the hilltop palace-fortress of the Kachhwaha rulers – ride up by jeep, then explore the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) and courtyards. Photo stops at Jal Mahal, the water palace in Man Sagar Lake, and at Hawa Mahal, the honeycomb 'Palace of Winds'.

In the afternoon visit the City Palace, still home to the royal family, and Jantar Mantar (UNESCO), the 18th-century astronomical observatory with the world's largest stone sundial. Later explore the bazaars – Johari Bazaar for jewellery and Bapu Bazaar for textiles and mojari shoes.

Today's highlights:

• Amber Fort
• Hawa Mahal & Jal Mahal
• City Palace & Jantar Mantar
• Pink City bazaars

Drive / Flight: Flight – approx. 1¼ hrs | Overnight: Varanasi (81 m) | Meals: B

Transfer to the airport for your flight from Jaipur to Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the holiest city of Hinduism. After check-in, rest.

In the evening go by cycle-rickshaw to the ghats to watch the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat – priests perform a ceremony of fire, bells and chanting to Mother Ganga as hundreds of floating lamps drift downstream.

Today's highlights:

• Evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat

Drive / Flight: Private vehicle & boat – approx. 30 km | Overnight: Varanasi (81 m) | Meals: B

Before dawn, take a rowing boat along the Ganges past the ghats as pilgrims bathe, pray and practise yoga, with views of the burning ghats at Manikarnika. Walk through the maze of old-city lanes to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple area.

After breakfast drive 10 km to Sarnath, where the Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment. Visit the Dhamek Stupa, the ruins of ancient monasteries, the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar and the Sarnath Archaeological Museum, home of the Lion Capital of Ashoka – India's national emblem (museum closed on Fridays). Afternoon free; optional visit to a silk-weaving workshop.

Today's highlights:

• Sunrise boat ride on the Ganges
• Sarnath – Dhamek Stupa & museum
• Old Varanasi lanes

Drive / Flight: Flight – approx. 1 hr (direct, or via Delhi) | Overnight: Kathmandu (1,400 m) | Meals: B

Transfer to Varanasi airport for the flight to Kathmandu. Nepal visa on arrival; our representative meets you and transfers you to the hotel. In the late afternoon walk the kora around Boudhanath Stupa as butter lamps are lit.

Today's highlights:

• Boudhanath Stupa at dusk

Drive / Flight: Private vehicle – approx. 35 km city driving | Overnight: Kathmandu (1,400 m) | Meals: B

After breakfast, a full day of guided sightseeing to four of the Kathmandu Valley's UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a licensed English-speaking city guide.

Start at Swayambhunath, the 2,000-year-old 'Monkey Temple' on a hilltop west of the city, whose painted Buddha eyes look out over the whole valley. Continue to Kathmandu Durbar Square, the old royal palace complex with its pagoda temples, the Kumari Ghar – home of the Living Goddess – and Kasthamandap.

After lunch (own expense), visit Pashupatinath, Nepal's holiest Hindu temple on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River, where you can watch cremation rites at the ghats from the eastern bank (non-Hindus may not enter the main temple). End the day at Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world and the heart of Tibetan Buddhist culture in Nepal – join pilgrims walking the kora clockwise around the dome at dusk as butter lamps are lit.

Today's highlights:

• Swayambhunath Stupa
• Kathmandu Durbar Square
• Pashupatinath Temple
• Boudhanath Stupa

Drive / Flight: Private vehicle – approx. 40 km round trip | Overnight: Kathmandu (1,400 m) | Meals: B

Drive east to Bhaktapur (13 km), the best-preserved of the valley's three royal cities. Walk car-free brick lanes to Durbar Square with its 55-Window Palace and Golden Gate, Taumadhi Square with the five-storey Nyatapola Temple, and Pottery Square where potters shape clay on hand-turned wheels. Don't miss juju dhau, Bhaktapur's famous 'king of curds'.

In the afternoon visit Patan (Lalitpur), the city of fine arts, whose Durbar Square holds the Krishna Mandir carved in stone and the Patan Museum – one of the finest museums in South Asia for Hindu and Buddhist art. Nearby, the Golden Temple (Kwa Bahal) and metal-workers' workshops show crafts still practised by Newar families.

Today's highlights:

• Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Nyatapola Temple & Pottery Square
• Patan Durbar Square & Patan Museum
• Golden Temple (Kwa Bahal)

Drive / Flight: Flight – approx. 25 min (approx. 200 km by road) | Overnight: Pokhara (822 m) | Meals: B

Transfer to the domestic terminal for the scenic 25-minute flight to Pokhara – sit on the right-hand side for views of Manaslu, Himalchuli and the Annapurna range. Pokhara, Nepal's lake city, sits beside Phewa Lake beneath the 6,993 m fishtail peak of Machhapuchhre.

After check-in, visit Davis Falls, where the outflow of Phewa Lake plunges underground, and Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave opposite with its Shiva shrine. Later, take a rowing boat across Phewa Lake to Tal Barahi, the two-storey pagoda temple on an island, and enjoy the evening along Lakeside.

Today's highlights:

• Davis Falls & Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave
• Boating on Phewa Lake to Tal Barahi Temple
• Evening stroll on Lakeside

Drive / Flight: Private vehicle – approx. 40 km | Overnight: Pokhara (822 m) | Meals: B

Early-morning drive (about 30 minutes) up to Sarangkot (1,600 m) to watch sunrise light up Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre and Lamjung Himal in a 180° panorama. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Later visit the International Mountain Museum, devoted to the Himalaya, its climbers and mountain peoples; Bindhyabasini Temple in the old bazaar; and Mahendra Cave and the Bat Cave north of the city. In the late afternoon drive or hike up to the World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa) on the ridge above Phewa Lake for sunset views of the lake and mountains.

Optional (own expense): paragliding from Sarangkot, ultralight flight or a short hike.

Today's highlights:

• Sunrise over the Annapurna range from Sarangkot
• International Mountain Museum
• Mahendra Cave & Bat Cave
• World Peace Pagoda at sunset

Drive / Flight: Private vehicle – approx. 150 km / 5 hrs | Overnight: Chitwan (150 m) | Meals: B, L, D

Drive from Pokhara to Sauraha on the edge of Chitwan National Park, Nepal's first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 952 sq km of sal forest, grassland and river. Check in to the resort and enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon take a guided walk through a Tharu village to learn about the indigenous people of the Terai, followed by sunset at the Rapti River bank. In the evening watch the Tharu stick dance performed by local villagers.

Today's highlights:

• Tharu village walk
• Sunset by the Rapti River
• Tharu cultural dance

Drive / Flight: Jungle activities inside the park | Overnight: Chitwan (150 m) | Meals: B, L, D

An early start for a dugout canoe ride on the Rapti or Budhi Rapti River – drift silently past marsh mugger crocodiles, the rare fish-eating gharial and kingfishers, herons and storks – followed by a guided jungle walk with naturalists and a visit to the Elephant Breeding Centre.

After lunch, set off on a 3–4 hour jeep safari deep into the park looking for the one-horned rhinoceros, spotted, sambar and barking deer, wild boar, sloth bear, monkeys and, with luck, the elusive Royal Bengal tiger or leopard. Some 540 bird species have been recorded in Chitwan – keep binoculars ready.

Evening at leisure; dinner at the resort.

Today's highlights:

• Canoe ride on the Rapti River
• Guided jungle walk & Elephant Breeding Centre
• Jeep safari in Chitwan National Park

Drive / Flight: Drive 15 km to Bharatpur airport; flight approx. 25 min | Overnight: Kathmandu (1,400 m) | Meals: B

Morning bird walk, then transfer to Bharatpur airport for the flight to Kathmandu. Afternoon free for shopping in Thamel or a visit to the Garden of Dreams.

Drive / Flight: Flight – approx. 1 hr; drive Paro–Thimphu 55 km / approx. 1½ hrs | Overnight: Thimphu (2,320 m) | Meals: B, L, D

Morning flight from Kathmandu to Paro with Drukair or Bhutan Airlines. On a clear day this is one of the world's most spectacular flights, passing Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and the Bhutanese peaks before a dramatic descent into the Paro valley. Your Bhutanese guide and driver meet you at the airport (guests wear a traditional kata scarf of welcome).

Drive along the Paro and Wang Chhu rivers to the confluence at Chuzom, with its three stupas in Bhutanese, Tibetan and Nepali style, and on to Thimphu, the world's only capital without traffic lights.

In the afternoon visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in memory of the Third King, where elderly residents circle and spin prayer wheels all day, and Buddha Dordenma, a 51 m gilded Buddha statue overlooking the valley. In the evening see Tashichho Dzong, seat of the government and the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (chief abbot), as it is lit up (outer courtyard visit after office hours).

Today's highlights:

• National Memorial Chorten
• Buddha Dordenma
• Tashichho Dzong

Drive / Flight: Private vehicle – approx. 75 km / 3 hrs | Overnight: Punakha (1,250 m) | Meals: B, L, D

Drive over Dochula Pass (3,100 m), crowned by the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens. On a clear day (most likely October to February) there is a sweeping view of the eastern Himalaya including Gangkar Puensum (7,570 m), the world's highest unclimbed mountain.

Descend into the warm Punakha valley. Walk 20 minutes through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple of the 'Divine Madman' Drukpa Kunley. In the afternoon visit Punakha Dzong, Bhutan's most beautiful fortress, built in 1637 at the confluence of the Pho Chhu (male) and Mo Chhu (female) rivers – the venue of royal weddings and the winter home of the monk body. Finish with a walk across the Punakha suspension bridge, one of the longest in Bhutan.

Today's highlights:

• Dochula Pass & 108 chortens
• Chimi Lhakhang fertility temple
• Punakha Dzong
• Punakha suspension bridge

Drive / Flight: Private vehicle – approx. 80 km / 3 hrs | Overnight: Phobjikha (2,900 m) | Meals: B, L, D

Drive via Wangdue Phodrang and up over Lawala Pass (3,360 m) to Phobjikha, a wide glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains and the winter home of the endangered black-necked crane (late October to February).

Visit Gangtey Goenpa, a 17th-century monastery of the Nyingma school overlooking the valley, and the Black-Necked Crane Information Centre. In the afternoon walk the Gangtey Nature Trail (about 1½ hrs) through pine forest and across the valley floor – a gentle and beautiful walk.

Today's highlights:

• Gangtey Goenpa
• Black-Necked Crane Information Centre
• Gangtey Nature Trail

Drive / Flight: Private vehicle – approx. 190 km / 6 hrs | Overnight: Paro (2,200 m) | Meals: B, L, D

A long but scenic drive back west via Wangdue and over Dochula Pass to Paro, with lunch stops along the way. In the late afternoon visit Rinpung Dzong across the Nyamai Zam cantilever bridge and, time permitting, the National Museum in the Ta Dzong watchtower.

Today's highlights:

• Dochula Pass
• Rinpung Dzong

Drive / Flight: Hike – approx. 5–6 hrs round trip (ascent approx. 900 m) | Overnight: Paro (2,200 m) | Meals: B, L, D

The highlight of any Bhutan journey. Drive 20 minutes to the trailhead and hike through blue pine forest hung with prayer flags to the cafeteria viewpoint (about 1½ hrs), then on to the monastery itself, clinging to a sheer cliff 900 m above the Paro valley. Legend says Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a tigress in the 8th century to meditate in a cave. Ponies are available for the first half of the ascent (own expense).

On the way back, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan (7th century), and the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner with an optional traditional hot-stone bath in a farmhouse (own expense).

Today's highlights:

• Tiger's Nest (Taktsang) Monastery hike
• Kyichu Lhakhang
• Optional farmhouse hot-stone bath

Drive / Flight: Airport transfer – approx. 15 min; flight to Delhi / Kathmandu | Meals: B

After breakfast, transfer to Paro International Airport for your onward flight to Delhi / Kathmandu. Your guide bids you farewell – Tashi Delek! (End of services.)