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12-Day India and Bhutan Tour

By Nora OuUpdated Mar. 5, 2024
Incredible India and Secret Bhutan

In the Indian subcontinent, India is definitely the heroine. She is elegant and graceful. She is also charming and spicy. Bhutan, on the other hand, could be the most mysterious country in South Asia, even the world. She is a simple and quiet girl who lives her happy life in Shangri-La. If you visit South Asia and would like to explore two different countries that can give you totally different experiences, don't miss this 12-day India and Bhutan tour.

  • Days:12±
  • Best For:couples
  • Departure date:up to you
  • Sample price:US$4,879each (2 per room)
  • Flights:The ones mentioned are included (international on request)

Suggested Route for a India and Bhutan Tour

India and Bhutan tour map

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Tour Highlights

Visit the great monuments in Delhi to find the trails of the great dynasties in Indian history.

Jama Masjid

Witness the miracle in the history of architecture and the symbol of true love, the Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal

Explore Jaipur to experience the colorful culture of the 'Land of the Kings', Rajasthan.

amber fort

Find the most beautiful dzong in Punakha and experience the inner peace brought by Tibetan Buddhism.

the beautiful dzong in punakha

Visit one of the top 10 monasteries, Taktsang Monastery, where the founder of Tibetan Buddhism meditated.

Taktsang Monastery

Itinerary in Detail

Your preferences design the real journey. We're ready to create a wonderful India and Bhutan tour for you.

Day 1
Arrive in Delhi
Maidens Hotel (4-star) / The Claridges (5-star)

Welcome to India. Meet our representative in the arrival hall of the airport and then he will escort you to your hotel and help you checking in.

Day 2
One-Day Tour in Delhi
breakfast

The Red Fort will be the first stop of your Delhi tour. The national flag flying on the sandstone Mughal fort might be the first impressive picture of India in your mind. Explore this magnificent architecture of the Mughal dynasty. Afterward, Visit the biggest Mosque in India, Jama Masjid, to see how the Islamic and Indian cultures combine in this great architectural structure.

In the afternoon, continue your visit to Qutub Minar and Humayun's tomb. Listen to stories about the splendid dynasties that were created by Indian Muslims.

 the Red Fort
The sandstone Mughal fort, Red Fort
Day 3
Delhi to Agra (4 to 5 Hours), Agra Fort, and Mehtab Bagh
breakfast

Drive to Agra in the morning and explore the erstwhile capital of the Mughal Empire. After lunch, visit Agra Fort, which is also called Red Fort. It is a magnificent 16th-century fortress made of red sandstone, which is located on the Yamuna River.

Then you will visit Mehtab Bagh for a sunset view of the Taj Mahal. The Yamuna River flows between the garden and Taj Mahal peacefully, just like Shah Jahans love to his wife has never stopped.

Enjoy a sunset view of Taj Mahal
Enjoy a sunset view of Taj Mahal
Day 4
The Taj Mahal, the Itmad-ud-Daula, Drive to Jaipur (5 Hours)
breakfast

Visit the Taj Mahal in the early morning. The closer you walk to this ivory-white marble mausoleum, the more moved you will be by the spectacular architecture and the true love that sparked its creation. Enjoy seeing the morning sunlight as it kisses the pure white building gently.

And then you will visit the Itmad-ud-Daula (the baby Taj Mahal) and be impressed by the thousands of beautiful inlaid patterns.

You will be driven from Agra to Jaipur in the afternoon.

the Itmad-Ud-Daula
Admire the thousands of beautiful inlaid patterns of Itmad-Ud-Daula
Day 5
One-Day Pink City Tour
breakfast

On the way to Amber Fort, you will have a picture stop at the landmark of Jaipur, the Hawa Mahal. Before going up to the fort, you will also visit an interesting step well. After entering the Amber For, you will feel that you have stepped back in time to the great dynasty. The corridor with elegant pillars, the lovely colors of the patterns on the walls, and the shining mirrors in Sheesh Mahal, any of them can make you forget to leave.

In the afternoon, continue your visit to Jaipur's City Palace. The abundant exhibits will highlight what life was like for the maharajas of Jaipur. Then visit the Jantar Mantar. Be impressed by the wisdom of the ancient Indians.

You will be driven from Agra to Jaipur in the afternoon.

 the elegant courtyard of the Amber Fort
The beautiful courtyard of Amber Fort
Day 6
Nahargarh Fort, Drive from Jaipur to Delhi (5 hours)
breakfast

Visit the less touristy Nahargarh Fort in the morning to get a great view of Jaipur. It was originally built to enhance the city defenses and eventually became a summer house for the royal family. Your guide will show you the living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, washrooms, and cloakrooms of the maharajas and their wives. The beautiful colors on the walls of each room will impress you because of the natural resources they came from.

Don't forget to stop on your way back for the nice view of the water palace in the distance. It is like a fairyland for the maharajas in Jaipur. You will be driven to Delhi after lunch.

The view of the city from Nahargarh Fort.
Enjoy a bird's eyes view of the city from Nahargarh Fort
Day 7
Flight from Delhi to Paro, Drive from Paro to Thimphu (1 hour)
breakfast, lunch and dinner

Take a morning flight to another secret place hidden in the Himalayas. After arriving at Paro International Airport, you will be met with your guide in the arrival hall and then head for the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu.

On the way, you will visit the Buddha Dordenma. It is a massive golden statue of Shakyamuni on top of a hill and 125,000 smaller Buddha statues have been placed within it. The basement of it is a large meditation hall. Afterward, visit a landmark of Thimphu, the Memorial Chorten. For many Bhutanese, this large Tibetan-style chorten is a place where they perform their daily worship.

Buddha Dordenma
Buddha Dordenma
Day 8
Tashichho Dzong, the Folk Heritage Museum, and Bhutan Post Office Headquarters
breakfast, lunch and dinner

Visit the most important dzong, Tashichho Dzong, in the morning. It has traditionally been the seat of the Dharma Raja and the summer capital of the country. It is the headquarters of the central government, just like the White House in America, Downing Street in Britain, and Zhongnanhai in China.

Visit the Folk Heritage Museum to discover the Bhutanese folk heritage and rural history through exhibits, demonstrations, educational programs, and documentation about Bhutanese rural life.

Then, you will visit the National Library of Bhutan, which houses a collection of sacred religious books and priceless Buddhist manuscripts. This a historical library rather than a 'normal' lending library.

Finally, you will visit Bhutan Post Office Headquarters where you can make stamps with your own photos and put them on postcards for your family and friends.

Tashichho Dzong
The 'White House' of Bhutan, Tashichho Dzong
Day 9
Thimphu to Punakha by Car (3 Hours), the Dochula Pass, and the Punakha Dzong
breakfast, lunch and dinner

You will head for Punakha in the morning. Visit Simtokha Dzong on the way. It is also known as Sangak Zabdhon Phodrang (Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras). People believe that it was the first dzong built in Bhutan.

Then, you will stop at the Dochula Pass where you can have a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range. You will be impressed by the snowcapped mountains and the 108 chortens gracing the mountain pass.

Dochula Pass
The white pagodas at Dochula Pass

In the afternoon, you will explore the most beautiful dzong in Bhutan, the Punakha Dzong. It is also the most important dzong in Bhutanese history and is known as 'the palace of great happiness or bliss'.

the Punakha Dzong on the river bank
The most beautiful dzong in Bhutan, Punakha Dzong
Day 10
Punakha to Paro by Car (4 Hours), Paro Dzong, and the National Museum of Bhutan
breakfast, lunch and dinner

Drive from Punakha to Paro in the morning. After arriving in Paro, you will visit Paro Dzong, which has a long and fascinating history. Its full name is Rinpung Dzong, which means the 'fortress on a heap of jewels'.

Afterward, you will visit the Ta Dzong, which houses the National Museum of Bhutan. The museum has a fascinating collection of arts, relics, religious thangka paintings, household items, arms, handicrafts, stuffed animals, and Bhutan's famous stamps, among others.

Paro Dzong
Paro Dzong, the 'fortress on a heap of jewels'.
Day 11
Paro Taktsang
breakfast, lunch and dinner

After breakfast, you will take an excursion to the unbelievable Paro Taktsang (this takes approximately 5 hours on a round-trip walk). Located on the side of a cliff above the Paro Valley, Paro Taktsang is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan. It is famous for the 13 taktsang or "tiger lair" caves in which Padmasambhava meditated. This site has been recognized as a sacred place and was visited by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646. It is visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. It is worth hiking all the way there to explore one of the top 10 monasteries in the world. Enjoy your free time in the afternoon.

Paro Taktsang
Explore the incredible Paro Taktsang
Day 12
Paro to Delhi by Flight
breakfast

Your guide will escort you to the airport for your flight back to Delhi.

Ideas for Making This Trip Uniquely Yours

Special experiences can be added to brighten a honeymoon trip, a family vacation, a birthday, or satisfy personal interests.

A Romantic Dinner in Amber Fort
A Romantic Dinner in Amber Fort

For couples

the Indian spices
Cooking Class in Jaipur

For foodies

painting on hand
Heena Painting on Hands and Feet

For culture fans

Taj Mahal and moon
Moonlights Tour of Taj Mahal

For couples

archery
Traditional Bhutanese Archery

For families

rafting
White Water Rafting in Punakha

For adventurers

Hand-Picked Hotels

We select hotels with style and local features. Let us know your preferences and we'll find your ideal hotel.

the courtyard of hotel
Heritage hotel in old Delhi
heritage hotel in Jaipur
Heritage hotel in Jaipur
Hotel with the veiw of Taj Mahal
Hotel with a view of Taj Mahal
Hotel room
Hotel with Bhutanese style
the hotel room with the view of the forest
Hotel surrounded by the forest

Our Service Includes:

12 days from
US$4,879
per person (based on 2 persons and 4-star hotels)
  • Private transfers and English-speaking tour guide
  • All guided sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
  • 4-star accommodations for 11 nights
  • Meals mentioned in the itinerary
  • Flights mentioned in the itinerary
  • Governmental taxes

Tour code: ah-in-86

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