Best of Bhutan plus Delhi (12 days)

New Delhi – Thimphu – Punakha – Phobjika Valley – Paro – New Delhi

Join us for an unforgettable journey through the Land of the Thunder Dragon. The itinerary also features the key highlights of Delhi. Developed based on our first-hand knowledge and conducted by expert guides, this tour guarantees the participants an experience of a life-time.

Day 1: Departing for New Delhi
Depart for Delhi from a city of your choice. Guests from North America will lose a day upon crossing the International Date Line over the Pacific Ocean. Guests who have been to New Delhi may choose to fly to Bhutan via other gateways such as Kathmandu, Bangkok or Singapore.

Day 2: Arrival in New Delhi
Meet the guide on arrival and transfer to the hotel. We spend the balance of the day at leisure to recover from jetlag.

Day 3: New Delhi (B/L/D)
Delhi is both a city and a national capital territory. The city of Delhi consists of two components – Old Delhi in the north and New Delhi in the south. Old Delhi is where most of the historical landmarks are located while New Delhi serves as the seat of India’s national governments hosting all three branches – executive, legislative and judicial. Among the locals, Delhi and New Delhi are used interchangeable but this often leads to confusion among foreign visitors. Delhi is of great historical significance as an important commercial, transport, and cultural hub, as well as the political centre of India.

Our full-day sightseeing takes in Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi memorial), Jama Masjid (historic and largest mosque in India), Qutub Minar (minaret, UNSECO Heritage Site), Humayun’s Tomb. Our schedule also includes a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk – a traditional market district of narrow streets crowded with shops selling all kinds of spices, dried fruits, jewelry,  saris, etc.

Day 4: New Delhi – Paro – Thimphu (B/L/D)
The morning flight from Delhi to Paro airport, the only international airport in Bhutan, takes less than one and half hours. We transfer to Thimpu immediately on arrival. During the one-hour drive to Bhutan’s capital, the visitor can’t help but marvel at the well protected environment.

After lunch we visit the Memorial Chorten (temple) built in memory of the late 3rd king. Afterwards, we proceed to Changangkha Lhakhang, an ancient temple offering a panoramic view of Thimphu Valley. Later in the afternoon, we tour Tashichho Dzong, a fortress that houses the throne of the king and serves as the seat of the Bhutanese government.

Day 5: Thimphu (B/L/D)
In the morning we visit a local market where residents from the surrounding villages come to buy and sell. This is followed by a tour of the School of Arts and Crafts where students learn 13 different forms of traditional arts including sculpture and furniture making.

Afternoon schedule includes the National Museum, National Library, and Bhutan Post Office where you can order stamps of your own design!

Day 6: Thimphu – Punakha (B/L/D)
After breakfast we drive three hours to subtropical Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. On a clear day, the Dochula Pass en-route provides spectacular view of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. Prior to arrival at the hotel, we hike through lush rice paddies to Chimi Lakhang (temple of fertility and phallus worship) located on a hilltop.

If time allows, we’ll also visit a school today.

Day 7: Punakha (B/L/D)
We begin the day with a visit to Punakha Dzong, a historical fortress exemplifying the best of traditional Bhutanese architecture. After the visit, we go for a hike to lookout points for bird’s-eye view of the magnificent dzong.

Day 8: Punakha – Phobjika Valley (B/L/D)
After breakfast we drive 2 hours further east to Phobjikha valley. The scenic drive is simply breathtaking. This valley is paradise for nature lovers and hosts a protected sanctuary for the endangered Black-necked Cranes which migrate here every winter.

After lunch at a farmer’s house, we spend two and half hours to hike from the bottom of the valley to the hilltop Gangtey Monastery. A monk-led meditation session is arranged.

Day 9: Phobjikha Valley – Paro (B/L/D)
Free morning to explore on your own. We drive back to Paro (5 hours) after lunch.

Day 10: Paro (B/L/D)
Paro Taktsang, better known as Tiger’s Nest, is probably Bhutan’s most prominent Buddhist monastery. It is situated on a steep cliff side overlooking Paro Valley. The hike up to the monastery this morning takes 3 hours.

Afternoon sightseeing at Rinpung Dzong. The dzong is a practising monastery that also serves as the government offices of the district.

Day 11: Paro – New Delhi (B/L/D)
Travel back to Delhi by morning flight. We spend the rest of the day exploring the National Museum of India, and Swaminarayan Akshardham – a Hindu temple opened in 2005 that functions more like a museum showcasing millennia of traditional and modern Hindu culture, spirituality and architecture.

Day 12: Return Home (B)
No activity is planned for today. Your transfer to the airport accompanied by a guide is included in the tour price.

Dates & Prices

Prices are based on double occupancy. See Terms & Conditions for cancellation penalty. Scroll down for price inclusions & exclusions.