India-Bhutan

Your adventure begins as you meet at Eleftherios Venizelos airport. After check-in and baggage drop, get ready for your flight, which includes a stopover. Our destination is impressive Delhi, the colourful capital of India, where unique experiences and amazing sights await you!

On your arrival in Delhi, our representative will greet you at the airport with a warm welcome and garlands of fresh flowers. You will be handed all the necessary documents before your transfer to the hotel.

The day begins with a fascinating tour of the heart of Old Delhi. We drive past the impressive Red Fort (Lal Qila), a masterpiece of Mughal architecture that bears witness to India’s rich history. We then visit the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, with enchanting views from its minarets. A stroll through Chandni Chowk, the old market with its narrow lanes, will take you back in time.

Next stops are Rajghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, and Gandhi Smriti, the house where Gandhi spent the last days of his life. Finally, you will visit the impressive Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, the most important Sikh temple in Delhi, where you can take part in its community activities.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to enchanting Paro in Bhutan, one of the most spectacular flights over the Himalayas, offering unique views of the snow-capped peaks.

On arrival in Thimphu, check in to the hotel. In the afternoon, a relaxing stroll along the shopping streets of Thimphu and a visit to the Local Handicrafts Bazaar, where you can buy beautiful traditional artworks and handmade products such as textiles, masks and carvings in wood and slate.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu (altitude 2400 m).

Additional visits, time permitting: Changlimithang Stadium, the Postal Museum and the Tashichho Dzong fortress.

After breakfast, you begin your tour of the great sights of the Thimphu valley. The first stop is the Zorig Chusum Institute, also known as the Painting School, where students are trained in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts. Next, a visit to the Textile Museum, which offers an in-depth look at the traditional art of weaving, so important to the country’s cultural identity.

The next stop is Simply Bhutan, a living museum showcasing Bhutan’s cultural heritage, and in the afternoon you will visit the unique Pangri Zampa, a school of astrology. Later, you will enjoy the panoramic view of the Thimphu valley from Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang), home to the giant statue of the Buddha, one of the largest in the world.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Additional visits: the Wildlife Reserve (to see the takin, Bhutan’s national animal) and Dechen Phodrang monastery

After breakfast, you set off by road for beautiful Punakha via the Dochula pass (3080 m), with wonderful views of the snow-capped peaks. On the way, you will visit Chimi Lhakhang, known as the temple of fertility, dedicated to the 15th-century saint Drukpa Kunley, known as the “Divine Madman”, who is said to have taught Buddhism through singing, drinking and scandalous sexual exploits. The road to the temple is lined with houses decorated with phallic symbols, in memory of the saint’s antics. As a promoter of fertility, the temple attracts childless couples from all over Bhutan and from abroad. Access is via a picturesque path through rice paddies and villages, offering an authentic taste of Bhutanese life.

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

After breakfast, departure for the secluded Phobjikha valley, home to the famous Gangtey monastery, built in the 17th century. This valley is the winter home of the black-necked cranes, which migrate from Tibet and are a symbol of prosperity for the region.

Overnight at the hotel in Gangtey.

Additional visit: Druk Wangyel Lhakhang, a royal temple dedicated to the warriors of Bhutan.

You will have the opportunity to attend the annual Black-necked Crane Festival in the Phobjikha valley, a celebration dedicated to the arrival of these majestic birds from Tibet. The festival highlights the cultural and ecological value of the cranes, with dances, musical events and traditional activities in which the locals take part.

You will also visit the Black-necked Crane Information Centre, which offers educational activities and the chance to observe the cranes through telescopes. The centre also hosts exhibitions on the natural and cultural history of the valley.

Overnight at the hotel in Gangtey.

After breakfast, departure from Gangtey towards Paro. Your journey will take you along the scenic road, offering panoramic views of Bhutan’s stunning landscapes. On the way, you will visit Simtokha Dzong, one of the oldest fortress-monasteries in the country, which today houses a school for learning the Dzongkha language.

On arrival in Paro, you will check in to your hotel. After lunch, you will visit Ta Dzong, an impressive building originally built as a watchtower that now houses the National Museum. There you will have the opportunity to see a rich collection of artworks, relics and traditional objects depicting Bhutan’s cultural heritage.

In the afternoon, you will visit a local farm, where you will get to know at first hand the daily life of the locals and the region’s traditional farming.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

After breakfast, there will be an excursion to the famous Taktshang monastery, or Tiger’s Nest. The hike to the monastery takes about 5 hours and it is one of the most famous and sacred places in Bhutan. The monastery is built on the edge of a cliff, 900 metres above the Paro valley, offering enchanting views over the landscape.

According to tradition, Guru Rinpoche arrived here riding a tigress and meditated at this monastery, which is where the name “The Tiger’s Nest” comes from. The site is considered one of the most sacred in Bhutan, and in 1646 it was visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the great unifier of the country. Today, every Bhutanese visits the monastery at least once in their lifetime as a sign of respect and faith.

After the excursion, return to the hotel for the overnight stay in Paro.

After an early breakfast at the hotel, you will leave for the airport for your flight to your next destination. On arrival in Delhi, you will receive assistance on arrival and a transfer to the hotel for check-in. In the evening you will enjoy dinner at the hotel, where you will stay overnight.

In the morning you will board the Shatabdi Express, a high-speed tourist train, to Haridwar. On arrival, you will be transferred to Rishikesh and check in to your hotel. In the evening, you will be taken to Triveni Ghat to watch the Aarti ceremony, a spiritual ceremony of light on the banks of the river Ganges. After the ceremony, return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, there will be a tour of the town, during which you will visit the Sivananda Ashram, Kailashnanda, Bharat Mandir and the famous Beatles Ashram, where the Beatles lived and meditated in the ’60s. The afternoon is free to explore the area further. Dinner and overnight at the hotel

After breakfast, the day is free for personal activities. In the evening, there will be an excursion to Haridwar to watch the Aarti ceremony on the banks of the river Ganges. You will also visit the Vashishta Gufa temple, a cave temple of spiritual significance. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, the day is free until midday, when you will enjoy a farewell lunch at the hotel or at a local restaurant. You will then be transferred to Haridwar to board the afternoon Shatabdi Express to Delhi. On your evening arrival in Delhi, you will receive assistance on arrival and a transfer to Delhi airport for your flight.