Best of Bhutan & India

(18 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Delhi, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai

This comprehensive luxury tour is an ideal combination of two fascinating destinations: India and Bhutan. It features private touring of highlights such as the Taj Mahal, Tiger’s Nest Monastery and Rajasthani forts, as well as activities such as a cooking class, nature walks and private meetings with local experts.

Begin in Delhi, the vibrant capital of India. During private touring with your expert local guide, experience the best of Old and New Delhi: ride a rickshaw through bustling markets and bazaars overflowing with spices, bangles and saris; browse fashionable districts filled with galleries and boutiques selling beautiful Indian crafts and decorative items; tour historic attractions and UNESCO sites such as Humayun’s Tomb, Qutb Minar, Jama Masjid and the Red Fort; and visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum, Crafts Museum or other specialty museums. Other options include culinary touring, personalized shopping tours and visiting the Lodhi Gardens.

Next, fly to Paro, Bhutan. Continue to Thimphu, the bustling capital of Bhutan and one of the best places to experience Bhutanese heritage. During private touring, visit important Buddhist sites, local markets, crafts workshops (Buddhist thangkas, sculptures, weavings and more) and museums to learn about Bhutanese traditions and history. Artisans of Leisure will also arrange a visit to Tashichho Dzong, an impressive traditional fortress that’s the seat of the Bhutanese government, and, if desired, a meeting with a local astrologer, an important figure in Bhutanese daily life. Depending on your interests, touring can also include privately guided hikes to temples and monasteries in the foothills of the Himalayas, visiting a handmade paper factory, a private Bhutanese cooking lesson at a local home, a visit to the takin preserve to see Bhutan’s unusual national animal, watching an archery competition and private meditation sessions with monks.

Enjoy a scenic transfer through the mountains to Punakha, the ancient winter capital of Bhutan. Stop en route at Dochu La Pass to see its 108 chortens and take in views of the snow-capped Himalayas. Descend into Punakha, a subtropical valley filled with rhododendrons, banana plants and rice paddies. During private touring, visit Chimi Lhakhang fertility temple, enjoy peaceful walks through farming villages, light a butter lamp at a local Buddhist temple, tour stunning Punakha Dzong, visit a Buddhist nunnery in the hills and take a short hike to a hillside chorten with panoramic views. Depending on your interests, touring can also include hikes to mountain monasteries, blessings by monks, private river rafting, a tour of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and other top activities around Punakha.

Continue to Paro, a picture-perfect Bhutanese town in a verdant river valley and the base for visiting iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery. During private touring, see Bhutanese cultural treasures in the National Museum, admire the views from Paro Dzong, and browse for locally made crafts and Buddhist items in the traditional wooden storefronts on Paro’s charming main street. One day, enjoy a privately guided excursion to Tiger's Nest, a breathtaking cliffside Buddhist monastery (also known as Taktsang Goemba) that’s a highlight of Bhutan. Depending on your interests, touring can also include a biking excursion and a private Bhutanese archery lesson. Artisans of Leisure can also arrange yoga sessions and a traditional Bhutanese hot-stone bath—the perfect way to relax after the hike to Tiger’s Nest.

Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities in Bhutan, such as attending festivals, blessings by Buddhist monks, private meditation lessons, butter lamp lighting ceremonies at Buddhist temples, hiking tours and more.

Return to India for an overnight stay in Delhi and enjoy shopping and sightseeing as desired. Continue to Agra to visit the spellbinding Taj Mahal, the world’s greatest monument to love and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During a private tour, learn about the history of the ornate marble mausoleum, and admire the incredible craftsmanship of inlaid stone decorations and carved marble screens. Also visit local marble studios, markets and Agra Fort. Stay at the beautiful Oberoi Amarvilas in a room with an open view of the Taj Mahal.

Continue to Jaipur, the famed Pink City of Rajasthan. During flexible private touring, see the highlights of the vast City Palace, admire the beautiful carved sandstone facade of the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Wind), and walk around the sculpture-like structures of the Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One day, visit Amber Fort, an impressive hilltop fortress and UNESCO site, and see its spectacular Sheesh Mahal, a room covered in dazzling mirror mosaics. Jaipur is also known for bazaars, shops and decorative arts, and there will be time to experience the top boutiques, woodblock print studios, jewelry stores, markets and museums. If desired, also experience the city’s beautiful cafes and other architectural highlights. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange visits to local philanthropic projects. One evening, enjoy a fascinating aarti religious ceremony at a white marble Hindu temple.

Next, fly to Udaipur, a beautiful city built around lakes and hills. During private touring, enjoy a private cruise on Lake Pichola, tour the City Palace and Jagdish Temple, visit Saheliyon Ki Bari Garden, see decorative arts highlights, walk through whitewashed backstreets, browse local bazaars, and visit local studios specializing in miniature paintings and folk art. One day, take a private excursion to see interesting local temples and enjoy a memorable lunch in an 18th-century palace with amazing views. Another day, Artisans of Leisure will arrange an insider culinary experience at the home of a prestigious local family. During leisure time, enjoy the luxurious facilities at the lavish Oberoi Udaivilas resort.

Conclude in exciting Mumbai (Bombay), the economic capital of India and the home of the Bollywood film industry. During private touring, explore the lively food and art scene, walk along the waterfront, visit the most interesting neighborhoods to browse boutiques or stop in cafes, visit Crawford Market, tour top cultural attractions such as Prince of Wales Museum and UNESCO-listed Victorian architecture, walk through bazaars dedicated to flowers and jewelry, tour contemporary art galleries or see Dhobi Ghat, a famous open-air laundry. Upon request, we can also arrange Jewish touring or in-depth culinary touring in Mumbai. One day, take a private boat ride to Elephanta Island to see the Elephanta Caves—rock-cut Hindu cave temples that are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Artisans of Leisure can also make reservations at Mumbai’s top restaurants or tickets for Bollywood shows.

A highlight of this tour is staying at incredible luxury lodges and luxury hotels that offer the opportunity to experience traditional Bhutanese and Indian hospitality, design, cuisine and spa treatments.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Delhi, India VIP arrival assistance. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 2 Delhi Full-day private tour Day 3 Delhi – Paro, Bhutan – Thimphu Private transfer to airport for flight to Paro, Bhutan. VIP arrival assistance and private transfer to Thimphu luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route Day 4 Thimphu Full-day private cultural touring and option for hiking Day 5 Thimphu – Punakha Private transfer to Punakha luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route Day 6 Punakha Full-day private cultural touring and customized hiking and activities Day 7 Punakha – Paro Private transfer to Paro luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route Day 8 Paro & Tiger’s Nest Private hiking excursion to Tiger’s Nest Monastery Day 9 Paro – Delhi, India Private transfer to airport for business-class flight to Delhi, India. VIP arrival assistance and private arrival transfer to luxury hotel for 1 night. Afternoon private guide and driver at disposal for flexible shopping and touring Day 10 Delhi – Agra Private transfer to luxury hotel for 1 night. Afternoon private tour of Agra and Taj Mahal Day 11 Agra – Jaipur Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal, if desired. Private transfer to luxury hotel for 2 nights, with visit to Fatehpur Sikri en route Day 12 Jaipur Full-day flexible private touring and shopping Day 13 Jaipur – Udaipur Private transfer to airport for flight to Udaipur. Private arrival transfer to luxury hotel for 3 nights. Afternoon private boat ride on lake Day 14 Udaipur Full-day flexible private tour Day 15 Udaipur Full-day flexible private touring and shopping or private excursion to nearby temples and gourmet lunch at a palace Day 16 Udaipur – Mumbai Private transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai. Private arrival transfer to luxury hotel for 2 nights. Evening Bollywood movie Day 17 Mumbai Full-day private tour, including boat ride to Elephanta Island Day 18 Depart Mumbai Private airport transfer

Hotels

Delhi: The Leela Palace, The Oberoi New Delhi or The Imperial New Delhi Thimphu: Amankora Thimphu or Six Senses Thimphu Punakha: Six Senses Punakha, Amankora Punakha or Pemako Punakha Paro: Amankora Paro or COMO Uma Paro Agra: The Oberoi Amarvilas Jaipur: Rambagh Palace, The Oberoi Rajvilas or Rajmahal Palace Udaipur: The Oberoi Udaivilas Mumbai: The Taj Mahal Palace or The Oberoi Mumbai

Cost

$32,325 Per person (double occupancy)