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 cooking classes, nature walks and more.

Begin in Delhi, the vibrant capital of India. During private touring with your expert local guide, experience the best of Old and New Delhi: tour historic attractions and UNESCO sites such as the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutb Minar and Jama Masjid; 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; and visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum, Crafts Museum or other specialty museums. Other options include culinary touring, personalized shopping tours, visiting the Lodhi Gardens, philanthropic activities and more.

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.

Next, 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. During private touring, see Bhutanese cultural treasures in the National Museum, admire the views from Paro Dzong, visit important temples, and browse for locally made crafts and Buddhist items in the traditional wooden storefronts on Paro’s charming main street. Depending on your interests, touring can also include a biking excursion and a private Bhutanese archery lesson. 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. Upon request, we can arrange 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 during your private Bhutan tour, such as attending festivals, blessings by Buddhist monks, private meditation lessons, butter lamp lighting ceremonies at Buddhist temples, hiking tours and more. A highlight of our private Bhutan tours is staying at incredible luxury lodges that offer the opportunity to experience traditional Bhutanese hospitality, design, cuisine and spa treatments, as well as spectacular views of the surrounding nature.

Return to India to visit Agra and 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.

Next, visit Fatehpur Sikri, a former capital of the Mughal Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to Jaipur, the famed Pink City of Rajasthan. During 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. One evening, enjoy a fascinating aarti religious ceremony at a white marble Hindu temple.

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. Also enjoy an insider culinary experience at the home of a prestigious local family. One day, take a private excursion to see interesting local temples and enjoy a memorable lunch in an 18th-century palace with amazing views.

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 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) (formerly known as the 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 and the Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO-listed site of rock-cut Hindu cave temples. Artisans of Leisure can also make reservations at Mumbai’s top restaurants or arrange tickets for Bollywood shows.

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 Bhutan. VIP arrival assistance. Private arrival transfer to 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 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 luxury lodge for 2 nights. Afternoon private tour Day 8 Paro & Tiger’s Nest Private hiking excursion Day 9 Paro – Delhi, India – Agra Private transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. VIP arrival assistance. Private arrival transfer to Agra and hotel for 2 nights Day 10 Agra Full-day private tour, including sunrise and/or sunset Taj Mahal visits Day 11 Agra – Jaipur Private transfer to hotel for 2 nights, with optional tour of Fatehpur Sikri en route Day 12 Jaipur Full-day private city tour Day 13 Jaipur – Udaipur Private transfer to airport for flight to Udaipur. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights Day 14 Udaipur Full-day private city tour, including lunch at private home or palace and private cruise on Lake Pichola Day 15 Udaipur Continue private city touring or excursion to Jain Temples at Ranakpur Day 16 Udaipur – Mumbai Private transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon private tour. Evening Bollywood movie Day 17 Mumbai Full-day private tour, including boat ride to Elephanta Island Day 18 Depart Mumbai Private airport transfer. VIP departure assistance

Hotels

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

Cost

Upon Request