Hiking and Wellness Tour of Bhutan & India

(14 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Delhi, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Himalayas & Rishikesh

This private luxury tour combines active and cultural touring and hiking through the beautiful landscapes of Bhutan with ample time to relax and rejuvenate during a wellness program at an Ayurvedic resort in the Himalayas.

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, visiting the Lodhi Gardens and more.

Next, fly to Paro, Bhutan, and transfer 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 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 and continue into the foothills of the Himalayas for a stay at Ananda in the Himalayas, a luxury spa retreat on a former royal estate. During your stay, consult with an in-house Ayurvedic expert, and partake of Ananda's wonderful spa treatments and spa cuisine aimed at reducing stress and increasing well-being. Also enjoy the many facilities and activities such as yoga, nature walks and temple visits.

Explore the holy town of Rishikesh, which is famous for yoga and ashrams, before returning to Delhi for a night.

A highlight of this tour is staying at incredible luxury lodges that offer the opportunity to experience traditional hospitality, design, cuisine and spa treatments, as well as spectacular views of the surrounding nature.