India Taj Mahal and Bhutan Tiger’s Nest Monastery Tour - 8 days

Delhi, the capital of India shares air connectivity with almost all the countries in the world. You can fly into the Indira Gandhi International Airport from any of the major flying hubs in the globe. You can intimate us about your flight’s arrival in advance, and our representative will be there at the airport to pick you up. 

After a warm welcome, you will be transferred to your hotel, where you can sleep off your jet lag. Assuming that you will be jet lagged from your long flight, we have not planned any activity for today. We suggest you take a rest and enjoy a good sleep at your hotel. However, if you have the energy, you can explore some parts of the city on your own. But do be careful and alert while heading out alone, as it’s easy for tourists to get swindled in Delhi.

Overnight in Delhi. 

After breakfast at your hotel, you will begin your sightseeing tour of this old capital. Delhi, which is one of the oldest capital cities in the world, has been in existence for more than a millennia. The city is dotted with many interesting historical sites, and your guide will take you to visit the prime sightseeing spots.

You will begin your sightseeing tour with a visit to the Mehrauli Archeological Park, where the Qutb Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands. A victory minaret built by Qub-ud-din Aibak in 1192, it took nearly two centuries to completely construct the whole tower. Firoz Shah Tughlaq finally completed the construction of the red sandstone minaret in 1368. The tower is adorned with bands of inscriptions, verses from the Qur'an, intricate carvings, and finely sculpted brackets that support its four projecting balconies. It is built from red and buff sandstone, with the fourth and fifth stories also featuring marble. 

Inside the Qutb Minar complex you will also discover notable structures like the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque (a 12th-century mosque built from the remains of demolished Hindu temples); the Iron Pillar (a 7.20-meter-high pillar from the Gupta period, known for its rust-resistant properties and ancient inscription); the tomb of Iltutmish (the third sultan of the Delhi Sultanate); Alai Darwaza (a 14th-century gateway to the complex); Alai Minar (the unfinished base of a massive minaret that was intended to be taller than the Qutub Minar); and the tombs of  Ala ud-Din Khilji and Imam Zamin dating back to the sixteenth century.

After spending an insightful hour, you will visit another historical gem of the city, Humayun’s Tomb. A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Delhi, Humayun's Tomb is the 16th-century burial site of the Mughal Emperor Humayun. Built by his first wife, Empress Bega Begum, it is of particular cultural significance for being the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. Following the death of Emperor Humayun in 1556, his widow, Bega Begum, commissioned the tomb in 1569–70. She brought in the Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyath to design the mausoleum.

The main tomb is set within a meticulously designed Persian-style Charbagh Garden (a four-part garden) divided by water channels and walkways. This represents the rivers of paradise described in the Quran. The complex also contains over one hundred and fifty graves of various Mughal family members, earning it the nickname "dormitory of the Mughals."

Later you will explore a part of British-era heritage. The British ruled India for nearly two centuries. During their reign they built many structures reflecting various architectural styles, including Indo-Saracenic and Gothic Revival. These structures showcase the British colonial era's influence on urban development and design in India. You will explore the India Gate, a war memorial built to commemorate the sacrifice of 70,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who died in World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1931, it is built in the style of a triumphal arch.

Afterwards you will drive by the majestic Parliament House (Sansad Bhavan) and the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President’s House). Both these buildings were also built in the British era by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker. 

After a delightful tour, you will bid goodbye to Delhi and proceed towards the historic city of Agra. It is a smooth and comfortable ride on the Yamuna Expressway. Once you arrive at the city, you will be driven to your hotel, where you can rest and relax. 

Overnight in Agra. 

Wake up early in the morning and head to the Taj Mahal for a sunrise view of this magnificent monument of love. Known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal is a pristine white marble mausoleum located on the bank of the Yamuna River in Agra. A masterpiece of Mughal architecture, it was commissioned in 1631 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to honor his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It now houses both their tombs. 

The Taj Mahal was built between 1632 and 1648, and it involved over twenty thousand artisans from across the Mughal Empire and Central Asia. It is an outstanding example of Mughal architecture, which fuses Indian, Persian, and Islamic styles. The structure features perfect symmetry and intricate inlay work using precious and semi-precious stones. Designed by the main architect, Ustad Ahmad Lahouri, the Taj Mahal is designed to represent an earthly paradise and is often called a "symbol of eternal love." The ivory mausoleum also represents harmony, purity, and spirituality. 

Witness the rising sun casting a soft, golden glow on the white marble, creating a beautiful and unforgettable sight. Sunrise offers a tranquil experience with significantly fewer tourists than later in the day. Enjoy the peaceful environment while appreciating the monument's beauty, and take advantage of the soft, warm light and empty backdrops to make reels and take stunning photos.

Later you will visit the grand Agra Fort. For decades, Agra Fort served as the primary residence and seat of power for the Mughal emperors, including Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan, until the capital was moved to Delhi in 1638. Mughal emperor Akbar the Great began constructing the fort in 1565, transforming an older brick fort into a magnificent structure built with red sandstone and brick.

The fort houses many palaces, including the Jahangiri Mahal, showcasing Akbar's original architecture; the Khas Mahal, known for its elegant white marble construction by Shah Jahan; Shish Mahal, or the Glass Palace; Moti Masjid, or the Pearl Mosque, made of white marble; and Diwan-i-Aam, or the Hall of Public Audience, where the emperor met the commoners. Later, if time permits, you can visit the local market to shop for souvenirs. Leather products (bags, wallets, belts, and shoes), marble trinket boxes and inlaid plates, and embroidered clothes and rugs are some of the must-buy items in Agra. 

After the tour you will return to Delhi by road. 

Overnight in Delhi.

Today you will bid goodbye to India and head to your next destination, Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. An early morning flight from Delhi will bring you to the only international airport in Bhutan, Paro International Airport. The flight lasts for about two and a half hours and presents you with amazing views of the snow-covered Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Cho Oyu, and Makalu, which all come under the list of the world’s highest mountains. 

After arriving at the Paro International Airport, you will be received by your Bhutanese guide and driver, who will drive you to Thimphu. After the bustle, chaos, and pollution of Delhi, you will find the fresh air and peaceful and green surroundings of Bhutan a welcome change. The drive takes you past a picturesque landscape dotted with pristine rivers, verdant hills, and colorful prayer flags. After a drive of about two hours, you will finally reach the capital city. Head to your hotel and check in. Get refreshed and explore the local market in the late afternoon. 

If you arrive during the weekend, you will be able to visit the Centenary Farmer’s Market, where villagers come to sell their farm produce during the weekend. The market is lively and filled with fresh local produce and organic fruits and vegetables.  This is a great place to observe locals and engage with them. The Handicrafts Market, or the Crafts Bazaar, is another market that is quite popular among tourists. You can purchase various handicraft items and traditional textiles at this market. 

Overnight in Thimphu.

Your sightseeing tour begins with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten, which lies close to the city center. The white urn-shaped stupa was built in memory of the third king of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is credited for modernizing Bhutan. Inside the stupa are pictures of the late king, statues of Buddhist deities, and thankas (Buddhist scroll paintings). Later you will visit the Changkhangkha Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist lakhangs (temples) in Bhutan. The guardian deity of the temple, Tamdrin, is believed to protect small children. Therefore, parents of new born babies bring their child to this temple to receive blessings and an auspicious name to start their earthly journey. 

Next you will visit the Buddha Dordenma statue, which sits on a hill overlooking the Thimphu Valley. The Buddha Dordenma is the biggest statue of Lord Buddha in Bhutan. Completed in 2015, this enormous statue took about nine years to complete and was built to bring world peace and harmony. Standing at a height of 54 meters, this beautiful gilded statue of the sitting Buddha holds 125000 miniature statues of Sakyamuni Buddha inside its huge frame. 

Later you will leave Thimphu and proceed towards Punakha, your next destination. En route you will stop at the Dochula Pass and start your hike to Lungchutse Gompa. The Dochula Pass is famous for its panoramic views of the mountains and the 108 chortens built in memory of soldiers who lost their lives during a 2003 military operation. 

Carrying a small backpack holding a drinking water bottle and snacks, you will begin your hike from the trailhead. The path leads you gently up a forest decorated with prayer flags. The trail passes through a dense jungle filled with rhododendron, hemlock, and juniper trees. You can spot colorful Himalayan birds and butterflies as you walk on the moss-covered forest. 

As you walk close to the ridge where the monastery stands, you will come across a wide grassy meadow. Known as Pang Melong, this is a popular resting spot for hikers and a yak herders' camp. After walking for about half an hour, you will finally reach Lungchutse Gompa. 

The origins of the Lungchutse Gompa, or Buddhist monastery, date back to the seventeenth century, when it was founded by treasure discoverer Drukdra Dorji. The monastery is a sacred site where generations of Buddhist practitioners have sought enlightenment. It serves as a significant location for meditation and reflection, as its high-altitude setting is believed to be ideal for spiritual practice. Inside the monastery are intricately painted murals, statues of Buddhist deities, and sacred Buddhist artifacts.

From the monastery you can enjoy 360-degree views of the snow-covered Jomolhari, Gangchhenta, Masangang, and the great Gangkar Puensum, the tallest mountain in Bhutan. After taking pictures and enjoying the views, you will return to the pass via the same route. From Dochula Pass you will continue your journey and proceed towards Punakha, your next destination. During the ride you can enjoy idyllic views of farms and traditional Bhutanese houses and terraced fields. After a couple of hours you will finally reach Punakha. 

Punakha sits in a beautiful valley cradled by the two rivers of Po Chhu and Mo Chhu. The city served as the capital of Bhutan before Thimphu became the administrative headquarters of the kingdom. It still serves as the winter residence for the central monastic body of Bhutan. 

Upon reaching the city, you will head to your hotel and enjoy a much-deserved rest.

Overnight in Punakha.

After breakfast you will take a delightful ride to the trailhead leading to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. The chorten lies on top of a ridge on the sides of which are farmhouses and rice terraces. You will start your hike by crossing a suspension bridge built across the Mo Chhu river. Take a gentle ascent past terraced paddy fields, traditional farms, streams, and forests. You will encounter local farmers en route who will be busy working in their fields. After a brisk hike of about an hour, you will reach the chorten, which sits on a ridge overlooking Punakha Valley. 

The Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten was built in 1999 by the Queen Mother to bring peace to the world, ward off evil forces, and promote harmony and prosperity. The ornate four-story stupa offers a unique blend of natural beauty, spiritual tranquility, and cultural immersion. The stupa was built in strict accordance with traditional Bhutanese teachings and features wrathful deities and their statues on each floor.

After exploring the chorten, descend via the same route. Later you will visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong before leaving the city. As one of the largest and oldest dzongs in Bhutan, the Punakha Dzong is a prime example of majestic Bhutanese architecture. 

Also known as the "Palace of Great Happiness," the ancient fortress-monastery, which lies at the confluence of the Ma Chhu and Po Chhu rivers, dates back to the seventeenth century and houses administrative offices, sacred temples, monks' living quarters, and courtyards for religious ceremonies. While some areas are open to the public, others are restricted to royalty and senior clergy. The most sacred part of the dzong holds the embalmed body of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of Bhutan.

Later you will depart from Punakha and drive towards Paro. After reaching Paro, you can visit the Paro Dzong and Taa Dzong or the National Museum of Bhutan. The Paro Dzong is a seventeenth-century fortress-monastery that serves as a striking example of traditional Bhutanese dzong architecture, with its impressive structure and design. Also known as the Rinpung Dzong, it is home to the monastic body and contains numerous shrines, chapels, and sacred relics, making it a significant spiritual site for Bhutanese people. The Paro Dzong serves as a venue for the Paro Tshechu, the most important Buddhist festival celebrated in Paro. 

Above the Paro Dzong stands the Taa Dzong, which you will visit next. Taa Dzong, which houses the National Museum of Bhutan, provides a deep dive into Bhutan's past, with exhibits on everything from ancient weapons to traditional textiles, making it a significant landmark that reflects the country's journey through time. 

The Taa Dzong, with its unique circular shape and sturdy, thick stone walls, originally served as a watchtower. Built by the first governor of Paro, La Ngonpa Tenzin Drugdra, in the seventeenth century, the watchtower protected the Paro Dzong from marauders. The two-and-a-half-meter-thick walls of the dzong were built to withstand attacks from enemy forces. Now the seven-story watchtower has been converted into a museum and houses well-curated galleries that cover various aspects of Bhutanese culture, history, and tradition. 

There are over three thousand artifacts, with some dating back as far as 3000 BCE. An egg laid by a mule, a horse horn, and a stone axe dating back to the Stone Age are some of the interesting exhibits. Additionally, the location of Ta Dzong on a ridge offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Paro valley and surrounding mountains. After your sightseeing tour you will be driven back to your hotel. 

Overnight in Paro.

Today you will hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery, or Taktsang Monastery. After breakfast at your hotel, you will accompany your guide and driver and drive to the trailhead of the hike. The trek begins from the base of the hill where the monastery stands. It is a steep ascent to the top, which can be exhausting.

After purchasing the entrance tickets, you will follow your guide and head out of the car park into a picturesque conifer forest. The trail climbs up gently past small shrines and tall fir and cypress trees. Walk steadily without rushing and stop at intervals to take a rest. You can enjoy scenic views of the valley as you ascend higher. Wooden benches have been built on the side of the trail for hikers and pilgrims to rest. 

No matter in which season you go, you will always come across local pilgrims, as this is one of the holiest pilgrimage walking trails in Bhutan. It is believed that every Bhutanese should walk to the Taktsang Monastery once a year or at least once in a lifetime. The trail gets steeper as you go higher, and it's normal to feel a bit out of breath due to the high elevation. 

For those who cannot make the journey on foot, there are ponies for hire. You can rent a pony and ride on it till you reach the halfway point or the Taktsang Café. Beyond the café the ponies are not allowed on the trail. If you want to save your energy, hiring a pony would be a good option. However, be informed that the hiring charge for the pony is not included in the package cost. 

After an exhausting climb, you will reach the Taktsang Café, where you can stop for lunch and a brief rest. The monastery perched on a rocky cliff looks amazing from this point, and you can click pictures and selfies. Having filled up your belly, you will continue your hike and proceed towards your destination. The trail ascends up a hill and then levels off before reaching the staircase leading to the monastery. On the way there are small meditation huts for monks. You will climb down the concrete staircase built on the side of the rocky cliff and again take a steep ascent to reach the main monastery. 

The Taktsang Monastery is built on the steep face of a rocky cliff, which holds a cave where Padmasambhava, or the Second Buddha, meditated after flying into Bhutan on the back of a flying tigress. After meditating at this cave for three years, Guru Rinpochhe, or Padmasambhava, went out to spread Buddhism in Bhutan. This is a sacred spiritual site and a must-visit pilgrimage site for all Bhutanese people. 

Cameras and mobile phones are not allowed inside, so you will have to leave them in a locker. The monastery complex contains four main temples, including the main temple, which is dedicated to Guru Rinpoche. The walls of the temples are adorned with intricate and vibrant murals and frescoes, colorful silk thangkas depicting scenes from Buddhist theology, and intricate woodwork and carvings, showcasing the traditional craftsmanship of Bhutanese builders.

The most sacred part of the monastery is the cave where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated in the 8th century. The cave is located inside the Taktsang Pelphug temple and is opened to the public only once a year for a special occasion. Throughout the monastery, you can find statues of Chenrezig and Tara, as well as sacred relics, scriptures, and ritual objects. Besides the main cave, the monastery complex includes eight other caves where monks can stay for years at a time in meditation. 

After spending some time at the monastery, you will make your exit and descend via the same route. Once you reach the car park, you will board the vehicle and head to a local farm where you can enjoy a relaxing traditional hot stone bath. 

The hot stone bath is a traditional wellness practice where large river stones are heated over a fire and then placed in a wooden tub of water with medicinal herbs, which releases minerals and creates a deeply relaxing and rejuvenating experience. The heat from the water and minerals helps soothe stiff muscles, relieve joint pain, and promote better blood flow throughout the body. The warm, aromatic environment have a calming effect and promote mental well-being.

After a relaxing soak in the traditional wooden hot tub, you will have dinner with the local family and later return to your hotel. 

Overnight in Paro.

 Your exciting India Taj Mahal and Bhutan Tiger’s Nest Monastery Tour ends here, and you will finally bid goodbye to Paro. Your guide and driver will drop you off at the international airport, from where you can catch your flight to your next destination. If you wish to extend your holiday and spend more time in the Himalayas, please do let us know.

We have a range of interesting itineraries that offer amazing adventures in the Himalayan regions of Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China too.