India Nepal Tibet Bhutan In-Depth Tour-33 Days

Today, you will firstly explore the Old Delhi, locate in the north of Delhi. Raj Ghat is a memorial, which is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. He is the father of India, and led India independence from British colonial rule. Then, head to Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India.

In the afternoon, go to the New Delhi, the economic and administrative center of India. Unlike Old Delhi, the streets are wide and tidy here. You will visit India Gate, 26 meters high, and looks like the arc DE triomphe in France. It is the landmark of India. Last, sightsee Qutab Minar. It is the highest minaret in India and is known as one of the seven wonders of Hindustan.

Stay overnight in Delhi.

Today, keep your journey from Delhi to Jaipur. The biggest feature of Jaipur is pink. On the streets of Jaipur, you can see the buildings are neatly arranged, and with Pink walls, pink windows, pink domes. Besides, you will pass idyllic Indian villages and Aravalli hills on the way to Jaipur.

Stay overnight in Jaipur.

After breakfast, leave for Amber Fort, a must see in Jaipur. It was the capital of the ancient maharaja of India, founded in 1592. You can take an elephant ride here. Then, head to City Palace, one of the best-preserved monuments in India. It was built in 1729, and contains a large number of ornaments, carpets, weapons, etc. Finally, go to Jantar Mantar. It was built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II.

Stay overnight in Jaipur.

Today, drive to Agra from Jaipur. On the way, you will visit Chand Baori, a stepwell situated in the village of Abhaneri. It consists of 3,500 narrow steps over 13 stories, and it is one of the deepest and largest stepwells in India. Besides, you will sightsee Fatehpur Sikri.

Stay overnight in Agra.

Taking a train from Agra to Orchha. Through the window, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. As you arrive in Orchha, we will transfer you to the hotel. After checking in, you are about to visit Orchha Fort.

Stay overnight in Orchha.

Today, you will sightsee Tarrggram, a paper-making plant. You can learn about the traditional paper-making techniques there. Then, you can take a light-hearted cycling tour. Finally, board the overnight train to Varanasi.

Stay overnight in the Train.

After checking in the hotel, and taking a break, you will tour Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga. It is one of the most important Hinduism temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Stay overnight in Varanasi.

Get up early and enjoy morning boating in the Ganges. You can view special sceneries on both sides. Then, drive to Sarnath, one of the four sacred sites of Buddhism in ancient India. Here, Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma. And you can experience the Hindu ritual Aarti, performed at the Dashashwamedh Ghat.

Stay overnight in Varanasi.

Today, you will cross the border from Varanasi to Lumbini, Nepal. After arriving in Lumbini, you can visit Lumbini Garden, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

Stay overnight in Lumbini.

In the morning, travel from Lumbini to Chitwan National Park. You will experience some safari activities with the in-house expert naturalists including Bird watching, Elephant bathing and canoeing.

Stay overnight at Chitwan.

Early morning you visit the Jungle to refresh your spirit of adventure on a guided walk through the national park, returning to the lodge in time for breakfast. You will also visit the small village of Tharu ethnic group to get a sense of what their world and lives are like through interactions with the locals. A special sundowner can be suggested at the confluence of the Rapti River amidst spectacular sunset view.

Stay overnight in Chitwan.

After breakfast, you will leave for Kathmandu. As you arrive in Kathemandu, we will transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to have a good rest or explore around.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Kathmandu’s Durbar Square is one of three durbar (royal palace) squares in the Kathmandu Valley. It is the site of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Complex, which was the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and where important ceremonies taken place. Swayambhunath the golden spire of the 5th-century Swayambhu stupa is adorned with a colorful fluttering of prayer flags; it crowns a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley and offers fantastic views over the city of Kathmandu.

The last site we visit for today is Patan City which is the second largest town in Kathmandu valley. Patan’s central Durbar Square is entitled in the World Heritage Site and absolutely packed with temples, the Golden Temple which is the unique Buddhist Monastery was founded in the 12th century, is a large rectangular building has three roofs and a copper gilded facade with the images of Buddha and Avalokitesvara where there are Buddha images and illustrations on the walls.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Pashupatinath the most important Hindu temple in Nepal, the old buildings on the site were destroyed by Moslem invaders in the 14th century, its stone linga smashed to dust, but it rose again behind their retreating backs. Succeeding monarchs reinstated the temple and the images. Bouddhanath is among the largest stupas in South Asia, and it has become the focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The white mound looms thirty-six meters overhead. The stupa is located on the ancient trade route to Tibet, and Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers here for many centuries.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a conglomeration of pagoda and shikhara style temples grouped around a fifty-five-window palace of brick and wood. The square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights the ancient arts of Nepal.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Fly to Lhasa in the morning. The air journey is just around 2 hours. You will be shocked by amazing Himalaya mountain range, the mountains which over 8000m are just moving across you, and you cannot see the side of the snow-capped mountains. Arrive Lhasa Gongar International Airport, tour guide will await you outside the arrival area. Transfer for your stay at Lhasa. In the afternoon, you need to stay at hotel to acclimatize the high altitude.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast, we go to the Potala Palace, a golden feather upon the roof of the world, which Tibetans proudly claim to be the prime miracle since the creation of this world. It is visible from any distance, with the golden roof shinning in the sun, spend one hour wondering around the inside of this magnificent building exploring the rooms previously used by the Dalai Lama and the many Buddhist icons within.

In the afternoon we go inside of the Jokhang Temple. The Jokhang, like most of the larger temple structures have numerous individual temples within it dedicated to specific enlightened beings, protectors, high lamas, or saints. Images, both sculpted and painted, are everywhere. Every inch of wall and ceiling is brightly painted with images of clouds, beings, mandalas, or decorative patterns. Colorful silk banners, three stories high, hang in various places. Color, pattern, and images crowd in around you. The central image inside the building is a 30-foot high gilded image of Maitreya Buddha.

Then stroll around the back alleys of the Barkhor Street of Old Lhasa. The streets smelled of yak butter and incense while hordes of pilgrims shuffled along the main Kora (circumambulations) around Jokhang Temple. If someone just walked at a normal pace, one kora would take about 15-20 minutes.

Stay Overnight in Lhasa.

In the morning, you will have a tour for Drepung Monastery, the ever-largest monastery with more than 10 thousand monks, Buddhist debates often occur there. Seen from afar, its grand, white construction gives the monastery the appearance of a heap of rice. As such, it was given its name which, in the Tibetan language, means Monastery of Collecting-Rice. Learn about the lives of Tibetan monks there.

In the afternoon, you are going to visit Sera Monastery, have a little hike for the beautiful valley scenery nearby and picnic there. Sera monastery was created in 1419 and has always been an important Buddhist seminary. As rose are planted everywhere in the monastery, it is also called “the court of wild rose”. Today still 200 lamas live in there. You may have the chance to watch the famous Monks Debate (usually from 15:00 to 17:00) before returning to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

In the morning, drive from Lhasa to Shigatse. On the way, drive over the Gampala pass (4790 m), and tourists will have a glimpse of Yamdrok-tso (4400m). The Lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and in the distance, clients can have spectacular views of Holy Mount NyenchenKhangsar, (7191m) the highest mountain near Lhasa. Gyantse was historically Tibet’s third largest city (after Lhasa and Shigatse). In Gyantse, tourists will visit the famous Pelkor Monastery and Gyantse Kumbum. After one and a half driving, we arrive in Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet. In Shigatse, tourists will visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of Tibet’s second highest incarnation, the Panchen Lama.

Stay overnight in Shigatse.

Drive to Lhatse, it is a small town where tourists can have lunch. Then, head to Shegar and if the weather is clear enough then on the way down to Shegar tourists will view the Mount Everest in the distance. After 4 to 6 hours’ drive, tourists will arrive at Rongbuk monastery but on the way, they will pass one of the highest Passes in Tibet (pang la pass height 5050m) from that’s pass they will view the whole five highest peaks in the world.

Stay overnight in Rongbuk Tent Guest house or local Tibetan Tent.

In the morning, you may see the sunrise appearing on the summit of Mount Everest and you can get to Everest Base Camp by  trekking.

After visiting EBC, we need to drive to Saga County via the old Tingri road, which passes through the desolate plain of Digur Tang. You can see the snow peaks of mount Everest and Mout Shishapangma (8012m) en route. Then descending into the depression of Peikhu-tso Lake (4600m).

Finally, we will drive to Saga, a small town that is 69 km away from Pelkhu tso Lake.

Stay overnight in Saga.

In the morning, we will first be driving about 167 km from Saga town to Drongpa County, which is at the sources of Brahmaputra River.

Next, we will make a small detour to the Lake Manasarovar, the holy lake of both Tibetan and Hinduism. You can a relaxing trip around the lake shore and experience the natural beauty of the Lake Manasarova with snowcapped mountains on the background. You may also see many pilgrims praying and circling around the lake shore. In late afternoon, we will reach Darchen, a small town at the foot of Mount Kailash.

Stay overnight in Darchen.

Today, you will firstly take the environment-friendly bus from Darchen to Sarshung village, where your porters are waiting for you. The 8 kilometers’ journey takes about 40 minutes by bus. Then we start to trek.

After two hours, we come upon a grassy plain populated by nomads. For this turn in the valley it is another two hours at least before reaching Drirapuk (4920m).

Stay overnight in Guest House.

Today, start the hardest and most tough circuit with the Dolma-la pass, which is lying 6.4km ahead but 762m above Drirapuk.

It is better to set off early in the morning as the sun rays break over the ridges above the peak of Dolma-la pass at 5630m above the sea level.

After taking a rest at the peak of Dolma-la pass, you will take about one hour from the pass down to Lhachu valley floor, from which there is still four hours trekking to today’s final destination with no shelters on the way. It is better to walk on the right side of the river and finally get to Dzultripuk (with miracle cave of milarepa).

Take a good rest in the guest room and prepare for next morning’s departure.

Stay overnight in Guest House.

The last trekking day starts from a trip to Milarepa’s Cave, where the temple and shrines have been built around. Then we walk back to Darchen is easy and the exit from the valley can be reached within three hours.

At the ending point of the valley, the driver will come to pick you and take you back to Darchen.

Stay overnight in Darchen.

Drive back to Saga from Darchen. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Saga at your leisure.

Stay overnight in Saga.

Today we will drive Gyirong from Saga. Today’s driving is amazing with excellent views of Himalaya Mountains, a lot of wildlife including wild horses, wolves, foxes, deer, gazelle, black-necked cranes as well as yaks and sheep.

Stay overnight in Gyirong.

In the morning, our Tibetan guide will escort you to Gyirong border. Then, you are kindly required to hike on your own to cross the border bridge which is 50m long, then check in Nepal side,

After you get to Nepal side, please find our guide. The guide will accompany you in a comfortable vehicle to the hotel in downtown (7-8hours’ ride) and help you with the check-in procedure. The rest of the day is left for you to have a good rest or to become familiar with the capital city of Nepal by yourself.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Tashi Delek and welcome to Bhutan. Our local representative will greet you at the only international airport in Bhutan that is located in Paro(2262m), Western Bhutan. Later we will head to Thimphu (50km, about 1.5h) via the sightseeing to Tamchog Lhakhang Iron Bridge, Buddha Dordenma Statue, National Memorial Chorten, or Bhutan Post Office Headquarters if time permit. Then check in at your sweet hotel in the capital city for a good rest while getting used to the time difference.

Tamchog Lhakhang (Tachog Lhakhang, Tamchog Lhakhang Iron Bridge) is located by the Paro river on the way to Thimphu from Paro. To get to the temple we must walk across a unique iron chain bridge with colorful fluttering prayer flags. Both the Lhakhang and the iron bridge are built by the saint Thangthong Gyalpo (1385-1464, Tibetan polymath). As the “King of the Empty Plain”, Thangthong Gyalpo is now commonly known as the “Iron Bridge Maker”. Enjoy his pioneering old-aged buildings left till today.

Buddha Dordenma Statue (Kuenselphodrang, Buddha Point) is a landmark of Thimphu city and you can have a great view of the Thimphu Valley there. With 51.5m in height, built of bronze and gilded in gold, the statue is famed as the largest sitting Shakyamuni statue in the world and there are 125,000 smaller Buddha statues placed within it. The statue was finished in 2015(built for 9years) to fulfill an ancient prophecy to emanate an aura of happiness and peace all over the world.

National Memorial Chorten is the most visited landmark of Thimphu which was built in 1974 in memory of the Third King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk(the Father of Modern Bhutan) by his mother. Due to the idea of Jigme Dorji, this stupa is dedicated to world peace and prosperity. It is a Tibetan-style chorten with amazing paintings and brilliant sculptures, you can see the classical stupa pattern like the pyramidal pillar crowned by a crescent moon and sun. It is also a good place to meet local Bhutanese people circumambulating the Chorten throughout the day in a clockwise direction for praying.

Bhutan Post Office Headquarters (the General Post Office) is located near Changlam Square in Thimphu. It is home to the world’s largest photo book and the most interesting collection of Bhutanese stamps. Only in this post office, you can get your personalized stamps (the stamp of your face). Great surprise to send your family and friends a postcard with your face on the stamp! (Open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 17:00 during Summer and 9:00 to 16:00 during Winter. Do note that it is closed for lunch from 13:00 to 14:00).

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Today, we will explore Bhutan’s capital city Thimphu through Takin Sanctuary, Folk Heritage Museum, School of Arts and Crafts, Trashichho Dzong, Zilukha Nunnery, and Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory. 

Motithang Takin Preserve (Takin Sanctuary, Takin Zoo) is a wildlife reserve area for Takin (Budorcas taxicolor), the national animal of Bhutan. Drukpa Kunley (Divine Madman), the famous Tibetan saint, is said to be responsible for the creation of this unique creature called Takin which has the head of a goat and the body of a cow.

Folk Heritage Museum (Phelchey Toenkhyim) was established on July 28th, 2001 with the initiative of Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (the Queen Mother of Bhutan). It is set inside a three-storied, 19th-century traditional house and provides visitors with a glimpse of the traditional Bhutanese lifestyle, artifacts from rural households, collection of typical household objects, tools, and equipment. The museum also organizes regular demonstrations of rural traditions, skills, habits, and customs as well as hosts educational programs for children.

School of Arts and Crafts (Thimphu National Institute for Zorig Chusum), established by the Government of Bhutan in 1971, is an institute that nurtures exemplary craftsmanship in Zorig Chusum (13 Arts and Crafts). In the Institute, thirteen skills are taught to students. These thirteen art forms are Traditional Painting (Lhazo), Sculpturing (Jinzo), Wood Carving (Shagzo), Calligraphy (Yigzo), Papermaking (Dezo), Bronze Casting (Lugzo), Embroidery (Tshemazo), Weaving (Thagzo), Carpentry (Parzo), Masonry (Dozo), Bamboo and cane weaving (Tshazo), Gold/Silver Smithy (Trozo), Black smithy (Garzo).

Tashichho Dzong (Thimphu Dzong) is located on the right side of the Wangchu River in the northern part of Thimphu city. As the “Fortress of the glorious religion”, it houses the throne room of His Majesty the King, government offices, and the central monk body. Thimphu Dzong was initially erected in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s. There are two main entrances in the Tashichho Dzong. One leads to the administrative section to the south and the other one (at the north) leads to the monastic quarter where festivals and dances are performed.

Zilukha Nunnery (Drubthob Goemba Monastery) lies on the slopes of Thimphu and is above the Golf Course. Founded in 1976 by Rikel Jadren, an emanation of Thangthong Gyalpo from Tibet, it was designed in traditional Bhutanese fashion. Houses with around to 70 nuns, it is the biggest nunnery in Bhutan. A visit to the site can give you good chance to know about their lifestyle and get a nice view of the Tashichho Dzong.

After lunch, we will drive from Thimphu to Punakha crossing Dochula pass at 3100mtrs where you can see the 108 beautiful chortens built by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. From this pass, on a clear day, you can have a superb view of the highest peaks in Bhutan.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Get up in the morning to visit Punakha Dzong, widely believed to be the most beautiful Bhutanese Dzong, built at the confluence of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu Rivers. Never miss the Punakha festival around mid-Feb if you come at the right time.

After touring Punakha, we are about to drive back to Paro. In the afternoon, we head to the National Museum of Bhutan, which looks like a round watchtower. You can trace back to the ancient Bhutan history and explore the diverse wild lives as well as splendid local culture and arts. Then we drive to visit Drukgyel Dzong, where you can enjoy the enchanting village lying at its foot.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Today, we will enjoy the wonderful trek to Taktshang Goemba, also known as Tiger’s Nest. Perched on the cliff of Paro Valley, Taktshang Goemba (3120 meters) is the landmark of Paro as well as the holiest temple in Bhutan. It’s said that Guru Rinpoche had flied here on the back of a tigress and meditated in the caves on the cliffside for three months. From here, you can catch a panoramic view of Paro Valley.

In the afternoon, you may opt for a stone bath or enjoy free exploration nearby.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Our guide will pick you up from the hotel and send you to the airport so that you can board the flight back home after this pleasant tour. Tour service end.