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What
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India > Mountain Kingdoms
& the Taj
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A very special tour designed for those who wish for nothing less than a really rarefied experience. A visit to the Taj Mahal, combined with a trip along the cradle of the Himalayas. From the tiny Hindu kingdom of Nepal, to the magic of Bhutan, and proceeding from there to the last Himalayan Shangri-La, Sikkim and the hill resort of Darjeeling in eastern India. Day 1: Arrive in Delhi and check in at your preferred hotel. Day 2: Discover the capital of India, a city of contrasts. Where the remains of seven ancient cities coexist with modern day lifestyle and amenities. Visit the Red Fort and the Qutub Minar, the Jama Masjid and Humayun’s Tomb, the Parliament House, India Gate and the National Museum. Delhi’s sights could keep you busy for much more than just a day. Day 3: Experience the magic of the Indian Railways as you board the morning express train to Agra. Spend the day visiting Fatehpur Sikri, wandering around the Agra Fort and then, finally, getting to see the most extravagant monument built for love, the one and only Taj Mahal. Take the evening train back to Delhi. Day 4: Fly to the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu. Day 5: Discover Nepal, a mystical country nestling in the folds of the magnificent Himalayan mountain ranges. While in Kathmandu, visit the colourful Durbar Square with its many temples, palaces, and colourful bazaars. Drive through the Nepalese countryside and visit the ancient city of Patan where you will see amazing art and architecture. Journey to the ancient city of Bhadgaon en-route visiting Bodhnath, a colossal stupa, one of the largest in the world. And see one of the holiest Hindu shrines in the world, the Pashupatinath Temple (but sorry, only Hindus are allowed inside). Day 6: Fly out to Paro, in the land of the thunder dragon, the magical mountain kingdom of Bhutan. Day 7: Start the day by venturing out to the legendary Taktsang Lhakhang Monastery, the Tigers’ Nest, built atop a cliff overlooking the charming Paro valley. Taktsang marks the holy place where Rinpoche, the founding father of Mahayana Buddhism arrived more than a millennium ago, riding a legendary tigress. Paro is also home to one of the oldest dzongs in Bhutan, Rinpung Dzong, the Fortress of the Heap of Jewels and Ta Dzong, now the National Museum which prides itself on its collection of Bhutanese art, artefacts, weapons, stamps, birds and animals. End your day with a visit to the Drukgyel Dzong. In the afternoon, drive through the verdant Bhutanese countryside to the capital city of Thimphu, a bustling town on the banks of the Wangchhu River. Day 8: Your first stop in Thimphu will be at the stately and impressive Tashichhodzong, the summer residence of the venerated monastic community and the seat of His Majesty the King of Bhutan. Other places of interest in Thimphu include the King’s memorial chorten, the National Library, a treasure trove of priceless Buddhist manuscripts and the Traditional Medicine Centre where centuries’ old healing arts such as acupuncture and herbal remedies are still practised. Another fascinating visit to make is to the Traditional Painting School in Thimphu where age-old styles of painting, including the thangkha, are still taught and learnt. And of course, you must wander through the colourful local bazaars. Day 9: From Thimphu drive to the border town of Phuentsholing where you will stay overnight before you journey back into India. Day 10: After breakfast, drive to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, a tiny little hill state tucked between Nepal and Bhutan, at the foot of the mountain Kanchenjunga. A state where you will be astounded by the beauty of the scenery around you. Lush green forests, lofty snow capped peaks, tumbling streams, villages tucked on hilly slopes and monasteries that seem to balance on mountain crests. Views that you will see from almost anywhere in the quaint town of Gangtok, also known for its many old British buildings and Buddhist monasteries. Day 11: Enjoy an excursion to the Rumtek Monastery, the seat of the Gyalwa Kamapa order of Tibetan Buddhism. With its traditional architecture, carved and painted woodwork, magnificent mural, icons and treasure manuscripts, Rumtek stands as the foremost example of Tibetan monastic art outside Tibet. Day 12: Drive through the spectacular landscape to the beautiful hill station of Darjeeling, surrounded on all sides by rolling hills covered with tea plantations. Home of the Gurkhas, Darjeeling became a popular hill station since the British established it as an R&R centre for their troops in the mid 1800s. Straddling a ridge at 2134 m, it offers spectacular views of the snowy peaks of the Kanchenjunga on one side, and gushing rivers in the valley on the other. Day 13: This is your day to explore Darjeeling. Start early with a morning visit to Tiger Hill, the highest spot in the area, for a view of the mountains by sunrise. Then, visit Darjeeling’s famous Ghoom Monastery, with its image of the Maitreya (the coming) of the Buddha. Wander around town visiting Observatory Hill, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the Everest Museum and the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre, even as you meet people from all over the eastern Himalayas in the streets. And of course, make a refreshing stop at a tea garden for the famed Darjeeling cuppa. Day 14: Drive to Bagdogra where you will board your flight to Delhi, and in the evening transfer to the airport for your return flight home. |
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