Taj with North East and Bhutan

The day begins with the journey to Agra. Proceed to the 'City of the Taj' after breakfast. Upon reaching, embark on the sightseeing tour to the world-famous places like the Taj Mahal and the Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah. The Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World that was commissioned by the fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The white marble mausoleum is known for its timeless beauty.

Later on, proceed for a guided tour of Agra and the Palace of Jodha Bai. Her palace is an architectural beauty that is an amalgamation of Hindu and traditional Islamic designs. It is situated in Fatehpur Sikri. The latter-day is marked for a visit to the Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah. It is also famous by the name of 'Jewel Box' or sometimes it is called the 'Baby Taj'. Get transferred to Delhi in the evening.

Have a comfortable overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, get transferred to Delhi Airport to board a flight to Bagdogra. Meet our representative upon your arrival at Bagdogra and get escorted to the car that waits for you and drives you towards Darjeeling.

Darjeeling is famous for its lush green tea plantation, verdant meadows, iconic toy train and a beautiful township. After reaching Darjeeling, get transferred to the appointed hotel. The evening is free for doing leisurely activities or to take long walks, exploring the surroundings. This scenic place is situated in the lap of the Himalayas and it is popularly known as 'Queen of the Hills'. The natural beauty of the hill town attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

The morning begins with a delicious breakfast. The day is scheduled for a full-day excursion to Mirik which is a beautiful sleepy town. The two and half hours' drive to Mirik offers a wonderful experience through tea gardens laid on the hill slopes.

Visit the picturesque Mirik Lake as you reach the town. This place is surrounded by tea gardens, vibrant orchards, and cardamom plantations. Enjoy the amazing and relaxing ambiance sitting alongside the lake. Take a walk alongside the lake and you can cherish the view of the mighty Kanchenjunga. Enjoy boating or take the arching footbridge to cross over the bridge and explore the Dhupi Forest. The trails in the forest are so tranquil and serene. If you want to cherish nature in its pure form, then stroll here in the silence of woods. Return to your hotel in the evening.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

The morning of Day 5 of Taj with North East and Bhutan tour takes you for an excursion to Tiger Hill which is famous for the scenic views. The hill offers the spectacular views of the imposing Kanchenjunga and the Mount Everest peaks. The place is visited by several tourists to witness the spectacular sunrise.

Later, visit the Everest Museum and the Mountaineering Museum located inside the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. The museums have a lot of stories to share. Everest Museum tells you the story of attempts to climb Mount Everest while Mountaineering Museum updates you about many other chronicle details Himalayan ranges.

The latter part of the day is marked for a trek to the Ghoom monastery and experiencing the wonderful toy train ride. The 15 feet high 'Maitreya Buddha' statue is the prominent feature of this sacred site.

Return to your hotel to enjoy a comfortable overnight stay at the hotel.

This morning, proceed straight to Gangtok after breakfast. En route, visit and admire the famous Pemayangtse Monastery. The view of Mount Kanchenjunga is more prominent and impressive from the monastery. Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim and the center of the Buddhist culture and learning. Here you can witness several educational institutions, monasteries as well as a center of Tibetology. Check-in at one of our enlisted hotels. Take rest and then proceed for a full day expedition to Tsomgo.

The oval-shaped Tsomgo is beautiful and is 15 meters deep and 1 km long. It is considered sacred by the local population. There is an alluring small temple at the lakeside which you can visit. You can spend the evening by taking a leisurely walk to the local markets in Gangtok.

Return to the hotel for a sumptuous dinner and a calming overnight stay.

After breakfast, head on for a full-day tour to the Rumtek Monastery. The place includes a beautiful shrine as well as a monastery for the monks. Embodying the vision of the 16th-Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje the monastery was established as his seat in exile. It was also established to spread the message of Buddha throughout the world. It is nestled on the top of the hill and is amongst the most significant monasteries in Sikkim. From here, one can get the most striking views of the Gangtok. Drive back to Gangtok in the evening.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Get ready early in the morning and after breakfast set out for the local sightseeing of the area. Visit places like Ranka Monastery, Saramsa Garden, Ganesh Tok View Point, Enchey Monastery and Do Drul Chorten Stupa. Ranka Monastery is also known as Lingdum Monastery and it is one the most picturesque monasteries in the East Sikkim. Saramsa Garden houses a large variety of colorful flowers, vibrant orchids and there is also a convention center where one can organize functions and parties.

Enchey Monastery means 'Solitary Temple' and is a religious site for Buddhists. The monastery is thronged by a large number of people to witness the 'Chaam Dance'. It is built at a magnificent location from where one can get the view of majestic Kanchenjunga. Travel down to Tashi to capture some breathtaking views of the Kanchenjunga and other snow-covered peaks.

Return to the hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.

Post breakfast in the morning, leave for Phuentsholing for travel to Bhutan from India. The drive towards Phuentsholing is full of the most wonderful and exotic views. Check-in at one of our listed hotels after reaching Phuentsholing. The rest of the day is at leisure. You can explore the nearby places and take a walk amidst the tranquil surroundings.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

The morning begins with travel to Thimphu. This wonderful city in Bhutan has an unusual mix of modern development that is growing alongside the deeply rooted ancient culture. Drive through beautiful valleys and passes offering spectacular views. Check-in at one of our listed hotels upon arrival. The rest of the day is for leisure and relaxation. You can opt to go out and explore the surroundings on your own. Chit-chat with the locals and bask in the bliss.

Return to your hotel for a calm overnight stay at the hotel.

This morning, proceed for a Bhutan cultural tour of the exquisite Thimphu Valley. Visit the Institute for Zorig Chusum after lunch, which is the center to learn 13 arts and crafts of Bhutan. This place has preserved the Bhutanese art and in fact, they pass it to their next generations as well. Also visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, the National Memorial Chorten as well the National Library. The National Memorial Chorten is also known as 'Memorial Stupa' or 'Thimphu Chorten'. It is a Tibetan-style Chorten and the stupa is different from others as it does not enshrine the human remains. The National Library house an extensive collection of Buddhist Literature in the block paint format.

Return to the hotel to rest for the overnight.

On the 12th-day, you will leave Thimphu to reach Punakha via Wangdi via Niizergang. The Wangdi is situated 70 km to the southeast of Thimphu. While trekking towards Wangdi you would walk down through the ever-changing vegetation which truly is alluring. As you reach Punakha, check-in at one of our listed hotels. In the afternoon, visit the Punakha Dzong and local bazaar. Punakha Dzong is the second oldest and second-largest Dzong in Bhutan. It is situated in between the two flowing rivers Pho Chhu and Mho Chhu in Punakha Valley. It was once a capital of Bhutan and the valley offers a picturesque view of the mountains in the background.

Return to the hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.

In the morning, after breakfast, leave for Paro. On the way enjoy the enchanting view of Paro valley. Stop mid-way to visit the Simtokha Dzong, the oldest Dzong in Bhutan. The Dzong has three floors and houses 300 carvings which are made from slate and depict saints and philosophers. The Himalayan Mural Paintings and the cosmic mandala in the Dzong are considered a unique feature of the place.

Upon reaching Paro, check-in at one of our listed hotels. Post lunch visit, Ta-Dzong (Museum). It shows you 1500 years of the cultural heritage of Bhutan as it possesses 3,000 work of Bhutanese art. This museum is a perfect example of the amalgamation of past and present. Also, visit Dungtse and Kyichu Temples. Dungtse Temple is said to be built on the head of a demoness who used to trouble to the commoners. The temple is unique in its ways as it depicts the evolved stages of the Tantric Buddhist Philosophy. Kyichu Temple is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. This place is famous amongst historians as it houses the magnificent art and cultural beauties in here.

Spend the night at the hotel in Paro.

Drive from Pa Chu to Drukgyel Dzong early in the morning. It is an abandoned fort which once defended this valley from the Tibetan invasion. It was a Buddhist Monastery as well but it was ruined during the Tibet invasion and later on almost destroyed in a fire. Stop midway to have a glance of how a typical Bhutanese farmhouse looks like. Post lunch, take a leisurely walk uphill for an excursion to Taktsang Monastery's viewpoint. It is popularly known as 'Tiger's Nest'. It is a sacred Buddhist site that has now become the cultural icon of Bhutan. It is standing on the rock of the mountain in the Paro Valley.

Night to be spent at the hotel in Paro.

On day 15 of your trip, you will get transferred to the Paro Airport for your flight to Delhi. Check-in at one of our listed hotels upon your arrival in Delhi. The afternoon is free for rest. You can roam around in the local market nearby. Buy souvenirs that will keep reminding you about this wonderful sojourn.

Stay overnight at your hotel in Delhi.

The last day of the trip starts with the city tour of Delhi. Visit the famous destinations in Delhi like Laxmi Narayan Temple, Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple and Parliament House. Lakshmi Narayan Temple is popularly known as "Birla Temple' amongst locals as it was built by Birla family. The temple accommodates fountains, large gardens, and shrines that are dedicated to other gods such as Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, and Hanuman. Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple displays the Hindu culture and its spirituality. This phenomenal structure houses statues of Sita Ram, Lakshmi Narayan, Shiv Parvati, and Radha Krishna and above all, Swami Narayan.

Parliament House holds an accountable place in Indian history and its politics. In the afternoon, you will be exploring the India Gate, Qutub Minar, and Chattarpur Temple. India Gate was originally known as 'All India War Memorial' where the names of the martyr soldiers are engraved. Qutub Minar is another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Delhi. This tall, tapering structure stands proudly in the heart of the National Capital. Chattarpur Temple is one of the biggest temples in India and the second largest in the world. It houses 20 small and large temples within its premises. In the evening, get transferred to the Delhi airport to board a flight for your onward journey and with this, your holiday to Bhutan from India comes to an end.