India Sri-Lanka Bhutan Nepal Tour

You are heartily welcome at the airport and then driven to your hotel for check-in. As you drive through the busy roads you get to experience the city bustling with life. The city has a great historical past as it has been the capital of many great empires. This is also evident from the various architecture marvels that you visit on days to come. You are briefed about the plan for the next day.You can then retire to take rest for the day.

Walk through crowded ancient city streets and alleys exploring the colorful and vibrant market. Visit marvelous Mughal architectures and UNESCO heritage sites as Jama Masjid, Red Fort (both built by Shahajan) and Humayan's tomb. These are Persian, Indian and European influenced monuments. Visit Raj Ghat, the burial ground of Gandhi. Drive past Safdarjang’s Tomb to visit Qutub Minar (1193 AD) which houses anti-rust Ashoka Pillars (1500 years old).Lutyens’ New Delhi provides photographic opportunities at Rashtrapati Bhawan, India Gate, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara & the Birla Temple. Drive through Connaught Place, downtown of Delhi before retiring to the hotel for overnight stay.

Walk through crowded ancient city streets and alleys exploring the colorful and vibrant market. Visit marvelous Mughal architectures and UNESCO heritage sites as Jama Masjid, Red Fort (both built by Shahajan) and Humayan's tomb. These are Persian, Indian and European influenced monuments. Visit Raj Ghat, the burial ground of Gandhi. Drive past Safdarjang’s Tomb to visit Qutub Minar (1193 AD) which houses anti-rust Ashoka Pillars (1500 years old).Lutyens’ New Delhi provides photographic opportunities at Rashtrapati Bhawan, India Gate, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara & the Birla Temple. Drive through Connaught Place, downtown of Delhi before retiring to the hotel for overnight stay.

You can visit Mehtab Bagh, a 500-year-old Mughal garden located opposite to Taj Mahal on the other side of the Yamuna River for the sunrise view. Alternatively, you can revisit Taj Mahal to catch a glimpse of the rising sun’s rays on the beautiful Tajmahal. Next is Fatehpur Sikri, a beautiful uninhabited city, built by Emperor Akbar in 1585 and is constructed primarily out of red sandstone. It was a temporary capital for Agra. Next, we visit Bulund Darwaza, the tallest gateway in the word. You see the beautiful white marble tomb of Shaik Salim Chishti, built in 1570. Continue driving to Jaipur for your overnight stay.

Visit Amber Fort & Palace. Drive/ride an elephant to the Fort built by Raja Mansingh, a fine example of Rajput architecture. Chambers and hallways of the Palace are exquisitely planned and craft made by hand is an attractive view. Visit walled city of Jaipur, the magnificent City Palace (a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture), Jantar Mantar’s stone observatory, ‘Hawa Mahal’ (Palace of the Wind). The complex houses a number of museums which has an impressive collection of costumes, armory and miniature paintings.

Evening you are taken for a cultural show and dinner. The other alternatives are the cultural performance at your hotel or visit a Rajasthani family to enjoy a traditional dinner.

While you drive from Jaipur to Delhi, there are many places that will catch your eye. As you pass through many villages you can experience the life of the people here. They are primarily dependent on agriculture but with modernization urban hotspots are emerging. You find many resorts located along the highway. Midway you find famous “Behror Midway”. It has a clean and hygienic surroundings and offers a very good cuisine. After reaching Delhi if time permits you can take a tour of the local market. While touring you can also try various local cuisines especially the Mughal cuisine

After arriving at Colombo you are received and to a beach hotel in Negombo. Sri Lanka is a beautiful island nation and Negombo is one of its major cities. The place has been historically famous for the wild cinnamon that grew here, known to be best in the world. The most scenic landmark of the Negombo is the lagoon. It has more than 190 species of wildlife and plenty of birds in its surroundings.

Visit the fishing village or you can spend the time at the beach. Overnight stay in Negombo.

You visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, place for abandoned elephants of all ages.You get a chance to bottle feed the baby elephants with milk.Then visit the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya.It is of historical and archaeological significance and is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 meters high. It is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site.

Visit Anuradhapura (first Capital of Sri Lanka) a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Visit Sri Maha Bodhi the oldest historically documented tree in the world), Dagobas, Ruwanwelisaya, Brazen Palace, Abeygiri, Jetawana Monasteries. Jetwana is finely preserved rock-cut statues of Lord Buddha and the ruins of palaces. Isurumuniya Rock Temple, built by King Devanampiya Tissa has a viharaya connected to a cave with the small stupa on a cliff above. At the bottom of the cleft, carved figure of elephant can be seen on a rock that appears to come above the pool. The figure of a horse carved in the rock seems very beautiful. Overnight stay is at Anuradhapura.

Kandy, a major city and last capital of ancient king’s era lies in the midst of hills in Kandy plateau. Kandy’s range of cuisine includes Sri Lankan, Indian, Chinese and European. You will travel to Kandy via Dambulla. The Golden Rock, a cave temple which dates back to the first century B.C is in Dambulla. Then visit the spice garden at Matale. In Kandy, the Temple of the Tooth houses the remains of the tooth of the Buddha.The cultural dance provides a chance to peek a glimpse into the culture of the Sri Lankan. Your overnight is at Kandy.

Visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, largest in Sri Lanka has an imposing Avenue of royal palms.4,000 different species and over 10000 giant trees provide a great opportunity to the tree lovers.Highlights are giant Bamboos of Burma, cannon ball tree and century old giant Javan fig tree whose roots spread across 1,800 square meters.The gardens consist of all of Sri Lanka’s flora and species from around the tropical world.

Next is a city tour of Colombo.It is a vibrant and colorful city.Visit the historic and bustling Fort, the Galle face Green, Viharamahadevi Park, Pettah and the elite residential Cinnamon Gardens.

Bhutan is a beautiful country of diverse landscape and culture. You are received at the Paro airport and taken to the hotel. Later visit Taizong, the National Museum ancient arts and artefacts, weaponries.Then visit Rinpung Dzong which overlooks beautiful Paro valley.An Evening stroll around town’s main street gives you an opportunity to see the market there and see the lifestyle of the people there. Overnight at Paro.

Take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery (5 hr hike), also known as Tiger’s Nest. Visit the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong on the way back. It has a historic importance as the Bhutanese army fought and repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century. Last but not the least, you can visit the Kyichu Lhakhang which is amongst one of the oldest and sacred temples of the Kingdom, depicting the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Through Paro Valley see the junction of Paro and Thimphu rivers at Chuzom. On the way is Simtokha, place of tantric teaching and Dzongkha language. Visit National Library for priceless Buddhist manuscripts (includes ancient manuscripts), books on Himalayan culture and religion. Visit Zorig Chusum, an Arts & Crafts or Painting School. Folk and Heritage museum displays livelihood and tools of Bhutanese farmers in the medieval period. Visit fortress/monastery, the throne room of King, the summer residence of Chief Abbot. Visit King’s Memorial Chorten. Handicrafts Emporium offers a glimpse of Bhutan’s fine arts. You can purchase paintings, masks, ceramics, slate, textiles, thangka and wood carvings, jewellry.

We drive up to Dochu-la pass (3,100m to get an amazing view of the Himalayas and the highest peak in Bhutan, Gangkarpuensum(7,497m). Other peaks that can be seen are Masagang, Tsendagang, Terigang Jejegangphugang, Kangphugang, Zongphugang .Visit Wangdue Dzong located on the hill overlooks the confluence of two rivers. Bamboo work, slate &stone carving are famous and provides a glimpse on the livelihood of the people.
Visit the temple of a divine madman, the temple of fertility.A walk through the pastoral beautiful villages and view the lifestyle of local people. Explore Wangdi located on the bank of the river in the evening.

Visit Punakha Dzong built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1638 and situated at the junction of Pho Chu and Mo Chu Rivers.It was a capital of Bhutan until 1955. You then drive back to spend rest of the day in Paro. Enroute you can see the village houses made of pounded mud with stone foundations.The gardens have fruit bearing plants like oranges and papaya among the organic vegetables.This is a model rice growing village in western Bhutan.

You are received at the airport in Kathmandu and taken. You have the whole day at your disposal. You can explore the busy streets, the local markets and try exquisite cuisines. This is a perfect opportunity to view the lifestyle of the common people in Kathmandu.

Exploration begins with Swayambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square, both a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kathmandu DurbarSquare is famous among travelers and it owes this to its unique architecture and the ornate embellishments. Swayambhunath, on a green hill in the west Kathmandu, is an impressive Stupa over 2500 years old. The ill provide a majestic view of the valley. Then we head to Patan DurbarSquare where you will see many monuments, the majority of which dates back to early 16th and 18th centuries. Here you can see the expert arts and craftsmanship of the people.

Visit Pashupatinath temple of Lord Shiva is located on the banks of Bagmati River.The cremation of the Hindu takes place on the banks of the holy river Baghmati.Then visit Boudhanath, a Buddhist stupa over 2500 years old, has four pairs of Buddha's eyes in the four cardinal directions. They are believed to keep a vigilant eye on people and their way of life. Frequented by Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims, people walking around the Stupa and then spin the prayer wheels that have sacred chants written within. Then we head to the Bhaktapur Darbar Square, a sacred city of holy devotees Here you see a full-size figure of a Malla Emperor that is facing the Golden Gate or the Sun Dhoka, made of copper. This is a masterpiece of arts in the city. Your overnight stay is at Kathmandu

We rive to Pokhara, the most beautiful city in Nepal with many lakes and caves. When travelling you can view the beautiful and clean river flowing by the side of the hills. The entire route is scenic and mesmerizingly beautiful. Your overnight will be at Pokhara.

Pokhara is the most sought after tourist destination in Nepal. An early morning sunrise tour is followed by the visit to the cave, waterfall, river gorge, temple and the coast of the lake. Most spectacular view the snow white mount Machapuchare’s reflection in the Fewa Lake. Pokhara is famous for natural caves over 5000 years old. David Fall, a natural wonder where water flows into the earth and can be seen in part from Gupteshwar – the Cave of Hidden God. Enjoy paragliding at Sarankot and the stunning scenery of sunrise above the Himalayas. You can also go for boating. Overnight is at Pokhara.

A 6 hours’ scenic drive (200 Km) or a 30-minute flight to Kathmandu. Visit the local markets nearby like the Asan and the Thamel. Asan is a traditional, market and inhabited square in central Kathmandu. It is known for getting every item that is required for the Nepali cuisine. It is a colorful market and finds various spices here. You may buy souvenirs at Thamel. It has been a centre of Tourism Industry in Nepal. The local market caters food, fresh vegetables/fruits, pastries, trekking gear, walking gear, music, DVDs, handicrafts, woolens, and clothes. For foodies, the restaurants serve both traditional and continental cuisine.

Finally, you depart from Kathmandu. Along with you are the wonderful memories that you will carry for your life. Enriched with the knowledge of the people’s art, culture and tradition and their hospitality you will definitely want to come back to these lands again.We thank for giving us this opportunity to serve and we will be there if next time if you ever decide to return to again enjoy the beauty and calmness and tranquility of these places.