Overnight international flight to New Delhi.

Upon arrival and airport reception, transfer to the hotel. Depending on arrival time, spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Begin the morning tour of Old Delhi with a cycle rickshaw ride through the streets. Make a panoramic visit to the Red Fort, which was the most affluent fort and palace of the once reigning Mughal Empire. Then it’s on to Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. The final stop in Old Delhi will lead to Chandni Chowk (closed on Sunday), a lively and colorful market that was once the commercial center of the city.
Then drive to New Delhi, which will provide a stark contrast between the old and the new; a recurring theme throughout India. In New Delhi visit the India Gate monument, followed by the grounds of the Parliament House and other extravagant government buildings. Then continue to Humayun’s Tomb, built in honor of India’s second Mughal emperor. Later visit the world’s tallest brick minaret, Qutub Minar.

Note: Yampu recommends an optional tour (price not included) to enjoy a fine dinner at the Veda Restaurant, a lavishly designed nouvelle cuisine curry house that offers a fusion of traditional Indian food with a modern spin. A second option is a visit to Akshardham, a unique, yet stunning monument that boasts 234 elaborately carved pillars, 9 decorative domes, 20 quadrangled shikhars (towers of Hindu architecture), stone elephant sculptures, and 20,000 murtis (Hindu images portraying Divine spirits). Please inquire with a Yampu travel consultant for more information.
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Begin with a drive to Agra that will take approximately 4 hours. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Then proceed for a sightseeing tour of the stunning Taj Mahal, India’s most picture perfect work of architecture and one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
Driving through the city to the Agra Fort, there will be fantastic photo ops of the local scene and bazaars and the everyday buzz of India. Once at the Agra Fort, stroll through its regal chambers that were once called home to some of India’s most powerful Mughal emperors.

Note: Yampu recommends an optional tour (cost not included) to a showing of Mohhabbat The Taj, a live show with a touch of Bollywood is recommended. This 80 minute presentation is a charming way to top off the day at the Kalakriti Auditorium. Please inquire with a Yampu travel consultant for more details.
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Drive approximately 4-5 hours to Jaipur. En route, stop to enjoy an excursion to the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri, the once imperial city of the Mughal dynasty that was mysteriously deserted years after its inception. This ornate city was built with such grandeur that words do not do justice to the glorious atmosphere created by its buildings. Upon arrival, check in and have some time to relax before a sound and light show at the city’s Amber Fort.

This morning return to the Amber Fort for a half day excursion. Strolling through the magnificent rooms and chambers, observe the various intricate ivory, mirror and glass work. In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour that will begin at the City Palace Museum, followed by a visit to Jantar Mantar (an accurate observatory built in 1726) and great photographic opportunities at the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds – a spectacular five storied, honeycomb styled building exemplifying superb Rajput artistry.

Note: Yampu recommends an optional tour (price not included) of an evening elephant safari. After a chance to feed these gentle creatures, ride upon their backs through a private jungle area, passing many villages, fields and a medieval fortress as the sun sets. Please inquire with a Yampu travel consultant for more information.
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Take an afternoon flight to Paro. In clear weather, the flight into Paro is a befitting introduction to Bhutan, as there are spectacular aerial views of the highest mountain peaks in the world that rise out of the lush green Paro Valley. Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to Thimphu (55 kms, approx. hours).

Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, set out for some sightseeing, beginning with the National Memorial Chorten. Erected in 1974 to honor His Late Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, this large Tibetan styled chorten (or stupa) exhibits many religious paintings and tantric statues that reflect several aspects of Buddhist Deities.

Carry on to Changangkha Lhakhang, an old fortress styled temple. Also the site of a monastic school, this temple offers excellent views of Thimphu as it is perched on a ridge above the city. From here, a brief trip to the mini zoo (essentially a large fenced in area) is in order, where one can see the Takin – the national animal of Bhutan.

Then, go to Thimphu’s telecommunication tower, which is situated on a hillside (2865m) offering great photographic scenes of Thimphu Valley. Covered in prayer flags, the complex houses the Bhutan TV studio and although it cannot be photographed, the views of the valley are definitely worth the trip. With the remaining time in the day, enjoy a visit to the Paper Factory, where traditional Bhutanese paper is produced from the Daphne plant.
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Today, begin with a visit to the National Library, which was founded in 1967 and preserves many ancient Dzongkha and Tibetan texts. On the upper floor, one can see traditional Tibetan styled books that are written on long strips of handmade paper, stacked between pieces of wood and wrapped in silken cloth. Also see several wooden blocks that are used for printing books and prayer flags as well as a collection of more contemporary books.

Next, visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, Thimpu’s popular painting school that offers a six year course with teachings of traditional Bhutanese arts. Beginning with drawing, the students follow a curriculum that progresses to painting, woodcarving, embroidery and statue making.
Also on the list for the day is the National Institute for Traditional Medicine, which is an impressively large lab that dispenses herbal and other medicines. Follow this with a leisurely visit to the National Textile Museum to learn about the national art of weaving. The Folk Heritage Museum is also worth a visit, as it is a unique three story mud and timber building that acts as a living museum to give visitors insight into the ancient Bhutanese lifestyles.

Lastly, visit the Tashi Chhoe Dzong. Buil in 1216, this dzong houses the Throne Room and offices of the Bhutanese King and Ministers. The northern portion of the building is the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) and the Central Monk Body. Tourists are allowed to visit only after 5 pm and may only enter the courtyard. In the evening, visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese souvenirs can be purchased.
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Disembark for a journey east to the Gangtey Valley (130 kms, 5-6 hours). Traveling on windy mountain roads, this will be a spectacular alpine journey, with great views of the Northern Himalayan Range as the Dochu La pass is ascended (3199 m/10170 ft). Along the pass, take a brief stop to visit the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens.

The Gangtey Valley overlooks the lush green expanse of the much larger Phobjikha Valley, which has many alpine wetlands along its Black Mountain range. A prime habitat for black necked cranes, this is a pristine conservation area for these majestic birds that winter in the area, before returning to Tibet. The best chance to see these birds are between November and February. After some exploration of the valley, visit the Gangtey Monastery, a significant place for the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism. Established in 1613, the prayer hall of the monastery is constructed in a Tibetan style and is one of the largest in Bhutan. Within its walls is a Buddhist college, as well as a retreat and mediation center for monks. ...read less

Spend the entire day exploring the valley, the natural setting and the scenic views. Also take some time to visit local farmhouses and villages to get immersed in the culture for a wholesome experience.

The drive today will take about 5 – 6 hours. The drive crosses over the Pele La Pass at 3,420 meters. Before reaching Trongsa stop to view the Chendebji Chorten – a large white structure beside a stream at 2,430m. The chorten is patterned after a Nepali style stupa from the 19th century by Lama Shida from Tibet to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was killed on this spot. Stop to view the impressive Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. In olden days the dzong commanded the passage between East and West Bhutan. Also visit the Ta dzong, an ancient watchtower, above the main dzong, which has an interesting display of Mongol armor and most of the rare pieces of antiques in Bhutanese history.

Then proceed to Bumthang, crossing the Yotong La Pass at 3,440 m. The Bumthang region encompasses four major valleys: Choekor, Tang, Ura and Chhume. The valley is considered as one of the most beautiful landscaped valley of the Kingdom holding roots to many Buddhists holy sites and holy shrines. It has also be described as the Switzerland of Asia.
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Enjoy a tour of Bumthang, including the Jakar Dzong, Jambey Lhakang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Membartsho and the Ugyen Chholing Palace. The picturesque Jakar Dzong – known as the Castle of the White Bird, was built in 1667 and is believed to be the largest Dzong in the Kingdom. Located on a small hill top overlooking the Choekor valley., the dzong houses the office of the local governor, some administrative offices, a small court and the monk’s quarters. The Jambey Lhakhang is a monastery that is believed to have been built in the year 659 CE by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. After a brief visit here, move onto the Kurjey Lhakhang, which is named after the body print of Guru Rinpoche that remains preserved in a cave inside the oldest of the three buildings that make up the temple complex. The first temple in the complex was built in 1652 by a local governor (Penlop); the second temple was built in 1900 by the first King of Bhutan and the third by the present Queen Mother in 1984.
Membartsho – The Burning Lake is a 5 minute walk from the road side in the Tang valley. This lake occupies a wide place in the Tang Chhu (River). Terton Pema Lingpa – a renowned treasure hunter in the 15th century, found several of Guru Rinpoche’s treasures in this lake. A wooden bridge crosses the river and is a good vantage point to look down into the lake. Perhaps the temple that is said to exist in the lake’s depths can be spotted. The importance of the site is indicated by the extensive array of prayer flags and the small clay offering. The Ugyen Chholing Palace is located in the Tang valley – this is a 16th century palace that was built by a Temporary ruler (deb). The present structures including a temple, servants’ quarters and a massive residential building, are more recent, having been rebuilt after their collapse in the 1897 earthquake. The family that owns this Palace turned the complex into a museum to preserve its legacy and provide a place for religious studies, research and solitude. Permanent exhibits in the main building are captioned with extensive, informative descriptions of the lifestyle and artworks of a Bhutanese noble family.
Other visits in the Bumthang valley will include visits to the Woodcarving Factory, the Sheep Breeding Center and the Beekeeping Project.
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Return drive to Punakha via the same route. The drive will take 7-8 hours to cover the distance of approximately 210 kilometers. Once arrived, spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Return to Paro via Thimphu. On arrival in Paro, visit the Ta Dzong - an unusual round building said to be in a shape of a conch shell which houses the National Museum of the Kingdom. The museum displays a spectacular collection of Thangkhas, extensive philatelic collection, ancient bronze and stone objects, statues, ancient weapons and shields. In the afternoon, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the two oldest lhakhangs in the country built in 659 CE by the Tibetan King Songsten Gyampo. It is one of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan King and is said to hold down the left foot of a demoness. In the evening explore the Paro town. ...read less

Morning hike to the famous Taktsang monastery (Alt.3100m). Taktsang literally means - Tiger's nest. This monastery was built in the 1600s and clings to a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900m above the valley. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, in the form of Dorji Drolo arrived at this site on the back of a flying tigress believed to be his consort, to subdue the eight evil spirits who were preventing the propagation on Buddhism in the area. A fire destroyed the monastery in 1998, the cause of which is still unknown, but it has recently been rebuilt in its original form. It’s a 1 hour and 30 minute walk up hill to the cafeteria, where lunch will be served.
After lunch walk back to the base and drive a short distance further north to visit the Drukgyel Dzong built in 1649 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal to commemorate Bhutan's numerous victories over the Tibetan invaders. The Dzong was destroyed by an accidental fire and is now left in ruin. On a clear day, the 24, 000 ft (7314m) white doomed sacred Mount Jomolhari can be seen.
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Transfer to the airport for a connection to New Delhi and flight home or continue with an optional Yampu Tours add-on.