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Day 01: New Delhi
Around midnight arrival in
New Delhi. The cosmopolitan city and capital Delhi is the main gateway for travellers. Upon arrival, you will be met by an Indo Vacations representative and transferred to the hotel.
Day 02: New Delhi - Paro (by air)
In the morning we drive to the airport for the flight to
Paro. This beautiful valley with its rich terraced farmland, is home to some of the Bhutan's oldest temples and monastries. Upon arrival, you will be met by an Indo Vacations representative and transferred to the hotel in Paro. In the afternoon we will visit the Rinpung Dzong. It was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of
Bhutan. Rinpung Dzong means the fortress on a heap of jewels. This fortress now houses the Paro monastic school and the office of the civil administration. Then we visit the National Museum. After the visit of the National museum we go for an excursion to Takstang monastery. In April 1998 a fire destroyed the main structure of
Taktstang Monastery, perched on the side of a cliff 900 m above the valley floor. It is also known as "tiger's den" because Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site on the back of a tigress in the eighth century.
Day 03: Paro
In the morning we will visit the Ta Dzong. The Ta Dzong was built in 1651 as a watch tower. This dzong is round more like parts of an European castle. In the afternoon we visit the Drugyal Dzong. It means the victorious fortress which was built in 1647 by Shabdrung to celebrate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. Strategically built over the only passage into the Paro valley, the dzong helped to rebel various invasions through the course of Bhutanese history. Evening free for leisure.
Day 04: Paro - Thimphu (about 65 km)
Today after having breakfast we drive to
Thimphu. Thimphu is the modern capital of Bhutan. It lies at an elevation of 2300 m in a valley traversed by the
Wang Chu river. This city maintains a strong national character in its architectural style. This morning we set out on a sightseeing tour of Thimphu. First of all we visit the Tashichho Dzong on the bank of the river. It is the main Secretariat building which houses the throne room of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan and is also the summer residence of the central monk body. After visiting the Secretariat building we visit the national library to see the rare and precious collection of
Buddhism. Today we also visit a painting school and the center of the traditional medicines. In the evening we visit the Memorial Chorten. Memorial Chorten is a stupa and was built in the year 1974 in the memory of the late third king Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. The paintings and images inside the monument provide a rare sight into the Buddhist philosophy.
Day 05: Thimphu
In the morning we visit the 17th century Simtokha Dzong. It is the oldest Dzong in the country which stands on a lofty ridge at the end of the valley. It was built in the year 1627 and now houses the school for Buddhist studies. Today we also visit a painting school. In this painting school the young children learn the ancient art of paintings. After visiting the painting school we visit the centre of traditional medicines. Bhutan has its own brand of Himalayan herbal medicines.
Day 06: Thimphu - Paro (about 65 kms.)
In the morning we drive to Paro. Enroute visit the 17th century Simtokha Dzong. It is the oldest Dzong in the country which stands on a lofty ridge at the end of the valley. It was built in the year 1627 and now houses the school for Buddhist studies. In the afternoon we reach Paro. Rest of the day free for leisure.
Day 07: Paro – Kathmandu (by air)
In the morning transfer to the airport for the flight to
Nepal. The cosmopolitan City and the capital
Kathmandu is the main gateway for travellers to Nepal. Upon arrival, you will be met by an Indo Vacations representative and transferred to the hotel. In the afternoon we enjoy the first impression of Kathmandu. Kathmandu Valley is the cultural and political heart of the country. The city enjoyed its most glorious time under the reign of Mallas in the 16th and 17th century.
Day 08: Kathmandu
In the morning we start our sightseeing by visiting Durbar Square.
Durbar Square is the spiritual heart of Kathmandu. The old royal palace at the centre of the city was surrounded by temples and other important buildings. This is the most important point in Kathmandu to observe the culture and religion of Nepal. After the visit of Durbar Square we proceed to visit Swayambhunath. The stupa at Swayambhunath is the most important and oldest site of Buddhist worship in Nepal. Swayambhunath Stupa is famous for the eyes of Buddha which seem to observing the world from all 4 directions. After Swayambhunath we visit Bodhanilkantha. Bodhanilkantha is one of the most photographed sights. We see here a Vishnu statue of 5th century reclining on his bed of serpents in the pool.
Day 09: Kathmandu
Today we drive to
Patan. Patan was the second largest town in the valley but it has been absorbed into Kathmandu. Patan was previously known as Lalitpur, the beautiful city. The temple architecture here gave this city fame to be unique and most beautiful. After Patan we proceed to Bhaktapur, the third biggest city of the valley.
Bhaktapur has preserved it's medieval character better than Patan. We visit the golden Door, the Palace of 55 windows (15th century) and Pagoda Nyatapola (18th century).
Day 10: Kathmandu
Today we visit the temple city of Pashupatinath which is Nepal's most important Hindu pilgrim site on the banks of the
Bagmati River. The temple of Pashupatinath is dedicated to
God Shiva. Pashupatinath is one of the seven most important holy cities to
Hindus. After the visit of Pashupatinath we visit Bodnath.
Bodnath is the largest Stupa of Nepal. Around the octagonal base of Stupa there are 108 images of Buddha where prayer ceremonies of Buddhist Lamas are taking place since over 2000 years.
Day 11: Kathmandu
Today we drive to the
Changu Narayan Temple. This temple is 125 m above the Kathmandu valley and dates from 4th century AD. This temple is famous for its sculptures of god
Vishnu showing him in different reincarnation. In the afternoon we drive to Nagarkot. Nagarkot has the best vantage point for a view of the
Himalayas from the Kathmandu valley. On clear weather we can enjoy the view from Annapurna range upto Mount Everest.
Day 12: Kathmandu
Today we drive to
Dakshinkali. On the way we pass through the villages and small localities. On the way to Dakshinkali we see the rural area where most of the people make their living by cultivating their fields. The temple of Dakshinkali is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus where still animals sacrifices for the goddess Kali are performed. In the afternoon we drive to Dulikhel. Dulikhel lies at an altitude of 1650 m and offers a beautiful view of Himalayas on clear days. Today we have our dinner in Dulikhel and return back to Kathmandu.
Day 13: Kathmandu - Lhasa (by air)
In the morning after having breakfast transfer to airport to connect flight from Kathmandu to
Lhasa. Upon arrival at Gongor airport at Lhasa, you will be met by an Indo Vacations representative and transferred to the hotel. Rest of the day free for acclimatization in Lhasa.
Day 14: Lhasa
In the morning after having breakfast we visit the
Sera Monastery. Sera is more like a small town on the outskirts of Lhasa at the base of Tatipu hill. It is the main teaching monastery and one of the three great Gelukpa Universities - once housing more than 5500 monks. Here one can see the young novices learning scriptures in the Debating Garden. After visiting the Sera Monastery we drive to visit the Jokhang temple. Jokhang temple was built in the 7th century A D and houses the most prized Buddhist relic, a 1300 year old Sakyamuni Buddha statue. The main section of the temple is topped with golden roofs found nowhere else except in
Tibet. In the evening we have a walk in the Barkhor Bazaar. It is a lively and colourful market where you can bargain over such treasures like a ornate long bladed knives, prayer wheels and exquisite jewellery.
Day 15: Lhasa
In the morning we visit the Potala Palace. Potala Palace is the dominant landmark of Lhasa which is situated at a height of 117 meters above the sea level. The construction of this palace was started on the red hill in 1645 under the 5th Dalai Lama. An immense building, 13 storeys high with walls 3 meters thick contains over 1000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and 200,000 statues. It was both the residence of the current Dalai Lama and tomb of the former head of state. The Potala is full of elaborate art work and frescos that tell many stories. After the visit of Potala Palace we visit the Norbulingka Summer palace. On the banks of the Kyichi River, there is a tree and flower filled pard known as the Norbulingka or the Jewel Park. Covering a total area of 360,000 square meters, the park was originally laid out in the year 1750. Norbulingka is also the site of the summer palace of the Dalai Lamas (8th to 14th). The small palace of the 13th Dalai Lama is an odd mix of traditional Tibetan architecture and modern paraphernalia. In the evening we visit the Drepung monastery. This monastery is situated in the west suburbs of Lhasa city. It was formerly the largest and richest monastery in the world with 10,000 monks. Of particular interest is the medieval monk's kitchen with its great cauldrons of steaming barley 'stamp' sitting on top of huge earthen stoves and tented by saffron robed monks wielding massive ladles. From the roof of the monastery one can enjoy the natural beauty of the Lhasa valley.
Day 16: Lhasa - Kathmandu (by air)
In the morning after having breakfast transfer to airport to connect flight from
Lhasa to Kathmandu. Upon arrival at Kathmandu Upon arrival, you will be met by an Indo Vacations representative and transferred to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure for personal activities.
Day 17: Kathmandu - New Delhi (by air)
In the afternoon transfer to airport for the flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, you will be met by an Indo Vacations representative and transferred to the hotel.
Day 18: New Delhi
Around midnight flight to home destination.
Tour Reservation
To get more
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Your
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Our Services Include:
 Accommodation in
double room on twin sharing basis with bath and WC in the
chosen
category.
American / Continental Breakfast.
Services of qualified
local guides (English speaking or languages of your choice)
during the whole tour.
All Transfers and departures on arrival and departure by Indo
Vacations
representative.
All Transfers and Sightseeing
throughout the tour by an air-conditioned Car with
driver. For groups an individual air-conditioned bus will be provided.
Exclusions:
Any Kind of Personal Expenses such as Tips, Laundry, Telephone Bills and
Alcoholic
beverages.
Camera Fees (Still or Movie).
Any Flight Charges, Visa Fees,
Airport Tax.
Unspecified Meals etc.
Monument Entrances.
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