Responsible Golden Triangle, Tigers & Dragons

Arrive in Delhi, where, you’ll be met by our representative and transfer to your hotel.

After lunch, we shall start our tour with a visit to the World Heritage site of Qutub Minar, followed by the grandest of early Mughal monuments in India, Humayun’s Tomb.

Today, we marvel at the glory days of Mughals in Old Delhi (Shahjahanbad), starting with an early visit to Jama Masjid, the grand mosque. Climb one of the minarets of the mosque for a truly spectacular bird’s eye view (if open to public)

Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the busy Chandni Chowk markets, where the street food has something for everyone – lip-smacking kebabs, paranthas and mithais.

During the afternoon, you’ll visit a traditional family-owned perfumery to observe the medieval art of making natural perfumes.

Meet a Kabootar-baaz and learn all about the intricacies of the sport of pigeon racing from the rooftops of Old Delhi for a truly unique cultural experience to end your day. Then drive along the wide treelined boulevards of New Delhi.

This evening, join a unique City Walk tour with the Salaam Balak trust – an English-guided tour of almost two hours conducted by children who used to live in the streets of Delhi before joining the Trust. These adolescents are fully trained as local guides and want to improve their communication and speaking skills. City Walk gets the children’s stories heard and gives people a view of their world through their eyes. Led by a teenager at the Trust, the City Walk tour covers the streets of the inner city of Paharganj and the area around New Delhi Railway Station. The respective child is someone who once lived and worked on the streets. This makes the tour special and personal for the tour guide. You will experience a tour far from the typical and touristy places and cover lesser-known attractions.  Over the last 19 years, thousands have taken the Walk and empowered several children, thus helping them join mainstream life.

Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in central Delhi.

After an early breakfast drive to Agra (04.5 hours) via Yamuna Expressway.

Enroute, stop at Wildlife SOS Elephant centre to see rescued elephants with their guide. End your visit with a home style simple lunch.

Proceed to Agra, and visit the Mehtab Bagh, a lost Mughal Garden which has gradually been restored and is the best place to watch dusk fall over the Taj Mahal from across the river.

After breakfast, visit Agra Fort, followed by a short walk around old bazaars of Agra.
Visit Agra’s Jama Masjid, tucked away in the streets of the old city.

To gain insight on Agra’s living arts and distinctive cuisines, see some of Agra’s speciality foods being prepared – the sweet ‘Petha’, the savoury ‘Dal Moth’ (Agra’s tangy version of Bombay mix).

The mausoleum of Itmad-ud-daulah (often called ‘Baby Taj’) is perfectly formed, and profusely decorated in marble inlays.

Later, visit the Roman Catholic cemetery in Agra to gain insight into the lives of the British and European powerful folk who lie buried here in grand mausoleums, one of which is a smaller version of the Taj, built in red sandstone (often called the ‘Red Taj’)

Fall in love with the Taj Mahal at sunrise. An early morning start to beat the crowds is the best way to appreciate its sublime beauty. No matter how many times one has seen the photos, the experience is truly memorable. Watch marble inlay artisans at a marble workshop.

After breakfast back at hotel, drive to Jaipur (5hrs)

Enroute, visit the Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, a World Heritage site with its red sandstone architecture still in remarkable condition.

Visit Abhaneri stepwell, one of the best stepwells in India, with its numerous mesmerizingly geometric steps leading down to the water.

Explore the city on a guided tour that takes in the majestic City Palace, including exclusive tour of the Royal and private apartments, followed by visits to the iconic Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar.

Enjoy the ‘Culture Gully’ Rickshaw tour with the Pink City Rickshaw, a not-for-profit organization that aims to provide a new aspirational employment opportunity to 200 women from low income households in Jaipur. Skilled to ply custom designed e-rickshaws, they have enrolled as equity holders in the Pink City Rickshaw Co. that they now proudly own and manage. On this tour you will visit markets and see local craftsmen in action, all the while knowing that you are helping improve the lives of local women.

Explore Amber Fort, Jaipur’s hill citadel, with its elaborate pavilions and palaces.

Later, visit the nearby Anokhi museum to learn about India’s rich tradition of textile weaving.

End your time in Jaipur with a drive back to Delhi (5hrs) to check into your hotel for the night.

This morning, after a relaxed breakfast, check out and drive to Corbett National Park (6 hrs).

Your car/driver will drop you at your hotel and leave, since you do not need a personal vehicle while you are in Corbett. All your ventures into the jungle from your hotel and back will be on the safari vehicles.

Check into your hotel and relax for the rest of the evening.

After an early breakfast, drive to the Dhikala Zone of Corbett National Park.

Driving to the Dhikala Forest Rest House itself is a jeep safari inside Corbett National Park, as the rest house is located deep into the jungle, and many visitors have tiger and elephant sightings while on their way to Dhikala from the national park’s entrance.

Arrive Dhikala Forest Rest House and check in at your rooms. Relax for a few hours and have lunch at the rest house restaurant.

In the afternoon, embark on a jeep safari in the Dhikala Zone.

Enjoy your morning Jeep safari to Dhikala Zone
After breakfast at the Dhikala rest house, drive out to Camp Riverwild. As previously, this drive (about 2 hours) is a full fledged safari and you should be prepared for animal sightings.

Arrive camp Riverwild and check in at your rooms
In the afternoon, go birding locally (on foot) along the Kosi River looking for special birds such as a the Ibisbill

Today, enjoy your last morning and evening safaris in Corbett National Park.

Relax at your resort in the evening, looking back at the wildlife sightings.

This morning, after breakfast, you will transfer to the Ramnagar railway station to catch your train to Delhi (#25036, 1005-1525). You will be travelling in AC Chair Car (CC), the best class available on this route.

Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be transferred to your hotel near the airport, to prepare for your flight to Bhutan next morning.

Fly from Delhi to Paro (Bhutan) this morning.  On your fight into Bhutan you will have breath-taking views of the High Himalayan peaks. At Paro airport you will be welcomed by our representative.

Drive east into Thimphu (2 hrs) on well-maintained roads, through the beautiful Paro valley.

Visit the Tachog Lakhang en-route to your hotel in Thimphu. Later in the day, visit Thimpu’s Weekend market, a colourful and interesting place where you will find many photographic opportunities.

As time permits, visit some of Thimphu’s many cultural sights: choose from the Textile Museum, the Institute of Traditional Medicine, Folk Heritage museum, the School of Fine Arts; the National library; the Post Office; and the National Memorial Chorten. On our way back to the hotel, stop by Changlimithang Stadium, the national archery ground to see the Bhutanese practicing their archery skills!

Today, you’ll explore Thimphu’s cultural delights, starting with Cheri Goemba where there are great photography opportunities. Returning to Thimphu city, visit Motithang Takin Reserve to meet one of Bhutan’s most enigmatic mammals, the Takin. If the Rhododenrons are in bloom, you’ll visit to the Royal Botanical Park.

Later, you’ll visit the Trashi Chho Dzong, and Kuensal Phodrang for the giant Buddha statue.

Your guide will be able to tailor your day based on your interests, and plan visits to the museums and places of interest you may not have had time to visit the previous day.

An early morning drive (3hrs) east to the milder and warmer climate of Punakha climbs through apple orchards and forests of blue pine before entering pristine mixed forests. The pass at Dochu La (3,116m), is an awe-inspiring sight; with prayer flags strewn across its width. Sip warm tea until dawn breaks over the snow-capped Himalayan peaks.

Proceed down to the green terraced fields, famous for growing red rice around Punakha. A gentle walk to the temple of Cheme Lhakhang; perhaps in time to hear the monks at prayer in this tranquil rural landscape. In the afternoon walk around Punakha Dzong (1637). This pristine environment is also a nature-lovers paradise where we may catch sight of the rare and endangered White-bellied Heron.

Punakha Dzong is considered to be one of the most beautiful Dzongs in Bhutan. Inside the dzong is the Kuenrey, a beautiful temple housing the ‘hundred-pillar’ assembly hall with exceptional murals, enormous 18th century golden statues, and most surprising of all is the high ceiling, exquisitely painted with hundreds of dragons. We have chosen the afternoon when the light is perfect to bring the richness of the paintings and a quieter time to enjoy the ambience of this remarkable dzong.

The 160 meters Pho Chhu Suspension Bridge is known for the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan, which gives you spectacular views of Punakha Dzong and the Pho Chhu Valley.

Evening at leisure.

Drive to Paro (3.5 hrs) and visit:

Ta Dzong : Built in 1656 as a watchtower for Rinpung Dzong is now used as the National Museum which is a repository of not only precious works of art but also costumes, Armour and other hand crafted objects of daily life that provide a good snapshot of the rich cultural traditions of the country. It opens 7 days a week except on National Holidays.

Rinpung Dzong: Built in 1646 by Lama Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal and strategically located to thwart Tibetan incursions into the rest of the country, this Dzong became one of Bhutan’s strongest and most important fortresses.

Kyichu Lhakhang: It was built in 659 by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. The temple fell into disrepair but was superbly restored in 1839 by the 25th Je Khempo (Chief Abbot). He also contributed the outstanding statue of Avalokiteshwara, with eleven heads and thousand arms, which is located in the sanctuary.

Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery: The hike to Taktshang Monastery perched on a cliff at 2950m/9700ft takes anywhere from 4 to 6 hours as per your hiking ability. It is an uphill hike to the Monastery. There is a cafeteria (Taktsang Jakhang) on the half way.

Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava (the great Buddhist master) with his magical powers came to Taktshang in the eighth century, flying from the east of the country on the back of a tigress (a form that one of his consorts is believed to have taken). He is said to have meditated for about three months in a cave on the cliff and subdued the evil spirits. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in the 1692 by the fourth Desi Tenzin Rabgay. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below.

After lunch, drive up the valley to view the ruins of the Drugyel Dzong (literally meaning the fortress of victory), which once defended this valley from several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century. It is now being rebuilt to its former glory.

Visit the Paro town with a street of typical Bhutanese traditional buildings.