Ultimate India & Bhutan

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi
Step off the plane and into another world. Your VVIP welcome ensures a seamless arrival as you’re whisked through the airport and driven to The Imperial, a hotel that feels like a living museum, its marble halls echoing with tales of empire. Spend the afternoon unwinding, letting the hum of the city filter through jasmine-scented gardens and art-lined corridors.

Day 2: Echoes of Past and Present

Begin in New Delhi, where Mughal domes stand in elegant harmony. Explore Humayun’s Tomb, a masterpiece of symmetry, and feel the calm reverence of Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, where prayers drift over sacred waters. Later, the tempo shifts in Old Delhi, a whirlwind of colour, sound, and scent. Weave through Chandni Chowk by cycle rickshaw, past spice stalls and silver merchants, before stepping into the vast Jama Masjid. Conclude with a traditional dinner at Haveli Dharampura, a beautifully restored mansion that captures the spirit and soul of Delhi’s storied past.

Day 3: Reflections in the Water
This morning, fly south to Udaipur, a city of shimmering lakes and ivory palaces. As the sun dips low, step aboard a private boat and glide across Lake Pichola, its rippling waters reflecting the marble facades of royal residences. The light fades, bells chime from distant temples, and Udaipur glows in soft gold, India at its most poetic.

Day 4: Stories in Stone and Silence
Begin your day in the City Palace, an opulent maze of courtyards, mosaic halls, and sweeping views over the lake. Wander through the sacred calm of Jagdish Temple, its intricate carvings telling stories of gods and kings. In the afternoon, travel to Nagda and Eklingji, where ancient temples rise from quiet lakesides, their weathered walls whispering centuries of devotion.

Day 5: Palaces and Petals
Fly to Jaipur, a city painted in pink. At Rambagh Palace, once home to the Maharaja himself, your arrival feels like stepping into a bygone era. Spend your afternoon at leisure, perhaps by the pool beneath peacocks strutting across manicured lawns, or wandering where royal guests once gathered.

Day 6: Forts, Crafts, and Colour
Rise early for a journey to Amber Fort, its ramparts glowing in the morning light. Inside, mirrored halls reflect the past in a thousand flickers. Later, explore the City Palace Museum and the astronomical wonders of Jantar Mantar, before joining your guide through Jaipur’s old bazaars, where craftsmen hammer brass, jewellers polish gemstones, and the scent of cardamom drifts through the air.

Day 7: The Road to Agra
Your journey east unfolds through countryside and colour, pausing at the haunting beauty of Fatehpur Sikri, a Mughal city long abandoned yet perfectly preserved. Arrive in Agra, where your suite at The Oberoi Amarvilas gazes directly onto the Taj Mahal. As the sun sets, watch the marble glow in hues of rose and amber, a love story carved in stone.

Day 8: The Taj at Dawn
At sunrise, the Taj Mahal feels almost otherworldly, its reflection shimmering on the still water, its symmetry flawless. Return for breakfast before exploring Agra Fort and Itmad-ud-Daulah, both monuments to power and artistry. Later, drive back to Delhi and settle into The Roseate, a serene retreat surrounded by gardens and reflecting pools.

Day 9:  From Palaces to the Himalayas
Fly to Paro, Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Your drive to Punakha winds past fluttering prayer flags at Dochula Pass, where the Himalayas stand sentinel on the horizon. By afternoon, descend into the lush Punakha Valley and settle into your riverside lodge, embraced by forest and birdsong.

Day 10: Blessings and Stillness
Visit the resplendent Punakha Dzong, its whitewashed walls rising at the meeting of two rivers. Walk through emerald rice paddies to Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility, where monks offer blessings and laughter drifts through the air. The afternoon is unhurried, time to watch the river flow, the clouds drift, and the mind quieten.

Day 11: Across the Pass
Cross back over Dochula Pass, pausing to admire its 108 chortens framed by snow-capped peaks. In Thimphu, visit the towering Buddha Dordenma, golden and serene, gazing over the capital. As dusk falls, monks’ chants echo through the valley.

Day 12: Heart of the Kingdom
Immerse yourself in Thimphu’s rhythm, the scent of butter lamps in Memorial Chorten, the calm order of Tashichho Dzong, and the charm of the Folk Heritage Museum. Between visits, wander the markets, where crimson-robed monks brush past vendors selling chilies, incense, and handwoven textiles.

Day 13: Valleys of Legend
Journey to Paro, a valley steeped in myth. Explore the National Museum and Rinpung Dzong, where whitewashed walls glow beneath pine-clad hills. Then retreat to COMO Paro, a haven of peace where crisp mountain air fills every breath.

Day 14: The Ascent to Tiger’s Nest
Few experiences compare to the climb to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), clinging to a cliff high above the valley. The air thins, the prayer flags flutter, and when you finally arrive, silence. The monastery seems to float between earth and sky. Back at your lodge, a traditional hot stone bath soothes the spirit after this sacred ascent.