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(18 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Delhi, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai
This comprehensive luxury tour is an ideal combination of two fascinating destinations: India and Bhutan. It features private touring of highlights such as the Taj Mahal, Tiger’s Nest Monastery and Rajasthani forts, as well as activities such as a cooking class, nature walks and private meetings with local experts.
Begin in Delhi, the vibrant capital of India. During private touring with your expert local guide, experience the best of Old and New Delhi: ride a rickshaw through bustling markets and bazaars overflowing with spices, bangles and saris; browse fashionable districts filled with galleries and boutiques selling beautiful Indian crafts and decorative items; tour historic attractions and UNESCO sites such as the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutb Minar and Jama Masjid; and visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum, Crafts Museum or other specialty museums. Other options include culinary touring, personalized shopping tours, visiting the Lodhi Gardens and more.
Next, fly to Bhutan and transfer to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. During comprehensive private touring, experience cultural highlights such as important Buddhist sites, local markets, and various museums specializing in textiles, folk heritage, and traditional arts and crafts. Artisans of Leisure will also arrange a meeting with a local astrologer, an important figure in Bhutanese daily life, as well as a visit to Tashichho Dzong, an impressive traditional fortress that houses the Bhutanese civil government. If desired, enjoy a private hike to rural villages and monasteries tucked into the foothills of the Himalayas. Upon request, we can also arrange for special experiences such as a private Bhutanese cooking lesson at a local home or a private meditation session with monks.
Next, enjoy a scenic transfer through the mountains to Punakha, the ancient winter capital of Bhutan. Stop en route at Dochula Pass to see its 108 chortens and take in views of the Himalayas. Descend into Punakha, a subtropical valley filled with rhododendrons, citrus trees and banana plants. During private touring, enjoy peaceful walks through rural farming villages, light a butter lamp at a local temple, opt to hike up a mountain for beautiful panoramic views of the valley, tour the stunning Punakha Dzong, and visit a Buddhist nunnery overlooking the valley. Accommodation will be at a luxurious hotel overlooking the Mo Chhu river set among rice terraces, chili and cabbage fields, and traditional Bhutanese farmhouses.
The Bhutan portion of the tour concludes in Paro, a picturesque town in a verdant river valley with a charming main street brimming with shops and cafes. During private touring, visit the National Museum, browse for locally made crafts and Buddhist items, and take an excursion to breathtaking Tiger's Nest, a cliffside Buddhist monastery that's a highlight of Bhutan. Also enjoy a private lesson in archery, Bhutan's national sport. Other activities can be incorporated based on your interests, such as yoga, a biking excursion, or traditional Bhutanese spa treatments.
Return to India for an overnight stay in Delhi and enjoy continued shopping and sightseeing as desired before continuing to Agra to visit the spellbinding Taj Mahal, the world’s greatest monument to love. During a private tour, learn about the history of the ornate marble mausoleum, and admire the incredible craftsmanship of inlaid stone decorations and carved marble screens. Also visit local marble studios, markets and Agra Fort. Stay at the beautiful Oberoi Amarvilas in a room with an open view of the Taj, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Continue to Jaipur, the famed Pink City of Rajasthan. During private touring see the highlights of the vast City Palace, admire the beautiful carved sandstone facade of the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Wind), and walk around the sculpture-like structures of the Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One day, visit Amber Fort, an impressive hilltop fortress and UNESCO site, and see its spectacular Sheesh Mahal, a room covered in dazzling mirror mosaics. Jaipur is also known for bazaars, shops and decorative arts, and there will be time to experience the top boutiques, woodblock print studios, jewelry stores, markets and museums. If desired, also experience the city’s beautiful cafes and other architectural highlights. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange visits to local philanthropic projects. One evening, enjoy a fascinating aarti religious ceremony at a white marble Hindu temple.
Fly to Udaipur, a beautiful city built around lakes and hills. During private touring, enjoy a private cruise on Lake Pichola, tour the City Palace and Jagdish Temple, visit Saheliyon Ki Bari Garden, see decorative arts highlights, walk through whitewashed backstreets, browse local bazaars, and visit local studios specializing in miniature paintings and folk art. One day, take a private excursion to see interesting local temples and enjoy a memorable lunch in an 18th-century palace with amazing views. Another day, Artisans of Leisure will arrange an insider culinary experience at the home of a prestigious local family. During leisure time, enjoy the luxurious facilities at the lavish Udaivilas resort.
Conclude in exciting Mumbai (Bombay), the economic capital of India and the home of the Bollywood film industry. During private touring, explore the lively food and art scene, walk along the waterfront, visit the most interesting neighborhoods to browse boutiques or stop in cafes, visit Crawford Market, tour top cultural attractions such as Prince of Wales Museum and UNESCO-listed Victorian architecture, walk through bazaars dedicated to flowers and jewelry, tour contemporary art galleries or see Dhobi Ghat, a famous open-air laundry. Upon request, we can also arrange Jewish touring or in-depth culinary touring in Mumbai. One day, take a private boat ride to Elephant Island and the Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO-listed site of rock-cut Hindu cave temples. Artisans of Leisure can also make reservations at Mumbai’s top restaurants or tickets for Bollywood shows.
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