Special Interest Tour

Arrive in Delhi. In the arrival hall, you will be met by our colleague who will escort you to your hotel and help you to check-in.

The next morning, you will visit Humayun’s Tomb, one of the architectural triumphs of the Mughal Empire and the Qutb Minar complex (both UNESCO World Heritage Sites), which has many historic monuments. Next, you will drive through Kartavya Path (Rajpath) or “King’s Way” and the wide, tree-lined avenues of New Delhi. You will also visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the temple of the followers of the Sikh religion.

Thereafter, you will drive to the walled city of Old Delhi. On arrival, lunch will be served at Lakhori, the in-house Indian restaurant at Haveli Dharampura a beautifully restored heritage mansion nestled in the radial labyrinth of the old quarter of the city.

After lunch, you will visit Jama Masjid which is believed to be the largest mosque in India and Shah Jahan’s last architectural venture. You will then climb on board cycle-rickshaws and take a ride through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk market. Afterwards, you will walk down the famous lanes of Khari Baoli spice market.

Meals: B, L

After breakfast, you will drive to Agra (approximately 4 hours, excluding stops). On arrival, you will visit one of the most significant monuments of the city, the Agra Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Late in the afternoon, you will visit the quiet Mehtab Bagh Garden, a beautifully restored pleasure garden from the Mughal Era. You will spend time here watching the sunset over the Taj Mahal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Early the next morning, you will visit the stunning Taj Mahal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a mausoleum and a symbol of the enduring love of Emperor Shah Jahan for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth in 1631.

Meals: B

After breakfast, you will drive to Ranthambore (approximately 5.5 hours, excluding stops).

En-route, you will stop for lunch at Agman Camp, a local restaurant. After lunch, you will drive to Abhaneri to visit Chand Baori, the most popular stepwell in the region. You will then visit Harshat Mata temple, dedicated to the goddess Harshat Mata and the other major attraction of Abhaneri.

After your visit, you will continue your drive to Ranthambore and on arrival, check-in to your resort.

During your stay, you will be taken for three “game drives” inside Ranthambore National Park. All your drives will be in a private jeep, along with a naturalist.

After your morning drive, you will return to your resort to freshen up and have breakfast. You will have enough time to relax before you venture out for your afternoon drive.

Meals: B, L, D

You will drive to Jaipur (approximately 4 hours, excluding stops).

During your stay in the Pink City, you will visit the Fort-Palace at Amber (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). You will be taken to the excellent Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing for a private and interactive block printing demonstration with a curator. You will then drive to a private farmhouse abutting the forest (approximately 30 minutes, excluding stops) to interact with the farm’s resident elephants.

Note: Peirce & Leslie is very careful that all participants in the travel ecosphere (including animals) are treated well. We therefore do not support any activities which involve animals unless we are satisfied, they are well cared for.

You will also visit the City Palace, which at the behest of the Maharaja was built near the temple of his personal deity. Here, you will take a private tour of the residential areas of the Palace (not open to the public).

Also visit the extraordinary Jantar Mantar, the astronomical observatory built by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1724 and stop to take photographs at the iconic Hawa Mahal or ‘Palace of the Winds’.

The next morning, you will take a walking tour of the old quarter of the city, seldom visited by travelers and spend some time shopping in the local bazaars.

Meals: B, L

You will drive to Delhi (approximately 4 hours, excluding stops).

On arrival at your hotel, you will be met by our Peirce & Leslie colleague who will help you to check-in.

Meals: B

You will take a flight to Paro.

Upon arrival, you will be met by your Tour Manager who will escort you to your hotel in Thimphu (approximately 1.5 hours, excluding stops) and will help you to check-in.

While you’re in the capital, you will explore the major attractions of Thimphu – National Memorial Chorten, Thimphu’s main street and market area, the Textile Museum, the Post Office (where you can make your own personalized stamps), Zilukha Nunnery (also known as the Drubthob Goemba Monastery), the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly referred to as the ‘Painting School’), Folk Heritage Museum and Trashi Chhoe Dzong (the seat of Bhutan’s government and royal offices).

Meals: B, D

You will drive to Punakha(approximately 3.5 hours, excluding stops).

On the way, you will stop at the high mountain pass of Dochu La hoist a prayer flag at the pass.

During your stay, you will take a hike to Chimi Lhakhang. It is widely believed that when childless couples who want to get pregnant, pray at this temple, they are usually blessed with a child very soon. You might like to visit the Punakha Dzong, home to the remains of Bhutan’s first ruler and the winter residence of the monastic order’s leader and his entourage of monks.

You will also hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a stunning monument built by the Bhutanese Queen Mother and consecrated in 1999. Also on the tour, you will head south-west of the valley to visit the villages of Talo and Nongang, renowned for being the cleanest villages in Punakha. You will spend some time with the villagers and gain an insight into their culture, habits and way of life.

Next, you will then take a short drive to Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang. The temple complex also houses a higher learning and meditation centre where nuns are educated about the teachings of Buddhism and provided with life skill training.

Meals: B, L, D

You will drive to Paro (approximately 3 hours, excluding stops). En-route, you will stop at Wangduephodrang Dzong, one of the oldest monasteries of the mountain kingdom.

Thereafter, you will visit the National Museum which provides a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom. A short walk downhill from the museum is the imposing Rinpung Dzong, which means Fortress of the Heap of Jewels”.

The next morning, you will hike up to view one of Bhutan’s most dramatic monuments, the Taktsang Goemba, more commonly referred to as the Tiger’s Nest, built on a sheer cliff face at a height of 2,950m (9,678ft). Note: For those who need assistance on the climb, mules and donkeys will be on hand. Your guide will check in advance if you would like to avail of this service.

On your last day, you may like to take an exploratory walk around Paro’s main street and market area. You can stop at the 7th-century twin temples of Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the first Buddhist temples built in the country. If you like, you can also light 108 butter lamps at the temple (direct payment). Thereafter, you might like to take a short stroll across the open fields and through villages.

You will then spend time in a Bhutanese farmhouse. You will have the opportunity to see how the agrarian Bhutanese live and gain an insight into the everyday nuances of village life followed by sit-down dinner. Thereafter, you may like to participate in an archery session with an archer.

Meals: B, L, D