Special Offers: Splendor and Serenity in India, Bhutan, and Nepal

You arrive at Delhi’s new International Airport Terminal 3, and perhaps the new gateway to modern India. You will be warmly welcomed by your &Beyond India host and chauffeured to The Taj Mahal hotel. Unpack, settle in, relax and recover.

Spend one overnight at The Taj Mahal hotel. Accommodation is in Deluxe Room with ensuite facilities. Your stay is on bed & breakfast basis.

This morning you will be met and chauffered to the Delhi airport to connect to your flight to Jabalpur.

On arrival in Jabalpur you will be met and driven to Bandhavgarh National Park (approx 3.5 hours drive-one way).

An essential stop on any serious tiger safari, Bandhavgarh National Park is renowned for one of India’s highest concentrations of this magnificent animal. A relatively small park with a thriving tiger population, it offers guests a good chance of encountering the king of the jungle, as well as a selection of other exotic wildlife. Cradled between the picturesque Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges, Bandhavgarh boasts a breathtaking mixture of dense green valleys and rocky hills. Tropical forests and woodlands are interspersed with flat grasslands and serene waterholes.

On arrival in Bandhavgarh you will check into the &Beyond Lodge Mahua Kothi. Guests in search of an authentic jungle experience won't be disappointed at Mahua Kothi Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge, where just 12 kutiyas scattered around an original homestead disappear into the bamboo fronds.

Spend three overnights at &Beyond Taj Safari Lodge “Mahua Kothi”. Accommodation is in Air Conditioned Luxury Cottage with ensuite facilities. Your stay is on full board basis including scheduled game drives by shared jeeps.

Insider’s tips: Explore a 2 000 year old fort and a 10th century statue of Lord Vishnu.

Experience game drives in Bandhavgarh National Park

Explore the dense jungles of Bandhavgarh National Park on early morning and afternoon game drives in an open 4x4 safari vehicle. One of our specially trained naturalists will accompany you throughout, pointing out and explaining details about the fascinating animals and plants of the jungle. Your early morning drive enters the park as the dawn is breaking over the jungle. You might stop for a mid-morning snack at the ancient fort.

Experience an early morning game drive at Bandhavgarh National Park.

After an early lunch, you will be chauffeured to Panna (approx 05 hours drive-one way).

One of the most pristine, quiet and beautiful of India’s wilderness areas, Panna National Park is the ideal place to escape to for serene appreciation of the country’s sheer natural beauty. The diverse landscape of gorges, plateaus, forests and the majestic Ken River create surprises around every corner. Although the tiger population of the park is sparse, Panna is home to no less than five other species of cat – leopard, jungle cat, leopard cat, rusty spotted cat and caracal. Hyenas, wild dogs, jackals, wolves and foxes are also found here, together with India’s ‘Big Four’ snakes, the spectacled cobra, Russel’s viper, saw scaled viper and common krait.

On arrival in Panna you will check in at &Beyond Lodge Pashan Garh. Taj Safaris’ jungle safari lodge comprises a cluster of stone cottages huddled atop a small hill, with magnificent views over the forest and a large nearby waterhole, which has been host to numerous tiger and resident antelope sightings.

Spend two overnights at &Beyond Taj Safaris Lodge “Pashan Garh”. Accommodation is in a Stone Cottage with ensuite facilities. Your stay includes meals.

This morning after breakfast you will be driven to Khajuraho (approx 01 hour drive-one way) for a short guided tour of Khajuraho Temple complex. In time you will be chauffeured to the airport for oyr flight to Varanasi.

Upon arrival at Varanasi airport and you will be met by your driver and driven to Allahabad (approx 03 hours 30 minutes drive-one way).

The Mahakumbh Mela is a spiritual event of epic proportions which takes place every 12 years in the city of Allahabad in northern India. It is a pilgrimage of faith, salvation and hope for millions of Indians and vast numbers gather in observance of one of India’s most famous religious events. Allahabad, the ancient holy city of Prayag (holiest of the holy) is located at the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna and is considered the most sacred and location for the Mela.

On arrival at the Mahakumbh you will have to walk for a few meters to reach your camp.

The Lakshmi Kutir camp is based on the premise of getting guests to connect with the real spiritual and holistic aspects of the Maha Kumbh and those related to Indian philosophy, mythology and wellness.

The essence of Lakshmi Kutir is the correct interpretation of the Maha Kumbh and Indian religion. The camp host, a spiritual Sadhak, is a Kumbh specialist and has over the last 22 years devoted herself to her guru and her personal spiritual journey. She will share her deep understanding of the spiritual and religious communities in India and take our guests through what is a very personal journey in the lives of millions of people.

Spend two overnights at Lakshmi Kutir. Accommodation is in a Luxury Tent with ensuite facilities. Your stay includes meals. As we are part of a spiritual event, the camp is vegetarian and alcohol will not be served.

Today after your breakfast you will be driven to Varanasi airport (approx 03 hours 30 minutes drive-one way) to connect to your flight to Delhi.

Arrive at International airport in Delhi and internally connect to your onward destination.

Upon arrival at Paro you will be met by your guide and driven to Thimpu (approximately 1 hour drive). Thimpu is the capital to the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan and perhaps the smallest capital in the world. Thimpu is a gallery of traditional Bhutanese art, architecture, culture, and tradition and above all still so ethnic and pure. For most part of its history, Bhutan has tried consciously to save its culture from the blunt influences of the western world. It is not that modernity has not reached this region, but they are being introduced in a phased and balanced manner that is unheard of at any place in the world. All these make Thimpu and other parts of the country a unique destination.

Enroute stop to visit the Tamchogg Lakhang and marvel at the iron bridge reconstructed using original chain links from the famous Tibetan bridge builder Thangtong Gyalpo.

On arrival, check into your hotel.

Later if time permits, visit the National Memorial Stupa, built in the memory of the 3rd king of Bhutan.

Spend two nights in Aman Kora Thimphu. Accommodation is in a Suite with ensuite facilities. Your stay is on full board basis.

Insider’s Tip: Engange in a private discourse on Buddhism with a monk in Cheri Goempa, the oldest monastic school in Bhutan

Spend the day sightseeing in the city. Places to visit: National Library, Zilukha Nunnery, Folk Heritage Museum, School of Fine Art, Trashicho Dzong, National Textile Museum, and the handmade paper factory. You may also wish to visit the Sintokha Dzong and Buddha Point.

After breakfast, visit the weekend vegetable market where you can see local people selling farm fresh vegetables. Also visit Zangtogpelri Lhakhang before leaving for Punakha, the old winter capital of Bhutan.

En route visit Trashigang Goempa (the trek up to the temple will take about an hour).

Later we’ll cross the Dochula Pass at an altitude of 3150m. On a clear day the whole range of Eastern Himalayas can be seen from here, so fingers crossed! Dochula is marked by large array of prayer flags and the 108 chortens (stupa) called Druk Wangyal Chorten. With Her Majesty Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk’s initiative, these Chortens were built to honour His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuk and his people for their victory in the war fought in the southern region of Bhutan in 2003 and for the benefit of all the sentient beings. The Druk Wangyal Lhakhang stands on the crest of Dochula overlooking the unique spiral of 108 stupas. The serene temple sits like the core of the a living mandala formed by the great snow-clad northern mountain range that shimmers in the distance.

Descend down to the Punakha Valley to an altitude of 1350m. On arrival, check in your hotel and relax.

Spend two nights in Punakha. Your accommodation in AmanKora hotel is in Suite rooms with ensuite facilities. Your stay is on full board basis.

Insider’s Tip: Go on a Level 3 rafting experience on Po Chhu (river) while in Punakha

Punakha is an absolutely incredible place, with valleys and terrace farming on mountains on both sides, and a river flowing through the valley. We’ll visit the glorious Punakha Dzong, also known as the “the Palace of Great Bliss.”

After lunch you will be taken to Khamsung Yuely Namgyel Temple (it’s a 30 minute hike from the car park up to the Temple). Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten stands out on a beautiful ridge above the Punakha valley, built by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck. It took 9 years to build and holy scriptures rather than engineering manuals were consulted to construct this 4-story temple. It is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture and artistic traditions. This temple has been dedicated for the well-being of the kingdom, its people and all sentient beings.

Afterwards, hike back to the hotel, passing through villages and walking along the river Mo chu (approximate 60-90 minute hike).

After an early breakfast, depart for Paro. Enroute visit the Chimi Lakhang, walking past green fields and rice paddies, passing farmers and livestock in the terraced fields. The temple was built in 1499 and is located on a hillock in the centre of the valley. It is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley, who in the late 15th century used humour, songs and outrageous behaviour to dramatize his teachings and hence was also known as the “Divine Madman." It is widely believed that childless couple who pray at this temple are usually blessed with children.

Later, drive to Haa valley via Chelela (pass) which is 3988m. This is the highest road pass in Bhutan, snaking through blue pine and rhododendron forests for 35km. On a very clear day the views of second highest peak, Mt. Jhomolhari (7314mtrs) is possible. In Haa Valley, drive to Katsho village and hike for 1 hr uphill to Juneydrak hermitage. After the bracing walk along the prayer flag-bedecked ridge, hike back down into valley for a picnic lunch by the Haa River.

After lunch, visit the ancient temple which is known as "white temple," built in seventh century by Songsen Gempo. After that, make a short stop at Wangchulo dzong which was built in 1917 by first king of Bhutan, presently occupied by Indian Army. Continue on to Paro.

On arrival in Paro, check into your hotel, Amankora Paro. Spend two nights in a Suite on a full board basis.

Insider’s Tips:
• Enjoy a refreshing hot stone bath followed by dinner in a private farm house
• An evening with a Rimpoche discussing philosophy of Buddhism

After breakfast, we hike up to Taktsang monastery (The Tiger’s Nest). For people unaccustomed to the altitude, it takes about three hours at an average walking speed to reach the temples. Enroute up the mountain, a stop at teahouse for refreshments and a classic view of the monastery gives a welcome break. The path may appear somewhat hair-raising at times, but it is well groomed and worth the views!

One of the most amazing and important pieces of architecture in Bhutan, Taktsang Goemba defies logic, gravity, and reason. Taktsang monastery is one of the most venerated pilgrim sites of the Himalayan world and it contains 13 holy places. Taktsang, the “Tiger’s Lair,” gets its name from the story of its birth. In the 8th century, Guru Rinpoche came to Taktsang in a miraculous manner, flying on the back of a tigress from Khenpajong in the region of Kurteop. According to Bhutanese legend, the tigress was a form taken by one of the Master’s consorts for the occasion.

Return walk is all downhill and takes about 1 1/2 hour.

Lunch is at the hotel. Rest of the day is free.

This morning we depart the land of the Thunder Dragon and connect to our flight to Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu, you will be driven to the Dwarika Hotel.

Later in the day, you will visit the ancient religious complex of Swayambhunath, as well as the Durbar square. Swayambhunath is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. It is also known as the Monkey Temple as there are holy monkeys living in parts of the temple in the north-west. For the Buddhist Newars in whose mythological history and origin myth as well as day-to-day religious practice, Swayambhunath occupies a central position, and is probably the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimages in the Kathmandu Valley.

The Kathmandu Durbar Square is the central focus of this ancient city. The area includes the palaces of the Malla and Shah kings who ruled over the city. Along with these palaces, the square also surrounds quadrangles revealing courtyards and temples. The square is presently known as Hanuman Dhoka, a name derived from the statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, near the entrance of the palace.

Spend one overnight in the Dwarika’s Hotel, Kathmandu. Your accommodation will be in a Heritage junior suite with ensuite facilities. Your stay will be on bed and breakfast basis.

Insider’s Tip: Try the early morning mountain flight to get close views of Mt Everest.

After an early breakfast you will be chauffeured to Kathmandu airport, where you will board a scheduled flight to Nepalgunj. On arrival a vehicle will be waiting to transfer you to the Tiger Tops lodge (2 hr drive).

Relax for four nights in an ensuite room at the Karnali Lodge. Set on the edge of Bardia National Park, Karnali Lodge offers each visitor the chance to explore the most undisturbed wilderness area in the Terai lowlands that run along the base of the Himalaya. The villages of the indigenous Tharu people surround the park, and the jungle lodge embraces much of the Tharu architecture, offering a perfect mix of nature, culture, adventure and luxury. There is a central dining area and Western and Nepali cuisine is served.

Spend a total of four nights in Tiger Tops Lodge, Bardia. Your accommodation will be in rooms with ensuite facilities. Your stay is on full board basis.

Insider’s Tip: Don’t miss bathing the private elephants owned by the lodge.

Bardia National Park is both the largest and least disturbed patch of terrain forest and grassland in the region. The park lists 53 mammal species, and over 400 species of birds. On early morning and evening elephant safaris, explore the park in search of one-horned rhinoceros, deer, monkeys, wild boars, jungle fowl, leopard, sloth bear, wild elephant and the elusive tiger. Nature walks with experienced naturalists, game drives, and rafting trips along the Karnali river are also arranged.

Return to the Nepalgunj airport for a flight to Kathmandu. On arrival, you will be met and driven to your hotel.

Relax for the night in an ensuite room in the Dwarikas Hotel in Kathmandu. Your stay is on bed and breakfast basis.

This morning you will be met by your chauffeur and driven to the Kathmandu airport in time for you to board your flight to Bangkok.