Itinerary – Ultimate Odyssey Package
Day 1 – Arrival in Paro, Bhutan
Arrive Paro
International Airport in Paro, Bhutan. If you are flying in from Bangkok
you will enjoy the magnificent views of the Himalayas including Mount
Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous peaks such as the sacred 
Mountains of Bhutan –
Chomolhari and Jitchu Drake. Upon arrival in Paro, you will be greeted
at the airport by our guide and taken to your hotel for check-in.
After
lunch we will visit the 17th century National Museum where you will get
your first introduction to the rich history of Bhutan. Next we will
head to the beautiful Paro Dzong where – a massive 17th century fortress
where you will be introduced to Bhutanese history and culture. We will
wrap up this wonderful day by strolling downhill over an old cantilever
bridge as we head back to our hotel for a late afternoon tea.
Day
2 – Tiger’s Nest excursion
After an early morning breakfast,
we will spend the day visiting the magical Taktsang Monastery, also
known as Tiger’s Nest. It is considered the most revered temple to the
Buddhist people and clings to a vertical granite cliff 800m overlooking
the P
aro Valley and the river.
Legend has it that in the 8th century, Guru Rimpochey, a tantric
master flew here on the back of a tigress and meditated in a cave around
which the temple is built (you will actually visit this cave). A hike
to this temple will take up most of our morning.
In the
afternoon, participate (optional) in a special Buddhist prayer ceremony
at the oldest temple (and possibly one of the most beautiful) – the 1200
year old Kyichu Lhakhang Temple, to bring us good luck for the rest of
our journey.
Day 3 – Thimphu, monasteries, monuments and more
excursions
The next morning after breakfast, we will drive
approximately 1.5 hours to the capital town of Thimphu. We will visit
the National Memorial Chorten, a memorial to Bhutan’s third king, H.M.
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, erected to world peace and prosperity, which
contains numerous sacred religious paintings and tantric statues. 
We will visit the Institute of Traditional
Medicine which produces and dispenses its own herbal medicine using the
Buddhist philosophy of holistic health care and healing, as well as the
Painting School of sacred Buddhist scrolls. Another “must see” is the
Thimphu Dzong, another massive structure that houses the seat of
government, the office of the king, the throne room, and the state
monastic body.
After dinner, stroll through the town, shop for
Bhutanese souvenirs, or just relax in the comfort of your room.
Day
4 - Beautiful drive to Punakha and The Palace of Great Happiness
After
an early morning breakfast we head on towards Punakha. This is a
beautiful and very enjoyable drive as we travel over the Dochu La pass
at 3000m. If we are lucky with the weather, we can see the entire
Eastern Himalayas from this pass. The spectacular beauty of this drive
includes the Druk Wangyal Chortens (108 monuments), a wonderful spot for
photographs of the majesty and beauty of Bhutan.
After we stop for mid morning tea, we continue to head downwards
towards Punakha as the scenery changes from alpine hills to lush
tropical forests and fertile agricultural valleys blessed with an
abundance of fruit and rice.
After lunch, we will visit the magnificent
Punakha Dzong also known as the “Palace of Great Happiness”, which
showcases beautiful Bhutanese arts and crafts, statues and paintings, a
giant statue of Buddha, meticulously detailed dragon painted ceilings,
and much more. After the Dzong, if time permits we will go on a short
drive in the lush upper Punakha valley and hike for 45 minutes to the
beautiful chorten temple of Khamsum Yuley on a hill.
Day 5 –
Drive to Paro
On day 5 we will return to Paro and
spend the afternoon and evening doing some last minute shopping,
relaxing and getting ready for the next phase of your journey – India
Day
6 – Goodbye Bhutan! Hello India!
Arrive
in New De
lhi, India. Upon arrival as you come out of
immigration you
will be greeted by our guide and taken to your hotel for check-in.
Part of Day 6 thru Day 7 – Visit historical
sites, monuments, architecture, lovely gardens, authentic food and
more…
Over the next two days, we will provide you with
extensive guided sightseeing and an introduction to the cultural aspects
of the New Delhi region of 
India.
We will visit the Jama Masjid, the
cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, the 11th century Qutab Minar, the Red
Fort as well as many other historical sites,
monuments, temples, great architecture, lovely gardens and authentic
restaurants of India.
We will organize shopping excursions at some of the
famous bazaars
such as Chandani Chowk, Janpath and Connaught Place.
Day 8-9: The Taj Mahal and more
After an early
morni
ng breakfast, proceed to
Agra for your visit to the Taj Mahal.
After seeing this beautiful monument and lunch, you will visit the
Agra Fort where Shah Jehan,was imprisoned in 1657 by his son and where
it was said he would gaze across the Yamuna river at the Taj Mahal where
his beloved Mumtaz was buried, until his death in 1666.
You will also visit Fatehpur Sikri, a royal “ghost” city and world
heritage site built predominantly of red sandstone by the Mughal emperor
Akbar before you return back to your hotel in New Delhi.
Day 10 – Relax, do some yoga, get a
massage… Or do some more sightseeting…
Spend
the day relaxing 
and
getting ready for the next phase of your trip to the Himalayan foothills
of India.
Complete some last minute shopping, or just read a good book… Or
depending on your energy level, do some more sightseeing, check out the
local markets…
Enjoy some Northern Indian gourmet cuisine… Indulge!
Day 11-15 – Your Destination Spa at Ananda in the Himalayas
From
New Delhi, take a 1 hour morning flight to Dehradun where you will be
picked up and transported to the world renowned Ananda in the Himalayas
– your destination spa for the
next three days as you concl
ude this journey to the mystical
East.
Upon your arrival, after you have checked in to your room, you will
benefit from a private Ayurvedic and wellness consultation which will
include spa rejuvenation activities, yoga and meditation sessions,
hiking and nature walks, and healing therapies to provide for an
extraordinary experience.
For additional details on what this package includes, download
this document.
Day 16 – Goodbye India
You will fly back to
Delhi and onward to the United States the same day. You will gain a day
on your trip back.We hope you had a wonderful and memorable time – have a
safe trip back and we hope you can join us on another one
of our trips in the near future.
Ultimate Odyssey Package
Oct 24 – Nov 8, 2010
US $ 7,997 * Add $750 for private
room.
(Attractive discount for
reservations by July 15, 2010. Call
408-476-3286)
Includes:
- Accommodations for 5 nights at
boutique hotels in Bhutan. - Accommodations for 5 nights at
boutique hotels in India. - Accommodations for 5
nights at Ananda in
the Himalayas. - Ananda Spa treatments (download details).
- Ananda Yoga and Meditation Sessions
- Ananda Hydrotherapy facilities
- Ananda Hydrotherapy facilities
- All meals for 10 days.
- Internal Round Trip Air Fare in India.
- All ground transportation in India.
- Visits to monasteries, historical, and sacred sites in Bhutan.
- All guided hikes and walks.
- Yoga and Meditation sessions.
- Full time English speaking guide & chauffeur.
- Entrance fees to all planned tourist attractions.
- All taxes and surcharges.
Terms and
Conditions
Apply. Download
Forms Here.
* This price does not
include international or any domestic airfare, passport or visa fees,
travel insurance, telephone charges, alcoholic beverages, additional
refreshments or snacks purchased separately by guests, or room service.
Prices subject to change without notice.