- India – union state of Assam with a tradition of tea cultivation
- Arunachal Pradesh – Ziro plain and villages of the Apatani tribe
- Brahmaputra – river ferry ride to the island of Majuli
- Kaziranga NP – wild elephant and rhino viewing
- Bhutan – a Buddhist Himalayan kingdom with a distinctive tradition
- Dzongy – imposing monastic fortresses
- The unique and unspoilt landscape of less visited eastern Bhutan
- The capital city of Thimphu, therock monastery of Taktsang – the Tiger’s Nest
Tour program:
DAY 1-2: BY AIR PRAGUE – DELHI – DIBRUGARH
Departure from Prague in the morning, night arrival in Delhi, transfer to hotel. Morning flight from Delhi to Dibrugarh, visit Ghograjan Tea Estate with famous Assam tea, transfer to Shivsagar.
DAY 3: SHIVSAGAR AND MAJULI ISLAND
Morning tour of the most important sights of Shivsagar (Shivadol Hindu temple, Talatal ghar, Kareng ghar, Rang ghar pavilion). A ferry ride across the Brahmaputra River to the largest freshwater river island in the world, Majuli, which is famous, among others, for its unique Vishnu temples – shatras.
DAY 4: MAJULI ISLAND AND THE MYSTERIOUS ARUNACHAL PRADESH – ZIRO PLAIN
A short morning walk on Majuli Island, through the villages of the Mishinga tribe, to get a glimpse into the lives of the local people and learn about their traditional crafts. Return to the mainland by ferry and afternoon transfer to the mountainous and mysterious Arunáčal Pradesh, the Ziro Plain.
DAY 5: ZIRO PLAIN AND THE INDIGENOUS APATANI TRIBE
A full day walk through the villages of the Apatani tribe, using a special combination of rice cultivation and fish farming. The women and men of this tribe are remarkable for their tattooed faces, and the women also decorate their nostrils with black wooden plugs. The Apatani tribe still retains its authentic culture and its own religion. We will see their traditional ritual dances.
DAY 6: THE PICTURESQUE TOWN OF TEZPUR
Full day transfer back to the union state of Assam to one of the most picturesque Assamese towns on the banks of the Brahmaputra, Tezpur. Visit the 5th-6th century Da Parbatiya temple.
DAY 7: NP KAZÍRANGA
The most famous national park in eastern India with rare Indian rhinos and other endangered wildlife (wild elephants, tigers, arni, etc.). Kaziranga NP has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. We will take a jeep ride in the national park with wildlife viewing.
DAY 8: GUWAHATI AND ITS MOST BEAUTIFUL SIGHTS
Transfer to the capital of the East Indian state of Assam, Guwahati, which is also considered one of Asia’s oldest cities. Visit the Hindu temple of Kamakhya, the centre of Tantrism and the cult of Shakti. Boat trip to Peacock Island and ascent to the Umananda temple dedicated to the god Shiva.
DAY 9: INDIA-BHUTAN BORDER, TOWN OF WAMRONG
Full day drive to Trashigang, Bhutan via Samdrup Jongkhar border crossing through the beautiful landscape of eastern Bhutan (about 2 hrs to the border, then serpentine for 5-6 hrs). On the way stop at Jongla gonpa monastery and in the town of Wamrong (2130 m), where you will be able to see the traditional Bhutanese fortress – dzong for the first time.
DAY 10: AROUND TRASHIGANG AND THE VALLEY OF TRASHI JANGTSE
Weaving is a great tradition in eastern Bhutan, we will visit the small village of Radi which is famous for this craft. We will be able to observe how some of the most renowned fabrics in the world are made. In nearby Rangjung we will visit a local monastery. In the afternoon we will head to the revered Gom Kora temple, in whose cave the saint Padmasambhava once meditated, transferring to Trashi Jangtse. Stay at a farm with locals in the valley of Trashi Jangtse.
DAY 11: BUMDELING NATIONAL PARK
Hike through the remote and well-preserved Bhutanese landscape of Bumdeling National Park to the Dechenphodrang Temple (route approx. 3 h). Bumdeling NP is a migratory site for black-necked cranes, which come here every year to spend the winter. Visit the Buddhist stupa of Chhorten Kora, which was modeled after the famous Bodhnatha stupa in Nepal.
DAY 12: TRASHIGANG AND ONE OF THE LARGEST DZONGS
Morning walk around Trashi Jangtse, exploring the local villages and traditional life of the people of Eastern Bhutan. Transfer back to Trashigang, visit Trashigang Fort, one of the largest dzongs in Bhutan, built to defend against invasions from Tibet.
DAY 13: AIR TRANSFER TO PARA, THIMPU
Morning flight from Yonphul airport to Para. Transfer to the capital city of Thimphu, stopping at the giant statue of Buddha Dordenma overlooking the center of the capital, overlooking the valley and visiting the Bhutanese fortress of Tashichho (seat of government).
DAY 14: PUNAKHA DZONG AND CHIMI LHAKHANG MONASTERY
Morning transfer from Thimphu to Punakha via the Do-chula saddle (3050 m), from which a panorama of the Himalayan seven-thousanders can be observed, including Bhutan’s highest mountain, Gangkar Punsum (7497 m). On the way, visit the Chimi Lhakhang Monastery – a fertility temple associated with the legendary monk-philanderer Drukpa Kinley. Upon arrival in Punakha, visit the local fortress (Punakha dzong), at the confluence of the Pho and Mo rivers, which has played an important role in Bhutanese history.
DAY 15: PUNAKHA VALLEY, PARO
Hike to the Khamsum Jüllej Namgyal chorten, with views of the Punakha Valley and rice paddies, return to Para. If time permits, visit the ancient Bhutanese shrine of Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by the Tibetan ruler Songcän Gampo.
DAY 16: CLIMB TO THE FAMOUS TAKTSANG GOMBA “TIGER’S NEST”
Walking ascent to the most famous Bhutanese monastery Taktsang gompa – “Tiger’s Nest”. The monastery was built high on a rocky promontory at an altitude of 3120 m. In the afternoon, visit the National Museum (Ta Dzong), which used to be a watchtower, and Rinpung Dzong – a monumental fortress that now houses the district government office and a judge.
DAY 17-18: BY AIR PARO – DELHI – PRAGUE
Air Paro – Delhi – Prague with overnight stay in Delhi.
Further information
Price includes – common for both countries:
- international airfare Prague – Delhi – Prague,
- domestic flight Delhi – Dibrugarh,
- services of a Czech guide,
- TA insurance against bankruptcy.
Price includes – India:
- Czech guide and local English speaking guide,
- transport by minibus in Delhi, off-road cars in the area of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh,
- ferry to and from Majuli Island,
- accommodation – 8x in a hotel level 3*** in a double room (2x Delhi, 1x Shivsagar, 2x Ziro, 1x Tezpur, 1x Kaziranga, 1x Guwahati),
- accommodation – 1x in double bamboo traditional huts on the island of Majuli
- half board,
- permit to enter the Arunáčal Pradesh area,
- entrance fees to the monuments mentioned in the programme,
- demonstration of traditional dances of the Apatani tribe,
- jeep safari in Kaziranga NP,
- baksheesh to drivers and other staff.
Price includes – Bhutan:
- Czech guide and local English speaking guide,
- international flight Paro – Delhi,
- domestic flight Yonphula – Paro,
- complete transport by minibus around Bhutan,
- accommodation – 7x in a hotel level 3*** in a double room (2x Trashigang, 1x Trashi Jangtse, 1x Thimpu, 1x Punakha, 2x Paro),
- accommodation – 1x on a farm with locals in the valley of Trashi Jangtse,
- full board,
- Bhutanese visa and its provision,
- entrance fees to the sightseeing sites mentioned in the program,
- baksheesh to drivers, guides and other staff,
- government fee and tax.
Price does not include:
- Indian visa – 50 USD (we will help you with the processing),
- other meals,
- individual transport in the cities,
- single room supplement – 14 500 CZK/person/trip,
- insurance for medical expenses or cancellation fees (we will be happy to arrange),
- everything not listed in the program.
Optional service – payable locally:
- traditional hot stone bath – approx. 20 USD/person
Meals:
Almost all meals are included in the tour price, full board in Bhutan and half board in India. So you can enjoy the variety of both these cuisines. The typical features of Indian cuisine include a variety of spices, vegetarian dishes predominate and the main ingredients are rice, cereals, pulses, dairy products and vegetables. Bhutanese cuisine mainly uses rice, buckwheat, pulses and various vegetables. Unlike Indian cuisine, it is supplemented with meat, which is served mostly boiled or stewed.
Suitable time of the year to take this programme:
This tour can be taken in two main seasons, except the monsoon season which is from June to September. The spring season, from March to May, is generally hot days with occasional rain showers, which gradually diminish. Magnolia and rhododendron forests bloom beautifully in the foothills of the Himalayas. The period from October to November is characterised by clear skies, slightly cooler weather and generally good visibility.
Indian visa and Bhutan visa:
India:
Most of the foreign visitors require a valid Indian visa to enter, transit and leave India. In case of this tour, we can apply for the so called Indian e-VISA electronic tourist visa. Once it is processed, before you leave for India, each of you will receive an Electronic Travel Authorization by email, based on which you can arrive in India and obtain an e-visa at the border crossing.
Payment of the visa fee is USD 50 + bank fee (up to 2.5% of the visa fee). The fee is payable online exclusively by VISA or MASTERCARD debit or credit card.
We will send you detailed instructions on how to apply for an Indian visa well in advance of your tour departure.
Bhutan:
Bhutan visa is included in the tour price. It is not administratively difficult to obtain and will be handled by our Bhutanese partner. We will need a scanned colour copy of your passport in JPG format to process the visa.
Organizer.
Group size: 8-16 persons.
Note: Modification of the program is subject to change.
