WONDERS OF THE HIMALAYAS

The flight into Paro offers a breathtaking introduction to the Himalayan region, treating you to captivating mountain vistas before an exhilarating descent into the valley. After completing immigration and customs formalities, you will step out into the crisp mountain air and receive a traditional tashi khaddar white silk scarf as a welcoming gift from your local representative, followed by a scenic drive to Thimphu past the beautiful confluence of the Paro and Thimphu rivers.

Upon arrival in Thimphu, the capital city where modern development seamlessly coexists with ancient traditions without a single traffic light, you will check into your luxury accommodations. In the evening, visit the centrally located National Memorial Chorten to engage with locals spinning giant prayer wheels, and conclude your day with an exclusive presentation by a local expert on Gross National Happiness (GNH), Bhutan's unique holistic development philosophy.

Overnight: Le Méridien Thimphu (Classic Room)

Following breakfast, a short morning drive brings you north of the town to the Buddha Dordenma, a majestic 51.5-metre gilded bronze Shakyamuni Buddha statue overlooking the valley that house 125,000 smaller gilded icons. From this serene point, you will embark on an easy, scenic 1.5-hour hike through pine and rhododendron forests adorned with thousands of fluttering prayer flags, concluding at Changangkha Lhakhang, a revered 12th-century temple where families bring newborns to receive traditional blessings.

In the afternoon, you will visit the National Textile Museum to explore the magnificent royal garment collections, followed by a stroll through the vibrant market quarter of Ka Ja Throm where contemporary and traditional Bhutanese life converge. You will wrap up your day at Trashichhoedzong, the grand 'fortress of the glorious religion,' an architectural marvel built in 1641 using traditional methods without a single nail or written plan, which currently serves as the seat of government and the Chief Abbot.

Overnight: Le Méridien Thimphu (Classic Room)

This morning, you will journey along the scenic mountain highway to the magnificent Dochu-la pass, standing at an altitude of 3,088 metres. We pause here to take in panoramic views of Bhutan's highest Himalayan peaks, admire the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens organized in three tiers, and participate in a traditional prayer flag hoisting ceremony to release blessings into the wind before descending into the temperate Punakha valley for a short walk across emerald rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the legendary 15th-century 'temple of fertility.'

Following a delightful lunch, you will explore the awe-inspiring Punakha Dzong, known as the 'Palace of Great Happiness,' a massive 1637 fortress constructed at the confluence of two rushing rivers that serves as the winter residence of the monastic community. Afterwards, take an exhilarating stroll across the spectacular 160-metre Punakha Suspension Bridge, one of the longest in the kingdom, to enjoy unique vistas of the valley before driving back to Thimphu along the highway.

Overnight: Le Méridien Thimphu (Classic Room)

Following breakfast, you will depart Thimphu and drive back along the scenic highway to the enchanting valley of Paro, a fertile region framed by the majestic Mount Chomolhari. Your first stop is the charming Dema village for an authentic farmhouse experience, where you will savor local cuisine and have the unique opportunity to try your hand at archery, Bhutan's beloved national sport, using traditional bamboo bows and arrows.

In the afternoon, you will visit Ta Dzong, a historic circular watchtower that houses the National Museum of Bhutan, showcasing a spectacular collection of antique thangkas, textiles, and ancient weaponry spanning 1,500 years of heritage. The remainder of the day is yours at leisure to stroll through the village to meet welcoming locals, relax by the resort pool, or arrange a soothing therapy session at the spa.

Overnight: Le Méridien Paro Riverfront (Classic Room)

This morning is dedicated to Bhutan's most iconic landmark: the breathtaking Taktshang Monastery, or Tiger's Nest. Clinging precariously to a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor, this sacred Buddhist site marks the spot where Guru Rinpoche meditated in the 8th century, and the rewarding 5-hour round-trip hike leads you through beautiful pine forests and past cascades of prayer flags.

After returning from the mountain, enjoy a well-deserved afternoon of independent leisure to relax at your resort. In the evening, you can opt to experience a moving, traditional blessing and butter lamp ceremony at a local village monastery, where the rhythmic prayers of Buddhist monks and the lighting of yak-butter lamps represent the illumination of wisdom and the dispelling of ignorance.

Overnight: Le Méridien Paro Riverfront (Classic Room)

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel and transfer directly to Paro International Airport for your flight to your onward destination of Guwahati, India. Upon arrival in the grand commercial and cultural capital of Assam, our local representative will meet and transfer you directly to your urban retreat.

The remainder of your afternoon and evening is yours entirely at leisure to rest, relax, and unpack. Take this time to settle into your contemporary room, enjoy a rejuvenating therapy at the Jiva Spa, or sample exceptional contemporary cuisine at the hotel restaurant in preparation for your cruise embarkation tomorrow.

Overnight: Vivanta Guwahati (Superior Room)

Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel restaurant before completing your checkout formalities this morning. Your private vehicle and driver will meet you in the hotel lobby for your morning transfer directly to the jetty to meet your Pandaw vessel.

Upon arrival at the riverbank, you will be warmly welcomed by the ship's crew as you step on board to begin your extraordinary river expedition.

Embark you Pandaw vessel in Guwahati, gateway to Assam. Meet your crew for the next 7-nights and set sail upstream onto the Mighty Brahmaputra River.

Today we stop at a local village consisting of migrant populations that have settled and been provided with official status by the government. Their charming village is the perfect place to learn about life along such a dramatically changeable river.

Setting sail early morning we reach Silghat, at the doorstep of Kaziranga National Park. We make our first venture into this park in the afternoon in search of the reserve’s most famous inhabitant, the Royal Bengal Tigers for which the park boasts the highest density of any place in the world. Tiger spotting is extremely rare but chances to see Kaziranga’s other famous inhabitants are abundant.

We leave the ship in the early morning for our second Jeep safari into Kaziranga National Park. Mornings are the perfect time to spot the Indian One-Horned Rhinos, Buffalos, Elephants plus a host of birdlife, including hornbills and kingfishers. Following your safari, we visit a typical Assamese tea garden and learn about the process from bush to cup. After lunch onboard we sail downstream toward Tezpur and if time permits, visit Bamuni Hills, a 9th century temple complex that lies in ruins overlooking the town.

After an early breakfast we head ashore and drive north toward the state of Arunachal Pradesh to explore our second national Park – Nameri National Park. Here we take a float trip down the Jia – Bhoreli River of around 2 hours and enjoy the abundant birdlife and breathtaking scenery backdropped by the Blue Hills in the Eastern Himalayan range. We return for lunch onboard and set sail downstream.

Stepping ashore in Mayang, a sizeable village along the shores of the Brahmaputra, we learn about the history of magic and sorcery that was prevalent in the region. We visit the fascinating Mayang museum which explains how various mantras were used for anything from curing ailments to identifying a thief. We are then welcomed into the home of a local Mayang resident for a discussion and perhaps demonstration of some tricks.

Sualkuchi is a major centre for weaving in Assam. Here we learn about the entire silk making production from the cocoon, to spinning and weaving to make the typical saree worn by local women. There is a chance to buy some local silken souvenirs and experience a traditional folk dance before we return to the ship by electric rickshaw.

Following breakfast transfer privately for your flight to Bagdogra. Receive a warm Pandaw welcome on arrival into Bagdogra Airport, and journey by road to your accommodation. Spend the rest of the day easing into your magical surroundings or step outside and stroll the main square and mingle with Nepalese, Bhutanese, Tibetan people and domestic Indian tourists.

Darjeeling's rich tapestry of cultures is yours to explore today. Hop aboard the UNESCO World Heritage-listed small-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, or 'Toy Train', for a breathtaking ride to Ghoom, the world's second highest railway station. The toy train is a marvel of engineering passing through many small towns and is India's oldest mountain railway route. Explore Ghoom Monastery, with its colourful prayer flags fluttering in the wind before returning to town.

Continue to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, founded in 1954, just after Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first scaled Everest. Visit the Darjeeling Zoo, home of the Snow Leopard Breeding Centre. Then see locals making handicrafts and carpets at the Tibetan Refugee Centre.

Today unwind at your hotel and enjoy the breath-taking scenery on offer or partake in the variety of experiences available from your accommodation.

Following a leisurely breakfast, leave the snow-tipped peaks and terraced tea plantations of Darjeeling behind and transfer privately to Bagdogra Airport for your onward journey.