BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE TOUR
Duration: 10 Nights / 11 Days
Day 1: Arrival Delhi:
Meet & Greet assistance at Airport, Delhi. Shall get warmly welcomed by our representative and transferred to hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 2: Delhi:
After breakfast you will be taken for the combined sightseeing of New & Old Delhi to visit the Birla Temple, Red Fort, Jama Mosque (Rickshaw Ride Here), Raj Ghat, Humayun’s Tomb, Lotus Temple and Qutab Minar. Then you will be driven pass through the important Government Buildings like India Gate, Parliament House of India, President Palace and Diplomatic Area. Evening you will be provided free in the local markets of Delhi for shopping and to see the local life. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3: Delhi – Lucknow – Sravasti:
Early morning transfer to New Delhi railway station with pack breakfast to Lucknow. The train leaves New Delhi at 06:15 and arrives in Lucknow at 12:30. Or Leave by Air. Flight: TBA
On arrival, drive to Sravasti (180 Kms, 5 hrs). Sravasti was one of the six largest cities in India during Gautama Buddha’s lifetime. According to Buddhist tradition, the city was called Savatthi because the sage Savattha lived there. Arriving in Sravasti, transfer to hotel, check-in. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 4: Sravasti – Lumbini:
Breakfast at hotel then visit Jetvan and Angulimal caves. Afternoon drive to Lumbini (225 Kms, 05 Hrs Drive) – a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi district of Nepal. It is largely regarded as the place where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama. Arrive in Lumbini, check in at Hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 5: Lumbini – Kushinagar:
After breakfast visit to birth place of Lord Buddha. Afternoon drive to Kushinagar (185 Kms, 05 Hrs Drive). Arrival Kushinagar, Visit to Mahaparinirvana Temple: Mahaparinirvana Temple houses the 6.10 meter long idol of Lord Buddha lying in a position when he left his mortal remains at the age of 80 and Rumabhar Stupa (Cremation Palace). Check in hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 6: Kushinagar – Vaishali – Patna:
Breakfast at hotel then drive to Patna (280 Kms, 07 Hrs Drive) en-route visit Vaishali.
Arrive in Patna situated on the southern bank of the Ganges. Check in to hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 7: Patna- Rajgir-Nalanda-Bodhgaya:
Breakfast at hotel then drive to Nalanda (85 Kms, 02 Hrs Drive), visit ruins of ancient university. Later drive to Rajgir (15 Kms, 30 Mins Drive) and visit Gridhkuta Peak where Lord Buddha before attaining the enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, used to do meditation here for few years, Venuvan and Bimbisara Jail where King Bimbisara was imprisoned. Later continue drive to Bodhgaya (80 Kms, 02 Hrs Drive). On arrival, check in at Hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 8: Bodhgaya:
Breakfast at hotel and full day sightseeing at Bodhgaya, which is famous for being the place where Gautama Buddha obtained Enlightenment (Bodhimandala). For Buddhists, Bodh Gaya is the most important of the main four pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha. Visit Mahabodhi temple (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Sujata village and Niranajana River. Sujata village is named after a girl who offered milk to Gautama on his way to Bodh Gaya. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 9: Bodhgaya – Varanasi:
Breakfast at hotel then drive to Varanasi (275 Kms, 05 Hrs Drive). On arrival check in to the hotel. Later proceed to Sarnath (14 Kms, 30 Mins Drive), visit Dhamekha Stupa and Deer Park. The Dhamek Stupa is said to mark the spot of a deer park (Rishipattana) where the Buddha gave the first sermon to his five disciples after attaining enlightenment.
Evening you will be taken to the ghats on river Ganges to witness evening Aarti. Thousands of illuminated lamps are immersed in the waters of the holy Ganges and the floating lamps add a divine look to the river at dusk. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10: Varanasi – Delhi:
Early morning boat ride on the holy river Ganges. Back to hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast you will proceed for sightseeing tour of Varanasi. Varanasi has been a center of learning for over 2000 years. Today, you will visit Bharat Mata Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple. You will also visit Benaras Hindu University (BHU). You may also explore the traditional bazaars of Varanasi for some shopping in handicrafts and Banarasi Saris. On return, visit the bazaars (local market) and Kashi Vishwanath Temple – the most sacred of the shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Later transfer to Airport to board flight to Delhi. On arrival at Delhi Airport, transfer to Hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 11: Delhi – Agra – Delhi – Back Home:
After breakfast same day excursion to Agra and sightseeing Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday) & Agra Fort, then proceed to Delhi Airport for back home.
Bon Voyage!