BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE TOUR
ITINERARY: 07 NIGHTS/08 DAYS
Day 1: Arrive Bodhgaya:
Meet & greet assistance at Gaya airport and transfer to Bodhgaya, check in to hotel.
If time allow, visit Mahabodhi temple, Bodhi tree, Sujata village, Niranjana River, some temple in Bodhgaya: Tibet, Nepal, Chinese, Japanese temple. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 2: Bodhgaya:
Breakfast at hotel and proceed to visit Dungeshwari cave (Mahakala Cave): Dungeshwari Cave Temples, also known as Mahakala caves, is situated 12 km north-east of Bodhgaya, in Gaya district Bihar. Gautama Siddhartha is believed to have piously meditated at this place for six years before he went to Bodhgaya for the final realization. Two small shrines are built to commemorate this phase of Buddha. A golden emaciated Buddha sculpture memorising the rigid penance is enshrined in one of the cave temples and a large (about 6’ tall) Buddha’s statue in the other. A Hindu goddess deity Dungeshwari is also placed inside the cave temple. Later come back to hotel for Lunch and Evening chanting and meditation at Mahabodhi Temple. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3: Bodhgaya – Rajgir – Bodhgaya:
Early breakfast at hotel and drive to Rajgir (80 Kms / 02 Hrs Drive, one way). Visit: Gridhrakutta (Vulture’s Peak), Venuvana. Later visit Nalanda. After sightseeing return back to Bodhgaya. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 4: Bodhgaya-Vaishali – Kushinagar:
Breakfast at Hotel and drive to Kushinagar (400 Kms / 08 Hrs Drive). En-route visit to Vaishali, transfer to Hotel, Lunch at Hotel. Later visit to Ashokan Pillar, Relic Stupa, Peace temple and continue drive to Kushinagar, Check in to hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 5: Kushinagar – Lumbini, Nepal:
Breakfast at Hotel and visit to Mahaparinirvana Temple and Ramabhar Stupa. Lunch at Hotel and later drive to Lumbini (Nepal) (175 Kms / 05 Hrs Drive). Emigration process at Indo-Nepal boarder and continue drive to Hotel, Check In. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 6: Lumbini – Sravasti:
Breakfast at hotel and visit to: Maya Devi temple, Ashoka pillar. After Lunch drive to Sravasti (225 Kms/ 6 Hrs Drive). En-route visit 2nd Kapilvastu. On arrival at Sravasti transfer to Hotel, Check In. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 7: Sravasti – Varanasi:
Breakfast at hotel and visit to Jetavana-vihara garden, Sivali stupa, Ananda’s Bodhi tree, Sudatta Anathapindika house, Angulimala stupa. Later drive to Varanasi (300 Kms / 06 Hrs Drive). On arrival at Varanasi, transfer to hotel, check in. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 8: Varanasi – Back Home:
Early morning enjoy boat ride in the Ganges River to see sun rise, back to hotel for breakfast. Later visit to Dhameka stupa, Mulagandhakuti, Sri Dharmaràjikà stupa. After lunch transfer to Varanasi international airport to connect flight for onward journey.
Bon Voyage!