DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive International Airport. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and transfer to your hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 02: DELHI
Today proceed for your sightseeing and visit the Qutab Minar, a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture and a minaret that forms part of the Qutb complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Later proceed to visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib – Built in the memory of the 8th Sikh Guru Sri Harkishen Sahib, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is one of the important historical Gurdwara in Delhi.
Thereafter proceed to visit the majestic Red Fort spread over an area of 2 km and also have a secrete 300 years old bazaar “market” inside,a long passage way that contains a bazaar and is set within an arched passage.
Then visit India’s largest mosque - Jama Masjid, travel through the bustling market and take a cycle Rickshaw ride through narrow alleys and lanes in Chandni Chowk. Apart from all this you will also get opportunity to enjoy a walking tour with your guide through the largest spice market in Asia called Khari Baoli along with some local area, return to hotel and rest of the day free for personal activities.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 03: DELHI – LUCKNOW (BY TRAIN)
Morning in time transfer to Delhi Railway Station to board train for Lucknow.
It is said that Lakshmana, who was the brother of Lord Rama, laid the foundation of the ancient city
On arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Later in afternoon, half-day city tour of Lucknow, covering monuments Asafi Imambara, Rumi Gate, Hussainabad Imambara and Chowk bazaar.
Asafi Imambara, also known as the Bara Imambara, it was built by Nawab Asaf–ud–Daula in 1784 and is one of the architectural wonders of that era. Its central hall is said to be the largest vaulted chamber in the world.
Rumi Darwaza of Lucknow is one of the most impressive architectural structures in India. It was constructed in the year 1784 by Nawab Asaf–ud–daula. The Rumi Darwaza is an example of the fine architectural style of Awadh.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 04: LUCKNOW – SHRAVASTI (175 Km / 04 hours)
After having breakfast, transfer by road to Shravasti.
Shravasti was located on the banks of the river Achiravati (now called the Rapti river). It was the capital city of the kingdom of Kosala, and its king was called Pasenadi, who was a disciple of Buddha.
On arrival, check-in at your hotel.
Afternoon city tour covering places like Jetavana Monastery, Stupa of Angulimala.
Jetavana was one of the most famous of the Buddhist monasteries or viharas in India. It was the second vihara donated to Gautama Buddha after the Venuvana in Rajgir.
The Angulimala's Stupa Shravasti is one of the major monuments in Shravasti.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 05: SHRAVASTI – KAPILVASTU - LUMBINI (160 Km / 5.5 hours including sightseeing)
Morning after breakfast, transfer by road to Lumbini en-route visit Kapilvastu.
Kapilavastu, was the capital city of the Shakya Kingdom, located 29 km west of Lumbini, the Buddha’s birthplace.
On arrival, check-in at your hotel.
Lumbinī is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi District of Lumbini Province in Nepal. It is the place where, according to Buddhist tradition, Queen Mahamayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama at around 563 BCE.
Afternoon visit - the village of Lumbini in Nepal. Over 2000 years ago the Emperor Ashoka set up a commemorative pillar here. The pillar carries the inscription - Here the Buddha was born-. Another shrine preserves an ancient image depicting the nativity of the Lord.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 06: LUMBINI – KUSHINAGAR (165 Km / 04 hours)
Morning check-out from the hotel and transfer by road to Kushinagar - the place where Lord Buddha achieved salvation. On arrival, check-in at your hotel.
Late in the afternoon, embark on a sightseeing tour of Kushinagar- Nirvana Temple, Ramabhar Stupa, Cremation site of Lord Buddha.
The Parinirvana Stupa is a Buddhist temple in Kushinagar, India which is said to be the place of death of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. The present temple was built by the Indian Government in 1956 as part of the commemoration of the 2,500th year of the Mahaparinivana or 2500 BE (Buddhist Era). Inside this temple, there is a Reclining Buddha image lying on its right side with the head to the north. The statue is 6.1 m long and rests on a stone couch.
Ramabhar Stupa, Kushinagar is the place where Lord Buddha was cremated and he attained salvation or Mahaparnirvana. According to the facts, Lord Buddha had many discourses in Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh. Tourists from all over visit the Ramabhar Stupa, Kushinagar which has carefully treasured the remnants of history.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 07: KUSHINAGAR – VAISHALI – PATNA (240 Km /7.5 hours including sightseeing)
After breakfast, transfer by road to Patna en-route visiting Vaishali.
Visit Buddha Stupas, Ashoka Pillar and Bawan Pokhar Temple.
Bawan Pokhar temple, built during Pala period, enshrines beautiful images of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. In Bawan Pokhar temple a large number of Hindu deities are enshrined at one place and worshipped together. The Harikatora Temple is dedicated to Lord Kartikeya, Shiva's son and commander-in-chief of the armies of the Gods. The Bawan Pokhar temple houses a rich collection of black basalt images dating back to the Gupta and Pala period. Both temples, although still worshipped, are partly in spoil.
Later continue your drive to Patna. On arrival, check-in at your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 08: PATNA – NALANDA – RAJGIR – BODHGAYA (165 Km / 08 hours including sightseeing)
After an early breakfast, drive to Bodhgaya en-route visit Nalanda - is known for its Archaeological Complex and Museum. Nalanda was a hub for Buddhism and also being established in 5th century it is the oldest university of world.
After visiting Nalanda ruins, move to Rajgir. Rajgir was the capital city of the famous Magadh kingdom that was ruled by King Bimbisara. Visit Vishwa Shanti Stupa which is an elite and elegant marble construction carrying impressive golden Buddha images and was constructed by esteemed Nipponza Myohoji sect of Japan.
Later, drive to Griddhakuta, that is, an unusual rock projection that has resemblance to the beak of a vulture. Inside these rocky caves, Gautama Buddha spent several rainy seasons preaching, as well as, meditating. Venuvana Vihara, is a sacred monastery site that got constructed by king Bimbisara for Gautama Buddha to stay.
Continue your drive to Bodhgaya. On arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 09: BODHGAYA
After breakfast, visit Mahabodhi Temple constructed by Asoka back in 3rd century B.C., the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under a pious Bodhi Tree.
Later, visit to Sujata Stupa – The stupa was dedicated to the milkmaid Sujata, from the village of Bakraur, who is said to have fed Gautama Buddha milk and rice at this spot as he was sitting under a Banyan tree.
Niranjana river - Lord Buddha, as we know attained enlightenment at Gaya. His first bath in the River Niranjana known in Pāli as Lilajan is the most striking event in his process of becoming Buddha. A river mentioned in Ramayana as Phalgu and latter classical Sanskrit literature has been often stated to be the same as Niranjana.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 10: BODHGAYA – VARANASI (250 Km / 6.5 hours)
Morning after breakfast, transfer by road to Varanasi.
Varanasi is one of the major pilgrimage spots in India. Varanasi is located on the banks of the sacred river Ganges. Over 2000 years Varanasi has been a center of learning.
On arrival, check-in at your hotel.
Evening witness the grand ‘Aarti’ ceremony at Dasaswamedh Ghat, conducted every day at sunset by white-robed priests. Spiritually enlightening and fantastically photogenic, this evening aarti ceremony is a spectacular show with young priests in traditional Indian clothes swaying in seemingly choreographed movements, worshiping the river goddess with incense, flowers and earthen lamps.
DAY 11: VARANASI – DELHI (By Flight)
Rise early to enjoy a sunrise boat cruise on the Holy River Ganges. See the ‘bathing ghats’ where thousands of pilgrims pay homage to the Sun God by immersing themselves in the holy water of River Ganges, and the ‘burning ghats’ where cremations are conducted. The ghats of River Ganges in Varanasi are believed to be most sacred, engulfing the entire circle of life and death.
Follow the boat cruise with a guided walk through the old city, seeing morning life in the historic and ancient bylanes of Varanasi. You get an opportunity to closely observe some morning rituals at the various small street temples along the way. The most sacred and important temple here is Kashi Vishvanath temple.
Later in the afternoon, transfer to Varanasi Airport to board flight for Delhi en-route visit Sarnath.
Lord Buddha gave his first sermon here after attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya. The huge Dhamek Stupa marks the spot where Buddha first preached. The Sarnath Museum has a small but extremely impressive collection of Buddhist artefacts including the famous Lion Capital of Ashoka.
On arrival in Delhi, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 12: DEPART DELHI (By Flight)
Morning in time transfer to Delhi International Airport to board flight for onward destination.
