Buddhism

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive late evening at New Delhi International airport. Upon arrival at International Airport, you will be met by our representative, after a traditional 'Swagat' (Indian welcome consisting of garlands) our representative would assist you at airport & transfer to hotel for two nights.

Whilst the room keys and check-in is organized, our representative would introduce the tour to you and hand over the documents to you.

Day 02: Delhi
Full Day

Today we take a guided tour of Old Delhi, the 17th century walled city of Shah Jahanabad, Visiting the great Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is the largest & best known mosque in India. Later we walk down or take a rickshaw ride through Chandi Chowk, the old marketplace of Shah Jahanabad now a picturesque bazaar to reach Red Fort, built in the year 1648 by Shah Jehan.

In New Delhi, we visit Raj Ghat, memorial to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January 1948. Further we drive past India Gate, memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls. President's House, the official residence of the President of India, built in the year 1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House & served as the residence of the Governor-General of British India.

We will also visit Humayun's Tomb, memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year 1562. The complex is a World Heritage Site & the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India. Qutub Minar, built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world, an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. Qutub Minar & its monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 03: Delhi - Varanasi (By Flight)
Morning transfer to Domestic airport to catch the flight to Varansi.

Upon arrival in Varanasi Airport you will met by our representative and visit to Sarnath, The buried Buddhist city where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon, Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from 6th century B.C. to 1 2th century A.D. Visit the ruins, the stupa, the Buddhist temple and the Museum.

Day 04: Varanasi - Shravasti (08 hours)
The day starts early - watching the sun rise over the golden city of Varanasi as your boat gently drifts down the holy river Ganges provides memories that will last forever. The people go about their day, bathing and worshipping at the Ghats and the sun slowly warms you, this is one of the most extraordinary experiences of a visit to India.

After and early breakfast we check out from the hotel and drive to Shravasti

Shravasti or Sravasti is intimately associated with the life of Buddha. The town located near the Rapti River in northeastern Uttar Pradesh is said to be have been founded by the mythological king Sravast. In Buddhist times (6th century BC-6th century AD), Shravasti was capital of the kingdom of Kosala and was important both as a prosperous trading centre and for its religious associations.

Buddha is believed to have spent 24 monsoons in the city. It is said that Buddha sat on a lotus with a thousand petals and multiplied his image a million times. A divine sight that silenced his critics. Age-old stupas, majestic monasteries and several temples near the village of Sahet-Mahet, highlight Buddha's association with Shravasti

Day 05: Shravasti- Lumbini (160 Kms / 06 hours)
Morning sightseeing of Shravasti Visit Stupa where Buddha spend 24 monsoons. After city tour we drive to Lumbini the place of Buddha's birth.

Lumbini is situated at the foothills of the Himalayas in modern Nepal. In the Buddha's time, Lumbini was a beautiful garden full of green and shady Sal trees (Shorea). The garden and its tranquil environs were owned by both the Shakyas and Kolias clans. King Suddhodana, father of Gautama Buddha was of the Shakya dynasty belonging to the Kshatriya or the warrior caste. Maya Devi, his mother, gave birth to the child on her way to her parent's home in Devadaha while taking rest in Lumbini under a sal tree in the month of May in the year 642 B.C.

Day 06: Lumbini - Kushinagar
Post breakfast we start our sightseeing tour of Lumbini by visiting Sagarhawa - Identified by Archaeologists as the "Palace of Massacre of the Shakyas", the ruins of an ancient water tank were excavated n the forest of Sagarhawa. Gotihawa - Located to the south-west of Tilaurkot, the place is known for an Ashokan Pillar (Whose upper part, capital is missing) and a huge stupa. According to the legends, the place is also associated with Kanakmuni Buddha and Krakuchhanda Buddha. They arrived before Gautam Buddha.
Later proceed to Kushinagar (5 hours).
It is here that the Buddha passed into Mahaparirvana. The Mahaparinirvana temple houses a recumbent figure of the Buddha brought from Mathura by the monk Haribala.

Day 07: Kushinagar - Vaishali - Patna
After breakfast proceed to Vaishali. Vaishali was the centre of the Buddhist Council congregation, held after 100 years of the Buddha's Mahaparinirvana. At Kolhua Lord Buddha delivered his last sermon. Later, Emperor Ashoka erected a huge pillar to commemorate the spot of the last sermon.
Later proceed further to Patna
Upon arrival we check in at our pre-arranged hotel for Overnight stay.

Day 08: Patna - Nalanda - Rajgir
After breakfast proceed to enroute visiting Nalanda - Which holds the site of the oldest universities of the world.
It had twelve million books, ten thousand students, two thousand teachers and was a centre of great learning which reached its zenith between the 5th & 12th centuries AD. Both Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira are said to have visited this place. Emperor Ashoka built a Vihara, while Emperor Harshvardhan donated a 26m high copper image of the Buddha. Emperor Kumar Gupta on the other hand built a college of fine arts at Nalanda.

Later we proceed further to Rajgir, the site of great sanctity and significance for Buddhists. The Gridhakuta hill was the seat from where the Buddha delivered many of His sermons. It was here that the teachings of the Buddha were recorded in writing for the first time. An aerial ropeway takes pilgrims up the hill where the Japanese have built a beautiful Stupa. Visit Veluvana (Bamboo Garden), the Vulture's Peak, Sattapanni Cave (site of 1st Buddhist Council) and other Buddhist sites. Later we drive to hotel and check in our pre-arranged hotel for Overnight stay.

Day 09: Rajgir - Bodhgaya
Post breakfast we check out from hotel and drive to Bodhgaya.

Bodhgaya is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage centre where Lord Buddha attained spiritual birth. Visit the magnificent Mahabodhi Temple, the giant Bodhi tree which is believed to have grown from the original Bodhi tree where the Buddha attained Nirvana.

Day 10: Bodhgaya
Day at leisure for own activities and overnight stay at the hotel.
Overnight Hotel - Bodhgaya

Day 11: Bodhgaya - Gaya (Surface) - Delhi (By Train)
Complete day at leisure and Later in the Evening on time transfer to Gaya Railway Station to catch the Overnight train to Delhi (Overnight Journey in train).

Day 12: Arrive Delhi (By Train )
Upon arrival at New Delhi Railway station you will met by our representative and drive staright to Agra. Upon arrival we check in at our pre-arranged hotel for overnight stay.
Overnight Hotel - Delhi

Day 13 : Depart Delhi
Our tour concludes: We thank you for your patronage & look forward to serve you again in near future.