On Footsteps Of Buddha

11 Nights / 12 Days

DELHI – SRAVASTI – KAPILVASTU – LUMBINI – KUSHINAGAR –
VAISHALI – PATNA – RAJGIR –
NALANDA – BODHGAYA – SARNATH – VARANASI – AGRA

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Day 01 : Delhi

Arrival at Delhi. Welcome at the airport and transfer to hotel. Later start your exploration of India with a city tour of Old Delhi that includes visit to Jama Masjid, built in 1650 A.D. and amazing Red Fort which was the seat of Mugha Empire for more than 250 years. Then drive past imposing India Gate, Parliament Buildings and President House. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 02 : Delhi – Lucknow – Sravasti (6½ Hours + 200 Km, 5 Hours)

Early morning transfer to Railway Station to board train to Lucknow. Arrival at Lucknow station and immediately leave for Sravasti where Buddha delivered many important sermons. The two 21 meters high pillars erected by Emperor Ashoka mark these sites. When the famed Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang visited this site, he found several damaged Stupas and ruins of monasteries at this place. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 03 : Sravasti – Kapilvastu – Lumbini (240 Km, 7 Hours)

Morning visit Saheth which is one of the most visited clusters of shrines in the area. The place rose to prominence when excavation works revealed that Saheth was the original site of once magnanimous Jetavana monastery. Then drive to Kapilvastu - it was in Kapilavastu's opulent environs, that the holy soul of prince Siddharth {Gautam Buddha) spent his childhood. Here he saw sorrow and pain, disease and death. Then, finally when he saw a radiant happy Sadhu who had conquered all these, he decided to renounce all worldly riches and pleasures to seek truth and embark on the path of salvation. Finally, proceed to Lumbini. On arrival check in at hotel for overnight stay.

Day 04 : Lumbini – Kushinagar (170 Km, 6 Hours)

Morning visit Lumibini, Birth place of Lord Buddha, Later leave for Kushinagar where Buddha finally attained Mahaparmirvana. Amongst the ruins are the MukutbandhanStupa and a beautiful statue of the reclining Buddha. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Afternoon visit Nirvana Temple, RamabharStupa and cremation site of Lord Buddha.Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 05 : Kushinagar (270 Km, 7 Hours)

Morning leave for Patna, en-route visiting Vaishali. The place is credited with being India's first and the world's finest republic to have a duly elected assembly of representatives and an efficient administration in those ancient days. Buddha had visited Vaishali and announced his approaching 'Mahaparinirvana' (death). Continue drive to Patna. Arrival and check in at hotel for overnight stay.

Day 06 : Patna – Rajgir – Nalanda – Bodhgaya (230 Km, 6 Hours)

Morning, leave for Bodhgaya. En route visit Rajgir and Nalanda.Rajgir is situated in a beautiful valley surrounded by rocky hills. The "Peace Pagoda" stupa built by the Japanese can be reached by an aerial ropeway. On one of the hills is the cave of Saptaparni where the first Buddhist Council was held. Once a great city, Rajgir is just a village today but vestiges of a legendary and historical past remain here. Also visit Nalanda which has an association with Lord Mahavira and Lord Buddha who had frequently visited it in the 6th century BC The University of Nalanda was founded in the 5th century BC by the Gupta Emperors and recorded as the world's ancient university. Continue drive to Bodhgaya. Arrival and check in at hotel for overnight stay.

Day 07 : Bodhgaya

Morning visit Bodhgaya which is the spiritual home of Buddhists. Bodhgaya situated near the river Niranjana, is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centres since it was here that Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Visit magnificent Maha Bodhi temple which is an architectural amalgamation of many cultures. The temple bears the stamp of the architecture of the Gupta dynasty and subsequent ages. On the walls of the temple, one sees Buddha carved in different aspects. The temple carries inscriptions recording the visits of pilgrims from Sri Lanka, China and Myanmar in the 7th and 10th Centuries A.D. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 08 : Bodhgaya – Varanasi (300 Km, 7 Hours)

Morning leave for Varanasi. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Varanasi is most important place of pilgrimage for Hindus and the sight of devout praying standing water deep in Ganges. Evening visit the Aarti ceremony at Holy Ganges.Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 09 : Varanasi – Agra (Overnight 12 Hours)

Early morning boat tour on River Ganges to visit Bathing Ghats, Return to hotel for breakfast.City tour of Varanasi visiting various temples and noted Banaras Hindu University.Afternoon excursion to Sarnath. It was here that Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon and set in motion the wheel of law of Budhist faith. Evening transfer to station to catch train for Agra.Night on board.

Day 10 : Agra

Morning arrival at Agra station and transfer to hotel.Then city tour of Agra which was once the capital of Mughal India and centre of great power and glory. Visit world famous "TajMahal", the monument of love immortalized in marble. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his Queen Mumtaj. Also visit Agra Fort and Sikandara, where lies the Tomb of the Emperor "Akbar the Great". Overnight stay.

Day 11 : Agra - Delhi (200 Km, 4 Hours)

Morning leave for Delhi.Upon arrival check in at the hotel. Rest of the day is free for shopping or other independent activities. Overnight stay.

Day 12 : Delhi

Transfer to airport to catch flight for onward destination.