IN THE FOOT STEPS OF LORD BUDDHA

Duration : 08 Nights / 09 Days

Destinations Covered : Delhi | Varanasi | Bodhgaya | Rajgir | Nalanda | Patna | Vaishali | Kushinagar | Lumbini | Sravasti | Lucknow | Delhi


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Detailed Itinerary

01 DAY ARRIVAL IN DELHI

Arrival in India (New Delhi), traditional welcome by our representative at airport, transfer assistance to hotel. Check-in at hotel, before you proceed to your room/s, our representative will hand-over the travel documents and brief you about the tour programme. Overnight stay at hotel.

02 DAY IN DELHI

Breakfast at hotel, this morning explore India's capital city by touring its magnificent monuments, start your tour by visiting - Old Delhi: An ancient walled city earlier known as Shahjahanabad. Take a photo stop at Red Fort: the most opulent red sandstone fort and palace of the Moghul Empire (1639-1648 built by Shah Jahan the 5th Mughal Emperor of India and the builder of the Taj Mahal in Agra), visit Jama Masjid, Largest mosque in India, the foundation of the historic Jama Masjid was laid on a hillock in Shahjahanabad by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1650 AD, this mosque was the result of the efforts of over 6,000 workers, over a period of six years (1650-1656 AD). The cost of the construction in those times was 1 million rupees. This Mosque has three great gates, four towers and two 40 m-high minarets constructed of strips of red sandstone and white marble. About 25,000 people can pray here at a time. The mosque has a vast paved rectangular courtyard, which is nearly 75 m by 66 m. The whole of the western chamber is a big hall standing on 260 pillars.

Visit Chandni Chowk, the bustling and colorful market of the old city, designed by Emperor Shah Jahan's daughter Jahanara Begum. Jahanara laid the foundation of Chandni Chowk, which is the largest trading center of Delhi as well as India. At present the street is a busy thoroughfare and is really congested. This area is renowned for 'Kuchas and Katras' also known as Alleys. These alleys house traditional Havelis, places of worship: Temples, Mosques, Church and Gurudwara, popular specialised markets and century-old eating joints. Enjoy a cycle-rickshaw ride.

Visit the Raj Ghat, the memorial site of Mahatma Gandhi - Father of Nation.

Later visit New Delhi designed and built by the British in the 1920's it's a city of wide boulevards impressive Government buildings, green parks and gardens. First drive past Connaught Place, the heart and main shopping district of the capital, then drive to Rajpath (King's Way), India Gate - the 42mt high stone 'Arch of Triumph', erected in the memory of Indian soldiers who died in First World War. Drive past Rashtrapati Bhawan (President Palace) and Parliament House.

Visit the Qutab Minar 12th century minaret built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty - this building complex dates back to the onset of Muslim rule in India and is fine example of Afghan architecture which is graceful and well sculptured and stands 75 mt. Also visit the Baha'i Temple (Lotus Temple) Lotus being a symbol of peace and prosperity all around the world, the shape of the temple personifies the purpose for which the foundation of this marvelous man-made architectural was laid. Lotus temple is made of pristine marble blocks, cement, dolomite and sand and the entire ascetic value is coddled by the group of nine pools filled with crystal clear water. In accord with the mores of Baha'i religion, the temple is open to everyone from anywhere in the world who is looking for inner peace & tranquility.

Return to hotel for overnight stay.

03 DAY DELHI / VARANASI (BY FLIGHT)

After Breakfast check out from hotel & transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi. Arrive and transfer to hotel, check-in at hotel. Check in at hotel and after relaxing, ready to go for Sarnath to see Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath Museum and The Ashokan Pillar. Sarnath (also known as Mrigadava, Migadāya, Rishipattana, Isipatana) is the deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. Sarnath is located 13 kilometres north-east of Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh. Isipatana is mentioned by the Buddha as one of the four places of pilgrimage which his devout followers should visit, if they wanted to visit a place for that reason. Mrigadava means "deer-park". Isipatana is the name used in the Pali Canon, and means the place where holy men (Pali: isi, Sanskrit: rishi) fell to earth. Later return back to Varanasi and visit to river Ganges ghat where you can also attend and see the evening Aarti (prayer ceremony). Overnight stay at hotel.

04 DAY VARANASI / BODHGAYA (246 KMS)

Early morning visit the sacred river Ganges for a boat ride. Every morning at dawn hundreds of worshippers can be seen bathing in the sacred waters. The great river banks are lined with an endless chain of stone steps - the ghats - that stretch from one end of the city to the other. The Ghats form an impressive part of the religious landscape of the city. Proceeding downstream at a leisurely pace, you would be pointed out the significant temples and buildings as well as the changing architectural style. Life and death go hand in hand in Varanasi. While young people seek prosperity and protection from harmful influences, the older generation comes to Varanasi to cleanse their souls in the forgiving waters in preparation for their ultimate dissolution. In Morning after breakfast check out from hotel & drive to Bodhgaya, upon arrival transfer to hotel for check-in. Bodhgaya - As the place of the Buddha's Enlightenment, Bodhgaya is the spiritual home of Buddhists, it is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centres since it was here that Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Later visit Mahabodhi Temple. Overnight stay at hotel

05 DAY BODHGAYA / RAGJIR / NALANDA / PATNA

After Breakfast check out from hotel & drive to Patna en-route sightseeing of Rajgir & Nalanda. The picturesque Rajgir is surrounded by the meandering river Banganga and five hills. During the lifetime of the Buddha this was the capital of the powerful Magadhan kingdom, ruled by the virtuous King Bimbisara. Like many others in search of truth, Prince Siddhartha, after he renounced his royal heritage came to this city to seek the path of salvation. Nalanda was the most renowned university in ancient India. It was one of the world's first residential universities, i.e., it had dormitories for students. In its heyday it accommodated over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers. The university was considered an architectural masterpiece, and was marked by a lofty wall and one gate. The subjects taught at Nalanda University covered every field of learning, and it attracted pupils and scholars from Korea, Japan, China, Tibet, Indonesia, Persia and Turkey. The Buddha is mentioned as having several times stayed at Nalanda. Later drive to Patna and transfer to hotel for check-in. Overnight stay at hotel.

06 DAY PATNA / VAISHALI (62 KMS) VAISHALI / KUSHINAGAR (SURFACE 169 KMS)

Checkout from the hotel after breakfast, drive to Vaishali. See Ashok pillar and Buddha stupa. The Lion Pillar at Kolhua, was built by Emperor Ashoka. It is made of a highly polished single piece of red sandstone, surmounted by bell shaped capital, 18.3mt high. A life-size figure of a lion is placed on top of the pillar. The pillar is well-preserved and intact. Later proceed for Kushinagar. Upon arrival Kushinagar check in at hotel. In Evening participate in a chanting and meditation session. (Subject to availability of appropriate teachers). Overnight stay at hotel.

07 DAY KUSHINAGAR / LUMBINI (SURFACE 162 KMS)

In morning after breakfast check out from hotel, & go for sightseeing tour of Kushinagar visit Mahaparinirvan Temple, Rambhar Stupa, Mata Kutir Temple etc. Afternoon drive to Lumbini, arrive Lumbini and check in at hotel. Lumbini (meaning: the lovely) is a Buddhist pilgrimage site located in Rupandehi District, Lumbini Zone of Nepal, near the Indian border. It is the place where Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who later became a Buddha (Gautama Buddha), and founded the religion of Buddhism. Gautama Buddha lived between approximately 563 BCE and 483 BCE. For Buddhists, this is one of the four main pilgrimage sites based around the life of Gautama Buddha, the other three being Kushinagar, Bodhgaya, and Sarnath. Lumbini is located 25 km east of the municipality of Kapilavastu, the place where the Buddha grew u p and lived up to the age of 29. Kapilavastu is the name of place as well as the neighbouring district. Lumbini has various Buddhist temples including the Mayadevi temple. There is also the Puskarini pond and remains of Kapilavastu palace in Lumbini. There are other sites near Lumbini where, according to Buddhist tradition, previous Buddhas were born and achieved enlightenment and died. Overnight stay at Hotel.

08 DAY LUMBINI / SRAVASTI (214 KMS)

After breakfast check out from hotel & go for sightseeing tour of Lumbini including a visit to the birth Place of Lord Buddha. Later drive to Sravasti - the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, has the honour for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana Gardens. The city believed to be founded by the mythological king Sravast, has age-old stupas, majestic monasteries and several temples. Buddha is said to have performed some miracles here. In Sravasti visit Saheth - Maheth & Jetvan. Overnight stay at hotel in Sravasti.

09 DAY SRAVASTI / LUCKNOW / DELHI

In morning after breakfast check out from hotel & get driven to Lucknow (165 kms approx) - city of Nawabs created by Asaf-Ud-Daula. Upon arrival in Lucknow, visit Bara Imambara built by Nawab Asaf Ud Daula, Chhota Imambara and Museum. After lunch proceed to the railway station to board Train # 2003 Shatabadi Express for Delhi (Departure at 1535 hrs - Arrival in Delhi at 2205 hrs) transfer assistance from New Delhi Railway station to International airport to board flight for return journey.

10 DAY DEPARTURE FROM DELHI

Departure early in morning by an international flight.