Highlights:
- Bodhgaya - Mahabodhi Temple Complex - UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bodhgaya Archaeological Museum (Small collection of Buddhist sculpture from the 1st century B.C, to the 11th century A.D) and Sujata House (Temple dedicated to an Uruvela tribeswoman)
- Rajgir & Nalanda – Ancient Buddhist University, Vishwa Shanti Stupa (Marble structure with niches bearing golden images of the Buddha), Griddhakuta, Venuvana Vihara
- Enroute visit Vaishali (Emperor Ashoka, in the third century B.C. erected one of his famous lion pillars here)
- Kushinagar - Rambhar Stupa (Marks Buddha’s cremation ground), Mukutabandha Vihara (Funeral pyre)& Mahaparinirvana Temple
- Lumbini - Maya-Devi Temple (Temple dedicated to Buddha’s mother)& Ashoka Pillar (Built by King Ashok in the year 259BC)
- Sravasti - Jetavana monastery, Anand Bodhi Tree, Sahet Mahet and Angulimal caves
- Varanasi - Ganges and Ghats in Varanasi & Sarnath city, Boat ride on river Ganges
- Visit in Agra – Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Fateh-pur Sikri
- Visit in Jaipur – Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar Observatory& Hawa Mahal
- Elephant ride at Amber Fort
- Visit in Delhi – Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar, Humayun Tomb
- Drive past in Delhi - Red Fort, Rajghat, President House & India Gate
- Rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk
- Services of English-speaking guide during sightseeing tours
- Assistance at airport and sightseeing tours by private air-conditioned vehicle
- tartin Bodhgaya and End in Delhi
Day 1 : Arrival in Bodhgaya
Arrival at Gaya International Airport and transfer to hotel at Bodhgaya. Bodhgaya - situated near the river Niranjana, is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centers since it was here that Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, which stands strong till date. Check-in at the hotel upon arrival and spend rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay in Bodhgaya.
Day 2 : Bodhgaya
After breakfast, proceed to explore this ancient city, covering Mahabodhi Temple Complex- The temple stands in the east to the Bodhi Tree. Inside the temple, in the main sanctum, there is a colossal image of the Buddha in sitting posture touching the earth by his right hand. Temple also showcases the various aspects of Buddha’s life and his journey to attain enlightenment. This place in also popularly listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Later visit, Bodhgaya Archaeological Museum which houses a small collection of Buddhist sculpture from the 1st century B.C, to the 11th century A.D. And, Sujata House - temple dedicated to an Uruvela tribeswoman, who offered food to the starving Siddhartha. Overnight in Bodhgaya.
Day 3 : Bodhgaya – Rajgir – Nalanda – Patna(190 kms / approx. 5.5 hours)
After breakfast, drive to Rajgir and enroute visit Nalanda, the ancient Buddhist university, one of the world’s oldest university founded in the 5th century. Also visit monasteries and temples with impressive Buddhist & Hindu images. The Institute for research in Buddhism and Pali literature which houses rare manuscripts is also worth visiting for the enthusiasts. After Nalanda, drive further to Rajgir. During the lifetime of the Buddha, Rajgir was the capital of the powerful Magadh kingdom, ruled by the virtuous king Bimbisara. Visit the Vishwa Shanti Stupa. It is a marble structure with niches bearing golden images of the Buddha, built by the Nipponza Myohoji sect of Japan. Also, cover Griddhakuta - a rock protrusion resembling a vulture’s beak, probably gave the hill its name. In the rock cut caves here the Buddha spent many rainy seasons, meditating and preaching. VenuvanaVihara- Site of the monastery Venuvana Vihar built by king Bimbisara for Lord Buddha to reside. This was the king’s first offering to Lord Buddha.Jivakameavan Gardens: Seat of the Royal Physician’s dispensary where Lord Buddha was once brought to have wound dressed by Jivaka, the royal physician during the reign of Ajatshatru and Bimbisara. Continue your drive and arrive in Patna. Check-in at the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 4 : Vaishali – Kushinagar (235 kms / approx. 6 hours)
After breakfast, drive to Kushinagar and enroute visit Vaishali. Lord Buddha visited Vaishali frequently and at Kolhua, close by, preached his last sermon. To commemorate the event, Emperor Ashoka, in the third century B.C. erected one of his famous lion pillars here. A hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha – Vaishali hosted the second great Buddhist council. Two stupas were erected to commemorate this event. Late arrival and overnight stay in Kushinagar.
Day 5 : Kushinagar – Lumbini(140 kms / approx. 3.5 hours)
Explore Kushinagar - the place that the Buddha chose for his Mahaparinirvana or final exit from this earth. There are several new monasteries and temples. Visit the Rambhar Stupa that marks Buddha’s cremation ground. Mahakashyapa lit the funeral pyre at Mukutabandha Vihara (Rambhar Stupa) in Kushinagar. Today not much remains of this stupa expect a large brick mound rising to a height of almost 15 meters set within a well-kept park. Also Visit Mahaparinirvana Temple. Post lunch, leave Kushinagar for Lumbini. Enroute obtain visa and permits and check-in at hotel in Lumbini upon arrival, for overnight stay.
Day 6 : Lumbini – Sravasti(170 kms / approx. 4 hours)
Lumbini is the place where Lord Buddha was born. Visit the Maya-Devi Temple–This temple is dedicated to Maya Devi, who was Buddha’s mother. The temple was built during the 2nd century. Next to the temple there is a pool where Maya Devi used to bath. Ashoka Pillar: built in the year 259BC, this pillar was built by King Ashok, who was great Buddhist disciple, when he constructed this pillar, the King exempted the villagers from paying tax and gave out 100 golden coins to the people. In the seventh century, the pillar was struck by lightning and split in at two parts. The site was lost for six centuries and covered with dense forest before being re found in 1895. The place was cleared and the pillar reconstructed and the sacred pond which are associated to the roots of Buddhism. After lunch proceed for Sravasti and check-in at the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 7 : Sravasti – Varanasi(320 kms / approx. 6.5 hours)
After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing of Sravasti,where Buddha preached most of his sermons. Here he is said to have performed many miracles, and levitated. Explore Jetavana monastery where during the monsoons Buddha took shelter, there is also famous Anand Bodhi Tree. Later visit Sahet Mahet and Angulimal caves. Continue your drive and arrive in Varanasi. Check-in at the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 8 : VaranasiSightseeing Overnight Train to Agra
Early morning, enjoy a sublime boat ride on the Ganges River. View the numerous ghats along the bank of the Ganges, presenting a varied scene from dawn to dusk. Later, proceed to Sarnath, located eight km from Varanasi. It is famous as the place where the Buddha first preached his message after attaining nirvana. And, visit the Dhamek Stupa… it marks the spot where the Buddha proclaimed his faith in front of his first five followers. The earliest and most important relic is found here is the Ashoka pillar, erected in 250 BC. Rest of the day leisure at the hotel. Evening Board your train for overnight journey to Agra. Dinner & Overnight on board.
Day 9 : Arrive Agra & Sightseeing of Agra
On arrival in Agra, check-in into your Hotel. Later proceed for Half Day City Tour of Agra. Visit the Red Fort, which was commissioned in 1565 by Akbar. The beautiful yet forbidding structure is a handsome example of Mughal architecture. Later, visit the Taj Mahal … a mausoleum built as a symbol of Emperor Shah Jehan’s devotion to his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. Considered an architectural marvel, its construction took thousands of workers over 21 years to complete. Overnight in Agra.
Day 10 : Agra – Jaipur (230 km/approx. 5 hours)
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur and enroute Visit Fatehpur Sikri, which was built by Emperor Akbar and is home to many historical buildings. Akbar wanted to make Fatehpur Sikri his headquarters; however, he had to abandon it due to shortage of water. The Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti enshrines the burial place of the Sufi saint who lived a religious life here. Today, Fatehpur Sikri is a UNESCO World heritage site. Further drive to Jaipur and check into your Hotel. Jaipur is the gateway to the magnificent and vibrant state of Rajasthan. Evening take a stroll in the markets of Jaipur for the traditional dresses and shoes, curio shops, blue pottery etc. Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 11 : Half Day Jaipur Sightseeing I Drive to Delhi (250 km/approx. 5 hours)
Proceed for half-day sightseeing trip of Jaipur, also known as the ‘Pink City’. The city of Jaipur is capital to the state of Rajasthan, famous for its colorful culture, forts, palaces, and lakes. Jaipur owes its name to the founder of the city, warrior king Sawai Jai Singh II. Visit the Amber Fort. The best way to explore the fort is to ride up to it on Elephant back. Prominent structures inside the fort are the Diwan-i-Aam, adorned with latticed galleries, the Ganesh Pol, with a beautiful painted image of Lord Ganesh, and the stunning Sheesh Mahal, a hall decorated with thousands of tiny mirrors. Later, stop to photograph the beautiful Hawa Mahal, also known as the “Palace of the Winds.” Post lunch drive to Delhi. Arrive and check-in at your hotel.Overnight in Delhi.
Day 12 : Sightseeing in Delhi
This morning after breakfast proceed for a full day combined city tour of Old and New Delhi. This fascinating city has been in existence since the 6th century BC and has seen ups and downs from the rule of the Pandavas right up to the British Raj. Visit Jama Masjid, which is the largest mosque in India, commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan. The courtyard of the mosque can hold about 25,000 worshippers. Enjoy a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk, the busiest market in Old Delhi…noisy, chaotic and uniquely Indian. Drive past Red Fort, President House, India Gate and several other government buildings in Edwin Lutyen’s modern Delhi before you head to Rajghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi that marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Thereafter, visit Humayun’s Tomb, commissioned by Humayun’s wife Hamida Banu Begum in 1562. It was the first garden tomb built in the Indian sub-continent where the Persian architect used red sandstone on a large scale. Later in the evening visit the Qutab Minar, which is the tallest brick minaret in the world; it was commissioned by Qutbuddin Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 13 : Departure from Delhi
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Delhi airport for return flight back home.
HOTELS OFFERED:
City |
Nights |
Category A |
Category B |
Meal Plan |
Bodhgaya |
2 |
Lotus Nikko |
Hotel Heritage |
Bed & Breakfast |
Patna |
1 |
Patliputra Ashok |
Vijaya Clarks Inn |
Bed & Breakfast |
Kushinagar |
1 |
Lotus Nikko |
Hotel Royal Residency |
Bed & Breakfast |
Lumbini |
1 |
Lotus Nikko |
Hotel Nirvana |
Bed & Breakfast |
Sravasti |
1 |
Lotus Nikko |
Lotus Nikko |
Bed & Breakfast |
Varanasi |
1 |
Hindustan International |
Surya |
Bed & Breakfast |
Agra |
1 |
The Fern |
Taj Vilas |
Bed & Breakfast |
Jaipur |
1 |
Four points by Sheraton |
Leisure Grand Inn |
Bed & Breakfast |
Delhi |
2 |
The Hans |
Surya International |
Bed & Breakfast |
PACKAGE INCLUSIONS:
- 11 night accommodation in well-appointed rooms as mentioned above hotels or equivalent
- Assistance at the airport &railway station at Agra
- Rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk
- Elephant ride at Amber Fort
- Entry Fee at the Monuments Varanasi, Agra, Jaipur & Delhi
- Boat Ride in river Ganges
- Services of English-speaking guide during sightseeing tours in Varanasi, Agra, Jaipur & Delhi
- Sightseeing as per itinerary by private tourist vehicle
- Overnight Train ticket for travel between Varanasi to Agra in 2AC
- Drivers allowances, toll taxes and Govt. Service Tax
PACKAGE EXCLUSIONS:
- Air tickets and airport taxes
- Optional activities are subject to availability. Charges additional.
- Items of personal nature like laundry, phone calls, tips to guides / drivers etc.
- Camera / Video camera fees applicable at monuments