Buddhism Piligrimage Tour

Day 01: Arrive Delhi

Meet on arrival at Airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 02 : Delhi

Leave for post-breakfast sightseeing tour through the capital city. Spend the whole day gazing at the famous historical landmarks like the towering Qutab Minar, Humayun Tomb, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, India Gate and Raj Ghat, Gandhiji's memorial. Evening transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 03 : Delhi- Jaipur

In the morning, you will be driven to Jaipur by road. Arrival at Jaipur is followed by check-in into hotel. Spend rest of the time roaming around the nearby areas. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 04 : Jaipur

The Jaipur excursion begins with the Elephant ride at the Amber Fort. It is followed by the city tour, covering the Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, City Palace, Nawab Sahab Ki Haveli, Johari Bazar etc. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 05 : Jaipur - Agra

Agra is the next destination in the itinerary. You will be driven to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri, the old deserted town of the Mughal Dynasty. The attractions at Fatehpur Sikri are Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Jami Masjid and Jodha Bai's Palace. Arrival follows check-in into hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 06 : Agra - Varanasi (Overnight train)

Morning city tour of Agra includes the Taj Mahal, Red Fort and the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula. Later in the evening check out of the hotel and transfer to Tundla Railway station for overnight train to Varanasi. Overnight at board.

Day 07 : Arrive Varanasi

Early morning train reaches Varanasi and you are transferred to the hotel. The afternoon half-day city tour of Varanasi includes a visit to Benaras Hindu University, Bharat Mata Temple, Vishwanath Temple etc. Overnight stay at hotel.

Sarnath enjoys the extraordinary privilege of Lord Buddha delivering his first sermon after attaining enlightenment 2500 years ago. It is about 10 km from Varanasi and holds a number of Buddhist sites that include the famous Dhamekh Stupa, the seat of the holy 'Buddha'. You can also visit the ruins of Dharmajajika Stupa and Mulgandhakuti Temple, where Lord Buddha is said to have rested and meditated while in Sarnath. The Ashoka Pillar built by the emperor Ashoka is a must see in Sarnath. The Lion Capital on top of this pillar is now the National Emblem of India and stands apart for its excellent artistry and carvings.

Day 08 : Varanasi - Bodhgaya

Get a real feeling of Varanasi-the gate to Moksha, by early morning boat ride on River Ganges. Later in the morning you are driven to Bodhgaya, visiting Sarnath on the way. Arrival at Bodhgaya follows check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 09 : Bodhgaya

The day begins with sightseeing of Bodhgaya and later excursion to Rajgir and Nalanda.

Rajgir: Rajgir is an important Buddhist pilgrimage place. Lord Buddha spent a considerable part of his life and the first Buddhist council was held here (after Buddha attained Nirvana).

Nalanda: Nalanda was a great center of Buddhist learning in ancient times. The Nalanda University was founded in the 5th century and developed as a center of intellectualism. Overnight stay at hotel.

Bodhgaya is one of the most important and sacred Buddhist pilgrimage center in the world. It was here under a banyan tree, the Bodhi Tree, Gautama attained supreme knowledge to become Buddha

Day 10 : Bodhgaya - Vaishali - Kushinagar

From Bodhgaya proceed to Vaishali. Lord Buddha delivered his last sermon and announced his impending " Nirvana". Highlights of Vaishali include the Ashoka Pillar, Lotus tank and Chaumukhi. The next destination after Vaishali is Kushinagar. Arrive at Kushinagar transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Located at 55 km from Gorakhpur, Kushinagar is the place where the Lord Buddha uttered his last words "Behold now, brethren, I exhort you, saying, decay is inherent in all component things! Work out your salvation with diligence!" and left for the heaven. A temple dedicated to the event - the Mahaparinirvana temple, stands testimony to the mournful demise. Among the various Stupas of Kushinagar, Rambhar Stupa needs your exploration for it is the place where Lord Buddha was supposedly cremated.

Day 11: Kushinagar - Lumbini

Excursion at Kushinagar starts with a visit to the Mahanirvana Temple and follows visits to the modern Japan/Srilanka Buddhist center and monasteries. Thereafter proceed to Lumbini (the place where Lord Buddha was born). Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 12 : Lumbini - Kapilvastu - Sravasti

In the morning, visit the Ashoka pillar (249 BC), Mayadevi temple, the ruins of an old monastery and some new Stupas. In the afternoon you will be driven to Sravasti, where lies the extensive ruins of this ancient city and the famous Jetavana Monastery. Arrive Sravasti transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Kapilavastu is the place where Lord Buddha spent his childhood. The ancient capital of Sakya clan ruled by Suddhodana, the father of Lord Buddha, Kapilavastu flourished the most when the holy soul of Gautama arrived. Now known as Piprahwa, it is at 110 km distance from Gorakhpur. The place holds a number of Buddhist heritage that will engulf you in the memory of the Lord. A large Stupa standing at the ancient site is said to store the bone relics of the Buddha.

Day 13 : Sravasti - Lucknow

In the morning a city tour of Sravasti is arranged and later you will be driven to Lucknow. Transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Ssravasti situated 134 km from Lucknow and 29 km from Balrampur, Sravasti, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, has the honour for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana Gardens. It is sacred to Buddhists because it is here that Lord Buddha performed the Tirthika heretics.

Day 14 : Lucknow - Delhi (by flight)

Morning city tour of Lucknow covers Imambara, Rumi Darwaza and other historical monuments. In the evening transfer to Airport for flight to Delhi. Arrive Delhi transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 15 : Departure Delhi

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Airport for onward destination.