The Buddha's Trail

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi

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

Day 02 : Delhi

After breakfast sightseeing tour of Delhi. Morning visit Old Delhi. It is a 17th century walled city with its splendid gates, narrow alleys, the enormous Bazaar. Visit Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Raj Ghat. Afternoon tour of New Delhi with wide tree lined avenues, parks and fountains surroundings the imposing government and state Buildings. Visit Humayun's Tomb, an observatory called Jantar Mantar, Qutab Minar, India Gate and President House. Evening transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 03 : Delhi - Agra - Varanasi

Leave Delhi for Agra by road (203 kms / 4 Hrs). Afternoon sightseeing tour of Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal. (Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays). Evening transfer to Railway station for Varanasi. Overnight at board.

Day 04 : Arrive Varanasi - Sarnath - Varanasi

Arrive Varanasi early in the morning. On arrival check-in at hotel and refresh for a visit to Sarnath -the place where Lord Buddha preached his first Sermon in 590 BC. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Varanasi, visiting Ghats, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Gyanvyapi Mosque, Durga Temple, Banaras Hindu University, Ram Nagar, Fort and Museum. 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 05 : Varanasi - Bodhgaya

Early morning boat-ride on the River Ganges. Thereafter, leave Varanasi by road for Bodhgaya (242 kms / 6-7 Hrs) one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centers in the state of Bihar. It was here that Gautama attained enlightenment and became Buddha under the "Bodhi" tree Satabodhi Temple. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 06 : Bodhgaya

Morning visit temples in Bodhgaya - Mahabodhi Temple, Animesh Locan Chaiyata, Mohanta's Monastery, Thai Temple and The Burmese Temple. Later visit Monuments such as - Tibetan Monastery, International Buddhist House, Buddhist Monastery of Bhutan, The Chinese Temple & Monastery and Bodhi Tree. Also visit Archaeological Museum. Evening transfer to hotel. 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 07 : Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Nalanda - Patna

Leave Bodhgaya for Patna (157 kms / 4-5 Hrs) en-route visiting Rajgir & Nalanda. Patna is 2500 year old capital city of Bihar. Rajgir was capital of 6th century Magadha Empire and was revered site of Buddha's discourses. Buddha spent many years here. Nalanda is world's oldest university founded in the 5th century. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 08 : Patna - Vaishali - Kushinagar

After breakfast drive to Kushinagar (253 kms / 8 hrs) en-route visiting Vaishali -located 55 kms from Patna and holds special significance for Buddhist devotees. It was here that the Buddha announced the approaching of his Mahaparinirvana. Visit Ashokan Pillar - the magnificent Ashokan pillar with a lion adorning its top is a definite crowd-puller. This 18.3 m high pillar is made of a single piece of red sandstone and is a major attraction to the tourists. Arrive Kushinagar. It is the place where Buddha passed into Maha-Parinirvana. Afternoon visit the various stupas and temples. 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 09 : Kushinagar - Lumbini - Sravasti

Leave Kushinagar by road for Lumbini (170 kms / 4-5 Hrs) - the birthplace of Buddha and is located just a few kilometres inside Nepal. Sightseeing tour of Lumbini and thereafter leave for Sravasti by road (225 kms / 6 hrs). On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Sravasti 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 l0 : Saravasti - Sahet & Mahet - Lucknow - Delhi

Morning visit to Sahet & Mahet -15 kms from Balrampur and the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Kosala. Sravasti has the honour for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana Vihar and has the famous Anand Bodhi tree, age-old stupas, majestic monasteries and several temples. Buddha is said to have performed some miracles here. Afternoon free for leisure. Evening drive to Gonda Railway Station (40 kms) and connect train to Delhi. Overnight at board.

Day 11 : Arrive Delhi and Transfer to Airport

Morning meet on arrival at Railway station. Transfer to Airport for onward destination.