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Day 01 : Delhi
Welcome to Delhi, the capital of India. You will be received and
transferred to a pre-booked hotel. You have the remaining day to brace
up for the excitement ahead.
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. 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. Evening leave Agra for
Varanasi by overnight train. (Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays)
Day 04 : 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 at hotel.
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 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.
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 at hotel in Patna.
Day 08 : Patna - Vaishali - Kushinagar
Morning leave Patna for 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 at hotel.
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 and overnight
stay.
Day 10 : 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 2553/Vaishali Express dep. 19:35 hrs. Overnight
on board.
Day 11 : Day at leisure
Arrive Delhi at 06:15 hrs. Transfer to international airport to
connect flight for onward destination. |
