Absorb
the aura of solemn grandeur that surrounds Bodhagaya
- the cradle of enlightenment. Here more than 2500 years
ago came Siddhartha, a young ascetic, having renounced
royal heritage. As he gazed across the river Phalgu
upon the serene landscape of Uruvea village (modern
Bodh Gaya) he knew his quest had ended. Also visit the
Lumbini Gardens, the birthplace of Prince Siddhrath.
Kapilavastu is where the young prince spent his childhood
and Sarnath is where he first took to preaching after
attaining Enlightenment. End your experience with Nalanda,
the famed ancient university, which is the bedrock of
all Buddhist learning. The tour also navigates through
Sravasti, Lucknow, Varanasi and Kushinagar, places which
are associated with the life of the Buddha. Each city
is teeming with possibilities for the discerning travellers
seeking something beyond the routine tourist attractions.
DAY
1 Arrival Delhi
Transfer to hotel for immediate occupancy. Morning free.
Afternoon - combined sightseeing tour of New Delhi and
Old Delhi. Visit to begin with a drive through the prestigious
streets of the Diplomatic Enclave then on to India Gate,
Rastrapati Bhawan and Qutub Minar (one of the most perfect
towers of the Persian world). Visit to Old Delhi, will
take you to the Red Fort, Jama Masjid (the largest mosque
in India) and Raj Ghat (memorial of Mahatma Gandhi).
DAY
2 Delhi - Varanasi
Morning transfer to airport to board to Varanasi. Afternoon
- city sightseeing tour and visit to Sarnath.
DAY
3 Varanasi - Bodhgaya
Early morning boat ride on the Ganges to capture the
serenity and to observe the flow of life on the sacred
ghats of the river, later drive to Bodhgaya (280 kms/8
hours).
DAY
4 Bodhgaya
Morning - sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya, the place where
Buddha attained enlightenment under the Mahabodhi tree.
Afternoon free for relaxation.
DAY
5 Bodhgaya - Patna
Morning - proceed to Patna (220kms/6hours) en route
visit Nalanda and Rajgir, the capital of the Magadha
kingdom. In Nalanda you will visit the university which
was a seat of Buddhist learning.
DAY
6 Patna
Morning proceed for your excursion to Vaishali (55 kms/1.5
hours). You will get to see one of the seven Ashoka
pillars and the Anand Stupa. Rest of the day at leisure.
DAY
7 Patna - Kushinagar
Morning - drive to Kushinagar (260 kms/7 hours). Afternoon
- sightseeing tour of Kushinagar, where Lord Buddha
passed into Mahaparinirvana, at the age of 80.
DAY
8 Kushinagar - Lumbini
Morning - drive to Lumbini, (160 kms/5 hours) birth
place of Buddha. In the afternoon, proceed for a sightseeing
tour of Lumbini where you will see the Ashoka Pillar,
Sacred Pond, Maya Devi Temple, Temple of Lords and the
ruins of an old monastery.
DAY
9 Lumbini - Kapilavastu - Sravasti
Drive to Sravasti via Kapilavastu, the place where Buddha
spent his early childhood (240kms/7-8 hours). Afternoon
- sightseeing tour of Sravasti, the capital of the ancient
kingdom of Kosala.
DAY
10 Sravasti - Lucknow
Morning drive to Lucknow (220 kms/6 hours). Evening
free.
DAY
11 Lucknow - Delhi
Morning - sightseeing tour of Lucknow, the city of the
Nawabs and Begums. Afternoon transfer to the airport
to board flight to Delhi. Upon arrival transfer to international
airport. Departure Delhi.
To
book this or any other packages, email
or call us at 212-889-2550.
