Day 01: Arrive Delhi
The journey on the beautiful tour to learn more of Lord Buddha commences from Delhi, the capital of the country. Here on arrival, you will be escorted to the hotel by our representative where you will check in and relax for the day. One can enjoy the nearby areas and return hotel for dinner and night stay
Day 02: Delhi to Lucknow by Train and from there drive to Sravasti.
Today after breakfast the journey begins by travelling to New Delhi Railway Station where you are required to board Lucknow Shatabdi Express for a travel to Lucknow. This train usually starts early in the morning and takes around 6hours to reach Lucknow. On arrival at Lucknow have lunch at a local restaurant and leave for Sravasti which is based at a distance of 155km. It will take around 4hours to reach the destination. On arrival check in a hotel and freshen up for a tour in the city Sravasti, which served as the ancient capital of Kosala. Here savor the beauty of Jetvana Gardens which is famous for Buddhist monastery and is believed to serve as a shelter for Lord Buddha for 24 rainy seasons. Return to the hotel for a night stay.
Day 03: Sravasti to Lumbini
The third day of the tour begins by having a mouthwatering breakfast at the hotel. The morning is scheduled for a brief tour in Sravasti which remains adorned with old stupas, famous monasteries and various prominent religious shrines. The sightseeing mission in Sravasti gets all the more interesting while visiting the two major sites Saheth and Maheth of Buddha tourism. Based at the heart of Sravasti, Saheth is one important part of Buddhist triangle Sarnath-Sravasti and Kushinagar. The place has multiple monasteries dating back to 3rd century BC where the oldest one has relics of Lord Budha. A similar and popular tourist destination is Maheth stretched over an area of 400 acres. One can visit the famous Sobhanath Temple which is known have multiple replicas in countries like Nepal, Bhutan etc. Once the tour for the morning is completed, return back to hotel for lunch and refreshment. Post lunch, the expedition continues by driving to Lumbini which is considered as the birthplace of Lord Buddha. It takes around a little more than 3 hours to reach Lumbini at a distance of 176kms. It is one of the holiest places of the world considered by the Buddhist founded in 1890 after being untraced for more than 1500 years. The day concludes by checking in the hotel at Lumbini and having dinner and night stay there.
Day 04: Lumbini to Kushinagar
The first half of the next day is scheduled for sightseeing and visiting the pious shrines at Lumbini. Start by visiting Maha Devi Temple which is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Buddha according to the Buddhist scholars. Apart from this there are many other prominent shrines, monuments and stupas based in this location. World Peace, Pagoda, Myanmar Golden Temple, Ashokan Pillar and Pushkarni pond are some destinations worth a visit in Lumbini. After the tour have lunch at the hotel and proceed for Kushinagar. This is the place where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana near Hiranyavati River and was cremated as per historians at the Ramabhar Stupa. This is a 4 hours journey from Lumbini for a total distance of 165kms. On arrival check in a hotel for overnight stay.
Day 05: Kushinagar- Vaishali- Patna
Post breakfast the day remains scheduled for sightseeing at Kushinagar. Visit the major attractions like Mahaparinirvana Temple and offer a soulful prayer before the spectacular Budda stupas placed all over. The Mukutbandhan Stupa poses a beautiful sight of reclined Buddha. Visit Mathakuar Temple before concluding the tour in Kushinagar and proceed further to Patna visiting Vaishali on the way. Vaishali is the oldest republic of the world. This is a small village encircled by mango grooves and plenty of banana trees and stretches of rice fields. It’s a beautiful village which once served as the centre of trade and commerce. Apart from this Vaishali have other significances too. As per the Buddhist scholars, Lord Buddha visited Vaishali quite frequently and it is here that He preached his last sermons. Another prominence of Vaishali is that, it serves as the birthplace of Lord Mahavira which is the founder of Jain religion. From Kushinagar to Patna it is a distance of 253 kms and by late evening one can reach the latter. On arrival at Patna, check in a hotel and stay overnight.
Day 06: Patna: Nalanda- Rajgir-Bodhgaya
The next day it’s an early start for a drive to Bodhgaya via Nalanda and Rajgir. So after breakfast hit the roads for a distance of 111kms which usually takes 3 hrs but can be more for the necessary halts. At a distance of 75kms the first halt is at Nalanda which is the seat for the oldest university of the world. Lord Buddha is known to have visit Nalanda many times during his lifetime. Hieun Tsang is known to be a student of this university in 7thcentury AD. At a distance of 14kms from Nalanda is Rajgir which is a natural treasure with verdant valleys and hilly areas bordering the area. It was one of the favorite retreats of Lord Buddha where he visited much frequently to meditate and preach in Griddhakuta, the hill of Vultures. Visit the famous Vulture peak and popular Ajatshatru Fort before moving to Bodhgaya. After arrival check in a hotel and have delicious dinner followed by overnight stay.
Day 07: Bodhgaya
The seventh day of the tour is dedicated for sightseeing in Bodhgaya. Bodhgaya is the small temple town where Prince Siddhartha got enlightenment sitting under a Bodhi tree almost 2600 years ago. For the Buddhists it is the most pious destination and is considered similar to Mecca of the Muslims. After breakfast visit the Mahabodhi temple at the very site where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. It’s a UNESCO site and a must visit for all devotees. The rest of the day can be taken off for leisure and meditation activities. Conclude the day by returning back to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 08: Bodhgaya- Varanasi
Post breakfast on the eight day start the journey for 255kms to Varanasi. The journey to Varanasi can be made more charming by visiting Sarnath on the way. Sarnath is quite popular and is one of the holiest places for the Buddhist since Lord Buddha is believed to have said his first sermons here. In Sarnath one can visit the popular tourist destinations Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath Museum, Dhamarajika Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa etc. Once the sightseeing in Bodhgaya is done continue the drive to Varanasi. On arrival check in a hotel and retire for the night there.
Day 09: Varanasi – Delhi
Varanasi is again another holy city which is quite popular among the devotees. The tour in Varanasi starts from early morning seeing the sunrise from the banks of River Ganga. A boat ride on the river visualizing the treasures of Varanasi is an excellent option to enjoy the time here. Apart from this there are multiple tourist destinations which should be visited like Bharat Mata Temple, Mughal King Aurangazab’s Mosque Ghats, Benaras University, Kashivishwanath Temple, Durgakund etc. Once the morning tour is complete, return back hotel for a quick lunch and depart for airport. Take a flight back to Delhi and where on arrival check in a hotel for the night.
Day 10: Delhi
The last but one day of the tour is dedicated for Delhi tourism where enjoy the capital city and its unlimited attractions including Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Chadni Chowk, Humayun Tomb, Rajpath, India Gate, Qutub Minar, Raj Ghat, President House, etc. Get on shopping in popular market places like Connaught Place, Dilli Haat etc to collect some souvenir of the tour. Enjoy street food of Delhi and return back hotel for an overnight stay
Day 11: Depart from Delhi
The last day of the tour is just about packing luggage’s assorting the wonderful memories of the tour and leaving for airport. Take a quick breakfast and drive to Delhi airport for a return flight back home.
The tour is for 11 days but however it can be completed in 10 days where the last day at Delhi can be omitted for a flight back on the 10thday itself.