Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour

Tour Itinerary

Duration: (10 Nights / 11 Days)
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Nalanda - Patna - Kushinagar - Lumbini(Nepal) - Sravasti - Varanasi - Delhi

• DAY
  1

  Arrive Delhi

  

  Tourists will get their custom clearance done after scheduled arrival at New Delhi Airport. Our representatives will greet you tourists warmly at arrival halls. They will later assist them to board a cab and check into a hotel. Spend rest of the time in leisure activities.
  
  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• DAY
  2

  Delhi / Gaya (by Train)

  

  Have breakfast in the hotel and later proceed for full-day guided tour of the national capital of India, Delhi. It is dotted with multi-storeyed buildings and is the centre of political activities. It is world’s second most populous city with the population of 22 million. Tourists will visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The courtyard, having sitting capacity of approximately 25,000 worshippers at a given time, of the mosque is used for prayers on ‘Jumma’ every Friday. Later drive past Red Fort, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It was the residence of Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years and was used for ceremonial and political activities of Mughal government till 1857.
  
  Next visit Chandani Chowk; a famous market since Mughal era where you can enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride. Later head on towards monuments in New Delhi such as Rashtrapati Bhawan, once imperial residence of British viceroys (also called Parliament House), India Gate – a memorial built in the honour of Indian soldiers martyred during Afghan war – and Qutub Minar. Get back to the hotel and spend rest of the day in leisure activities till departure for railway station to board a train for Gaya.
  
  Overnight train journey. (Red Fort is closed every Monday)

• DAY
  3

  Arrive Gaya / Bodhgaya (15Kms, 20 Minutes drive)

  

  Post arrival at Gaya railway station early morning, our representative will escort you to Bodhgaya which is 15 km from the station. Check into a hotel upon arrival. After freshen up visit Mahabodhi Mahavihara – where the Guatam Siddhartha got enlightenment and formally called Buddha. Bodhgaya is the most important pilgrimage site related to Gautam Buddha. Spend rest of the day in leisure activities.
  
  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• DAY
  4

  Bodhgaya

  

  Visit Mahabodhi Temple for a meditation session under Bodhi Tree in morning. Get back to the hotel for breakfast. Later visit Sujata Village, where Lord Buddha had spent 11 years sitting under a Peepal tree along the river Niranjana. Visit monastery of different Buddhist countries dedicated to Lord Buddha including Thai Monastery, Japanese Temple, 80 feet high Lord Buddha’s statue and Tibetan Monastery among others in afternoon.
  
  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• DAY
  5

  Bodhgaya / Rajgir / Nalanda / Patna (200Kms)

  

  Proceed for Rajgir post breakfast in a hotel. Rajgir, which is 90 km from Bodhgaya, was the first capital of the Magadh kingdom. This city is known for various historical sites and anecdotes. It is said that Lord Buddha had visited this hilly and beautiful city many times. Visit Shanti Stupa through aerial ropeway atop the hills. Later visit Japanese Temple, Venuvana Monastry and Vulture’s Peak.
  
  Later visit ruins of Nalanda University – one of the ancient and great universities across the world for higherShanti Stupa in Rajgir, Bihar, India education. This esteemed varsity was established during the reign of Gupta emperor – Kumargupta. Many building had been added by Muaryan emperor Ashoka, while a lot of monasteries had been built during Gupta empire. Lord Buddha also visited this varsity many times. Drive towards Patna (90 km) in afternoon. Check into a hotel post arrival in evening.
  
  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• DAY
  6

  Patna /Vaishali (40Kms)/ Kushinagar (265Kms)

  

  Drive towards Kushinagara (265 km) – where Lord Buddha freed himself from the cycle of birth and death – after having breakfast in the hotel. Visit Vaishali en route. It is the ancient capital city of Licchavi, one of world’s first democratic city in Vajjian Confederacy around 6th century BC. This city used to be very large, rich and prosperous as well as dotted with lots of Lotus Ponds during the visit of Lord Buddha.
  
  Check into a hotel post arrival in Kushinagara in afternoon. After freshen up explore this historical city which had been chosen by Lord Buddha for ‘Nirvana’. Most of the ruined stupa and vihara date back to 3rd to 5th century BC. The Mauryan emperor Ashoka got various sites constructed here. Visit Nirvana Temple and other vihara in the vicinity.
  
  Overnight stay in the hotel.

• DAY
  7

  Kushinagar / Lumbini (180Kms, 4Hrs drive)

  

  Drive towards Lumbini, located in foothills of Himalaya, after having breakfast in the hotel. It is 25 km east of the municipality of Kapilvastu in Nepal where the Buddha is said to have lived till the age of 29. It is a place where queen Mayadevi is said to have given birth to Siddhartha Gautam. Check into a hotel post arrival in the afternoon. After freshen up visit Bodhi Tree, Lumbini Garden and Chinese Maitreya Temple.
  
  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• DAY
  8

  Lumbini / Sravasti (200Kms, 4.5Hrs drive)

  

  Proceed towards Sravasti – one of the ancient Indian cities- post breakfast in the hotel. It is located on the banks of river Rapti. It was the capital of the kingdom of Kosala. Lord Buddha had visited this beautiful city many times and also spent some time. Check into a hotel post arrival in the afternoon. After freshen up visit Jetavana Monastry, Buddha’s hut in Jetavana and other monasteries.
  
  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• DAY
  9

  Sravasti – Varanasi (300kms,5.5Hrs drive)

  

  Depart for Varanasi in the morning. Check into a hotel post arrival in the afternoon. Visit river Ganges to witness the world Famous ‘Ganga Aarti’ in evening.
  
  Get back to the hotel and stay there overnight.

• DAY
  10

  Varanasi

  

  Visit river Ganga to enjoy a boat ride followed by capturing a glimpse of enchanting sunrise in the morning. Get back to the hotel for breakfast.
  
  Later explore the city and visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Banaras Hindu Universit. This varsity was founded by a great social reformer Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya. Also, visit Bharat Mata Temple. Visit Sarnath, where Lord Buddha had given his first sermon after getting enlightened at Bodhgaya, in afternoon. Visit Dhamekh Stupa and ruins of Deer Park, Mahabodhi Manavihar and Sarnath Museum.
  
  Get back to the hotel and stay there overnight.

• DAY
  11

  Varanasi / Delhi Airport Departure

  

  Have breakfast in the hotel and depart for Varanasi Airport to board a flight for New Delhi. Take a connecting flight for respective destinations after reaching New Delhi.
  
  This concludes journey to Buddhist pilgrim sites.