Day
01 - Delhi
Welcome on arrival at Delhi and transfer
to hotel.
Day 02 -
Delhi
After breakfast, tour the historic city
of old Delhi to include the magnificent
Red Fort, Jama Masjid, largest mosque in
Asia, both built by Shahjahan, Rajghat-memorial
to Mahatma Gandhi, the "Father of the
Nation". Afternoon, tour of New Delhi
to include Humanyun Tomb, Qutab Minar, India
Gate, Birla Mandir, Bahai Temple. Overnight
at hotel.
Day 03 -
Delhi / Patna
Depart for airport for early morning flight
to 2500 year old ancient city of Patna.
On arrival at Patna transfer to hotel. Afternoon
excursion to Vaishali where Lord Buddha
preached his last sermon announcing his
approaching Nirvana. Visit stupas holding
urns containing ashes of Buddha and Ashok
pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka to mark
places sanctified by Buddha. The place is
also known now for famous Madhubani paintings.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 -
Patna / Rajgir
Morning drive down to Rajgir (102 kms /
2 hrs & 30 mins) capital of 6th century
Magadha empire. It was revered site of Buddhas
discourses. Buddha spent many years here.
Visit Gridhrakula, Sapataparni cave, Ajatsatru
fort and Venuvana. Afternoon visit Nalanda
- the world's oldest university founded
in the 5th century. Also visit monasteries
and temples with impressive Buddhist &
Hindu images. The Institute for research
into Buddhism and Pali literature which
houses rare manuscripts, is also worth visiting
for the enthusiasts. Archaeological musuem
is also not to be missed for the rare collections.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 -
Rajgir / Bodhgaya
Early morning after breakfast depart for
Bodhgaya (193 kms / 4 hrs & 30 mins)
by road. Enroute visit Baraliar caves -
the earliest examples of rock cut caves.
Most impressive craftmanship of carving
and rock inscription ca be seen. These caves
served as inspiration for the setting of
E.M Foresters "A Passage to India".
Arrive Bodhgaya and overnight in the hotel.
Day 06 -
Bodhgaya
Bodhgaya is one of the holiest Buddhist
pilgrimage centres. It was here that Gautama
attained enlightenment and became Buddha
under the "Bodhi" tree Satabodhi
temple, Japanese and Tibetan monasteries
alongwith Magadha university musuem are
also to be visited. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 -
Bodhgaya / Varansi
Early morning after breakfast depart for
Varanasi (243 kms / 6 hrs) by road (if one
so desires one can go by train to Varanasi
for Gaya). Arrive by afternoon and transfer
to hotel. Afternoon visit ghats and temples
and Benaras Hindu University. Overnight
at hotel.
Day 08 -
Varanasi / Sarnath
Early morning boat ride on river Ganges
to see the beautiful sunrise at Ganges.
After breakfast excursion to Sarnath, the
principle centre of Buddhism. It was here
around 530 B.C that Buddha preached his
1st sermon after gaining enlightenment.
Also visit Dhamekh and Dharmarajika stupas.
Day 09 -
Varanasi / Kishinagar
Afternoon drive to Kushinagar - the place
where Buddha passed into Parinirvana. Visit
Ramabha stupa which stands on the spot where
the body of the Lord was cremated. Also
visit Natha Kumarka Kot enshrining the large
recumbent figure of Buddha in the state
of Nirvana. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 -
Kushinagar / Lumbini / Sravasti
Morning excursion to Lumbini, the place
where Buddha was born. An ancient shrine
with an image representing the nativity
of Buddha is still preserved. Afternoon
drive to Balrampur and visit Sravasti and
other Buddhist shrines enroute. Overnight
at hotel.
Day 11 -
Balrampur / Lucknow / Delhi
Drive to Lucknow to catch flight to Delhi.
On arrival, transfer to international airport
for flight to onward destination. |
