Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour 09 Days / 08 Nights (starting from INR 38400pp)
Varanasi1N – Bodhgaya2N – Rajgir1N – Kushinagar1N – Lumbini1N – Shravasti1N – Agra1N – Delhi
India is the root country of Buddhism. There are numerous pilgrimage sites in India which are profoundly revered in Buddhism like Sarnath, Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Kushinagar, Vaishali, etc. Nepal houses the two pilgrimage sites of Buddhism- Kapilvastu and Lumbini. These Buddhist sites offer an unsurpassed tranquillity and spirituality to the tourist’s mind. Thus, these sites are frequented by the religious travellers all round the year. This 8 nights and 9 days itinerary takes you to these sacred sites, and to the other spots linked with early Buddhism. The list of the revered spots includes Sarnath, Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Vaishali, Kushinagar Lumbini and, Shravasti. Apart from this we also visit the Taj Mahal the epitome of Love also the 7th wonder of world. It is an ideal tour package for your family who want to follow the footsteps of Lord Buddha.
Itinerary
Day 01
Arrive Varanasi
On arrival in Varanasi Flight to be Advised Delhi, you be met/greeted and transfer to your Hotel. Check in at the hotel. Afternoon we will drive to Sarnath where the Lord Buddha preached his first sermon, and to see the Stupas, ancient and modern Temples and Ashoka’s Pillar. Lord Buddha came to Sarnath after gaining enlightenment under the sacred Bodhi tree.
Enjoy Dinner at your Hotel
Overnight: Hotel in Varanasi
Day 02
Varanasi / Bodhgaya (approx. 260 kms – 5 hrs drive)
Optional at extra cost: Today, we will leave for an early morning boat ride at Ganges River. As the dawn mists rise on the Holy River Ganges, glide silently on a boat to see the devout come to bathe and pray.
After Breakfast we drive to Bodhgaya and check-in at your Hotel. Rest of the day free to relax or do your own activities. You can choose to visit Durgeshwari Cave.
Enjoy Dinner at your Hotel
Overnight: Hotel in Bodhgaya
Day 03
Bodhgaya
In the morning after breakfast, we will visit Mahabodhi Temple which includes tall stone lotuses, figures of Buddha sitting in different postures on the walls, his footprints on the stones and a colossal golden Buddha in the sanctum sanctorum. The Bodhi Tree is situated in the premises of the temple, is the one under which Buddha attained illumination. Another option is to sit and meditate under the Bodhi Tree or see other sites like Nagarjuna River, Sujatha Temple and other local Budhist Temple. Later return back to the hotel.
Later return back to the hotel.
Enjoy Dinner at your Hotel
Overnight: Hotel in Bodhgaya
Day 04
Bodhgaya / Rajgir (approx. 300 kms – 62.5 hrs drive)
After Breakfast we drive to Rajgir and check-in at your Hotel. You can choose to visit Griddhkuta “Hill of Vultures”, where Buddha delivered some of his most famous sermons. Thereafter, we will visit Saptparni caves where first Buddha Council was held which is also the source of Rajgir’s hot springs. Later return back to Hotel. Enjoy Dinner at your Hotel
Overnight: Hotel in Rajgir
Day 05
Rajgir / Kushinagar (approx. 190 kms – 4 hrs drive)
After Breakfast we drive to Kushinagar enroute visit Nalanda Ruins (founded in the 5th century B.C). and Vaishali where Lord Buddha preached his last sermon. Later continue drive to Kushinagar and check-in at your Hotel. Enjoy Dinner at your Hotel.
Overnight: Hotel in Kushinagar
Day 06
Kushinagar / Lumbini (approx. 190 kms – 4 hrs drive)
After Breakfast we visit Kushinagar one of the major Buddhist pilgrimage destinations where Lord Buddha attained Parinirvana or final Nirvana. Also, visit ancient stupas and modern temples, commemorating the Buddha’s death and cremation. After tour we drive to Lumbini and check-in at your Hotel. Enjoy Dinner at your Hotel
Overnight: Hotel in Lumbini
Day 07
Lumbini / Sharvasti (approx. 150 kms – 3.5 hrs drive)
After Breakfast we visit the birth place of Lord Buddha – Lumbini. Also, we will visit Lumbini Park where the Ashok Pillar carries the inscription – where the Buddha was born. Then, we will visit Mayadevi temple devoted to the mother of Lord Buddha which houses a stone picture of giving birth to Lord Buddha. Later, (time permitting) we will visit China temple which is beautiful pagoda style temple with many prayer and meditation cells. After tour we drive to Shravasti and check-in at your Hotel. Enjoy Dinner at your Hotel
Overnight: Hotel in Shravasti
Day 08
Sharvasti / Agra (approx. 480 kms – 7 hrs drive)
After Breakfast we visit Sharvasti where Lord Buddha passed the greater part of his monastic life and preached after the enlightenment. Later we will visit the Ananda Bodhi tree where Lord Buddha meditated for a night, (time permitting) we also visit Jetavan where Lord Buddha performed some miracle. After tour we drive to Agra and check-in at your Hotel. Enjoy Dinner at your Hotel
Overnight: Hotel in Agra
Day 09
Agra / Delhi (approx. 204 kms – 5 hrs drive)
After Breakfast we visit Agra Fort – a blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture – originally built by the Rajput’s and renovated from time to time by different Mughal emperors with red sandstone, bricks and the beautiful marble from Makarana. The Fort can more accurately be described as a walled palatial city. Followed by the Taj Mahal, a symbol of eternal love that stands on the southern bank of the Yamuna River. It was built by the 5th Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, in the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in the 16th century. The charisma of the Taj Mahal never fails to impress given its beautiful symmetry and white marble inlays. We will spend some time visiting the bazaars, where descendants of the artisans who worked on the Taj continue to perfect their trade of marble craftsmanship.. After tour we drive to Delhi airport to board your international Flight to be advised.