DAY 01 ARRIVE - DELHI BY: INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
You will arrive in the evening at New Delhi’s International Airport. Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, a SITA representative will meet you as you EXIT the ARRIVALS TERMINAL building after which you would be transferred to your hotel. India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds - the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiraling skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to the region’s ancient legacy. The first impressions for any visitor traveling in from the airport are of a spacious, garden city, tree-lined with a number of beautiful parks. Upon arrival at the hotel, proceed for check-in at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel

DAY 02 DELHI
After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken on a half-day sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; drive past the Red Fort continuing to the Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques and which is viewed from the outside. People stream in and out of the mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet.In the afternoon, proceed for sightseeing tour of New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively. The division in the walled city and New Delhi also marks the division in the life-styles. The walled city is all tradition where one will be able to glean a past life-style in all its facets, colours and spells. New Delhi in contrast, is a city trying to live up to the best of 21st century standards. The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. Qutub-ud-din Aibak started it in 1199. Pulling down 27 Hindu and Jain temples and using their columns erected the attached Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque also built by him. Then visit Humayun’s tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style, a precursor of the Taj Mahal. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President’s residence. Return to your hotel after the sightseeing tour.
Overnight at the hotel

DAY 03 DELHI – VARANASI BY FLIGHT
Buffet Breakfast at the hotel Later, a SITA representative will transfer you to Airport in time for your flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival a SITA representative will meet you at the airport upon arrival and transfer you to your hotel, and upon arrival check – in at your hotel, where remainder of the day will be at leisure. Varanasi, the 'eternal city', and Hinduism's most important city, located on the banks of the sacred River Ganges, has been the center of learning & civilization for over two thousand years
Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 04 VARANASI
Very early in the morning you will take a boat ride along the bathing ghats on the Holy River Ganges. At sunrise the Hindu faithful flock to the river to cleanse themselves of their sins. You see the cremation ghats and the Deswameedha ghats. To die in Varanasi is to end the Hindu cycle of re-birth, thereby making it a popular place to end one's life. After sunrise you will visit some of the temples in the surrounding area. After buffet breakfast at the hotel, visit "Bharat Kala Bhavan" which lies within the sprawling grounds of Banaras Hindu University. Its outstanding collection of sculpture, paintings and textiles began with the private collection of the enlightened Rai Krishnadasa. The sculpture collection includes terracotta and clay objects, stone and bronze and cast metal objects. Ancient terracotta varying from ritual icons to toys to utilitarian objects date to the Indus Valley Civilization, Mauryan, Sunga and Gupta period. In the afternoon, you will proceed for an excursion to Sarnath, a major Buddhist center in the world. After achieving enlightenment at Bodhgaya, Buddha, the 'Awakened One', delivered his first sermon here. It was the sixth century then, when he also set in motion the wheel of law, the Dharmachakra. This dwelling place of the rishis, it was also known as 'Rishipatana' (the place of the Rishis or sages). Buddha gave his first sermon in the Deer Park where he initiated his first five disciples into Buddhist monkshood. Buddhism found its roots in Sarnath, the birthplace of this way of life. Also visit the Sarnath Museum (closed on Fridays).
Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 05 VARANASI - BODHGAYA BY SURFACE
After breakfast drive to Bodhgaya enroute visiting Sasaram It is an ancient city and is believed to derive its name from Sahastrabahu, an ancient king and Parsuram, the warrior sage. Sasaram is also famous for being the birthplace of Pashtun Emperor Sher Shah Suri who ruled at Delhi for five years, his famous red sandstone mausoleum (122ft high) stands magnificently inthe middle of an artificial lake, which is known as second taj mahal of india. And there is another tomb at Sherganj known by Sukha Rauza (It is in the middle of green field. It also has a Baulia (Small pond used by queens of the emperor for baths. Continue drive to Bodhgaya On arrival check in at the hotel Bodhgaya is one of the most important and sacred Buddhist pilgrimage center in the world. It was here under a banyan tree, the Bodhi Tree, Gautama attained supreme knowledge to become Buddha, the Enlightened One. Born; in the foothills of the Himalayas as a Sakya prince of Kapilvastu, most of the major events of his life, like enlightenment and last sermon, happened in Bihar.
Rest of the day at leisure Overnight at the hotel

DAY 06 BODHGAYA
Buffet breakfast at the hotel Buddhism as a religion was really born in Bihar and evolved here through his preaching and the example of his lifestyle of great simplicity, renunciation and empathy for everything living. Significantly, the state's name of 'Bihar' originated from 'Vihara' meaning monasteries, which abounded in Bihar. Several centuries after Buddha's passing away, the Maurya Emperor Ashoka (234-198 BC) contributed tremendously towards the revival, consolidation and spread of the original religion. It is the monasteries, Ashoka built for the Buddhist monks and the pillars known as Ashokan Pillars erected to commemorate innumerable historical sites associated with the Buddha's life, mostly intact to this day, that helped scholars and pilgrims alike to trace the life events and preaching of a truly extraordinary man. There is a magnificent Mahabodhi temple and the Tree from the original sapling still stands in the temple premises. The temple is an architectural amalgamation of many centuries, cultures and heritages. While its architecture has a distinct stamp of the Gupta era, it has later ages inscriptions describing visits of pilgrims from Sri Lanka, Myanmar and China between 7th and 10th century AD. It is perhaps still the same temple Hieuen Tsang visited in 7th century Also visit other Buddhist temples.
Overnight at the hotel

DAY 07 BODHGAYA – RAJGIR – NALANDA – PATNA BY SURFACE
Buffet breakfast at the hotel Later drive to Patna enroute visiting Rajgir and Nalanda Rajgir just 80 kms from Bodhgaya is located the complex of temples and monasteries. It is one of the most important tourist places in India. Being located in a valley, Rajgir is a very scenic place. The small hill grit town is covered with lush green forest, which adds to the beauty of the place. Rajgir was the capital of the Magadh Mahajanpad (State) when Patliputra was not formed. In those days it was called Rajgrih. Rajgir or Rajgrih means the home of Royalty. This place has been associated with Lord Buddha and Buddhism. Buddha not only spent many years in Rajgir but also delivered sermons here and proselytized emperor Bimbisar at the Griddhakoota hill. The Jivekarmavan monastery was the favorite residence for Buddha. Even Bimbisar gave Venuvan Vihar to Buddha for his residence. It is said that it was at Rajgir that physician treated Buddha, Jivak after he was injured by his cousin Devdatta. The teachings of Buddha were penned down at Rajgir and it was also the venue for the first Buddhist Council. Today Rajgir has come up as one of the most important pilgrimage for the Buddhist. Rajgir also has some very beautiful Hindu and Jain temples, which attracts Hindus and Jains also to the place. Not only as a place for worship, Rajgir has come up as health and winter resort with its warm water ponds. These ponds are said to contain some medicinal properties, which help in the cure of many skin diseases. The added attraction of Rajgir is the Ropeway, which takes you uphill to the Shanti Stupa and Monasteries built by the Japanese Devotees on top of the Ratnagiri hills. Continue drive to Nalanda – 13 Kms Nalanda, founded in the 5th century AD, is famous as the ancient seat of learning. The ruins of the world's most ancient university lies here, which is 90 km south of Patna. Though the Buddha visited Nalanda several times during his lifetime, this famous center of Buddhist learning shot to fame much later, during 05th-12th centuries. Hieun Tsang stayed here in the 7th century AD and left detailed description of the excellence of education system and purity of monastic life Nalanda practiced here. He also gave a vivid account of both the ambiance and architecture of this unique university of ancient times. In this first residential international university of the world, 2,000 teachers and 10,000 monks students from all over the Buddhist world lived and studied here. The Gupta kings patronized these monasteries, built in old Kushan architectural style, in a row of cells around a courtyard. Emperor Ashoka and Harshavardhana were some of its most celebrated patrons who built temples, monasteries and viharas here. Recent excavations have unearthed elaborate structures here. An International Center for Buddhist Studies was established here in 1951. To be visited are Nalanda museum & Nava Nalanda Mahavihar in addition to the great ruins. Continue drive to Patna – 80 Kms PATNA Situated on the banks of the River Ganges, Patna has a history, which goes back over 2,500 years. Known as Patliputra, it was the capital of the great Mauryan Empire. However, scant evidence remains of its earlier wealth and political supremacy. The city acts as the gateway for places of Buddhist importance such as Vaishali, Nalanda, Rajgir, Gaya and Bodhgaya. Patna and its surrounding villages are known for wooden toys and inlay work, rustic silver jewellery, tussar silk and Madhubani paintings.
Overnight at the hotel


DAY 08 PATNA – SONEPUR BY SURFACE
After breakfast drive to Mela Group and check in at the tented accommodation The famed cattle fair is held at Sonepur, 30kms from Patna in Northern Bihar on the banks of the River Ganga. During this month-long fair, cattle decorated for the occasion throng the venues of the town. The full moon day of the month of Kartik (November) is regarded as one of the most auspicious days for the Hindus. Sonepur situated on the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga and Gandak, has the reverence of a blessed ground. A bath at the confluence and a visit to the Hariharnath temple here is the aim for thousands of devotees on the Kartik Purnima day. The 'Hariharnath Kshetra Mela' is now more known for the cattle fair held during this time. Gajendhra Moksha legend is associated with the temple in Sonepur. It involves the story of king Indrayamuna and the Gandharva chief Huhu, who were turned into an elephant and a crocodile respectively by the curse of great sages Agasthya and Dewala muni. One day the elephant's leg was caught by the crocodile. It is said that both of them fought hard for many years with their herds. But ultimately the King Elephant weakened and prayed to the supreme god Vishnu (Hari) to save him. Vishnu heard his prayer and cut down the crocodile with his 'Chakra'. But the touch of the chakra released Huhu from the curse. Vishnu also released Indrayamuna from his curse and took him to his aboard 'Vaikuntha'. The sprawling mela ground here with the pulsating market has the widest possible range of cattle and commodities. The array of shops sells all sorts of merchandise. One of the most attractive sight is the elephants lined up for sale. Sonepur Fair is the only one of its kind where such a large number of elephants are sold. These are purchased mainly by forest departments and people involved with logging operations. Apart from elephants, a large number of cattle and horses are also brought to the fair for sale. Various folk shows, games and jugglers can be seen in the fair. Overnight at the tents

DAY 09 SONEPUR
Held since the time of Aurangzeb, the Sonepur Mela—fittingly for one that is described in all guidebooks as the largest cattle-fair in Asia—is a gigantic kaleidoscope of primary colours and primary noises. Every year in November, at the occasion of Kartik Purnima, faith and commerce keep their annual appointment at this overgrown village at the confluence of the Gandak and Ganga, an hour away from Patna. "Immense crowds assemble, the number of which it is impossible to estimate... the roads leading to Sonepur are thronged for days...," said an awe-struck gazetteer in the early twentieth century, and the description holds good today. And in the crowds’ wake come the mendicants, the vendors of shiny objects, purveyors of food, sellers of religious paraphernalia, here a calendar with Aishwarya, there a copy of Satya Narayan Katha cheek by jowl with a Murda Jaag Utha, a fortune-telling parrot, a fortune-changing stone... but most of all the animals. Elephants, horses, bulls, oxen, goats, dogs, birds, and this year, a sad and solitary camel. But it is the elephant who has always been the focus of Sonepur’s attractions. Legend apart, the elephant fair at Sonepur is the pride of the mela. The elephant fair begins in a mango orchard on the banks of the Ganges a few days before the official opening of the mela on Kartik Purnima, which fell on November 30 this year. The Sonepur Mela also attracts cattle of every kind, goat and sheep, horses, and even dogs and birds. A regular exhibition ground springs up in the town, which is open for a whole month. The cattle, elephants and other animals leave after four or five days of hectic trading. But every visitor makes sure that the mango orchards are part of their itinerary so that they can gawk at the pachyderms lined up there. Overnight at the tents

DAY 10 SONEPUR – PATNA - KOLKATA BY SURFACE / FLIGHT
After buffet breakfast you will be transferred to Patna airport for your flight to Kolkatta Departure: Patna at: 1440 Hours By: 9W 724 Arrive: Kolkatta at: 1600 Hours Upon arrival you will be met by a SITA representative who will transfer you to your hotel. KOLKATA (CALCUTTA) The city of Calcutta, now called Kolkata, was established by the British in 1690 and was the capital of British India until 1911. It is the proud intellectual capital of India, with a rich contemporary cultural life. The city retains some of India’s most striking colonial buildings, and is also home to the country’s first underground railway. Rest of the day at leisure Overnight at the hotel

DAY 11 KOLKATA
Buffet breakfast at the hotel Morning half-day city tour Take a tour of the city to visit the Jain temple richly decorated with mirrors and Venetian glass mosaics, the Kali temple, and the white marble Victoria Memorial designed in Italian Renaissance-Mughal style. Planned by Viceroy Curzon and referred to both as Curzon’s Folly and the British Taj Mahal it is a museum housing Imperial memorabilia. Also drive past the Howrah Bridge, one of the largest cantilever bridges in the world, the Dalhousie Square, Fort Williams, the secretariat building and the Old Court House Street. Afternoon at leisure Evening you can take a boat ride on the river Hoogley. Overnight at the hotel

DAY 12 KOLKATA - BHUBANESHWAR BY AIR
Meeting and assistance on arrival at airport and transfer to your hotel BHUBANESWAR Set on the edge of the lush green rice fields of the Mahanadi delta, the pleasantly broad streets of the planned town of Bhubaneshwar offer a striking contrast to the architectural legacy of its period of greatness over one thousand years ago. Named after “Lord of the Universe”, Bhubaneshwar still has some 500 of its original 7000 temples that surrounded Bindusagar Tank. The graceful towers of the temples, complemented by fine stone carving, make Bhubaneshwar one of the most rewarding destinations in East India. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 13 BHUBANESHWAR
Following breakfast visit temples of Bhubaneshwar Spend the day visiting the temples of Bhubaneshwar including Parsurameshwar temple (c.650 AD), the ornate Mukteshwar temple, the 9th century Brahmeshwar temple with erotic sculptures, and Raj Rani temple (circa 1100 AD) with its niches and decorated pillars. Lingraj temple is closed to non-Hindus and can be seen from a viewing-platform. These temples are some of the best specimens of Orissa temple architecture.
Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 14 BHUBANESHWAR – KONARK - PURI BY SURFACE
Breakfast at the hotel
Then drive to Puri enroute visiting Dhauli, Pipli and Konark.
A rocky hill at Dhauli, about 8 km south of Bhubaneshwar, is the site of Ashoka’s famous rock edicts dating to about 260 BC. They extol the virtues of peace and nonviolence,and instruct his administrators to rule his subjects with gentleness and fairness. On top of the hill is a white Buddhist peace pagoda called Shanti Stupa. 44 kms from Konark is Pipli, a centre for appliqué work, which depict the essence of Oriya culture. It is also known for colourful and original awnings, canopies, garden and beach umbrellas, shoulder and handbags etc. The cocktail effect of the colours is certainly a feast for the eyes. Pipli, Orissa's appliqué capital, announces itself with loud colourful splashes of bright colour in the shop fronts. All kinds of handiwork are on sale
in shops that line both sides of the main highway.Continue drive to Konark

Konark, 64 km from Bhubaneshwar and 35 km from Puri, is one of the most vivid architectural treasures of Hindu India and a World Heritage Site. It is famous for its 13th century Sun Temple, the most striking example of Kalinga architecture. It is designed as a huge chariot to the Sun God, having twelve pairs of great wheels and drawn by seven exquisitely carved and ornamented horses. Each wheel functions as a working sundial. The sculptures depict every aspect of life: hunting, dance and music, court scenes, mythology, erotic figures, war scenes etc. There is also a shrine depicting the nine planets. A Dance Festival is staged at Konark every December. Continue drive to Puri

PURI: The seaside resort of Puri, 60 km from Bhubaneshwar, is one of the four holiest pilgrimage spots in India. The skyline is dominated by the great Jagannath temple. A large part of Puri’s population is, one way or the other, connected with the temple. The Rath Yatra or car festival held here every June/July is one of India’s greatest annual religious events. Puri’ long stretch of golden beach is its other attraction. The friendly place, with a relaxed atmosphere, is a big draw for people seeking to combine pilgrimage with relaxation.

DAY 15 PURI
Breakfast at the hotel
On a half day tour around Puri visit the Jagannath temple, constructed in the 12th century and dedicated to Jagannath, an incarnation of Vishnu. The temple’s 58 m high tower is topped by the flag and wheel of Vishnu. The temple is closed to non-Hindus, but can be viewed from outside. With its elaborate carving and mouldings, it is a very fine example of Orissa architecture. Rest of the day at leisure
Overnight at the hotel

DAY 16 PURI – BHUBANESHWAR – KOLKATA BY: FLIGHT
DEPARTURE – KOLKATA BY: INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
Following breakfast, you will be driven to Bhubaneshwar airport to board flight for Kolkata.Upon arrival Kolkata, transfer to international airport to connect your flight for onward destination.