Day
01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi and meet the SITA representative at the
arrival hall and transfer to Hotel.
Overnight at Hotel in Delhi.
Day 02: In Delhi
Morning proceed for sightseeing
tour of New & Old Delhi. Visit the 12th Century Qutab Minar;
gracefully fluted and hand carved for its entire height of
234 feet. Near it stands the Iron Pillar which has withstood
the ravages of time and hasn’t rusted in 1500 years.
Also, visit the graceful mausoleum of the Mughal Emperor
Humayun and the modern Birla Temple. Drive past the President's
House, the Parliament House and the Secretariat buildings.
The Red Fort, which was built in 1648 by Mughal Emperor
Shahjehan and the Jama Masjid, which is one of the largest
mosques in India are other places of interest. The Raj
Ghat and Shanti Vana are the cremation sites of Mahatma
Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru respectively and make for
a peaceful retreat. Besides these, visit Chandni Chowk
for a unique shopping experience at Old Delhi.
Overnight at Hotel in Delhi.
Day 03: To
Lucknow by Train and drive to Sravasti - 150 Kms - 3.5 hours
drive
Morning transfer to Railway Station to board
Train to Lucknow. Arrive Lucknow and drive to Sravasti, the
capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala. Sravsti is known
for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana
Gardens. The city is believed to be founded by the mythological
king, Sravast and has age-old stupas, majestic monasteries
and several temples. Buddha is said to have performed some
miracles here. In Sravasti, visit Saheth - Maheth and Jetvan.
Overnight at Hotel in Sravasti.
Day 04: To
Lumbini – 180 Kms – 4 hours drive
Drive to Lumbini (birth place of Lord Buddha). En-route visit
Kapilavastu (Piprawaha). Kapilavastu was the ancient capital
of the Sakya Clan whose ruler was the Father of Buddha, which
is why Buddha is also referred to as Sakyamuni. Prince Gautam,
as Buddha was then known, left his palace in Kapilavastu at
the age of 29 and revisited it 12 years later, long after
he had attained enlightenment. A large Stupa stands at this
ancient site, which is said to have the bone relics of Buddha.
We continue our drive to Lumbini (95 Kms. from Kapilavastu).
Situated across the Border in Nepal, Lumbini is the Birth
Place of Lord Buddha. Arrive Lumbini and check-in at Hotel.
Later, visit the Ashokan Column, the famous Rummindei Pillar,
which commemorated the emperor's visit in 249 B.C. It still
stands to mark the sacred spot of Buddha's nativity.
Overnight stay at Lumbini.
Day 05: To Kushinagar – 165 Kms – 4 hours
drive
Morning proceed for the sightseeing tour of Lumbini, the birthplace
of Prince Siddhartha. He renounced his riches in favour of
seeking peace and enlightenment as Gautam Buddha. Here is
the seat of Buddhism, a religion that blossomed and spread
across the world. Later proceed to Kushinagar. Arrive Kushinagar
and check-in Hotel. Afternoon proceed for the sightseeing
tour of Kushinagar, earlier known as Kushinara. It is believed
that Buddha attained 'Mahaparinirvana' (release from the endless
cycle of birth and rebirth) here. The statue of the Reclining
Buddha at the temple is one of the most sacred sights for
the pilgrims and a mound of bricks marks the place where Buddha
is said to have been cremated.
Overnight at Hotel in Kushinagar.
Day 06: To Patna – 231 Kms
– 5 hrs drive
Morning drive to Patna. En-route visit Vaishali,
which is believed to be the first republic of the world. Having
an elected body of representatives holds special significance
for the Buddhist devotees. At Kolhua, Lord Buddha delivered
his last sermon, hinting at his impending departure from the
mortal world. Vaishali is famous for Amrapali, the beautiful
dancer and courtesan of Vaishali, who offered Buddha a mango
orchard and was so impressed by his teachings that she later
became a nun (Bhikshu). Later, Emperor Ashoka erected a huge
Pillar to commemorate the spot of Buddha’s last sermon.
Continue drive to Patna. Arrive Patna and check-in at Hotel.
Overnight at Hotel in Patna.
Day 07: To Bodhgaya – 111 Kms - 2 hours drive
Morning drive to Bodhgaya. En-route visit Nalanda, home to
one of the oldest known universities of the world. Its ruins
show that over 2000 teachers and 10000 students from all over
the Buddhist world lived and studied here. The Chinese chronicler
Huien Tsang spent many years here, both as a student and a
teacher. An international centre for Buddhist studies also
functions here. Later, visit Rajgir, the ancient capital of
the Magadh Kings. Buddha came here often. Rajgir is an important
place of pilgrimage for Hindus as the temple complex here
is dedicated to the Sun God. Arrive Bodhgaya and check-in
at Hotel.
Overnight at Hotel in Bodhgaya.
Day 08: In Bodhgaya
Morning proceed for a visit to the Mahabodhi Temple
and Lord Buddha Temple. Evening at leisure.
Overnight at Hotel in Bodhgaya.
Day 09: To Varanasi – 240 Kms – 5 hours
drive
Morning drive to Varanasi. En-route visit Sarnath,
10 Kms. east of Varanasi, it is one of Buddhism's major centers
in India. After attaining enlightenment, Buddha came to Sarnath
where he gave his first sermon. Also visit the deer park and
the museum. Continue drive to Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi and
check-in at Hotel. Evening see the "aarti" ceremony
on the banks of the river Ganges and stroll along the narrow
lanes and bazaars full of shops selling the world-famous Banaras
Silks among many other things.
Overnight at Hotel in Varanasi.
Day 10: To Delhi
Morning proceed for a boat cruise on the river Ganges
to observe the way of life of pilgrims by the Ghats. Later
transfer to Airport to board flight for Delhi. Meet the SITA
representative at arrival hall and transfer to Hotel.
Overnight at Hotel in Delhi.
Day 11: Leave Delhi
In-time transfer to airport to board your flight
for onward destination.
*** End of Tour ***
Hotel Options
| Cities | Standard | Superior |
| Delhi | Siddharth / Connaught |
Le
Meridien |
| Sravasti | Lotus Nikko |
Lotus Nikko |
| Lumbini | Buddha Maya Garden |
Buddha
Maya Garden |
| Kushinagar | Lotus Nikko |
Royal Residency |
| Patna | Maurya Patna |
Chanakya |
| Bodhgaya | Lotus Nikko |
Sujata |
| Varanasi | Clarks Varanasi |
Taj Ganges |