Footsteps of Buddha
Day 1- Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi and meet the SITA representative at arrival
hall and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon proceed on
a tour of the capital city. The important places in Old
Delhi includes the majestic Red Fort, the historical Chandni
Chowk, besides Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana, In New Delhi visit
the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the one-time imperial residence
of the British viceroys; the India Gate, a memorial raised
in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan
war; the Laxminarayan Temple, built by the Birlas, one of
India’s leading industrial families; Qutab Minar, built
by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty; and the lotus-shaped
Baha’i Temple.
Day 2- To Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur. Arrive Jaipur and check – in at
hotel. Jaipur has been like that since 1727 when Maharaja
Sawai Jai Singh II had it built.
Day 3- In Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber Fort, situated just outside the
city, is perhaps the most beautiful example of Rajasthani
forts. You can have the unique experience of traveling on
elephant back to and from the top of the hill on which the
fort is situated. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur including,
City Palace in the heart of Jaipur is known for its blend
of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Not far away is the
Central Museum with its large collection of woodwork, Another
monument near the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, is the largest
of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. The
Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds was constructed for the
royal ladies to watch the royal processions without being
seen.
Day 4- To Agra
Morning drive for five hours to the City of Taj, enroute
visiting the deserted town of Fatehpur Sikri, In the afternoon
reach Agra and check in at your hotel. Later proceed for
the city sightseeing tour visiting The Taj Mahal, which
is entirely made of white marble and its walls are decorated
with exquisite pietra dura (stone inlay) work.
Day 5- To Varanasi
Intime transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi.
Arrive Varanasi and transfer to hotel visiting Sarnath enroute,
an important Buddhist pilgrimage point.
Day 6- In Varanasi
Enjoy a boat ride on river Ganges. There are about hundred
ghats in the city Also visit The Vishwanath Temple, built
by the Birlas, was planned by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya.
The Bharat Mata Temple houses, instead of gods and goddesses,
a huge relief map in marble of the whole of Indian subcontinent.
The Tulsi Manas Temple, built in 1964, is dedicated to Lord
Rama.
Day 7- To Bodhgaya
Morning drive to Bodhgaya. Arrive Bodhgaya and check – in
at hotel. Bodhgaya – most sacred place for Buddhists as
it has a Peepul tree under which Gautama the Buddha attained
enlightenment some 2500 years back.
Day 8- In Bodhgaya
Morning sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya visiting Mahabodhi
Temple – depicting the various phases of Buddha’s journey
towards enlightenment, showing different aspects of his
life; Bodhgaya Archaeological Museum – houses a small collection
of Buddhist sculpture from the 1st century B.C, to the 11th
century A.D; Jagannath Temple close by has a four armed
statue of Shiva in black stone.
Day 9- To Patna
Morning drive to Patna. Arrive Patna and check – in at hotel.
Afternoon city tour visiting Har Mandir Sahib, also known
as Patna Sahib, consecrates the place where the 10th Guru
of the Sikhs Guru Gobind Singh was born in 1776; Golghar
– is a large dome-like structure from where one can have
a fine view of the Ganga and the surroundings of the city;
Patna Museum – has a rich collection of Mauryan and Buddhist
sculptures, terracotta and other interesting items of the
items.
Day 10- To Kushinagar
Morning drive to Kushinagar. Arrive Kushinagar and check
– in at hotel. Later visit the Rambhar Stupa, which marks
Buddha’s cremation ground. Also visit the Mahaparinirvana
temple, which houses the recumbent figure of Lord Buddha.
Day 11- To Balrampur
Morning drive to Balrampur. Arrive Balrampur and check
– in at hotel.
Day 12- To Lumbini
Morning drive to Lumbini. Arrive Lumbini and check – in
at hotel. Lumbini is the place where Buddha was born 2500
years ago.
Hotel Options
| Cities | Superior | Standard |
Delhi |
Le Meridien |
Siddharth |
Jaipur |
Rajputana Sheraton |
Mansingh Tower |
Agra |
Jaypee Palace |
Howard Park Plaza |
Varanasi |
Taj Ganges |
Clarks |
Bodhgaya |
Siddharth Lumbini Hotel |
Siddharth Lumbini Hotel |
Patna |
Maurya Hotel |
Patliputra Ashok |
Balrampur |
Pathik |
Pathik |
Lumbini |
Pawan |
Pawan |
Kathmandu |
Yak N Yeti |
Royal Singhi |