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Rediscover
the sanctity of the land of Buddha. This tour is specially designed
to trace the footsteps of Gautam Buddha. Through the remains of
monasteries and gardens, through the dusty plains to the Himalayan
foothills, treading the sites long sanctified by Buddha, in an eternal
quest to unravel the complex truths of life.
Absorb
the aura of solemn grandeur that surrounds Bodhagaya - the cradle
of enlightenment. Here more than 2500 years ago came Siddhartha,
a young ascetic, having renounced royal heritage. As he gazed across
the river Phalgu upon the serene landscape of Uruvea village (modern
Bodh Gaya) he knew his quest had ended. Also visit the Lumbini Gardens,
the birthplace of Prince Siddhrath. Kapilavastu is where the young
prince spent his childhood and Sarnath is where he first took to
preaching after attaining Enlightenment. End your experience with
Nalanda, the famed ancient university, which is the bedrock of all
Buddhist learning. The tour also navigates through Sravasti, Lucknow,
Varanasi and Kushinagar, places which are associated with the life
of the Buddha. Each city is teeming with possibilities for the discerning
travellers seeking something beyond the routine tourist attractions.
DAY
1 Arrival Delhi
Transfer to hotel for immediate occupancy. Morning free. Afternoon
- combined sightseeing tour of New Delhi and Old Delhi. Visit to
begin with a drive through the prestigious streets of the Diplomatic
Enclave then on to India Gate, Rastrapati Bhawan and Qutub Minar
(one of the most perfect towers of the Persian world). Visit to
Old Delhi, will take you to the Red Fort, Jama Masjid (the largest
mosque in India) and Raj Ghat (memorial of Mahatma Gandhi).
DAY
2 Delhi - Varanasi
Morning transfer to airport to board to Varanasi. Afternoon - city
sightseeing tour and visit to Sarnath.
DAY
3 Varanasi - Bodhgaya
Early morning boat ride on the Ganges to capture the serenity and
to observe the flow of life on the sacred ghats of the river, later
drive to Bodhgaya (280 kms/8 hours).
DAY
4 Bodhgaya
Morning - sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya, the place where Buddha attained
enlightenment under the Mahabodhi tree. Afternoon free for relaxation.
DAY
5 Bodhgaya - Patna
Morning - proceed to Patna (220kms/6hours) en route visit Nalanda
and Rajgir, the capital of the Magadha kingdom. In Nalanda you will
visit the university which was a seat of Buddhist learning.
DAY
6 Patna
Morning proceed for your excursion to Vaishali (55 knms/1.5 hours).
You will get to see one of the seven Ashoka pillars and the Anand
Stupa. Rest of the day at leisure.
DAY
7 Patna - Kushinagar
Morning - drive to Kushinagar (260 kms/7 hours). Afternoon - sightseeing
tour of Kushinagar, where Lord Buddha passed into Mahaparinirvana,
at the age of 80.
DAY
8 Kushinagar - Lumbini
Morning - drive to Lumbini, (160 kms/5 hours) birth place of Buddha.
In the afternoon, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Lumbini where
you will see the Ashoka Pillar, Sacred Pond, Maya Devi Temple, Temple
of Lords and the ruins of an old monastery.
DAY
9 Lumbini - Kapilavastu - Sravasti
Drive to Sravasti via Kapilavastu, the place where Buddha spent
his early childhood (240kms/7-8 hours). Afternoon - sightseeing
tour of Sravasti, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala.
DAY
10 Sravasti - Lucknow
Morning drive to Lucknow (220 kms/6 hours). Evening free.
DAY
11 Lucknow - Delhi
Morning - sightseeing tour of Lucknow, the city of the Nawabs and
Begums. Afternoon transfer to the airport to board flight to Delhi.
Upon arrival transfer to international airport. Departure Delhi.
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