Day 1 Delhi:
Arrive Delhi in late evening. Meet and greet at the airport, transfer to your hotel for overnight stay.
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Lord Buddha's Footsteps Tour
Tour Highlights:
Experience India from a uniquely Buddhist perspective. Visit Mahabodhi Temple Complex a UNESCO world heritage site, Lumbini the birth place of Lord Buddha & Sarnath – the place where Buddha gave his first sermon. Visit Varanasi for a uniquely spiritual experience by the banks of sacred river Ganges. Optional additions to cover unique Architectural heritage of India in Agra (Taj Mahal), Jaipur.
Departures & Pricing:
The trip can be tailor made to suit your budget & interests. Hotels, length of stay at each destination, foreign language guide (English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese or Spanish) and vehicles can be chosen to suit these requirements.
Main Events in the Life of Gautama Buddha:
Marriage (Kapilavastu) - 608 B.C.E
Renunciation (Kapilavastu) - 595 B.C.E
Enlightenment (Bodh Gaya) - 589 B.C.E
1st Year after Enlightenment (Sarnath) - 588 B.C.E
Death / Parinirvana at Kushinagar - 544 B.C.E
Day 2 Delhi:
After breakfast in the morning proceed for the full day city tour of Old & New Delhi. In Old city visit Red Fort built by Emperor Shah Jahan; Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India; Raj Ghat- the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi and enjoy a walking tour in Chandni Chowk- the silver street of Delhi bustling with activity.
In the afternoon visit Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India; Humayun’s Tomb built in the Indo Persian style; India Gate – A War Memorial Arch. Also drive past the President’s house, Parliament house, Government secretariat buildings and Connaught place, a busy shopping center.
Day 3 Delhi / Varanasi:
Take a morning flight to reach Varanasi. On arrival meet our representative and transfer to the hotel. In afternoon enjoy a short city tour of Varanasi.
Day 4 Varanasi:
Enjoy an early morning boat ride on the river Ganges to see the sunrise and visit the bathing Ghats. In afternoon visit Sarnath which is about 10 kms away. It was here in Sarnath, seven weeks after his enlightenment that Buddha gave his first discourse. (Sarnath was then known as Isipatana).
Day 5 Gaya:
This morning leave Varanasi for Gaya (250 kms/7hrs) by private vehicle. Check-in at hotel on arrival.
Day 6 Bodhgaya:
Visit Bodhgaya, the Mecca of Buddhism. Bodhgaya is the place where Buddha sat down under a Bodhi-tree and decided not to get up anymore until he discovered the truth. Just a short time later, it is said he became a fully enlightened Buddha. Visit the Mahabodhi temple complex. The first temple of the Mahabodhi temple complex (a UNESCO world heritage site) was built by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century B.C., and the present temple dates from the 5th or 6th centuries. It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely in brick, still standing in India, from the late Gupta period. Full day religious activities at Mahabodhi Temple. Return to Gaya.
Day 7 Patna:
This morning leave Gaya for Patna by road (116kms/3½hrs). Enroute visit Nalanda-the Buddhist University. Also visit Karanda Tank-where Buddha used to bath. Arrive Patna in evening and check in at the hotel. If time permits visit Patna-museum, which was built in 1917. The items on display include archaeological objects, coins, art, paintings, instruments, textiles, paintings, thankas, bronze images and sculptures and terracotta images of Hindu and Buddhist artists.
Day 8 Gorakhpur:
Leave Patna for Gorakhpur by road (418kms/10hrs) enroute visiting Vaishali. This is the place where Buddha announced his approaching Nirvana. Continue to Kushinagar - where Buddha passed into Mahaparinirvana. Check-in at your hotel on arrival in Gorakhpur.
Day 9 Bhairawan - Lumbini:
Leave
Gorakhpur for Bhairawan by road (132kms/4hrs). On arrival check
in at the hotel. Excursion to Lumbini-the birth place of Lord
Buddha. Lord Buddha was born in 623 B.C. in the famous gardens
of Lumbini, which soon became a place of pilgrimage. Among the
pilgrims was the Indian emperor Ashoka, who erected one of his
commemorative pillars there. Return to Bhairawan for overnight
stay.
Day 10 Kapilvastu - Sravasti:
Leave Bhairawan for Balrampur by road (240kms/5½hrs). Enroute visit Kapilvastu (also known as Piprahwa). This is the place where Lord Buddha spent the first thirty years of his life. If Lumbini is remote, then Kapilavastu seems to be caught in a time warp.
Continue your drive for Balrampur, checking in at the hotel on arrival. In afternoon take an excursion to Sravasti. Sravasti (ancient Savatthi), the capital of Kosala Mahajanapada , was the biggest town in the Gangetic plains during the Buddha's lifetime. Sravasti was host to Lord Buddha for 25 years during the annual Vassavasa (rain retreat) when the Sangha congregated at one place. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 11 Lucknow:
Morning
leave Balrampur for Lucknow by road (165kms/4½hrs)-the
eighteenth century capital of the Nawabs (landlords during the
Mughal period). On arrival check in at the hotel. Overnight stay
at the hotel.
Day 12 Lucknow - Delhi:
Morning
half day city tour of Lucknow visiting Bada Imambara, an elegant
building with a main hall (50fts) which is the largest vaulted
apartment in the world, Chotta Imambara, Husainabad market
famous for its gold /silver brocades and silverware, Museum and
Clock tower. Afternoon transfer to railway station to catch
train to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel.
Day 13 Departure for onward destination:
Connect
to the airport in time for your flight. An optional day trip in
Delhi can be arranged, based on available time
Optional Additions:
Sanchi (1 day):
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (about 40kms from Bhopal), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Monuments at Sanchi comprise a group of monolithic pillars, palaces, temples and monasteries all in different states of conservation most of which date back to the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C. It is the oldest Buddhist sanctuary in existence and was a major Buddhist center in India until the 12th century A.D
Jaipur (2 days):
At the start or end of the tour.
Jaipur is known as the "pink city" with its buildings of pink and orange hues and it's a wonderful place to see the color of Rajasthan and its people. The palaces and forts of yesteryears that witnessed royal processions and splendour are now integrated into the daily life of Jaipur.
Attractions include City Palace, Jantar Mantar a stone observatory, Hawa Mahal & Amber fort.
Client Testimonials
"Jane and I want to thank your whole team for arranging a very successful visit to India for us. The holiday, arrangements and your efficiency, outdid our expectations.Thanks again".
Andrew Johnston
British National
"I am please to say we had a really great holiday.I think we got the mix of sightseeing and relaxation really well balanced. And of course we were delighted with the number of tigers we saw. My general feedback would be".
Diane Firth
US National
"Just a note to say that all the arrangements for our trip to Goa and Cochin worked perfectly.Helen and I completely enjoyed the train trips from Mumbai to Goa and from Goa to Cochin giving us a quite different perspective of Indian life".
Roger Allnutt
Australia
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