North India Buddhist Tour
Places covered: Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Varanasi - Bodhgaya - Vaishali - Kushinagar - Lumbini - Kapilvastu - Sravasti - Balrampur - Lucknow - Delhi
Duration: 14 nights and 15 days
Buddhism founded in North India, is not a religion but a system of philosophy and code of morality. With 6.6 million Buddhists in its manifold, the country abounds in a plethora of monuments and locales associated with Buddhism.
" O-Bhikshus’ after my death when people and members of the new generation come and ask you then tell them that here the Buddha was born, where he attained the full enlightenment, here he turned the wheel of Dharma twelve times, and here finally the Buddha entered into Parinirvana. (The Buddha)
Hundreds of years have gone by, but architectural splendors, still standing resoundingly are ample testimonial of Buddhist philosophy and doctrines. It’s all possible to come across with such splendors as we have for you the following tour plan.
Day 1: Delhi
On arrival you will be received by our representative and transferred to hotel where we will be holding the rooms on ready occupancy basis. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Delhi
This day you will be taken for a trip to this very heart of India. The trip will cover Qutab Minar / Humayun Tomb / India Gate / Red Fort / Jama Masjid / Gandhi Memorial etc. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Delhi - Jaipur
Morning commence drive to Jaipur. Upon arrival, check in into hotel. Evening free time to enjoy the city atmosphere which by many means is fabulous. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Jaipur
The day is to be started with the Elephant ride at Amber Fort, followed by the city tour covering - Hawa Mahal, Royal Observatory, City Palace, Nawab Sahab Ki Haveli and Johari Bazzar etc. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Jaipur - Agra
Today we will drive to Agra en-route visiting the old deserted town of Mughal Dynasty i.e. Fatehpur Sikri. On arrival, check in into hotel. Afternoon city tour covering Taj Mahal, Red Fort and the Tomb of Itmad-ud-daula’s Tomb. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6: Agra - Varanasi
Morning transfer to Airport to catch flight to Varanasi. On arrival, transfer to hotel. Afternoon city tour of Sarnath: famous for its Dhamekh Stupa and for it being the place where Buddha preached his first sermon enshrining the principle of his teachings into laws. Overnight at hotel in Varanasi.
Day 7: Varanasi
At dawn enjoy boat ride at River Ganges, followed by a city tour covering - Vishwanath Temple, Bharat Mata Temple etc. Overnight at hotel.
Day 8 and 9: Varanasi - Bodhgaya
Stay there for two nights with excursions to Rajgir/ Nalanda / Sapta pari cave and Venevamas. Above two days you will come across with many locales of Buddhist significance, i.e., Rajgir : an important Buddhist pilgrimage since the Buddha spent 12 years here , and the first Buddhist council after the Buddha attained Nirvana was held here, Nalanda : founded in the 5th century known as center of intellectualism. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Bodhgaya - Vaishali - Kushinagar
A.M. Proceed to Vaishali, a very special place to Buddhists as The Lord delivered his last sermon & announced his impending " Nirwana". See the majesty of Ashok Pillar – Lotus tank, Chaumukhi & proceed to Kushinagar for overnight stay.
Day 11: Kushinagar - Lumbini
Morning visit Mahanirvana Temple, the modern Japan/Sri Lanka Buddhist center & monasteries , then proceed to Lumbini. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12: Lumbini - Kapilavastu -Sravasti - Balrampur
Morning visit to Ashoka’s pillar (249 BC) rediscovered in 1890’s inside thick sal forest, a temple of Mayadevi, the ruins of an old monastery and some new stupas, then in the afternoon proceed to Balrampur enroute visiting Sravasti where you will see the extensive ruins of this ancient city & Jetavana Monastery. On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13: Balrampur - Lucknow
Morning city tour. Later continue drive to Lucknow. On arrival check in into hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14: Lucknow - Delhi
Morning city tour covering Imambara , Rumi Darwaza . P.M. Transfer to Airport for flight to Delhi. On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 15: Delhi
Departure transfer to International Airport to take flight back home.