Grand Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour: Path to Enlightenment

Day 1: Arrive - Varanasi (Flight)

1. Varanasi
   Pass by
   On arrival at Varanasi airport assistance and transfer to hotel.
2. Sarnath
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Later visit Sarnath - Buddha came to Sarnath to preach his message of the middle way to nirvana after he achieved enlightenment at Bodhgaya, and gave his famous first sermon at the deer park here in Isipatana. In the 3rd century BC, Emperor Ashoka erected magnificent stupas and monasteries here, as well as an engraved pillar. When Chinese traveller Xuan Zang dropped by in AD 640, Sarnath boasted a 100m-high stupa and 1500 monks living in large monasteries. However, soon after, Buddhism went into decline, and when Muslim invaders sacked the city in the late 12th century, Sarnath disappeared altogether. It was only ‘rediscovered’ by British archaeologists in 1835. Also visit Sarnath Museum (closed on Friday) and Stupa.
3. Banaras Hindu University
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Banaras Hindu University - established in 1916 with over 30,000 students residing in campus, it is the largest residential university in Asia.

Day 2: Varanasi - Bodhgaya (255kms/ 5hrs)

1. Ganga Aarti
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Early morning boat ride on river Ganges and walking tour of bathing Ghats.
2. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
   30m · Admission ticket included
   Varanasi is a city dating to the 11th century B.C. Regarded as the spiritual capital of India, the city draws Hindu pilgrims who bathe in the Ganges River’s sacred waters and perform funeral rites. Along the city's winding streets are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the “Golden Temple,” dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
3. Bodh Gaya
   Pass by
   Breakfast at Hotel, drive to Bodhgaya check in at hotel.

Day 3: Bodhgaya

1. Bodhi Tree
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Breakfast at hotel. Bodhgaya - considered one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, it's dominated by the ancient brick Mahabodhi Temple Complex, built to mark the site where the Buddha attained enlightenment beneath a sacred Bodhi Tree. A direct descendant of the tree sits within the complex today, along with six other sacred sites, including a lotus pond.
2. Mahabodhi Temple
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Visit Mahabodhi Temple for SIL & Bodhi Tree, Great Buddha Statue, Niranjana River, Sujata Temple - which is across the Niranjana river & it's 30 minutes walk. Visit other Budhist Bodhgaya. Rest time free and easy to relax. Overnight at hotel.
   
   Visit Mahabodhi Temple for SIL & Bodhi Tree, Great Buddha Statue, Niranjana River, Sujata Temple - which is across the Niranjana river & it's 30 minutes walk. Visit other Budhist Bodhgaya. Rest time free and easy to relax.

Day 4: Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Nalanda - Patna (170kms/ 6hrs)

1. Rajgir
   1h
   Breakfast at hotel, drive to Patna enroute visit Rajgir - the vulture Hill, hot spring in Rajgir, world peace Stupa, Bamboo's Garden.
2. Nalanda
   2h
   After that visit Nalanda to the ruins of world oldest University.
   Continue drive to Patna, check in at hotel.

Day 5: Patna - Vaishali - Kushinagar (225Kms/ 6hrs)

1. Vaishali
   2h
   Breakfast at hotel, drive to Kushinagar enroute visit Vaishali stupa and Ashoka Pillar.
2. 2h · Admission ticket included
   Continue drive to Kushinagar check in at hotel. Later visit Maha Parinirwana Temple (where Buddha took his last breath) and Rambhar Stupa (cremation site of Lord Buddha) & Japan Temple.

Day 6: Kushinagar - Lumbini (180Kms/ 5hrs)

1. Lumbini
   Pass by
   Breakfast at hotel, drive till Sonauli border from here our Nepal vehicle will take you to Lumbini. Arrive Lumbini check in at hotel.
2. Lumbini
   1h
   Lumbinī is the place where, Queen Mahamayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama in 563 BCE. Gautama, who achieved Enlightenment some time around 528 BCE, became the Buddha and founded Buddhism.
3. Maya Devi Temple
   4h · Admission ticket included
   Visit Maya Devi Temple, Ashokan Pillar, Chinese Maitreya Temple, Myanmar Golden Temple, Shanti stupa & Great Drigung Kagyud lotus Stupa.

Day 7: Lumbini - Sravasti (225Kms/ 6hrs)

1. Shravasti
   Pass by
   Breakfast at hotel, drive till Sonauli border from here your Indian driver will take you to Sravasti. On arrival check in at hotel rest time free and easy to relax.

Day 8: Sravasti - Lucknow (170Kms/ 4hrs)

1. Shobhnath Temple
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Breakfast at hotel, visit Sravasti, where Buddha spent his 24 monsoons. Visit Jetavana Monastery, Shobhnath Temple, Balrampur, Saheth and Ananda Bodhi Tree. Afternoon drive to Lucknow check in at hotel.

Day 9: Lucknow - Sankasiya - Agra (350Kms/ 7hrs)

1. Agra
   2h
   Breakfast at hotel, drive to Agra. Enroute visit Sankasiya Stupa and Pillar.
2. Agra
   Pass by
   Arrive Agra check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax.

Day 10: Agra - Delhi (210Kms/ 4hrs)

1. Agra Fort
   3h · Admission ticket included
   Breakfast at hotel, visit world famous Taj Mahal (closed on friday), Agra Fort and Baby Taj.
2. New Delhi
   Pass by
   Afternoon drive to Delhi check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax.

Day 11: Delhi

1. Qutub Minar
   4h · Admission ticket included
   Breakfast at hotel visit National Museum (Monday closed), drive Past India Gate, parliament house and President House. Visit Qutab Minar & Humayun Tomb.

Day 12: Delhi – Departure (Flight)

1. New Delhi
   Pass by
   Breakfast at Hotel, as per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.

Pickup details

As per your flight schedule, coordinated pickup will be arranged from Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS), Varanasi. A private chauffeur-driven air-conditioned vehicle will be provided for the entire tour. Pickup is also available from all hotels, residences, and other accommodations within 20 km of Varanasi city. Travelers arriving at the airport will be welcomed and assisted by our office executive. Please provide your hotel or flight details at least 3 days before the tour. Office executive and driver contact details will be shared one day prior to the tour.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels