Buddhist Spiritual Tour : 6 Days Journey Through Sacred Sites.

Day 1: Day 1 : Varanasi – Sarnath – Varanasi (12 KM/ 30 Min.)

1. Varanasi
   2h
   Arrive at Varanasi airport or railway station and transfer to your hotel. Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, is revered as the "city of temples" and a significant Buddhist site.
2. Sarnath
   3h
   Visit Sarnath, where Buddha gave his First Sermon at Deer Park. Explore the Buddha Temple, Dhamekha Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, Mulagandh Kuti Vihara, and the Archaeological Museum.
3. Dasaswamedh Ghat
   30m
   Witness the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti, a daily evening ritual on the banks of the Ganges, where priests perform prayers with lamps, fire, and chants.
4. Manikarnika Ghat
   30m
   Manikarnika ghat becomes a powerful symbol of life and death, with ongoing cremation ceremonies, fire rituals, and sacred chants. While visiting, it's essential to approach with respect for the solemnity of the rituals. The sight of funeral pyres burning against the backdrop of the ancient city offers a deep reflection on the cycle of life.
   
   While tourists are allowed to witness the rituals from a distance, it is important to maintain respectful silence and discretion during visits.
5. Varanasi
   8h
   Return to Hotel and over night stay in Varanasi hotel.

Day 2: Varanasi To Bodhgaya (250 Km/6 Hours).

1. Mahabodhi Temple
   6h
   After breakfast, drive to Bodhgaya and check in at the hotel. Bodhgaya is pivotal in Prince Siddhartha’s life, where he attained enlightenment from a wandering ascetic, marking the beginning of his quest to spread the gospel of peace and nirvana. It is the most significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists globally.
   
   On your Bodhgaya city tour, visit the Mahabodhi Temple, where Buddha achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a renowned Buddhist pilgrimage destination. The Bodhi Tree, under which Buddha meditated for a week post-enlightenment, is one of the world’s oldest and most revered trees. The original Bodhi Tree was transported to Sri Lanka by Bhikkhuni Sanghamitta, a descendant of Ashoka, in the 3rd century B.C. It was planted at the Mahavihara temple in Anuradhapura, where it continues to thrive.
2. Bodh Gaya
   8h
   Return to the hotel and enjoy an overnight stay in Bodhgaya.

Day 3: Bodhgaya To Rajgir (70 Km/ 2 Hours). En route visit the Nalanda.

1. Nalanda
   1h
   Nalanda was not only a university but also a thriving monastic complex, attracting thousands of students from various countries, including China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Mongolia, and Sri Lanka. The institution offered a wide array of subjects, including philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and logic. Notable scholars like the renowned Buddhist monk Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) studied here and documented their experiences, providing valuable insights into the academic culture of the time.
   
   The ruins of Nalanda, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, span over 14 hectares and showcase remarkable architectural achievements, including intricately carved red-brick stupas, monasteries, and temples. The most prominent structures include the Great Stupa, the Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall, and various monastic cells that housed students and monks. The layout of the university reflects a well-planned institution, with separate areas for classrooms, libraries, and living quarters.
2. Rajgir
   2h
   Rajgir holds a prominent place in Indian history as it was the residence of several prominent kings, including Bimbisara, a contemporary of Gautama Buddha. The city is closely associated with the life of Buddha, who delivered many sermons here, including the famous "Sermon at the Griddhakuta" (Vulture's Peak). It is also considered a significant pilgrimage site for Jains, with several temples dedicated to Tirthankaras.
3. Rajgir
   8h
   Over night stay in Rajgir Hotel.

Day 4: Rajgir – Vaishali – Kushinagar (320 KM/ 7 Hrs).

1. Vaishali
   4h
   After Breakfast, Drive to Vaishali, the site of Lord Buddha’s Last Sermon. Visit notable locations including the Ashokan Pillar and Ananda Stupa, dedicated to Ananda, Buddha’s prominent follower. The Ananda Stupa, near where Ananda is said to have entered samadhi, contains his mortal remains. Also explore Kutagar Shala Vihara, Buddha Stupas, and Abhishek Pushkaran.
2. 8h
   Over night stay in Kushinagar Hotel.

Day 5: Kushinagar – Kapilvastu – Lumbini (150 KM/ 4 Hrs).

1. Kushinagar
   2h
   After breakfast, explore Kushinagar's key sites including the Mahaparinirvana Temple, where Buddha passed away. The main stupa here, standing 19.81 meters tall, was elevated and dome-topped during the 1956 Buddha Jayanti celebration. Visit the Rambhar Stupa, where Buddha was cremated, and the Japanese Temple, constructed by a Japanese organization. The temple’s gilded top and metal or copper idols make it both beautiful and serene.
2. Kapilvastu
   2h
   Proceed to Kapilvastu, Lord Buddha’s childhood home, with stops at the Tilaurakot Museum, the Kapilvastu Kingdom Complex, and the Lumbini Garden.
3. Lumbini
   8h
   Next go to Lumbini. Over night stay at Lumbini, Napal Hotel.

Day 6: Lumbini To Gorakhpur Airport (140 KM/ 3 Hrs).

1. Lumbini
   3h
   After Breakfast, Lumbini, located in the Rupandehi District of Nepal, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important pilgrimage destinations for Buddhists worldwide. Renowned as the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, Lumbini is a sacred site that attracts thousands of pilgrims and visitors each year.
   
   Historical Significance :
   According to Buddhist tradition, Lumbini is where Queen Maya Devi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama (later known as Buddha) in 623 BCE. The site has been revered for centuries and has been a center of pilgrimage since the time of Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, who visited Lumbini and constructed a stone pillar to commemorate Buddha's birthplace.
2. 7h
   Proceed to Gorakhpur Airport for your departure. This concludes of Buddhist Spiritual Tour : 6 Days Journey Through Sacred Sites tour.

Pickup details

Guest will be pick up from their desire place in Varanasi like Hotel, Airport, Railway station or Bus stand etc.

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness