12 Days Private Tour North India with Buddha Circuit

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi and visit

1. National Capital Territory of Delhi
   1h
   Arrival at Delhi airport. Transfer to the hotel for some rest.
2. Red Fort
   30m · Admission ticket not included
   At around 10 am, after breakfast, you will have the opportunity to explore Old Delhi with an expert guide. During this guided tour, you will have the opportunity to admire the majestic Red Fort, recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site since 2007. Built in 1639 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, also the architect of the famous Taj Mahal, the Red Fort will be visible from the outside.
3. Jama Masjid
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   Next, you will visit the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India, which houses an ancient copy of the Holy Quran written on deer skin.
4. Pasar Chandni Chowk
   30m · Admission ticket included
   You will explore the narrow streets of this part of the city on a rickshaw ride, passing Chawri Bazar, renowned as one of the liveliest streets in Old Delhi.
5. 30m · Admission ticket included
   The tour will proceed with a visit to Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.
6. India Gate
   1h · Admission ticket included
   After lunch, you will have the opportunity to explore New Delhi, admiring the lavish buildings such as the India Gate, a memorial arch dedicated to the Indian soldiers who fell during the First World War, and the Parliament.
7. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
   1h · Admission ticket included
   In the late afternoon, you will have the opportunity to visit the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, one of the most significant Sikh gurdwaras in India, also known as the "Sarovar". Finally, you will transfer to your hotel to spend the night in Delhi.

Day 2: Transfer to Jaipur with a stop in Neemrana and Samode

1. Neemrana
   30m
   Go to Jaipur, known as the "Pink City" for its palaces in its charming old town. En route, we will stop for tea at the Neemrana fort, where we will get a first taste of Rajastan culture.
2. 2h · Admission ticket included
   Lunch will be served in the impressive Samode Palace. Since we arrived in Jaipur in the afternoon, we will go aboard a rickshaw to visit the city's lively bazaar and enjoy its colors and vitality. Overnight stay in Jaipur

Day 3: Visit the Pink City and Jaipur

1. Hawa Mahal - The Palace of Breeze
   30m · Admission ticket not included
   Explore the city of Jaipur with an exciting stop to capture memorable shots at the Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of Winds
2. The City Palace
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   then visit the magnificent City Palace
3. Jantar Mantar - Jaipur
   30m · Admission ticket not included
   and the fascinating Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory.
4. Jaipur
   2h
   You will then have time to immerse yourself in local craftsmanship or participate in optional activities that will further enrich your experience.

Day 4: Transfer to Agra and visit

1. Jama Masjid
   30m · Admission ticket included
   You will explore the charming old city on an exciting 3-hour guided walking tour, led by an expert local guide, who will take you through daily life, away from conventional tourist destinations. You will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the history, architecture and traditions of Agra by visiting the old market and surrounding areas. The visit will start from the Jama Masjid, a majestic mosque in front of the Agra Fort, and continue through the alleys of old Agra.
2. Shri Mankameshwar Mandir
   3h · Admission ticket included
   Next, you will visit the ancient Manka Meshwar temple (dedicated to Shiva), followed by the bustling spice market, Rawatpara, famous for Agra petha, an Asian pumpkin-based dessert. You'll also get to explore the bustling Johri Bazar, with its Ayurvedic medicine shops, paan (betel leaf) and the picturesque Seth Gali food alley.
3. Agra
   2h
   The evening will culminate with a visit to a Brahmin family's home, where you can receive astrological advice based on your horoscope and enjoy an authentic dining experience with an Indian family. We will stay overnight in Agra.

Day 5: Visit Tajmahal and Red Fort

1. Tajmahal, Agra
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   The morning visit to the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays) is an unforgettable experience. This famous monument, a universal symbol of love and romance, was commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shahjahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Built in 1653, it is renowned for its 16 gardens and 53 fountains, symbolically representing the date of construction. The white marble building, part of the Seven Wonders of the World, required the efforts of thousands of craftsmen during 16 years of construction.
   
   N.B. The visit to the Taj Mahal is scheduled on the second day, only if the first day is a Thursday.
2. Agra Fort
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   Next, you will explore the Agra Fort, an impressive construction of red sandstone and white marble, which represents a fascinating chapter of Mughal art in India.
3. 30m · Admission ticket not included
   A short stop is also planned at Itimad-ud-daulah, known as the 'little Taj'. We will spend the night in Agra.

Day 6: Transfer to Sravasti with visit to Lucknow

1. Bara Imambara
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   Transfer to Sravasti with a significant stop in Lucknow, where you will visit the Bara Imambarae and the Rumi Darwaza, two places of great historical and architectural interest.
2. Shravasti
   4h
   Continuing your journey to Sravasti, you will reach the place where Buddha resided and is said to have performed numerous miracles. The evening will end with an overnight stay in the hotel, immersed in the atmosphere of this historic city.

Day 7: Transfer to Lumbini and visit Balrampur on the way

1. Lumbini
   8h
   The morning begins with a direct departure towards Lumbini. En route, a visit to Balrampur is planned, a fascinating stop to explore its attractions. Next, we will cross the border at Sonauli, then continue towards Lumbini. This historic city, considered the birthplace of Buddha in 624 BC, saw the light of day thanks to Queen Mayadevi and King Suddhodana, both of the Ksatriya caste, belonging to an ancient warrior elite. The itinerary includes a visit to Maya Devi Temple, a significant shrine, and Puskarani, a sacred pond linked to the birth story of Buddha. Overnight stay in a comfortable hotel where you can rest and enjoy the charm of this place steeped in history and spirituality.

Day 8: Transfer to Kushinagar and visit

1. Kushinagar
   4h
   Our next stop takes us to Kushinagar, the sacred place where the Buddha left this life at the age of 80. Here, we will immerse ourselves in history by visiting the city and admiring the Nirvana Stupa, built in the 5th century AD. As a symbol of the Buddha's final transition, this stupa represents the place where the Buddha achieved nirvana. At the end of the visit, we will spend the night in a comfortable hotel, ready to continue our spiritual and cultural journey.

Day 9: Transfer to Patna and visit Vaishali on the way

1. Vaishali
   4h
   During the journey to Patna, we will stop in Vaishali, a place steeped in history and spirituality. Here we will have the opportunity to explore the ancient stupas, visit the Bawan Khotar temple and admire the majestic Chaumuki Mahadeva. Once we arrive in Patna, the capital of the State of Bihar, we will transfer to our hotel. We will have the chance to explore the local museum, custodian of a precious collection of stone and bronze sculptures, as well as fascinating thangkas. We will spend the night in this evocative context rich in culture and history

Day 10: Transfer to Bodhgaya with visit to Nalanda and Rajgir on the way

1. Nalanda University Ruins
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Departure towards Bodhgaya; visit to Nalanda, home to an ancient Buddhist University, founded in the 5th century AD, one of the oldest places of pilgrimage and teaching; unfortunately it was destroyed in a fire following the Muslim invasions which led to the destruction of the great Buddhist monasteries. Today only the remains of 11 monasteries and several temples are visible; what was spared from the fire are the brick structures. The multi-storey buildings rested on massive brick terraces, with
   stucco decorations depicting both the Buddha and Hindu deities.
2. Rajgir
   3h · Admission ticket included
   stop in Rajgir, ancient capital of the Magadha Kingdom. Gridhakuta Hill in Rajgir was where Buddha gave many of his sermons. Here for the first time Buddha's teaching was written down. Visit Jain temples; we then continue to Bodhgaya. Arrival and overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Visit to Bodhgaya and transfer to Varanasi

1. Bodh Gaya
   2h
   Breakfast at hotel. Morning visit the Mahabodhi Temple, where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, achieved enlightenment. Inside the temple you can see the Shiva Lingam, a splendid sculpture from the 9th century. Next to the temple stands the sacred Mahabodhi tree, born from the Bodhi tree, the specimen of Ficus religion under which the Buddha was meditating when he was struck by enlightenment. In this place Siddhārtha Gautama around 530 BC. he achieved enlightenment and became the historical Buddha. Gaya became a place of pilgrimage soon after the death of the Buddha and the earliest evidence of a shrine is a Gupta-era inscription. Today there are no traces of the original statue.
2. Varanasi
   3h
   Departure towards Varanasi. Arrive in Varanasi and participate in evening ritual on the bank of Ganges river. Overnight stay in Varanasi.

Day 12: Visit to Varanasi and departure

1. 2h
   Early in the morning, boat excursion on the sacred Ganges river along the Bathing Ghats, the stone steps where pilgrims go to greet the sunrise with ritual ablutions.
2. Sarnath
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Visit Sarnath, where Buddha first preached after being enlightened. Free time for shopping or optional activities. Transfer to the airport and end of our services.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• No health restrictions.
• Children aged 0 to 4 years will be free. A maximum of 1 child will be allowed per booking.