Path of the Buddha ( Thirteen days )
Delhi Lucknow Sravasti Balrampur Lumbini
Kushinagar Vaishali Patna Nalanda Rajgir Bodhgaya
Varanasi Agra Sanchi Ajanta & Ellora (Aurangabad)
Delhi
Duration : 12 Nights / 13 Days
Best Season: October - March
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi. Met upon arrival and transfer to hotel for
overnight stay.
Day 02 : Delhi - Lucknow - Sravasti - Balrampur
Breakfast at hotel. Morning departure transfer to domestic
airport to board flight for Lucknow. Arrive Lucknow and
transfer to hotel for lunch. After lunch drive to Balrampur,
en-route visit Sravasti, previously known as Sahet-Maheth. The
Buddha spent many monsoons here preaching to assembled
audiences in the presence of King Prosenjit. The
identification of Sahet-Maheth with Saravasti has been
confirmed by the discovery of several relevant inscriptions.
Later check into hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 03 : Balrampur - Lumbini - Kushinagar
After an early breakfast proceed to Lumbini the birthplace of
Lord Buddha.King Ashoka visited Lumbini in 250 BC and erected
a monolithic pillar, 36 feet in height to mark the birthplace
of Lord Buddha. Shakyamuni has remnants of an old monastery
and an image of Maya Devi (Lord Buddha's mother is preserved
here). Lunch at local restaurant. After sightseeing of Lumbini
drive to Kushinagar. Arrive Kushinagar and check into hotel
for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 04 : Kushinagar - Vaishali - Patna
Kushinagar known earlier as Kushinara. It was here that Buddha
passed away into Mahaperinirvana. In this place the
Mukutbandhana Stupa (Ram Stupa), which was built to hold the
Buddha's cremated remains is naturally considered of great
sanctity. There is also a large recline stone figure of Lord
Buddha. After an early breakfast visit all the places and
drive to Patna. En-route visit Vaishali, which is 55 kms from
Patna. Vaishali was thrice visited by Lord Buddha and the
scene of the second great Buddhist council and it long
remained a strong hold of Buddhism. Arrive Patna and check
into hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 05 : Patna - Nalanda - Rajgir - Bodhgaya
After an early breakfast drive to Rajgir, en-route visit
Nalanda (2 hours drive from Patna), then drive to Rajgir.
Rajgir is situated in a lush green valley enclosed by five
hills and historic stonewalls. Rajgirha, Now Rajgir, was once
the ancient capital of powerful kingdom of Magadh. The Buddha
chose this famous for many of his retreats and sermons. It was
here the first Buddhist council was held. After sightseeing of
Rajgir drive again for 3 hours to Bodhgaya. Arrive Bodhgaya
and check into hotel for overnight stay.
Day 06 : Bodhgaya - Varanasi
Set in silvan solitude on the banks of river Nirnjana, came to
this place after a long-hard journey in search of Supreme
Knowledge. Here under the Bodhi tree, he attained
enlightenment. Early morning visit temple of Bodhgaya. Back to
hotel for breakfast and later drive to Varanasi. Arrive
Varanasi and check into hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 07 : Varanasi
Early morning visit Ghats for boat cruise on the Ganges. Then
drive back to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast proceed for
Sarnath, which is 10 kms. from Varanasi. In Sarnath Buddha
preached his first significant sermon to his five disciples.
Buddha came here after achieving enlightenment at Bodhgaya.
After sightseeing of Sarnath visit Museum of Sarnath and
temples in the city. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 08 : Varanasi - Khajuraho
Breakfast at hotel. Morning free. After lunch transfer to
airport to board flight for Khajuraho. Arrive Khajuraho, met
upon arrival and transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight at
hotel.
Day 09 : Khajuraho - Agra
Morning proceed for sightseeing of city, visit Eastern and
Western style Temples. After lunch transfer to airport to
board flight for Agra. Arrive Agra, met upon arrival and
transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10 : Agra - Bhopal
Early morning visit the Taj Mahal. After breakfast transfer to
railway station to catch the train Shatabdi Express for
Bhopal. Arrive Bhopal and transfer to Sanchi for sightseeing.
After sightseeing back to Bhopal for dinner and overnight
stay.
Day 11 : Bhopal - Bhusaval - Ajanta - Aurangabad
After an early breakfast transfer to railway station to catch
the train for Bhusaval. Arrive Bhusaval and transfer to
Aurangabad, en-route visit World famous Ajanta Caves. Arrive
Aurangabad and check into hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 12 : Aurangabad - Ellora - Delhi
Breakfast at hotel. Sightseeing of Ellora Caves. Afternoon
free. Evening transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi.
Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 13 : Delhi - Out
Breakfast at hotel. Combined sightseeing of Old and New Delhi.
Dinner at local restaurant. Later transfer to international
airport to board flight for onward journey.
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