The Path to Nirvana

In the footsteps of Lord Buddha lies the path to nirvana. The path begins from Delhi-Jaipur-Agra stretch and then proceeds towards places Varanasi, Bodhgaya, Patna, Kushinagar and Balrampur in India where Buddha traversed and left his presence. The trail then moves towards the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha - Lumbini and Kathmandu in Nepal.

Duration : 05 Nights / 06 Days
Places covered : Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Varanasi - Bodhgaya- Patna - Kushinagar - Balrampur - Lumbini - Kathmandu

India has lot of places associated with Lord Buddha as he spent most of his life time in India. For Buddhist believers it a spiritual tour to visit Buddhist tour places and offer sacrifices. Most of the places are still kept in good condition but a few are in ruins.

Day01 : Delhi
Arrive Delhi and meet our local Buddhist tour representative at the arrival lounge. He will assist you till your check in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02 : Delhi sightseeing
This morning after breakfast leave for guided sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. The important places in Old Delhi includes the Red Fort, the Chandni Chowk, besides Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana, Afternoon leave for New Delhi sightseeing visiting the Rashtrapathi Bhawan, the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys; the India Gate, a memorial raised in honor of the Indian soldiers martyred during World War I; the Laxmi Narayan Temple or Birla Mandir, Qutab Minar, built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak of the Slave Dynasty; and the lotus-shaped Bahai Temple. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03 : Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur. Arrive Jaipur and check -in at hotel. The city of Jaipur has been built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur, the first stop is City Palace which is the blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Next to it is the Central Museum with its large collection of woodwork. Proceed to another monument near the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, is the largest of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. The Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds was constructed for the royal ladies to watch the royal processions without being seen. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04 : Jaipur - Agra
Morning excursion to Amer Fort, situated just outside the city. It is one of the most beautiful example of Rajasthan forts. If you wish, you can experience the unique experience of travelling on elephant back to and from the top of the hill on which the fort is situated. Checkout from the hotel and proceed to Agra en-route visiting the deserted town of Fatehpur Sikri, the old Mughal capital still preserved in good condition. Upon arrival check in at the hotel.

Day 05 : Agra - Varanasi by overnight train
Morning visit Taj Mahal, which is entirely made of white marble and its walls are decorated with exquisite stone inlay work. Proceed to Agra Fort which is just a couple of kilometers away. Check out from the hotel. In the evening board train to Varanasi. Overnight on train.

Day 06 : Varanasi
Arrive Varanasi in the morning. Leave for full day guided sightseeing tour visiting Banaras Hindu University, built by the Birlas, was planned by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, The Bharat Mata Temple houses, instead of gods and goddesses, a huge relief map in marble of the whole of Indian subcontinent. The Tulsi Manas Temple, built in 1964, is dedicated to Lord Rama. Afternoon visit Sarnath where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon during Buddhist tour. Evening watch Ganga Aarti, a ritual function with fire. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07 : Varanasi - Bodhgaya
Morning revisit the river for boat-ride. There are about hundred Ghats in the city. Also visit the Vishwanath Temple (entry only for Hindus). Afternoon drive to Bodhgaya (250 kms / 6 hrs). Arrive Bodhgaya and check in at hotel. Bodhgaya - most sacred place for Buddhists as it has a Peepal tree under which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment some 2500 years back. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08 : Bodhgaya
Morning sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya. Visiting Mahabodhi Temple - depicts the various phases of Buddha's life towards enlightenment, showing different periods of his life. Later proceed to Bodhgaya Archaeological Museum - houses a small collection of Buddhist sculpture from the 1st century B.C. to the 11th century A.D.; Jagannath Temple close by has a four armed statue of Shiva in black stone. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09 : Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Nalanda - Patna
Morning drive to Patna (200 kms / 4 hrs) en-route visiting Rajgir and Nalanda both are famous for the oldest universities of the world. Arrive Patna and check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10 : Patna - Kushinagar
Morning drive to Kushinagar. Arrive Kushinagar and check in at hotel. Later visit the Rambhar Stupa, which marks Buddha's cremation ground. Also visit the Mahaparinirvana temple, which houses the recumbent figure of Lord Buddha. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11 : Kushinagar - Balrampur
Morning drive to Balrampur. Arrive Balrampur and check in at hotel. Later visit Sahet-Mahet. Visit Sravasti, the place Buddha showed many miracles. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12 : Balrampur - Lumbini
Morning drive to Lumbini. You will have to cross the Indo-Nepal border. Arrive Lumbini and check - in at hotel. Lumbini is the place where Buddha was born 2500 years ago. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13 : Lumbini - Kathmandu
In time transfer to airport to board flight for Kathmandu. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Surrounded by green hills and mountains with snow-capped peaks against its northern and eastern background, the Valley is indeed beautiful. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14 : Kathmandu
Morning visit Hanuman Dhoka, the name of the old royal palace has been derived from the statue of Hanuman (the monkey god of Hindu mythology) also visit the hilltop Stupa of Swayambhunath, considered 2,000 years old. Overnight at hotel.

Day 15 : Depart Kathmandu
A representative will accompany you to airport to board flight for onward destination.

Tags : Buddhist Tour, Footsteps of Lord Buddha, Buddhist Tour India, Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour