Buddhist Tour Package -3

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Upon arrival at Delhi International airport meet with our representative at the airport arrival lounge. After meet and greet at airport transfer to the hotel. If time permit we will go for a half day city sightseeing tour of Delhi. Dinner and overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 02: Delhi - Gonda Qutub Minar, Delhi
In the morning, go for a sightseeing tour of Delhi. Visit Raj Ghat (the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi), Shanti Vana (the cremation sites of Jawaharlal Nehru) and Jama Masjid. Drive past Red Fort and Chandni Chowk.
Afternoon visit Qutub Minar (built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibek in 1199), Humayun's Tomb, India Gate (War Memorial Arch) and Lakshminarayan Temple (a modern Hindu Temple). Also drive past President's House, Parliament House, Government Secretariat Buildings.
Later in the evening transfer to the railway station to board an air-conditioned sleeper train to Gonda. Overnight stay on board.

Day 03: Gonda - Sravasti
Upon arrival at Goda railway station meet with our representative and drive to Sravasti, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, has the honour for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetavana Gardens. It is sacred to Buddhists because it is here that Lord Buddha performed the Tirthika heretics.
Upon arrival check into the hotel. After fresh-n-up sightseeing tour around Sravasti visiting Jetavana and Ananda Bodhi Tree. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 04: Sravasti - Lumbini Lumbini
Morning after an early breakfast we will leave for Lumbini- the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The birthplace of Lord Buddha where he known as Gautam in his childhood, Lumbini is situated in the southern Terai plains of Nepal. Lumbini is also a World Heritage Monument of UNESCO.
Upon arrival at Lumbini transfer to the hotel. After fresh-n-up city we will visit the Ashoka Pillar. It was built in the year 259BC, by King Ashoka of India. When he constructed this pillar, the King exempted the villagers from paying tax and gave out 100 golden coins to the people. In the 07th century, the pillar was struck by lightning and split into two parts. The site was lost for six centuries and covered with dense forest before being re-found in 1895.
In the evening have a walk through monasteries made by many nationals. Dinner and overnight stay hotel.

Day 05: Lumbini - Kushinagar Lumbini
After breakfast we will visit Maya Devi Temple, dedicated to the mother of lord Buddha, Maya Devi. The temple was built during the 02nd century. Later drive to Kushinagar crossing Indo - Nepal border. Upon reaching transfer to the hotel.
After fresh-n-up at the hotel we will set of for a visit to the monuments of Kushinagar visiting Nirvana Temple and Ramabhar Stupa. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Kushinagar - Vaishali - Patna
After breakfast leave for Patna via Vaishali. Vaishali mentioned in the Ramayana and in the Buddhist literature, is reputed as the birthplace of Lord Mahavira and the capital of Lichchavis from early times. It was the scene of the Second Buddhist council held about a hundred years Lord Buddha's death. According to the historians, Vaishali is one of the first democratic republics of the world. A recent excavation has brought Vaishali in the limelight and the historical and archaeological importance of the area has resurfaced. In Vaishali we will be visiting Ashoka Pillar, Buddha stupa and Shanti stupa.
Later drive to Patna for overnight stay.

Day 07: Patna - Nalanda - Rajgir - Bodhgaya Rajgir
After breakfast leave for Bodhgaya. En-route we will visit the ruins of Nalanda University. Founded in the 5th Century A.D., Nalanda is known as the ancient seat of learning. 2000 teachers and 10000 Students from all over the Buddhist world lived and studied at Nalanda, the first Residential International University of the World. A walk in the ruins of the university takes you to an era, that saw India leading in imparting knowledge, to the world - the era when India was a coveted place for studies. The University flourished during the 5th and 12th century.
Further we will drive to visit Rajgir. Lord Buddha spent many months of retreat during the rainy season here, and use to meditate and preach on Gridhakuta, the "Hill of the Vultures". Lord Mahavir spent 14 years of his life at Rajgir and nalanda. It was in Rajgir that Lord Buddha delivered some of his famous sermons and converted king Bimbisara of the Magadha Kingdom and countless others to his creed. Here we will visit the monastery of Venuvana Vihar built by King Bimbisara for Lord Buddha to reside. This was the King's first offering to Lord Buddha.
Later in the afternoon drive to Bodhgaya. Upon arrival check into the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at Bodhgaya.

Day 08: Bodhgaya - Varanasi Rajgir
After breakfast we will have an excursion to Bodhgaya and Gaya. We will be visiting The Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree, Great Buddha Statue, Niranjana River, Sujata Temple
and lots of other significant temples.
The Mahabodhi temple built on the east of the sacred tree stands majestically 17 feet high on a base 5 feet square, and consists of a soaring pyramidal tower surmounted by a stupa. The Vajrasana or Diamond Throne lying between the Bodhi Tree and the temple marks the actual spot where Buddha sat in meditation and attained supreme knowledge. A gilded Buddha smiles upon the visitors from a niche in the wall of the temple, and his footsteps carved in stone hold flower offerings from the devout. Unbelievable peace pervades the atmosphere giving credence to legend Besides the Mahabodhi temple, we would visit several Buddhist temples built by the followers of Buddhism from all over the world.
Later in the afternoon leave for Varanasi. Upon reaching transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 09: Varanasi - Allahabad - Kanpur
Early morning proceed on a boat tour on River Ganges visiting all the bathing ghats. Return to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast an excursion to Sarnath. It enjoys the extraordinary privilege of Lord Buddha delivering his first sermon after attaining enlightenment 2500 years ago. It is about 10 km from Varanasi and holds a number of Buddhist sites that include the famous Dhamekh Stupa, the seat of the holy 'Buddha'. You can also visit the ruins of Dharmarajika Stupa and Mulagandhakuti Temple, where Lord Buddha is said to have rested and meditated while in Sarnath. The Ashoka Pillar built by the emperor Ashoka is a must see in Sarnath.
After visit we will leave for Kanpur via Allahabad. Arrive Kanpur late in the evening and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 10: Kanpur - Sankisa - Agra
After an early breakfast we will leave for Agra visiting Kannauj and Sankisa en-route. The town of Kannauj has its ancient important as it is mentioned in the book of Mahabharata, this place is well known for the Brahminical relations. Ruled over by Hindu king Harsha Vardhana, this city had seen the golden period of Hindu architecture.
Further we will visit to Sankisa which is related to many Myths pertaining to Lord Buddha, especially his descending from the heaven after death makes it an ideal destination for Buddhist pilgrim. The village is mainly famous for the archaeological and historical importance. There is a small temple of BISARI DEVI where, she is worshipped as a goddess of fertility. Buddhist sculptures dating back to Mahayana age is also found on some walls at the site. The remains of Asokan Pillar is also worth a visit, while the pillar with an elephant in lieu of the usual lion is also matter of attraction for many a tourists.
After visit to Sankisa we will leave for Agra. Arrive Agra late in the evening. Upon arrival check into the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 11: Agra - Delhi - Departure taj-mahal
Morning visit the famous Taj Mahal at dawn. Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his queen Mumtaz Mahal, made out of white marble took 22 years to complete (1630-1652 AD).
Further we will visit the massive Agra fort. Built principally as a military establishment by Akbar in 1565, the red sandstone Agra fort was partially converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time.
Later in the afternoon drive to Delhi. Upon arrival transfer to the international airport to board the flight for onward destination.