Buddhism with Heritage & Culture Tour (11 Days / 10 Nights)
From Bodh Gaya to Sarnath to Sravasti to Rajgir to Kushinagar to Lumbini - this entire region of India recreates the life of Buddha. Our tour package not only gives you an opportunity to visit these places but also makes you appreciate the culture of this region which gave the world some of the most enduring religions.
Day 1: Delhi
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 - Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Arrive at Delhi International airport, where our airport representative will receive and transfer to hotel.
Located on the banks of the River Yamuna, Delhi has been continuously inhabited since at least the 6th century BCE. After the rise of the Delhi Sultanate, Delhi emerged as a major political, cultural and commercial city along the trade routes between northwest India and the Gangetic plain. It is the site of many ancient and medieval monuments, archaeological sites and remains. In 1639, Mughal emperor Shahjahan built a new walled city in Delhi which served as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1649 to 1857.
After the British East India Company had gained control of much of India during the 18th and 19th centuries, Calcutta became the capital both under Company rule and under the British Raj, until George V announced in 1911 that it was to move back to Delhi. A new capital city, New Delhi, was built to the south of the old city during the 1920s. When India gained independence from British rule in 1947, New Delhi was declared its capital and seat of government. As such, New Delhi houses important offices of the federal government, including the Parliament of India, as well as numerous national museums, monuments, and art galleries.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 2: Delhi
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 - Thursday, April 25, 2024
Later this morning Enjoy city tour covering Jama Masjid - The largest mosque in Asia,
Red Fort (closed on Monday) - The red stone magic, Gandhi memorial - The memorial of father of the nation,
India Gate - The memorial of martyrs,
Parliament House - The Government Headquarters beside these some other places to visit are - Qutab Minar Complex and Humayun-s Tomb. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 3: Delhi - Jaipur
Thursday, April 25, 2024 - Friday, April 26, 2024
After early breakfast drive to Jaipur Enroute sightseeing of Amer fort with Elephant or Jeep ride. On arrival check in at Hotel.
Later city sightseeing of Jaipur visit
City Palace &
Jantar Mantar.
Jantar Mantar (Observatory) - built in 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the huge masonary instruments were used to study the movement of constellations and stars in the sky. Enormous sun-dial still provide accurate time, which are subject to daily corrections.
City Palace AND S.M.S. II MUSEUM - situated in the heart of the old City, it occupies about one seventh of the old city area. The palace is a blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture, it houses a Seven storeyed Chandra Mahal in the centre, which affords a fine view of the gardens and the city. Diwan-E-Am (Hall of public audience) has intricate decorations and collection of manuscripts, Diwan-E-Khas (Hall of private audience) has a marble pawed gallery Mubarak Mahal has a rich collection of costumes and textiles. There is a Clock Tower near Mubarak Mahal. Sileh Khana has a collection of armory and weapons.
Overnight Stay at hotel.
Day 4: Jaipur - Agra
Friday, April 26, 2024 - Saturday, April 27, 2024
After breakfast drive to Agra enroute sightseeing
Fatehpur Sikri. The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. Onarrival check in at Hotel Later sightseeing of Agra visit
Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday) & Agra Fort. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 5: Agra - Jhansi - Khajuraho
Saturday, April 27, 2024 - Sunday, April 28, 2024
After breakfast assistance and transfer to Agra cantt railways station to board train to Jhansi.Arrive Jhansi and proceed by surface to Khajuraho 173 Kms. 4 hrs. On arrival and check-into hotel. Afternoon visit Khajuraho Temple.. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 6: Khajuraho - Varanasi
Sunday, April 28, 2024 - Monday, April 29, 2024
Morning half day city sightseeing of Khajuraho. Later assistance and transfer to airport to connect flight for Varanasi.Arrive Varanasi met with and transfer to hotel.
Varanasi, the cultural capital of India, has many shades. Nowhere in the world you find such vivid hues amalgamating at a single place. The city has everything that a disturbed soul seeks and much more. Marked by it numerous temples and 80 Ghats, Varanasi is humanism personified. A tour to this city is a must for every visitor who ventures to India. The city has various temples and attractions to offer to visitors
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 7: Varanasi
Monday, April 29, 2024 - Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Early morning at 5 a.m. drive through city of Ghats (stone steps) on the banks of the river, then embark on a boat excursion on the Ganges.Ghats- Life in the city of Varanasi revolves around it's over one hundred Ghats (river landings). Thousands of pilgrims come to bathe and worship in the river Ganges at the first light of dawn. Boat rides down the river in the morning are a very popular excursion.After breakfast visit Sarnath 10 Kms from the holy city of Varanasi,Sarnath has been developed as a place of pilgrimage, both for Buddhists from India and abroad. A number of countries in which Buddhism is a major (or the dominant) religion, among them Thailand, Japan, Tibet, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, have established temples and monasteries in Sarnath in the style that is typical for the respective country. Thus, pilgrims and visitors have the opportunity to experience an overview of Buddhist architecture from various cultures.The Sarnath Archeological Museum houses the famous Ashokan lion capital, which miraculously survived its 45-foot drop to the ground (from the top of the Ashokan Pillar), and became the National Emblem of India and national symbol on the Indian flag. The museum also houses a famous and refined Buddha-image of the Buddha in Dharmachakra-posture.There is also a Bodhi tree planted by Anagarika Dharmapala which was grown from a cutting of the Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya.The beginning of the celebrated Mantra, " Buddham Sharanam Gachhami ", owes Its origin to Sarnath. Afternoon Varanasi city, The Vishwanath Temple & The Dugra Temple The Benaras Hindu University has an art gallery and a marble temple.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 8: Varanasi - Bodhgaya
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 - Wednesday, May 1, 2024
After breakfast drive to Bodhgaya, located in the state of Bihar in the North of India. It was here some 2,500 years ago that Sidhartha Gautama sat in meditation beneath the Bodhi tree and gained Enlightenment. In so doing he became the Buddha - the 'Awakened One'. For Buddhists, Bodh Gaya is the most important of the main four pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha, the other three being Kushinagar, Lumbini, and Sarnath. In 2002, Mahabodhi Temple, located in Bodh Gaya, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The surrounding town, by contrast, is dusty, noisy and somewhat polluted, due in large part to the large numbers of pilgrims and tourists who visit there. A new development plan has been proposed to "ensure a sustainable and prosperous future" for Bodh Gaya, but has become controversial because such a plan may require the relocation of whole neighborhoods.
On arrival check in at Hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 9: Bodhgaya
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - Thursday, May 2, 2024
After breakfast Half day sightseeing of Bodhgaya, the place where Buddha attained enlightenment under the Mahabodhi tree.It is believed that 250 years after the Enlightenment of the Buddha, Emperor Asoka visited Bodh Gaya. He is considered to be the founder of the original Mahabodhi temple. It consisted of an elongated spire crowned by a miniature stupa and a chhatravali on a platform. A double flight of steps led up to the platform and the upper sanctum. The mouldings on the spire contained Buddha images in niches. Some historians believe that the temple was constructed or renovated in the 1st century during the Kushan period. With the decline of Buddhism in India, the temple was abandoned and forgotten, buried under layers of soil and sand.Presently, several Buddhist temples and monasteries have been built by the people of Bhutan, China, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet and Vietnam in a wide area around the temple. These buildings reflect the architectural style, exterior and interior decoration of their respective countries. The statue of Buddha in the Chinese Temple is 200 years old and was brought from China. Japan's Nippon Temple is shaped like a pagoda. The Myanmar (Burmese) Temple is also pagoda shaped and is reminiscent of Bagan. The Thai Temple has a typical sloping, curved roof covered with golden tiles. Inside, the temple holds a massive and spectacular bronze statue of Buddha. Next to the Thai temple there is a recent 25 meter statue of Buddha located within a garden which has existed there for over 100 years. For Tibetan buddhism there are two temples.
Afternoon free for own activities. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 10: Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Nalanda - Patna
Thursday, May 2, 2024 - Friday, May 3, 2024
After breakfast drive to Patna Enroute sightseeing of Rajgir, is a very scenic place.Patna is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world.Ancient Patna, known as Pataliputra, was the capital of the Magadha Empire under the Haryanka, Nanda, Mauryan, Sunga, Gupta, Pala and Suri dynasties. Pataliputra was also a famous seat of learning and fine arts. Its population during the Maurya period (around 300 BCE) was about 400,000. The walled old area, called Patna City by the locals, is a major trading centre
The small hill grit town is covered with lush green forest & Nalanda, The ruins of the world's most ancient university lies here Though the Buddha.Nalanda is the name of ancient center of higher learning in Bihar, India. The site of Nalanda is located in the Indian state of Bihar, about 55 miles south east of Patna, and was a Buddhist center of learning from 427 to 1197 CE.It has been called "one of the first great universities in recorded history." Some buildings were constructed by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka the Great. The Gupta Empire also patronized some monasteries. According to historians, Nalanda flourished between the reign of the Gupta king Sakraditya (also known as Kumaragupta, reigned 415-55) and 1197 CE, supported by patronage from Buddhist emperors like Harsha as well as later emperors from the Pala Empire. The complex was built with red bricks and its ruins occupy an area of 14 hectares. At its peak, the university attracted scholars and students from as far away as China, Greece, and Persia. Nalanda was sacked by Turkic Muslim invaders under Bakhtiyar Khalji in 1193, a milestone in the decline of Buddhism in India. In 2006, Singapore, China, India, Japan, and other nations, announced a proposed plan to restore and revive the ancient site as Nalanda International University. The great library of Nalanda University was so vast that it is reported to have burned for three months after the Moguls set fire to it, sacked and destroyed the monasteries, and drove the monks from the site.
On arrival check in at Hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 11: Patna - Delhi
Friday, May 3, 2024 - Saturday, May 4, 2024
After breakfast sightseeing of Patna. Later assistance at hotel and transfer to Hotel to board flight to Delhi.On arrival assistance transfer to nearest airport Restaurant for Dinner. After Dinner assistance and transfer to international airport to board flight to Home Country.
