BUDDHIST CIRCUIT WITH BIRTH TO DEATH PLACE OF BUDDHA

Day 01: New Delhi – Varanasi (by Flight/Train)

Day 02: Varanasi

Day 03: Varanasi – Bodhgaya

Day 04: Bodh Gaya - Rajgir

Day 05: Rajgir – Patna

Day 06: Patna- Vaishali - Kushinagar

Day 07: Kushinagar – Lumbini

Day 08: Lumbini – Kapilavastu

Day 09: Kapilavastu – Sravasti

Day 10: Sravasti – Lucknow – Delhi (by Flight/Train)

Day 11: Delhi Sightseeing

Day 12: Departure from Delhi

In time board on your connecting flight to Varanasi.

Arrive at Varanasi and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon proceed on a half day temple tour of Varanasi visiting Bharat Mata (Mother India) Mandir, Durga, Tulsi Manas, Sankat Mochan Temple and the new Vishwanath Temple. Followed by Ganga Aarti at Dasaswamedh Ghat and overnight at hotel. 

In morning after Breakfast half day city tour of Sarnath, 10 km from Varanasi, where the Buddha preached his first sermon in the Deer Park, contains the most impressive remains, as well as a modem temple. The Dharmarajika, Chaukhandi and Dhamek stupas are outstanding. There are also the remains of a monastery, and the beautifully polished Lion Capital of Ashoka. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Morning proceed for Bodhgaya which is about 247 kms / 6-7 hrs drive. Bodhgaya is the place where Gautama Buddha attained unsurpassed, supreme Enlightenment. On arrival check into hotel and the rest of the day is free. You can leave for attending evening prayer at Mahabodhi temple. Later, return to the hotel and have a comfortable stay at night.

After breakfast, depart for Rajgir, 70 km, 2 hrs by road. Arrive in Rajgir and check into hotel. Rajgir was the capital of the Magadha kingdom and is a pilgrimage for Jains and Hindus as well. The Japanese Buddhists have built the massive Vishwashanti Stupa on the Ratnagiri Hill which can be accessed by a chairlift. The Stupa has statues of Buddha at the four stages of his life - birth, enlightenment, teaching and death. From the hill top, the Jain shrines can also be viewed scattered across 26 distant hills. Griddhakuta, located on Ratnagiri Hill is another site where Budhha stopped by to preach. Return to hotel for night stay.

After breakfast, proceed to Patna by road, 80 km.  Arrive in Patna and check into hotel. Patna is Bihar's (State in India) capital city and can be used as a base to visit the Buddhist sites of Vaishali and Kesariya. After lunch, take a local sightseeing tour of Patna. This would include: Golghar (built as a granary), Gandhi Museum, Patna Museum, Har Mandir Takht, Qila House or Jalan Museum with some really rare relics like Napolean's bed and Marie Antoinette's porcelain; and the ruins of Pataliputra. Return to hotel for night stay.

In and around Kushinagar

Morning proceed to Kushinagar (approx. 256 kms and 07 hrs drive) en-route visiting Vaishali - place where Buddha announced the approaching of his Mahaparinirvana. After that continue drive to Kushinagar (place where Lord Buddha had left the world behind him after offering an invaluable contribution to humanity, the great religion known as Buddhism). On arrival Kushinagar, transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit Mahaparinirvana Temple (where Buddha took his last breathe) and Rambhar Stupa (cremation site of Lord Buddha). Overnight stay at Kushinagar hotel. 

Morning after Breakfast drive to Lumbini - the birth place of Lord Buddha (180 kms and 05 hrs drive). On arrival, transfer to hotel. . Afternoon visit the birth place of Buddha - Mayadevi Temple. This place is a blessed one for its serenity and the natural beauty, purely coinciding to the perception of a place where the legend was born. Overnight stay at Lumbini hotel.

Morning leave for Kapilavastu - the childhood home of Gautam Buddha & also visit ruins of the Palaces. Overnight stay at Kapilavastu hotel.

In the morning after Breakfast proceed to Sravasti where the Buddha preached most of his sermons. Here he is said to have performed many miracles, and levitated. During the monsoon, he used to stay at the Jetavana monastery on the outskirts of this town. Visit various tourist spots such as Anand Bodhi tree, ruins of the Jetavana monastery, age-old stupas Visit Sahet Mahet and Angulimal caves. Overnight stay in Sravasti.

Morning breakfast at hotel & drive (190 kms / approx. 5.5 hrs drive) to Lucknow airport for onward journey to board flight for New Delhi.  Arrive at Delhi Airport and transfer to pre- book hotel. Representative will assist you till hotel check in. Evening at leisure, overnight stay at Hotel in Delhi.

Morning relish breakfast, visit city tour of exciting capital of India is awash with sights. Start to Delhi sightseeing visit Jama Masjid - largest Mosque in India Chandni Chowk oldest, biggest street super market of Old Delhi. Later, walk up to Fatehpuri Masjid and try out a rickshaw ride for Red Fort, Rajghat would be our next stoppage where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated Humayun Tomb - first garden-style tomb of India inspired by Persian architecture. Drive past Rashtrapati Bhawan - residence of the President of India and India Gate – subjected in respect to honor the soldiers who in World War I. Visit Qutub Minar built by Qutabud- din Aibak. Return to hotel. Retire for the night at hotel in Delhi. 

In time transfer to airport to board your homebound flight.  

Note: This is just a suggested itinerary indicative of what could be possible. We tailor holidays for your specific needs. Contact us if you want modifications so that we could tailor a holiday to suit your need for an unforgettable Holidays.