Land of the Buddha
- 15 Nights / 16 Days
- Price : US$ 865/PP
Overview
The long journey to the land of Buddha helps one attain awakening and inspires millions to witness many beautiful spiritual destinations in India. This tour will explore the footsteps of Lord Buddha and follow the part of his life and teachings. The 16-day tour starts from your arrival in Delhi, from where our representatives will let you enjoy the sightseeing destinations of Old and New Delhi. From Delhi, we will move to our next destination, Lucknow where visitors will get to explore the authentic culture and historic buildings of the city. Moving from Lucknow to Sravasti, where Lord Buddha spread most of his teachings among his disciples. Moving forward to Lumbini, which is said to be the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. During the journey, we will also cover Kushinagar, Patna, Bodh Gaya, Nalanda, Rajgir, and Varanasi and in the end fly back to our last destination, Delhi. The long 16-day journey will cover numerous Buddhist pilgrimage centres, ancient temples, historic buildings, educational museums, and magical boat rides on stunning rivers of India.
*Note : This is a starting price calculated for at least 2 people. The price may vary according to the number of travelers, season, services, and availability.
| Tour Starts from | Delhi |
|---|---|
| Tour Ends at | Delhi |
| Destinations Covered | Delhi, Lucknow, Shravasti, Lumbini, Kushinagar, Vaishali, Bodh Gaya, Nalanda, Rajgir, Varanasi. |
| Included |
|
| Excluded |
|
Itinerary
Arrive in Delhi
Upon your arrival in Delhi, one of our company representatives will receive you at the airport. You will be transferred to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Delhi Sightseeing
After breakfast embark on a guided tour of Old Delhi to explore the colourful homes, bustling bazaars and elegant mosques in this area. Visit the Chandni Chowk market, the Red Fort and the beautiful Jama Masjid. Continue to New Delhi in the afternoon. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, today New Delhi is home to the official residence of the Indian President, Rashtrapati Bhawan, the imposing India Gate and Rajpath.
Delhi - Lucknow - by air
Fly from Delhi to Lucknow. Rich in Indian culture and British colonial history, Lucknow is best known as a centre of India's independence struggle and for the events surrounding the 1857 mutiny. Capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow lines the banks of the River Gomti and is home to a wealth of extraordinary Muslim monuments and grand European architecture. The city is also renowned as a centre for zari work and chikan embroidery.
Lucknow
Today explore Lucknow with your guide starting at the ruins of the Residency, site of the dramatic siege and subsequent battles that took place during the uprising of 1857. Visit the cemetery where Sir Henry Lawrence is buried, Wingfield Park, Christchurch and, if time, the Kaiserbagh Palace. Later continue to Chowk Market to experience Muslim Lucknow, where highlights include the Bara Imambara, Rumi Darwaza and spectacular Hussainabad Imambara with its golden dome and impressively elaborate calligraphy.
Lucknow - Sravasti - 180 kms
In the morning we will leave Lucknow and drive to Sravasti. It was here in Sravasti that Buddha gave the majority of his teachings and discourses and where, during the monsoon months, he spent much of his time. Later visit the nearby remains at Jetavana, a monastic complex containing Buddha's hut, as well as the caves at Angulimal
Sravasti - Lumbini - 190 kms
Leaving Sravasti, drive towards the Indo-Nepalese border and cross into Nepal. From here continue by road to Lumbini. Lumbini is believed to be the birthplace of Buddha also known as Siddhartha Gautama, who was born here c.563 BC and who lived at this location for the first twenty-nine years of his life.
Lumbini
Today visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site with your guide. A series of different complexes and temples, the most important place of interest here is an area called the 'Sacred Garden' which contains not only the place where the Buddha is reputed to have been born but also the 3rd or 4th century BC Maya Devi Temple, an Ashokan Pillar, the Pushkarni where the infant Buddha was given his first bath and numerous other interesting archaeological ruins.
Lumbini - Kushinagar - 130 kms
After breakfast leave Lumbini and, crossing back into India, continue to Kushinagar. Kushinagar is revered as the location of Buddha's death and subsequent cremation. Rediscovered in the 19th century, later visitors will visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple and Ramabhar Stupa.
Kushinagar - Patna via Vaishali - 280 kms
This morning leave Kushinagar and will drive to Vaishali where the Buddha preached his last sermon, later continuing to Patna. Capital of Bihar, this state was not only the early home of Buddhism but was also the birthplace of the Emperor Ashoka. Today Patna is a large city which lines the banks of the River Ganges.
Patna
Today explore Patna with your guide. Places of interest include the Gulzaribagh, site of the former East India Company's principle opium warehouse, and the remarkable Golghar 'round house' built of stone slabs in 1786 by Captain John Garstin as a grain store. Also visit the State Museum and the Chowk area of old Patna.
Patna - Bodh Gaya to Nalanda and Rajgir - 85 kms
This morning leave Patna and drive south to Bodh Gaya stopping en-route in Nalanda, home to one of the world's oldest universities and an ancient pilgrimage site visited by both Buddha and Mahavir, the founder of Jainism. From here drive to Rajgir then continue by road to Bodh Gaya. One of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage centres in the world, it was here under the Bodhi tree that Gautama, the prince, attained enlightenment to become the Buddha.
Bodh Gaya
Today explore Bodh Gaya with your guide. This vast area houses numerous monasteries, temples and statues; however, the focal point of the entire settlement is the beautiful Mahabodhi Temple and large Bodhi tree. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is believed to stand on the site of an earlier 3rd century BC shrine. Bodh Gaya is also home to temples built by pilgrims from other lands in their own architectural style, from the traditional Bhutanese temple to its modern Japanese counterpart.
Bodh Gaya - Varanasi - 250 kms
Leaving Bodh Gaya, drive to Varanasi. Situated on the banks of the sacred River Ganges, Varanasi has been a centre of learning and pilgrimage for over 2,000 years and is one of the oldest surviving cities in the world. An assault on the senses, few places compare making any visit here an undoubted highlight of the country. Later this evening make your way to ghats and watch the beautiful evening aarti religious ceremonies take place.
Varanasi
Early this morning, we will take a ride on a small rowing boat on the River Ganges to silently view the sunrise and witness the pilgrims who gather to perform their daily religious rituals on the riverbank in the lifting mist. This truly is a magical experience. As the sun rises, take a guided walk through the heart of the old city lanes and in the afternoon visit the evocative ruined city of Sarnath where Buddha first preached his message of enlightenment 2,500 years ago.
Varanasi - Delhi - by air
Today visitors will transfer to Varanasi Airport at the right time to catch the afternoon flight to Delhi. On your arrival you will be met and transferred to your accommodation which is ideally located close to the international airport.
Delhi - Depart
Today we will transfer back to Delhi Airport to catch a flight to our next destination.
