The Land of Buddha

(10 Days / 09 Nights)

Presence of Monasteries and Stupas across India all speak well and loud of the Buddhist culture that was so rich and vibrant that it in inspired one of the most dynamic art and architecture movements at that time.

DESTINATIONS

Delhi

Varanasi

Bodhgaya

Rajgir

Patna

Kushinagar

Lumbini

Sravasti

Lucknow

Delhi

Tour Overview

Day 1

Arrive Delhi

Arriving Delhi, you will clear customs and immigration. Leaving the airport, you will be met by our representative, holding a placard with your name on it in the arrival lounge. Arrival transfer to hotel. After check-in overnight at hotel.

Day 2

Delhi - Varanasi

After an early breakfast check-out from the hotel and transfer to airport to catch flight to Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi and you will be met by our representative, holding a play card with your name on it at the exit. Arrival transfer to hotel.

In the late afternoon an excursion to Sarnath - where Bhuddhism first made its appearance nearly 2500 years ago and where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon to his 5 disciples. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 03

Varanasi

Early in the morning, enjoy a boat ride on the holy river Ganges, which presents an incredible scene as multitudes of devotees come to the river to pay homage to the Sun God. The riverfront, as seen from a boat at sunrise, is a spiritually uplifting sight. Hinduism, deep and mystical, is everywhere: in a decorated doorway; in a glimpse of a glittering temple; in the sound of a sacred bell; in the chant of the priests; and in the fragrance of flower oblations. Pass the bathing ghats where thousands of pilgrims immerse themselves in the holy water of the Ganges and the burning ghats where cremations are conducted. Later on come back to the hotel.

In the afternoon half day city tour of Varanasi. One of the holiest cities in India, Varanasi is one of the most important pilgrimage sites and also a major tourist attraction. It has been the religious capital of Hinduism since time immemorial. Situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges, Varanasi has been a center of learning and civilization for more than 2,000 years.

In the evening enjoy boat ride on the holy river Ganges and you will be taken to the Ganga Ghats to watch evening Aarti (Hindu ritual). Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 04

Varanasi – Bodhgaya

After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Bodhgaya, The City Of Lord Buddha's Penance And Supreme Enlightenment. The History And Tradition Of This Sacred Spot Goes Back To The Earliest Days.

On arrival Check in into hotel. Afternoon tour of this ancient riverside town. Visit the Sri Lankan monastery. Later in the day visit the village of Sujata, which is where a woman with the same name gave Lord Buddha his first meal ( milk & rice pudding ) after he came out of the austerities he was performing and broke his fast. Overnight at hotel.(Breakfast)

Day 05

Bodhgaya

Early morning visit the Mahabodhi Temple for the prayers and meditate near the Bodhi Tree. Return to hotel for breakfast. Rest of the day free to explore Bodhgaya. Overnight at hotel.(Breakfast)

Day 06

Bodgaya - Rajgir - Nalanda – Patna

After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Patna. En-route visit Rajgir- a site of great sanctity and significance for Buddhists. The Gridhakuta Hill, in Rajgir, was the seat from where Buddha delivered many of his sermons. It was here that the teachings of Buddha were recorded in writing for the first time.

Also visiting visit Nalanda- which literally means the place that confers the lotus. It was one of the oldest universities of the world & was a center of great learning which reached its zenith between 5th and 12th Century A.D. Both Lord Buddha & Lord Mahavira visited this place. Also visit Karanda Tank- where Buddha used to bathe. Arrive Patna and check-in into hotel. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 07

Patna - Vaishali – Kushinagar

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and drive to Vaishali believed to be the first republic of the world, having an elected body of representatives, holds special significance for Buddhist devotees.

Later continue onward to Kushinagar - where Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. Kushinagar is one of the principal centers of Buddhist pilgrimage is the place of Mahaparinrvana. On arrival check into Hotel. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 08

Kushinagar – Lumbini

After breakfast, morning tour of Kushinagar. After sightseeing of the Rambhar Stupa & the Mahaparinirwana Temple, where you see thev statue of Bhuddha in a reclining posture, continue onwards by surface for Lumbini - the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Lumbini is the Indian Nepal border and the legal formalities are to be completed to enter Lumbini. On arrival check into Hotel. Overnight in hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 09

Lumbini - Kapilvastu – Sravasti

After breakfast, depart by surface for Sravasti enroute visiting Kapilvastu-The capital city of the Sakya clan, and one of the earliest republics, it was in Kapilavastu's opulent environs, that the holy soul of prince Siddharth (Gautam Buddha) spent his childhood. Here he saw sorrow and pain, disease and death. Later on continue to Sravasti- where Lord Buddha Spent 24 "Baisakh" Of His Life and delivered his sermons. On arrival check into Hotel.

Afternoon visit the extensive ruins of this ancient city. Sravasti has two villages, Sahet and Mahet, which is spread over an area of 400 acres and has a number of ruins. This is where the Lord performed his Miracle sitting on a petalled Lotus multiplying 1000 times. Overnight in hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 10

Sravasti - Lucknow - Delhi (Departure)

After an early breakfast, check-out from the hotel and drive to Lucknow. Arrive Lucknow and transfer to the airport to catch flight to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and you will be met by our representative, holding a play card with your name on it in the arrival lounge. Departure transfer to international airport for your onward flight. (Breakfast)

Tour Cost Includes:

Economy Class domestic flightair fare for Delhi – Varanasi sector.
Economy Class domestic flightair fare for Lucknow – Delhi sector.
10 Nights hotel accommodation on double occupancy basis.
Double bedded room with private bath or shower.
Daily breakfast in hotel as mentioned in the itinerary.
Air-conditioned Private Car with an expert driver as per the itinerary.
All transfers and sightseeing as mentioned in the itinerary.
Fuel, Insurance, Toll Taxes, All State Taxes, All transport related Expenses and Driver Services.
Assistance by our representative at the International airport on arrival as per the itinerary.
Services of a local English speaking guide for city sightseeing in Varanasi, Bodhgaya, Kushinagar & Sravasti.
City sightseeing in as mentioned in the itinerary.
Entrances to the monuments & museums as mentioned in the itinerary.
Evening boat rideon the River Ganges by Ganga Aarti Ceremony as mentioned in the itinerary.
Early morning boat rideon the River Ganges, Varanasi as mentioned in the itinerary.
Guided excursion to Sarnath as mentioned in the itinerary.
All other excursions as mentioned in the itinerary.
All taxes and service charges.

Note:

Visas, International airfare. – Meals and beverages not listed in itinerary. -Tips and gratuities. – Movie/video camera fee at monuments. – Expenses of personal nature like laundry, telephone calls, portage etc. – Any other service that has not been included into “cost inclusions”.

Hotel Selection

City	Hotel	Category
New Delhi	Holiday New Delhi Intl’ Airport	4 Star
Varanasi	Meraden Grand	4 Star
Bodhgaya	Bodhgaya Regency	3 Star
Patna	Lemon Tree Premier	4 Star
Kushinagar	The Imperial	4 Star
Lumbini	Buddha Maya Garden	Heritage
Sravasti	Lotus Nikko	3 Star

Also Available on request:

This tour is ex-Delhi. If you are arriving from a different destination, we can help you arrange the flight to and from Delhi.
An Ayurvedic Massage.
Early morning Yoga lesson.

Testimonial:

在整個印度旅程中，最令我有驚喜的算是入住當地的特色酒店。例如由過去貴族大宅改建而成的Haveli，具有濃厚的印度建築特色，以及令人賓至如歸的英式款待。另外就是入住一由過去皇家獸獵場改建而成的酒店，可以近距離觀看梅花鹿，和溫馴的馬匹接觸，以及置身鳥語花香之中，讓人忘卻煩憂。也感謝我們的司機Sher Singh先生，他善良和良好的架駛技術，讓我們有安心和愉快的12日行程。我們也很開心遇到在一很好的導遊，特別是Udaipur的導遊，他專業的知識讓我們知道更多關於Rajasthan的人和事，還有在Jodhpur的導遊，他熱情的幫助，讓我們還拍到很美的照片，也讓我們買到喜愛的手信(Pashmina和Cashmere披肩、香料和印度特色的皮鞋)，最重要是不用疲於講價還價，這實在是一件很費體力精神的事。

Lois Wong
Hong Kong

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