India Nepal Buddhist Tours
Delhi – Kathmandu – Lumbini – Kushinagar – Varanasi – Bodhgaya – Rajgir – Nalanda – Patna - Delhi – Jaipur – Agra - Delhi
DAY 01: ARRIVE DELHI You will be greeted on arrival at Delhi International airport by ITS representative, you will be transferred to your prebooked hotel in Delhi, a brief on your tour by our representative & exchanging of tour documents, relax & overnight in Delhi.
DAY 02: DELHI Enjoy breakfast at the hotel & start your sight seeing tour of Delhi at 1000 hrs, visit old Delhi covering the magnificent Red Fort, Jama Mosque, Chandni Chowk & Raj Ghat – the memoir of Mahatma Gandhi – Father of Nation. Enjoy rickshaw ride in Old Delhi an amuzing experience. Afternoon take a sight seeing tour to cover New Delhi visiting The President House, India Gate, Humayuns Tomb & Qutub Minar. Evening visit the Lotus Shaped Bahai Temple & the famous Temple of Laxmi Narayan. Evening is kept free to explore the markets of Delhi if you wish too, otherwise relax at the hotel & overnight in Delhi.
DAY 03: DELHI – KATHMANDU (BY AIR AT 1200 HRS / ARR AT 1330 HRS) Checkout & leave for Delhi International airport after breakfast to board the flight for Kathmandu in Nepal at 1200 hrs, assistance on arrival in Kathmandu by company representative at 1330 hrs, transfer to your prebooked hotel. Rest of the day is dedicated for individual activities, take a walk in Thamel – the most frequented areas by the foreigners coming to Kathmandu, overnight you will be staying at the hotel in Kathmandu.
DAY 04: KATHMANDU Enjoy breakfast at the hotel you will get a chance to taste the local Nepali Delicacies with other continental & indian dishes. Start your day of sight seeing visiting one of the famous landmark of Kathmandu – visit The Pashupatinath Temple, situated on the banks of River Baghmati around 8 km from the city, is one of the holiest Hindu shrines. Also visit Guheshwari Temple near Pashupatinath is considered as the place where Yoni of Shiva’s consort Sati fell when she was cut into pieces by Lord Vishnu. Later visit Boudhnath which is one of the largest stupas in the world. Afternoon relax, and early evening visit Patan is a spiritual city with Durbar Square in the centre and many stupas, shikaras, and temples. Bhaktapur is again a royal city where most of the attractions revolve around Durbar Square and the Palace of 55 Windows. Evening visit Hanuman Dhoka, the name of the old royal palace has been derived from the statue of Hanuman (the monkey god of Hindu mythology) Also visit the hilltop Stupa of Swayambhunath, considered 2000 thousand tears old. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 05: KATHMANDU – LUMBINI (250 KMS – 5 TO 7 HRS) After breakfast checkout & drive to the Birth Place of Lord Buddha – Lumbini, on arrival you will be transferred to your prebooked hotel. Day free for relaxing for some time before visiting the most important place of your Buddhist tour itinerary. Visit Panegar – the place where lord Buddha was born later visit Mayadevi temple, Ashokan Pillar, Buddhist temples, Pushkarni (the sacred pool), sanctum sanctorum of Buddha’s birthplace and stupas. Evening free to relax at the hotel in Lumbini, overnight you will stay at hotel in Lumbini.
DAY 06: LUMBINI – SRAVASTI After breakfast at the hotel, you will checkout & leave for Sravasti enroute visiting Kapilavastu, the village of Piprahwa which is 93 Kms from Lumbini is identified as Kapilavastu. It has been revealed by the excavations were conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India that this was the capital of the Sakyas where the Lord Buddha spent the first thirty years of his life. In a Stupa that was excavated, referred to as the Eastern Stupa by archaeologists an inscription was found dating back to the Kushan period. It reads as Om Devaputra Vihare Kapilavastu Bhikku Sanghasa, One and a half kilometers from the site there are two excavated mounds the larger one is a thick walled structure which according to local belief was Suddhodana Palace. There is a small Sri Lankan monastery and temple, Mahindra Mahavihara, in the vicinity of the ruins. After visit continue with your drive to Sravasti , on arrival transfer to hotel. After freshen up visit Sravasti – The city believed to be founded by the mythological king Sravast, has age-old stupas, majestic monasteries and several temples. Buddha is said to have performed some miracles here. This holy place also has the famous Anand Bodhi tree, an offspring of the one, said to have been planted by Buddha’s main disciple Anand. Relax & overnight in Sravasti.
DAY 07: SRAVASTI – KUSHINAGAR (216 KMS – 5 HRS) After breakfast drive to Kushinagar. On arrival in Kushinagar, transfer to hotel. After freshen up visit Kushinagar to see the sacred Buddhist place where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana or the final exit from the earth visit the Mahaparinirvana temple and Ramabhar Stupa where Buddha was cremated. Also visits the Muktabandhana Stupa built by Malla Dynasty to house Buddha’s relics after the cremation. Relax & overnight in Kushinagar.
DAY 08: KUSHINAGAR – VARANASI (225 KMS – 4 TO 5 HRS) Morning leave for Varanasi after having your breakfast, on arrival transfer to hotel. Later take a sight seeing tour of Temples of Varanasi visiting visiting the Golden Temple dedicated to lord Shiva, the Durga temple dedicated to goddess Durga. Interestingly the Durga Temple is also known as the Monkey Temple due to the large number of monkeys found in the Temple premises. Evening take a boat ride on the River Ganges and see the various Ghats with people ritually cleansing their sins. While on the boat you will also see the cremation ceremonies of dead bodies as per Hindi Rituals. Later drive back to hotel for overnight.
DAY 09: VARANASI – SARANATH – BODHGAYA (200 KMS – 5 HRS) Morning leave for Bodhgaya after heavy breakfast enroute visiting the Saranath – to see the Chaukhandi Stupa, Ashok Pillar, Dhamek Stupa, Dharamika Stupa, Dhamek Stupa, Archaeological Museum also visit the deer park and Bodhi Tree where Lord Buddha perched his First Sermon. Proceed to Bodhgaya on arrival transfer to hotel. Evening free to relax overnight in Bodhgaya.
DAY 10: BODHGAYA After breakfast set out to the most important day of your pilgrmage tour of the Bodhgaya visiting Mahabodhi temple, Bodhi tree where Lord Buddha received Enlightenment, shrine opposite the Bodhi Tree known as Animeshlochan Chaitya or the place of Unwinking Gaze, Cankamana, shrine of Jewel House, place where buddha conversed with Brahma under the Ajapala Nigrodha tree, Lotus pond or Mucalinda tank, foot of tree Rajayatana where two merchants Tapussa and Bhallika became Buddha’ first disciples. Later visit Mahakala (Dungeswari) cave, located 12 kms from the main town of Bodhgaya. The Vajrasana in Bodhgaya is also known as the Navel of the Earth (puthavinabhim) or the Victory Throne of all Buddhas (sabba buddhanam jayapallankam). The Vajrasana is the place where Lord Buddha achieved divine knowledge, light, wisdom, understanding and vision. After visit day is free for individual activities. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 11: BODHGAYA – NALANDA – RAJGIR – PATNA (180 KMS – 5 HRS) – DELHI (BY AIR AT 1600 HRS / ARR AT 1900 HRS) After breakfast checkout & drive to Patna enroute visiting Rajgir the ancient capital of Magadha kings. The Buddha often visited Rajagriha to retreat at the Jivkamaravana monastery, preaching and meditating on the Gridhakuta Hill. Later proceed to Nalanda the oldest university in the world, founded in the 5th century BC a renowned centre of Buddhist and Jain learning. Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese traveler, spent several years here in the 7th century AD. Here visit to Nalanda Archaeological Museum has a magnificent collection of Pali and Mauryan statues, bronze and manuscripts. Nalanda Mahavihara an institute for the study of Pali literature & houses rare Buddhist manuscripts. Later proceed to Patna to board the flight for Delhi at 1600 hrs, assistance on arrival in Delhi at 1900 hrs, transfer to prebooked hotel, relax & overnight in Delhi.
DAY 12: DELHI – JAIPUR (259 KMS – 5 TO 6 HRS) An early breakfast at 0730 hrs is recommended so that you can start your journey to the capital city of Rajasthan by 0830 hrs. Reach Jaipur by 1400 hrs, transfer to hotel, day free to relax after the drive. Evening we will take a driving tour of Jaipur city & visiting the famous Temple of Goddess Galta also known as valleys of monkeys due to large number of monkeys found in the Temple Complex, drive pass through the Sisodia gardens & visit the Temple of Birla – made out in the best of Makrana pure white marble. Later you will be driven to Chokhi Dhani – An ethnic 5* resort with an ambiance of village though this resort is packed by locals but the fun is that you get a chance to experience Indian & specially Rajasthan culture over here with live folk dance & music, puppet shows, camel rides & also you will enjoy the tradition of eating food by seating on the ground & tasting the ethnic Rajasthan cuisine. Later transfer to your hotel for overnight in Jaipur.
DAY 13: JAIPUR Enjoy breakfast at the hotel & start your sight seeing tour of Jaipur by 0900 hrs, drive 11 kms out of the city to reach the Fort of Amber, over here you have choice of reaching the fort on Elephant Back or by open jeeps, though elephant ride is recommended because the Kings at there time use to travel on Elephant back & will give you the same feeling of the golden era visit the Amer Fort & Palace & several chambers & ancient temples in the premises of the fort. After this wonderful experience, we will drive back to the city of Jaipur to continue our sight seeing tour comprising of City Palace Complex, Hawa Mahal – the Palace on winds specially made in the honour of Royal Ladies of the bygone era to watch the processions & other festivals from here without being seen from the eyes of the local crowd. Later visit the Royal Observatory & take a peep into the markets of Jaipur known for the superior quality of Handicrafts, Arts, Gems & Jewellery. Rest of the day is kept free for individual activities, relax & overnight at the hotel in Jaipur.
DAY 14: JAIPUR – FATEHPUR SIKRI – BHARATPUR – AGRA (230 KMS – 6 HRS) After an early breakfast leave for Agra by 0830 hrs enroute enjoy bicycle rides in the National Park of Keoladeo very famous for housing more than 385 species of migratory birds, later we will drive to Agra enroute visiting the city of Fatehpur Sikri built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar but later shifted to Delhi due to scarcity of water in Fatehpur Sikri the most importance places to see in Fatehpur Sikri is Bulund Darwaza, Panch Mahal, & Shrine of Shaikh Salim Chisti. Proceed to Agra & transfer to your prebooked hotel. You have some time in your hand for getting fresh & ready to see the 7th wonder of the World – The Great Taj Mahal built by Mughal Icon Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife Queen Mumtaz. After admiring the Taj Mahal you will proceed to Agra Fort & visit its Chambers of Kings, Common Man, the prisons & also enjoy a panoramic view of the Taj Mahal from here. Later drive to Ittamuddaulahs Tomb which is also referred as mini Taj for its superb marble inlay works gifted by Mughal King Jehangir to his wife in honour of her Parents. Evening visit the Tomb of the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar at Sikandra & rest of evening is kept free to walk in the markets of Agra & exploring the skills of artisan at the Handicraft factories. Relax & overnight at hotel in Agra.
DAY 15: AGRA – DELHI (200 KMS – 4 HRS) – BACK HOME Morning free at leisure after breakfast, you can visit the markets or see the Taj Mahal optionally at the time of sun rise. Checkout in the afternoon & drive to Delhi International airport to board the flight back home.
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