Traditional India Buddhist Tours

TRADITIONAL INDIA BUDDHIST TOURS

Delhi – Patna – Nalanda – Rajgir – Bodhgaya – Varanasi – Agra – Jaipur – Delhi (10 Days)

DAY 01: ARRIVE DELHI You will be greeted on arrival at Delhi International airport by our 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 – PATNA (BY AIR) – BODHGAYA (ENROUTE RAJGIR – NALANDA) (180 KMS 5 HOURS) After an early breakfast checkout and drive to the domestic airport to board your flight IC 407 at 1125 hours for Patna. Assistance on arrival at 1255 hours at Patna Airport and directly drive to Bodhgaya, en route visit Nalanda & Rajgir 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. Lunch at a local restaurant and proceed for 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. After visit proceed to Bodhgaya, on arrival transfer to hotel, evening free to relax, overnight in Bodhgaya.

DAY 04: BODHGAYA After breakfast set out to the most important day of your pilgrimage 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 05: BODHGAYA – VARANASI (190 KMS 4 HOURS) Morning after breakfast check out and drive to Varanasi en route visit to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon to the five holy men; visit at Dharmarajika Stupa The 110 ft tall Dhamekh Stupa marks the place where Buddha preached first sermon., also visit to Archaeological museum, Ashok Pillar with 4 lions, built in 3rd Centaury BC. The four-lion capital was adopted as the emblem of the modern Indian republic. After visit continue drive to Varanasi, on arrival transfer to the hotel. 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 06: VARANASI – AGRA Early morning take a boat ride again at the time of sunrise to see the morning rituals & see devotees taking dip in the holy water of Ganges & offering prayers to sun god. After breakfast take a sightseeing tour of the city visiting the Bharat Mata temple with a big relief map of India in marble, Durga temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Banaras Hindu University. In the evening visit to the most famous temple is the Kashi Bishwanath or Golden temple which, though off-limits to non-Hindus, can be seen from the top floor of the old house opposite it, strolling in narrow lanes of the colorful bazaar of ancient city. After dinner checkout & transfer to railway station to board the train for Agra at 2230 hrs, overnight in the train.

DAY 07: AGRA Assistance on arrival in Agra Railway station at 0800 hrs, transfer to hotel. After freshen up get ready to discover 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 08: AGRA – FATEHPUR SIKRI – JAIPUR (230 KMS – 6 TO 7 HRS) Early morning an optional visit is open for you to visit to the Taj Mahal to see the Sun Rise over this great monument of love. After breakfast checkout & drive to Jaipur 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 Jaipur, on arrival transfer to hotel. Day free is kept free for getting fresh & discover few of the important places of Jaipur in the evening. 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 09: 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 10: JAIPUR – DELHI (259 KMS – 5 HRS) – BACK HOME After breakfast in the morning at your hotel, you are scheduled to drive to Delhi to proceed to next destination but an option is open for you to explore Jaipur till afternoon & checkout leisurely to reach Delhi before the flight time to board the flight back home.