Ex Kushinagar

Day 01: ARRIVE KUSHINAGAR AIRPORT

Arrival at Kushinagar Airport. Meet and greet upon arrival by Hi-5 Travels presentative and transfer to the hotel by AC Transport.

Kushinagar - one of the most significant Buddhist pilgrimage sites where Lord Gautam Buddha had attained Mahaparinirvana.

After lunch at hotel, city tour visiting Mahaparinirvana Temple where Buddha took his last breathes. Inside the temple Reclining Buddha statue lying 6.1-meter-long. Also visit Rambhar Stupa, also known as Mukutbandhan-Chaitya cremation site of Lord Buddha 1.5 Kms from Nirvana Temple.

Dinner & overnight stay at hotel.

Day 02: KUSHINAGAR - KESARIYA - VAISHALI

Morning after breakfast, drive to Vaishali (220 kms/ 05 hrs). En-route visit Kesariya Buddha stupa. The stupa is said to be the tallest and the largest Buddhist stupa in the world. It has a circumference of almost 400 feet and stands at a height of about 104 feet. The first construction of the Stupa is dated to the 3rd century BCE. The original Kesaria stupa probably dates to the time of Ashoka (circa 250 BCE). Gautama Buddha preached his last sermon before his death and host second Buddhist council.

Later proceed to Vaishali. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel.

After Lunch at hotel, proceed to visit Ashok Lion Pillar, which was built by Emperor Ashoka beside Ananda Stupa. Buddha's Relic Stupa was built by Lichchavis. World Peace Pagoda was built by Japanese monk Nipponzan Myhoji.

Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 03: VAISHALI- NALANDA- RAJGIR- BODHGAYA

Morning after breakfast, drive to Bodhgaya (215 Kms).

Enroute visit the ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara and oldest university of the World – a UNESCO World Heritage Site Renowned International Centre for Buddhist Studies. Also, visit Nalanda Museum collection of antiquities sculptures, inscription and stone images found from the excavated site.

Lunch at Rajgir hotel.

After lunch visit Gridhrakuta Hill also known as Vulture's peak, where Buddha was said to have rested after the day's preaching. Also visit Vishwa Shanti Stupa or World Peace Stupa was built by Japanese monk Fujii Guruji located at atop the Ratnagiri hills accessed by Chair Lift Aerial Ropeway. Visit Venuvana also known as Bamboo Grove was built by King Bimbisara.

Late afternoon drive to Bodhgaya. Upon arrival, check-in at hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 04: Bodhgaya

Morning after breakfast, proceed for full day tour of Bodhgaya visiting Mahabodhi Temple - UNESCO World Heritage Site and Bodhi Tree where the Buddha attained enlightenment. Also visit Sujata Village- Girl Sujata offers the rice milk bowl to Buddha and ended Sakyamuni's hard asceticism. Later, visit Burmese Temple, Thai Temple, Tibetan Monastery, Chinese Temple & many more International Monastery and Temple (Closing Time 17:00) and 80 feet statue.

After Lunch, visit to Dungeshwari Caves - here, Prince Siddhartha performed austere meditation for years and reduced himself to a skeleton. The location is very sacred among Buddhists pilgrimage as the site purified by lord himself through continuous meditation.

Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 05: BODHGAYA - VARANASI

Morning after breakfast, drive to Varanasi (250 Kms/06 hrs). Varanasi - India's holiest and world's oldest living city popularly known as Kashi, Benares or Banaras, located on the sacred Ganges River.

Upon arrival, check-in at hotel and enjoy your lunch.

After lunch, drive to Sarnath (15 Kms/ 30 minutes) – one of the four major pilgrimage destinations for Buddhists the place where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon to his five disciples after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. Also visit Dhamekh Stupa remarkable structure was built by Emperor Ashoka, Deer Park- The site of Buddha's first teachings and Archaeological Museum (Note: The museum at Sarnath is closed on Friday).

Evening witness Aarti ceremony at the Dashashwamedh Ghat - located at the banks of the holy River Ganga and near to Kashi Vishwanath Temple - Dedicated to Lord Shiva one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. After Aarti ceremony, return back to hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 06: VARANASI - SRAVASTI

Early morning boat ride at river Ganges. Later back to hotel. After breakfast, drive to Sravasti (318 Kms/07 Hrs) - capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala and holiest place for Buddhists the Buddha preached most of his sermons. They had performed many miracles during the monsoon. Arrive Sravasti and check-in at the hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 07: SRAVASTI – KAPILVASTU - LUMBINI (Nepal)

Morning after breakfast, visit Saheth (Jetvanaram) where Buddha is said to have sheltered for 24 rainy seasons. Maheth (Angulimal Caves), Anathapindika House and Ananda Bodhi Tree also known as peepal tree.

After early lunch at hotel, drive to Lumbini, enroute visit Kapilvastu Kapilvastu – The Childhood home of Gautam Buddha and spent 29 years of his life.

Later drive to Lumbini (180 Kms/05 Hrs) - UNESCO World Heritage Sites -The Birth Place of Lord Buddha. One of the holiest and significant places for Buddhists religions. Prince Siddhartha (Lord Buddha) was born on the full moon under a sal tree in the month of April. En-route stops at India/Nepal border for Visa/Immigration formalities (Ensure Double / Multiple Entry Visa for India). Upon arrival in Lumbini, check-in at the hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 08: LUMBINI - KUSHINAGAR

Morning after breakfast, visit Mayadevi Temple dedicated to mother of Lord Buddha. Inside temple marked Stone pinpoints the exact birth spot. Also visit Ashoka Pillar was built by Emperor Ashoka. Puskarini Sacred Pond in which the prince was bathed after birth and international monasteries.

After lunch drive to Kushinagar (170 Kms/05 hrs). Upon arrival, check-in at hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 09: KUSHINAGAR / DEPART

morning breakfast at hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. In-time transfer to Kushinagar Airport to board flight for onward destination.