BUDDHIST TOUR EX-VARANASI

Varanasi – Sarnath- Bodhgaya – Rajgir – Nalanda – Patna - Vaishali – Kushinagar – Lumbini – Sravasti - Varanasi

Day 01: Arrive Varanasi

Arrive Varanasi by flight. You will be meet and greet by our airport representative, traditional welcome garlanding. Transfer to hotel by AC transport. Upon arrival, check-in at hotel. Varanasi - India's holiest and world's oldest living city popularly known as Kashi, Benares or Banaras, located on the sacred Ganges River.

After some relax at hotel, proceed to 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 02: Varanasi- Sarnath -Bodh Gaya (270 Kms/ 06 hours)

Early morning boat ride at river Ganges. Later back to hotel. After breakfast, drive to 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).

Return to Hotel for Lunch.

Afternoon drive to Bodhgaya (270 kms/06 hrs drive) - one of the most important Buddhists pilgrimage sites where Buddha attained Enlightenment underneath the Mahabodi tree. Upon arrival, check-in at hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 03: 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 04: Bodhgaya - Rajgir – Nalanda – Patna

Morning after breakfast at hotel, drive to Rajgir. Upon arrival 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.

After lunch at hotel, drive to Nalanda approx. 15 Kms / 30 minutes’ drive. 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. Late afternoon drive to Patna approx. 90 Kms/02 Hrs drive. Upon arrival in Patna, check-in at the hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 05: Patna - Vaishali – Kushinagar (260 Kms/ 07 Hrs)

Morning after breakfast at hotel, drive to Kushinagar (approx. 260 kms/07 Hrs drive) - one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites where Gautam Buddha had Mahaparinirvana. En-route visiting Vaishali (50 Kms), Ashok Lion Pillar 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. En-route visit Kesariya Stupa -The largest Buddhist stupa in the world. Lunch at Local Restaurant later proceed to Kushinagar. Upon arrival in check-in at the hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 06: Kushinagar – Lumbini (180 Kms / 05 Hrs)

Morning after breakfast, visit Mahaparinirvana Temple where Buddha took his last breathes. Inside the temple Reclining Buddha statue lying 6.1-meter-long. Rambhar Stupa is also known as Mukutbandhan-Chaitya cremation site of Lord Buddha 1.5 Kms from Nirvana Temple.

After lunch 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. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 07: Lumbini – Kapilvastu - Sravasti (200 Kms/ 06 Hrs)

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.

Early Lunch at hotel. Later drive to Kapilavastu – The Childhood Home of Gautam Buddha and spent 29 years of his life.

Later drive to Sravasti - 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 08: Sravasti – Varanasi (370 kms / 9 hrs drive)

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.

Early lunch at hotel. Later, drive to Varanasi. Upon arrival check-in at hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 09: Varanasi

morning after breakfast, transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.