On The Tracks of Buddha

Arrive IGI airport where you be met and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight at the Hotel

Morning Breakfast at the Hotel Later Transfer flight to Patna. Arrive Patna check into your hotel. Later do an Half Day sightseeing tour of the city. Overnight at the Hote

Drive to Rajgir via Nalanda. Nalanda was a great Buddhist center over 1000 years ago. Until the monastery, school and libraries were sacked and burnt by the Muslim invaders. The famous Chinese scholar stayed Hirun Tsang stayed here for 5 years in 7th century AD and as per him at that time there were around 10,000 monks and students residing there. One can see the remains of the buildings, few of which are still intact. There is an archeological museum, which houses the sculptures and other remains found on & around the site. If time permits one can also visit an International Center to study Buddhism, which was started in 1951. After visiting Nalanda continue your drive towards Rajgir. On arrival check into your hotel and later visit Rajgir, the site where Lord Buddha held his first council after he attained Nirvana and later spent 12 years here. One can also visit a Japanese Stupa and Hot Sulfur spring nearby. Overnight at the Hotel

Drive to Bodhgaya. Upon arrival check into your hotel. Later visit Bodhgaya. It is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage center. It is in Bodhgaya that Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. The sacred Boddhee tree growing here is the direct descendent of the original Boddhee tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. The red sand stone kept under the tree is the one on which Lord Buddha sat and is known as VAJRASAN Overnight at the Hotel.

Drive to Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi and check into your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the Hotel.

Early morning Boat ride on the Holy river Ganges and later go past the cremation ghats and some very important Hindu temples. After the visit come back to hotel, have breakfast and then proceed for Sarnath which is 10 Kms from the city. It is one of the important Buddhist pilgrimage sites. This is the place where Lord Buddha came first after attaining NIRVANA and camped here and preached his first sermon. It is here that Lord Buddha revealed the Eight-Fold path for inner peace and Nirvana. Due to which later Sarnath became one of the premieres Buddhist centers. The famous Ashoka pillar with inscribed edicts is here. The most imposing structure of Sarnath is the Stupa . Originally there were two Stupas – Dharmarajika & Dhameek , which were later dismantled. Overnight at the Hotel.

Drive to Khushinagar. Upon arrival check into your hotel. Later proceed for the visit of Khushinagar. This is the place where Lord Buddha passed MAHAPARNIRVANA. Here there are lots of Stupas. Chaitayas & Viharas to see the MUKTABHANDHANA stupa which is believed to be built by Malla dynasty to preserve the relics of Lord Buddha. A smaller shrine nearby contains a “Reclining Buddha” which was brought here by a monk called Haribala from Mathura a small city near Agra. Overnight at the Hotel

Drive to Lumbani. Upon arrival check into your Hotel. Later visit Lumbani the birth place of Lord Buddha. Emperor Ashoka visited this site in 249 BC and erected an monolithic rock pillar 36 feet high to mark the birth of Sakyamuni. Inscriptions on the pillar speak of the Emperors visit. Here you can also visit an old monastery and a temple dedicated to Maya Devi the mother of Lord Buddha. Overnight at the Hotel.

Drive to Kapilvastu which is enroute to Balrampur. Kapilvastu is the place where Lord Buddha spend his early days and it is here that he witnessed the traumatic realities of human life i.e., Pain, Old age and Death. Touched by this Siddartha (original name of Lord Buddha ) set out in search of the truth. After the visit continue your drive to Balrampur. Arrive Balrampur and check into your hotel. Overnight at the Hotel

Drive to Lucknow the capital of Uttar Pardesh via Sravasti. It is an important pilgrimage site as it is here that Lord Buddha performed a great miracle and had spent meditating 25 rainy seasons. Due to this Sravasti became an important Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Continue your drive to Lucknow. Arrive Lucknow and check into your hotel. If time permits have Half Day tour of the city. Overnight at the Hotel.

Transfer to airport to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and do Half day visit of New Delhi. Late evening transfer to airport for your flight back to your home country.