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Trail of Buddha
12 Days /13 Nights
Delhi – Agra – Varanasi – Bodhgaya – Rajgir –Nalanda –
Patna – Vaishali – Kushinagar
Lumbani –
Balrampur/Sravasti – Lucknow - Delhi
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01 Arrive in Delhi
Arrive Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. Meet & Greet at the airport by Recreation Travel’s representatives. Escorted transfer to your hotel by air-conditioned vehicle.
Delhi stands as the capital of Modern India. Here you can see the mingling of the Old and New India, the ancient and the modern. Delhi is made up of seven ancient cities, spanning the period from the 11th to 20th centuries. Delhi has seen the rise and fall of many emperors, which have left behind a plethora of monuments that commemorate the grandeur and glory of bygone ages.
Day 02 Old & New Delhi
After Breakfast Proceed to the Old Delhi tour was an ancient walled city. Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1650 switched the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Here you will see Red Fort, the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire. The fort is Shah Jehan's symbol of power and elegance, built behind red sandstone walls. Also visit Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi; Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India;
New Delhi was designed and built by the British in the 1920's-it's a city of wide boulevards impressive Government buildings, green parks and gardens. In 1911 King George V announced the transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi. Your drive takes you along the ceremonial avenue, past the imposing India Gate and Parliament House & President House. You will visit the monuments Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar. Overnight stay.
Day 03 Delhi – Agra 200 kms /4-½ hrs
Today morning drive to Agra. Later visit to Agra Fort – built by the great Emperor Akbar in 1565 A.D., the fort is a masterpiece of design and construction. Within the fort are a number of exquisite buildings, including the Moti Masjid, Diwane-I-Am, Diwane-I-Khas and Musamman Burj, where the Emperor Shah Jahan died in imprisonment, besides Jahangir’s Palace, Khaas Mahal and the Sheesh Mahal. Itmad-ud-Daulah built by Empress Noor Jehan in the memory of Her Father.
Taj Mahal 7 wonder of the world
Enjoy the Magnificent Taj Mahal – The Monument of Love in the warm glow of Sunset, which was built in 1630 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631, and is believed to have taken 18 years to complete, with over 20,000 craftsmen working around the clock. The design and construction is said to be that of the legendary architect, Ustad Ahamad Lahori. Legend has it that once construction was completed, Shah Jehan had Lahori's hands cut off, and blinded, so he would never be able to duplicate the structure. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day. It is impossible to visualize the Taj Mahal in any surrounding others than its paradoxical garden. Paradise, As you drive through the city witness the local life and bazaars (markets) and the hustle bustle of everyday India. Agra is famous for Marble Items.
Day 04 Agra – Fatehpur Sikri - Varanasi
After breakfast visit to Fatehpur Sikri - the deserted red sandstone city that was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital. Ponder the mysterious desertion of this capital city that was dramatically abandoned a few years after it was built. It was a veritable fairy tale city and its 'ruins' are still in a pristine condition. Later in the evening transfer to station to board the train. Overnight Train Journey.
Day 05 Arrive Varanasi
Morning arrive Varanasi meet and greet and transfer to hotel. Later return excursion to Sarnath – 10 kms from the holy
city of Varanasi, is the blessed locale where more than 2,500 years ago Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon, after attaining
Nirvana. The five disciples who had followed him were surprised to see the mesmerizing glowing countenance of Buddha, who convinced them
and delivered his first sermon before them, now termed Dharmachakra Pravartan. This set in most in the great Buddhist tradition of the
Sangha, for popularizing the teachings of the great ascetic, world-wide. Gautam Buddha with his five disciples formed the first Sangha
alogwith Yasa of Varanasi and his 54 friends. The beginning of the celebrated Mantra, “Buddham Sharanam Gachhami” owes its origin to
Sarnath.
The three jewels “I go for refuge to the Buddha, I go for refuge to the Wheel of Law, I go for refuge to the Sangha” first laid down
here, have remained unchanged ever since. Hence rightly, every Buddhist Pilgrim after Bodhgaya, endeavors to be blessed with a visit to
Sarnath in his lifetime
Evening watch “aarti” on the River Ganges. Ganga Aarti can watch at Dashawedh Ghat from 6:45 pm for One and Half hours. Overnight stay
Day 06 Varanasi – Bodhgaya 242 kms 5-½ hrs
Early Morning Visit some of the Hindu Temples that line the river Gangas & Boat excursion on the Holy River Gangas to see the Bathing ghats and crimination sites. Watching people bathing and worshiping at the ghats is one of the most extraordinary experiences of a visit to India. Later drive to Bodhgaya en route visit the Mahabodhi Temple. Upon arrival check in hotel.
Day 07 Bodhgaya -Nalanda –Rajgir – Patna 198 kms/4-½ hrs
Morning drive to Patna en route visit Rajgir – was the ancient capital of the Magadh Kings. Buddha often came here. Rajgir is an important place of pilgrimage for Hindus as the temple complex here is to the Sun God. Visit Venu-Vana (the famous Bamboo Garden), where Lord Buddha took the first refuge after coming to Rajgir. Later visit to Nalanda – the centre of one of the oldest known universities of the world, its ruins show that over 2000 teachers and 10000 students from all over the Buddhist world lived and studied here. An international centre for Buddhist studies also functions here. Arrive Patna & check in hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 08 Patna - Vaishali – Kushinagar 253 kms
Morning drive to Kushinagar via visit to Vaishali – believed to be the first republic of the world, having an elected body of representatives holds special significance for Buddhist devotes. At Kolhua, lord Buddha delivered his last sermon, hinting at his impending departure from the mortal world. Later Emperor Ashoka erected a huge Pillar to commemorate the spot of the last sermon. Later drive to Kushinagar. Upon arrival check in hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 09 Kushinagar – Lumbani 175 kms
Morning visit the Kushinagar – earlier known as Kushinagar, it is believed that Buddha attained ‘Mahaparinirvana’
(release from the endless cycle of birth and rebirth) here. The statue of the reclining Buddha at the temple is one of the most sacred
sights for the pilgrim and a mound of bricks marks the place where Buddha is said to have been cremated. Arrive Lumbini – the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha. He renounced riches in favor of seeking peace and enlightenment as Gautam Buddha. Here is the seat of Buddhism, a religion that blossomed and spread across the world. Sight seeing of Lumbini (kapilvastu the birth place of Lord Buddha).Overnight stay
Day 10 Lumbani – Balrampur – Sravasti 233 Kms
After breakfast drive to Sravasti en route visit to Balrampur (29 kms from Sravasti) – an important Buddhist pilgrim centre nestling near the foothills of the Himalayas. The Buddhist circuit road passes through, enabling pilgrims to walk in the footprints of the enlightened one, overnight in the hotel
Day 11 Sravasti - Lucknow 153 KMS
Sravasti – the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala has the honour for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana Gardens. Also known as Sahet – Mahet, are two different sit’s the main one being Sahet and about 500 meters away is located Mahet. The city believed to be founded by the mythological king Sravasti, 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 Budhi tree, an offspring of the one said to have been planted by Buddha’s main disciple Anand. Sightseeing of Sahet & Mahet.
After sightseeing drive to Lucknow Station to board the Shatabdi Express at 15:35 hrs for Delhi. Arrive at Delhi at 22:10 hrs. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 12 Delhi – Onward Destination
Today Say good-bye to this fascinating Land with sweet and memorable memories. Transfer to Indira Gandhi International airport to board the for onward Destination/ Hometown
Inclusion & Highlights
Accommodation- 10 Nights Accommodation on sharing basis in ¾ star good hotels having all possible modern facilities.
- Inclusive of all Hotel Taxes.
Dinning
- Daily full Buffet Breakfast at hotel restaurant
- Daily full Breakfast at Hotel restaurant
- Inclusive of Taxes.
Transportation
- All transfers by Air conditioned car.
- All Sight seeing and excursions by Air conditioned car.
- Services of Local English Speaking Guides.
- A/C Chair Car Train Fair Delhi to Lucknow
- Air Fair Varanasi – Delhi
- All State taxes & Parking Charges.
- All monument entry & Boat ride fees wherever applicable.
Tour Highlights
- Comprehensive tour of Trail of Buddha
- Aarti ceremony at Varanasi
- Morning boat cruise to Ganges
- Visit to Sarnath and other sites of Buddha
- Visit Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya
- Stand in front of Taj Mahal
- Visit Ghost City of Fatehpur Sikri
- Drive pass though the Rajpath
Price Excludes
Video & Still Camera, Laundry, Insurance, Tips, Hard drinks, Bear, Telephone Calls and Expenses like Personal Nature.
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