Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour (Nepal-India)
Delhi - Kathmandu - Lumbini - Sarasvati - Kushinagar - Patna - Bodhgaya - Varanasi - Agra - Jaipur
- Delhi (15 Nights/ 16 Days)
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Assistance on arrival at Delhi International airport by tour representative, transfer to hotel, relax &
overnight at hotel in Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi - Kathmandu (By air at 1000 hrs / 1300 hrs)
After breakfast transfer to airport to board the flight for Kathmandu, assistance on arrival at
Kathmandu airport transfer to hotel. Relax for some time & then take a stroll around Thamel - which
was also popularly know as the Freak street in the 1970s. Evening free for individual activities,
overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 03: Kathmandu
After breakfast take a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu visiting Pashupatinath temple- the most
sacred of the Hindu temples in Nepal dedicated to lord Shiva, built in 1696. A short drive will take
you to Boudhnath- the worlds largest Stupa, having four eyes in four directions which symbolizes
watchful in all directions for the welfare of human beings. This stupa was built by king Man dev as
per the advice given by goddess Mani Jogini. It is very interesting to see the devotees chanting
prayers as they go around the stups.
Early evening visit to Swayambhunath- the oldest Buddhist shrine. Looking east from here, one can
see the entire Kathmandu valley spread out below. We continue to Kathmandu durbar square – the
temple of the Living Goddess and the old Royal Palace. Finally, visit Kasthamandup – a temple built
from a single tree from which the Kathmandu derives its name. Transfer to hotel.
Day 04: Kathmandu - Bhairawa
early Wake up, and after breakfast we drive to Bhairawa (7-8 hour 262 km west of Kathmandu and
21km ahead of Lumbini), transfer to hotel at Bhairawa. Rest of the day is free to relax, overnight in
Bhairawa.
Day 05: Bhairawa - Lumbini
In the early morning, drive to Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha, image of Maya Devi, Lord
Buddha, old monastery, ponds and pillars are interesting to see. Very recently, several Buddhist
countries have built several beautiful shrines in Lumbini. An international committee has also been
set up for the development of this sacred historical place. The visit to Lumbini, the birthplace of
Buddha, the realm of the Shakya is not only for spiritual enlightenment but also for solace and
satisfaction that one normally gets in a calm and peaceful place like it.
Day 06: Lumbini - Sonauli - Sarasvati - Balrampur
A short drive to Sonauli border, Arrival Sonauli. Pick up from Sonauli Border and transfer to
Balrampur enroute sightseeing of Saravasti - The city believed to be founded by the mythological
king Sarasvati. It 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 Bodhi tree, an
offspring of the original which is said to have been planted by Buddha's main disciple Anand.
Overnight in Balrampur.
Day 07: Balrampur / Kushinagar (216 kms. / 5 hrs)
Morning drive to Kushinagar. Arrive Kushinagar and check – in at hotel. Later visit the Rambhar
Stupa, which marks Buddha’s cremation ground. Also visit the Mahaparinirvana temple, which
houses the recumbent figure of Lord Buddha.
Day 08: Kushinagar / Patna (253 kms. / 6 hrs)
Morning drive to Patna, Arrive Patna and check – in at hotel. Afternoon city tour visiting Har Mandir
Sahib, also known as Patna Sahib, consecrates the place where the 10th Guru of the Sikhs Guru
Gobind Singh was born in 1776; Golghar – is a large dome-like structure from where one can have
a fine view of the Ganga and the surroundings of the city; Patna Museum – has a rich collection of
Mauryan and Buddhist sculptures, terracotta and other interesting items.
Day 09: Patna / Bodhgaya (109 kms. / 4.5 hrs)
Morning drive to Bodhgaya. Arrive Bodhgaya and check – in at hotel. Bodhgaya – most sacred place
for Buddhists as it has a Pepal tree under which Gautama the Buddha attained enlightenment some
2500 years back.
Day 10: Bodhgaya
Morning sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya visiting Mahabodhi Temple – depicting the various phases of
Buddha’s journey towards enlightenment, showing different aspects of his life; Bodhgaya
Archaeological Museum – houses a small collection of Buddhist sculpture from the 1st century B.C,
to the 11th century A.D; Jagannath Temple close by has a four armed statue of Shiva in black
stone.
Day 11: Bodhgaya / Varanasi (242 kms./06 hrs.)
Morning transfer to Varanasi, Arrive Varanasi and transfer to hotel visiting Sarnath enroute, an
important Buddhist pilgrimage point.
Day 12: Varanasi / Agra (Overnight Train)
Enjoy a boat ride on river Ganges. There are about hundred Ghats in the city Also visit The
Vishwanath Temple, built by the Birlas, was planned by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. The Bharat
Mata Temple houses, instead of gods and goddesses, a huge relief map in marble of the whole of
Indian subcontinent. The Tulsi Manas Temple, built in 1964, is dedicated to Lord Rama. Evening
transfer to Railway station to connect your train to the city of Taj – Agra. Overnight Train.
Day 13:Agra
In Agra: Arrive Agra in the morning , met on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon proceed
for the city sightseeing tour visiting The Taj Mahal, which is entirely made of white marble and its
walls are decorated with exquisite Pietra Dura (stone inlay) work and later visit the Red Fort- a
hilltop citadel with fabulous courtyards, fountains and gates.
Day 14: Agra / Jaipur (250 kms. 05 hrs)
Morning drive to Jaipur enroute visiting the deserted town of Fatehpur Sikri. Arrive Jaipur and check
– in at hotel. Jaipur has remained unchanged since 1727 when Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II had it
built.
Day 15: Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber Fort, situated just outside the city. It is perhaps the most beautiful
example of Rajasthani forts. You can have the unique experience of traveling on elephant back to
and from the top of the hill on which the fort is situated. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur
including, City Palace in the heart of Jaipur is known for its blend of Rajasthani and Mughal
architecture. Not far away is the Central Museum with its large collection of woodwork, Another
monument near the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, is the largest of the five observatories built by Sawai
Jai Singh. The Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds was constructed for the royal ladies to watch the
royal processions without being seen.
Day 16: Jaipur / Delhi (250 kms. 4.5 hrs) - Back Home
After breakfast checkout & drive to Delhi, on arrival transfer to hotel for wash & change, after
farewell dinner transfer to International airport to board the flight back home.