Buddhist Circuit Tours
Destinations Covered: Bodh Gaya - Dungeshwari Caves - Kesariya - Vaishali RajgirNalanda
Kushinagar
Sarnath
Varanasi
Buddhist Circuit Tour Duration: 08 Nights / 09 Days
Buddhist Circuit Tour India –
Several religions of the world have
their origins in India. Apart from
Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and
Sikhism were born here. Buddhism
has transcended India's boundaries
and taken root in East, South and
South East Asia. Gautam Buddha,
born a prince in Lumbini set out
towards India in search of the
questions that troubled him about
life and suffering. His penance and
meditation for years showed him the
path to 'nirvana'. After achieving
enlightenment,
he
set
about
preaching and sermonizing on the
middle path to salvation, till he left
for his heavenly abode from
Kushinagar.
On this guided tour, let's re-trace the steps of the Buddha from the place where he
meditated, to where he attained enlightenment, to where he gave his first sermon,
to where he donated his begging bowl before his death, and finally, to where he
breathed his last.
Day 01: Gaya/Bodh Gaya
Arrive in Gaya.
Drive
to
Bodh
Gaya
13
km
and
check
into
hotel.
Take a sightseeing tour of this holy seat of the Buddhist religion.
Here is where Gautam Buddha achieved enlightenment while meditating under a
bodhi tree. There is a serene temple here, as well as the offshoot of the tree that
offered shade to Buddha. The original tree was destroyed by Emperor Ashoka's
queen, but a sapling of it was saved in time and planted in Sri Lanka by his
daughter. A sapling of that tree was brought back to Bodh Gaya, which still stands
to tell this tale.
A number of Buddhist nations like Thailand, Japan and Burma have set up
monasteries and meditation centres in Bodh Gaya. Some of these include: the
Indosan Nipponji temple, the Thai monastery, the Tibetan Karma Temple and
Namgyal Monastery, and others by the Chinese, Burmese, Bhutanese, Vietnamese,
Tamang,
Daijokyo
and
Nepali
Buddhist
communities.
During October and March, monks from Dharamsala descend to Bodh Gaya. The
Dalai Lama pays a visit here too during December and January.
The Mahabodhi temple is a World Heritage site, built adjacent to the site of
enlightenment in the 6th century AD. The temple was attacked and plundered by
Muslim invaders in the 11th century and re-built several times.
Return to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 02: Bodh Gaya - Dungeshwari Caves – Gaya
After
breakfast,
proceed
to
Dungeshwari
cave
temples,
13
km.
Here Buddha spent years of penance before attaining 'nirvana' or enlightenment.
After lunch, return to Gaya to visit the Brahmajuni Hill, believed to be the site of
Buddha's fire sermon. There is a cave and a temple on the hill top.
Return to hotel for night stay.
Day 03: Bodh Gaya – Rajgir
After
breakfast,
depart
for
Rajgir,
70
km,
2
hrs
by
road.
Arrive
in
Rajgir
and
check
into
hotel.
Rajgir was the capital of the Magadha kingdom and is a pilgrimage for Jains and
Hindus as well. The Japanese Buddhists have built the massive Vishwashanti
Stupa on the Ratnagiri Hill which can be accessed by a chairlift. The stupa has
statues of Buddha at the four stages of his life - birth, enlightenment, teaching and
death. From the hill top, the Jain shrines can also be viewed, scattered across 26
distant hills. Griddhakuta, located on Ratnagiri Hill is another site where Budhha
stopped by to preach.
Return to hotel for night stay.
Day 04: Rajgir – Nalanda
After
breakfast,
proceed
to
Nalanda,
12
km.
Spread over 14 hectares, the Nalanda University Ruins Archaeological Complex is
set amidst expansive lawns which offset the spectacular layout and carvings of this
ancient university. The monasteries and the viharas are separated by a central
valley. Interesting structures to look out for include: steps leading up to perhaps a
dais for professors and stupas with images of the Buddha carved in.
According to the Chinese traveler Xuan Zang who also taught at the university
during 685 and 762 AD, 10,000 monks and professors resided here at the time.
After the walk around the ruins, visit the Xuan Zang Memorial Hall, a Chinese
pagoda
built
by
Chinese
Buddhists.
Return to Rajgir hotel for night stay.
Day 05: Rajgir – Patna
After breakfast, proceed to Patna by road,
80
km.
Arrive in Patna and check into hotel.
Patna is Bihar's capital city and can be
used as a base to visit the Buddhist sites
of Vaishali and Kesariya. It also rests on
its ancient past as Pataliputra, the capital
of the various dynasties that ruled over
the
region.
After lunch, take a local sightseeing tour
of Patna. This would include: Golghar
(built as a granary), Gandhi Museum,
Patna Museum, Har Mandir Takht, Qila
House or Jalan Museum with some really rare relics like Napolean's bed and Marie
Antoinette's porcelain; and the ruins of Pataliputra.
Return to hotel for night stay.
Day 06: Patna - Vaishali – Kesariya
After
an
early
breakfast,
depart
for
Vaishali,
44
km.
This is where Buddha preached his last sermon. The ruins of the Kolhua complex
enclose the 2300 year old Ashoka pillar. A Japanese Peace Pagoda has also been
built
here.
After
lunch,
proceed
to
Kesariya,
70
km.
Kesariya marks the site where Buddha gave away his begging bowl before his
death. A massive Buddhist stupa built during the rule of the Pala kings is being
excavated here. Return to Patna for overnight stay.
Day 07: Patna - Kushinagar – Gorakhpur
After breakfast, depart for Kushinagar, 220 km by road. Or else, you can take the
train to Gorakhpur and drive 55 km from there to this historic town.
Arrive
in
Gorakhpur
and
check
into
hotel.
Buddha breathed his last here, leaving a message for all mankind to find their
salvation. Several monuments built by devotees from across the world have built
monuments on this holy site along the Buddha Marg. These include: Vietnam's
Linh Son Buddhists temple, meditation centre and gardens, the Burmese
Mahasukhamdadacham Thargyi Pagoda, the Mahaparinirvan Temple with a
tranquil and reclining Buddha and the Matahkuar temple, the Japanese - Sri
Lanka temple and the Wat Thai temple. The Ramabhar Stupa, or the
Mukutbandhan
Stupa
is
the
site
Return to Gorakhpur for overnight stay.
of
the
cremation
of
Buddha.
Day 08: Gorakhpur – Sarnath
Depart in time for train to Varanasi which is 5 ½ hrs from Gorakhpur.
Arrive
in
Varanasi
and
check
into
hotel.
Take
a
short
break
before
heading
to
Sarnath,
10
km.
At Sarnath, Buddha gave his first sermon to a small band of followers after
attaining nirvana. Emperor Ashoka had monastaries and stupas built here which
were destroyed by Muslim invaders in later years. Some remains were discovered
by British archaeologists in 1835. Sarnath is one of the four main sites of the
Budddhist religion, the others being Bodhgaya, Kushinagar and Lumbini in Nepal.
Return to Varanasi for night stay.
Day 09: Varanasi - Delhi/Mumbai/Onward Destination
After breakfast, take a tour of this holiest of cities for the Hindus. The River Ganga
is the lifeline of the city, and all spiritual and religious activities are performed
along its banks.
Take a cruise along the river between the Dasaswamedh Ghat and Harishchandra
Ghat and visit the temples.
Participate in or observe the "Ganga aarti" in the evening, a spiritually uplifting
experience
in
which
the
holy
river
is
paid
homage.
Take the evening flight out to Delhi or your preferred destination.
Tour Ends.
Buddhist Circuit Tour with Taj Mahal
Duration : 9 Nights / 10 Days
Destinations Covered : Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Varanasi - Bodhgaya - Vaishali Kushinagar - Lumbini - Kapilvastu - Sravasti - Balrampur - Lucknow
Day - 1 -- » Arrive Delhi
On arrival you will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel where we
will be holding rooms on ready occupancy basis, and as you step into the hotel you
will be having the first experience of Indian warmth & hospitality, elegant ladies in
traditional local costumes greet you with garlands and perform the "aarti"
ceremony. After having your forehead anointed with the traditional red "Tikka",
relax with a non – alcoholic welcome drink. Rest of the night to be spent at hotel.
Day - 2 -- » Delhi
n the morning have your breakfast and be ready to
explore the capital of kingdoms and empires. Now
a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of
the past & present. In the first half of sightseeing
trip you will visit Qutub minar, Humayun Tomb,
India gate, drive past parliament area &
Government buildings. Have your lunch, and relax
rest of the day. Overnight to be spent at hotel.
Day - 3 -- » Delhi – Agra
Today morning we will, after a wake up call, commence drive to Agra enroute
visiting Sikandara. On arrival "Chobedars" (gate keepers) usher guests to the Lobby
of the hotel where Hostess clad in silken flowing dresses welcome the guests with
flowers and "ittar" (perfume) in traditional style. After check in, a few hours to relax
and lunch. In the afternoon visit Red Fort, The Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula’s and shop
for some time.
In the evening we have for you A Magical Mughal night : where guests with
traditional "Pagris" (turbans) and " Chunnis" (scarfs) are welcomed with a shower of
rose petals and "ittar" (perfume). Traditionally attired attendants serve a
sumptuous meal in Silver Thalis (plates) on "bajot" (low tables) to guests seated on
mattress. Overnight at hotel.
Day - 4 -- » Agra
At dawn you will be taken to enjoy the spectacular view of the Majestic Taj Mahal,
also enjoy typical ride at Rickshaw upto Taj Mahal. Visit local Bazaar (market)
where you have collections of spectacular work on marble. In the evening we will
organize for you a Village fair Theme : A village setting is created with bamboo huts,
benches and stalls, villagers mingle with guests and display their traditional skills
such as doll making, puppet making, pottery "pichwai" paintings and other crafts.
Entertainments with Monkey show, a palmist, a snake charmer and a performance
with dummy horse dancers and singers. Overnight to be spent at hotel.
Day
5
-»
Agra
Jaipur
This morning we will proceed further to Jaipur
enroute visiting old deserted town of Fatehpur
Sikri. Upon arrival check in into hotel where we
have for you Maharaja’s welcome, a stunning
tableau of decorated camels and Elephants unfolds
before you on the lawns of the palace-hotel. Ladies
in Rajasthani costumes perform the traditional
garlanding, "aarti" and "tikka" ceremonies while
the music of the Shehnai welcomes you, afterwards
relax with welcome drink. Afternoon is kept
purposely free so as to provide you with some time
to walk around and have a feeling of city
atmosphere which by itself is simply fabulous. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day - 6 -- » Jaipur
After breakfast an excursion to Amer Fort where sheer pleasure of a joy ride on an
Elephant is there for you. Explore the majestic fort on the back of Elephant. In the
afternoon enjoy half day city tour covering Hawa Mahal, Royal Observatory, Nawab
Sahab – Ki - Haveli, City Palace, Johari Bazaar In the evening we have for you
RAJPUT WEDDING: a traditional Rajput Wedding where the group members
participate as the "baraat" (the bridegroom’s family and friends who form the
wedding party) A festive buffet meal, music folk dances and a few rituals would be
performed
during
the
party.
Overnight
at
hotel.
Day - 7 -- » Jaipur – Samode
After breakfast we will depart for Samode, on entering the village decorated camels
are awaiting there, your access to the palace would be on the carts along with local
musicians and amidst cobbled streets of the village. On arrival in the fully lit palace
you will receive a traditional welcome by village elders garlanding them and the
village belles full of local attire showering rose petals at the group. Check into hotel.
Relax for some time and then join Cocktail arranged at Sheesh Mahal and the
cultural extravaganza at Durbar hall. Have your dinner being served while local
dancers and musicians entertain and spend your night at hotel.
Day - 8 -- » Samode – Mandawa
Morning free at the palace or walk up to the fort.
Enjoy camel ride to explore the rural lifestyle. Later
in the day drive to Mandawa. Check into the desert
Resort. Traditional welcome and check in into
hotel. Evening enjoy Gala bar-be-cue with camp
fire and pegs, to add to dimensions of the starry
night there will be sweet music played by the
desert dwellers. A totally unforgettable experience.
Overnight
to
be
spent
at
hotel.
Day - 9 -- » Mandawa – Delhi
Morning visit havelis & beautiful frescoes, an overview of Thar desert would simply
add to your joy. Drive back to Delhi. On arrival check in into hotel. Overnight at
hotel.
Day - 10 -- » Delhi
Have your breakfast, check out from the hotel and take a short trip to Old Delhi
covering Jama Masjid, Red fort, Gandhi memorial, shopping etc. Then drive to a
country side farm in the evening on the outskirts of Delhi for a gala farewell dinner
along the poolside. Later transfer to International Airport for flight back home.