BUDDHIST TOUR WITH GOLDEN TRIANGLE

DURATION : DURATION: 10 NIGHTS / 11 DAYS

Places Covered: Delhi – Jaipur – Agra – Varanasi – Bodhgaya – Patna – Kushinagar – Lumbini – Delhi

Day-01: Arrival in Delhi

Reach Delhi and our representative will guide you towards a hotel for check in. Spend the night over there.

Day-02: Delhi

Enjoy the breakfast in the morning and head for sightseeing tour to old and New parts of Delhi while visiting the Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi was cremated here), Humayun’s Tomb, Lotus Temple, Rashtrapati Bhawan (house of the President of India), War Memorial Arch India Gate and Qutub Minar.

Qutub Minar:

In the hotel, you will have breakfast and then head towards Jaipur by driving. After reaching there, you will proceed towards sightseeing in Jaipur encompassing a variety of locations which include the famous Hawa Mahal, Temple of Laxmi Narayan, City Palace and Museum, Jantar Mantar observatory and Albert Hall. Spend the overnight in the hotel.

Raj Ghat:

Raj Ghat On the bank of the legendary Yamuna, which flows past New Delhi, there is Raj Ghat-the last resting place of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation.

Lotus Temple:

Completed in 1986, the Bahai temple is set amidst pools and gardens. Adherents of any faith are free to visit the temple and pray or meditate silently according to their own religion. The structure is in lotus shape so it often called the lotus temple.

Humayun’s Tomb:

Humayun’s wife Haji Begum built his Tomb nine years after his death. Designed by a Persian architect named Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, and completed in 1565.

India Gate:

A memorial inscribed with the names of the valiant Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in World War I. The green, velvety lawns at India Gate, particularly, are a popular evening and holiday rendezvous for young and old alike.

Rashtrapati Bhawan:

Modern New Delhi or New Delhi as it is called, centers around the Rashtrapati Bhawan. It is architecturally a very impressive building standing at a height, flowing down as it were to India Gate. This stretch called the Rajpath is where the Republic Day parade is held.

Stay overnight in the hotel.

Day-03: Delhi – Jaipur

Have breakfast at the hotel. Later, check out and drive to Jaipur. On arrival, check into the hotel. Later, proceed for the guided sightseeing of Jaipur including:

City Palace and Museum:

In the heart of the old city is former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles. The carved arches are supported by Grey-white marble columns ornate with floral motifs in gold and colored stones. Two carved elephants in marble guard the entrance. The retainers whose families have served generations of rulers serve as guides. The palace houses a museum with a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armory of Mughals and Rajputs. The palace also has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit.

Albert Hall:

Located in the middle of Ram Niwas Garden, Jaipur, Albert Hall was built to commemorate and honors the visit of Prince of Wales to Jaipur. Designed in Indo-Sarcenic style, the hall was completed in 1876. It was opened in 1887 as a public museum.

Hawa Mahal:

The Hawa Mahal, or the “Palace of Wind” built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 A.D. was characterized by elaborate and fanciful architecture.

Laxmi Narayan Temple:

Built of white marble, a few years back by the B.M. Birla foundation.

Jantar Mantar Observatory:

It is a stone observatory and the largest of Jai Singh’s five remarkable observatories. Its complex instruments, whose setting and shapes are scientifically designed, represent the high points of medieval Indian astronomy. Stay overnight in the hotel.

Day-04: Jaipur – Agra – Varanasi

After having breakfast in the hotel, you will drive towards and Agra but also visit numerous places in between like Fatehpur Sikri also called Abandoned City, world renowned Taj Mahal, Fort of Agra, Tomb of Sikandra and Itmad-Ud-Daulah. Later, board the train heading Varanasi and travel overnight.

Fatehpur Sikri:

Imposing gateways and light-hearted palaces were built in red sandstone within this fortified city only to be abandoned a few years later. Among its many architectural gems are the places for his queens – Jodha Bai, Mariyam and his Turkish sultana, built in varying styles, each perfect in itself. Arrive in Agra to proceed for the guided sightseeing including.

Taj Mahal:

It is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A pristine monument of undying love was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal.

Agra Fort:

Built by the great Emperor Akbar in 1565 A.D. the fort is a masterpiece of design and construction.

Sikandra’s Tomb:

The last resting place of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Akbar was the greatest of the Mughal emperors and one of the most secular minded royalties of his time.

Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb:

To the north of the fort and across the river Yamuna are several fine examples of Mughal architecture. The Itmad -Ud -Daula as a by the Empress Noor Jehan as a memorial to her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg, is beautifully ornamented with pietra dura inlay and lattice work marble screens.

In the evening, go to the railway station to board the train for Varanasi. Stay overnight in the hotel.

Day-05: Varanasi

After reaching the Railway station of Varanasi, get guided by our representative for checking into a hotel. Then, take the tour of Sarnath (Lord Buddha gave his first oration over here) and Holy Hindu city of Varanasi. Spend the overnight here.

Sarnath:

It is the place where the Buddha preached his first sermon in the Deer Park, contains the most impressive remains, as well as a modern temple. Take the tremendous view of “Aarti” ceremony on the Ghats in the evening.

Varanasi:

One of the oldest living cities in the world, contemporary of Thebes and Babylon. It is also one of the holiest Hindu cities and still thriving on its religious past. Stay overnight in the hotel.

Day-06: Varanasi – Bodhgaya

Tour the revered Bodhgaya after having breakfast in the hotel. You can view the sacred Bodhi tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment and also take the tour in Temple of Mahabodhi, Sujata Village and River of Niranjana.

Bodhgaya:

As the place of the Buddha’s Enlightenment, Bodhgaya is the spiritual home of Buddhists. Bodhgaya situated near the river Niranjana, is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centers since it was here that Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Later proceed for the guided sightseeing including Mahabodhi Temple, Niranjana River, and Sujata Village. Stay overnight in the hotel.

Day-07: Bodhgaya – Ragjir – Nalanda – Patna

Enjoy your breakfast and then, head towards Rajgir or the House of Royalty, Hills of Gridhakut, Vishwa Shanti Stupa, University of Nalanda, the archeological museum of Nalanda and so on. Reaching Patna, check into a hotel and spend the overnight there.

Rajgir:

It is also known as Rajgriha (the House of Royalty), is one of the most important Buddhist destinations of the world. The Buddha spent many years in Rajgir and delivered some of the most important discourses here. In Rajgir, visit the Gridhkut Hill and Vishwa Shanti Stupa among other attractions.

Nalanda:

It is famous for its ancient 5th century AD Buddhist University and Library. It was the first residential international university of the world with strength of 2,000 teachers and 10,000 monks’ students from all over the Buddhist world. In Nalanda, visit the ruins of Nalanda University and Nalanda Archaeological Museum. On arrival, check into the Hotel and stay overnight.

Day-08: Patna – Vaishali – Kushinagar

After having breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive towards Kushinagar via visiting the Village of Vaishali and also view the Ashokan Pillar as well as Shanti Stupa there. Reach Kushinagar and check into a hotel for resting overnight.
Vaishali:

It was one of the important Buddhist destinations in ancient India. The Buddha preached his last sermon and proclaimed of his Parinirvana, near Vaishali. It was the venue of the 2nd Buddhist Council, which was held almost after 100 years of Buddha’s parinirvana (passing away). In Vaishali, visit the Ashokan Pillar and Shanti Stupa.

After arrival at Kushinagar, get transported to the hotel and stay overnight.

Day-09: Kushinagar – Lumbini

Post breakfast, head towards the Temple of Mahaparinirvana and the Stupas for sightseeing tour. Drive to Lumbini and after getting there, check into a hotel.

Lumbini:

The birthplace of Lord Buddha. In the evening, sightseeing tour of Lumbini including a visit to the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Stay overnight in the hotel.

Day-10: Lumbini – Sravasti – Lucknow – Delhi

Leave for Sravasti after having breakfast in the hotel. It was Kosala Mahajanapada’s capital. From there, you will head towards Delhi and get guided by our representative to check into a hotel and spend overnight there.

Sravasti:

The capital of Kosala Mahajanapada was the biggest town in the Gangetic plains during the Buddha’s lifetime. Sravasti was host to the Master for 25 years during the annual Vassavasa (rain retreat) when the Sangha congregated in one place. On arrival at Lucknow you will be transported to the airport to connect the flight for Delhi. On arrival at Delhi, our representative will meet and assist you at the airport. Later, transfer to and check into the hotel. Stay overnight in the hotel.

Day-11: Delhi

Transport to the international airport to board the flight for onward destination.