9 Day Tour

Upon arrival at Delhi International Airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred to the hotel where you will be assisted for the check in. Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning depart Delhi by flight for Varanasi after doing the orientation tour of Delhi by visiting the imposing India gate & President's House. In time transfer to airport to board the flight for Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi Airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred to the hotel where you will be assisted for the check in. In the afternoon visit Sarnath. It is at Sarnath that Lord Buddha that he disclosed the truth of life to his first five disciples. Dhamek Stupa marks the spot of the Buddha's first sermon. Here one can see Chankrama where Buddha walked in meditation. The ruins date back to the time of Emperor Ashoka, as does the lion headed pillar nearby. Evening proceed to the parking area from where we take you on Rickshaws to the Ghats to witness the Aarti Ceremony (Hindu ritual / prayer of river Ganges at Sunset). You will be passing through the crowded bazaars and galis (old part) of this ancient city, small shops illuminated with lights and witness the Aarti ceremony amidst jingling of bells, floating of diyas (traditional lamps) and chanting of mantras. Overnight stay at hotel.

Early morning proceed for boat ride at river Ganges. At dawn-the Ghats are abuzz with activity of the devotees performing their ablutions in the river or offering prayers to the rising sun and performing other religious rituals. A boat ride starting from the Dasaswamedh ghat along the Ghats gives you vantage views of these activities. Afternoon leave for Bodhgaya by surface. On arrival check in to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning breakfast at hotel and Proceed for the sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya - a religious town, revered by both the Buddhists and Hindus alike. Visit the Mahabodhi Temple, known for its Bodhi tree, Gautama attained supreme knowledge to become Buddha. The tree stands today is believed have grown from the original Pepal tree under which lord Buddha meditated. Afternoon, visit the various monasteries like Thai, Korean, Japanese and the Sri Lankan. In addition, visit the Tibetan Monastery built in the style of Tibet with slopping tiled roofs. Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast, depart by surface for Patna, en route visiting Rajgir & Nalanda. Rajgir was the capital of Magadh Empire until Ajatshatru moved to Pataliputra (Patna) in the 5th century BC. It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site since Buddha spent 12 years here, and the first Buddhist council after the Buddha attained Nirvana was held here. Visit Ajatshatru's fort, Venuvana, Swarna Bhandar, the Cyclopean wall. Visit the Peace Pagoda on chair lift. After this depart for Nalanda, which in 5th century BC, was one of the world's great Buddhist universities. Visit the remains of the brick built Great Stupa, the Archeological museum. Upon arrival in Patna check-in at your hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast at hotel, depart by surface for Kushinagar, en route visiting Vaishali. Vaishali holds an important place in the life of Lord Buddha. He visited Vaishali on three occasions. It was here that he announced his approaching Nirvana to his disciples. The famous lion pillar erected by the Emperor Ashoka to mark this portentous event still stands today. During the second great Buddhist council held at Vaishali about 100 years after Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana, a Stupa was erected to house one eighth of the enlightened urn's funeral. Also, visit the Vaishali Museum, where you will see figures, old coins and photographs of the excavations. After visit, depart by surface for Kushinagar. Arrive in Kushinagar and check-in at your hotel. Evening proceed to visit the resting place of Lord Buddha. Here at the age of 80 Buddha passed into Mahaparinirvana. Buddha was finally freed from the eternal cycle of re-birth leaving with us all the wisdom and knowledge of his remarkable life. The famous sites are Mahaparinirvana temple and Ramabhar Stupa where Buddha was cremated. Also visits the Muktabandhana Stupa built by Malla Dynasty to house Buddha's relics after the cremation. On arrival check in to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

After early breakfast at hotel, proceed to Lumbini, on this drive you will pas through the India-Nepal border and will have to undergo through immigration and security checks. Please note this will be carried on both side of the border and thus we should envisage at least one hour for facilitation here. (You can get visa for Nepal at the border itself, but must have double entry visa for India). Siddhartha the young prince who later transformed himself as Lord Buddha was born here. Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning visit to Ashoka's pillar (249 BC), a temple of Maya Devi, the ruins of an old monastery and some new stupas, then in the afternoon proceed to Sravasti where you will see the extensive ruins of this ancient city & Jetavana Monastery. On arrival check in to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

In time transfer to Airport for flight for Delhi. On arrival in Delhi you would be transferred to the international airport.