“Take refuge in Buddha”
- Duration: 11 Nights/ 12 Days
- Major Attractions:Places related with life of Lord Buddha, Varanasi, River Ganges, Ancient and historical sites
- Destination Covered:Delhi, Lucknow, Shravasti, Lumbini, Kushinagar, Vaishali, Nalanda, Rajgir, Bodhgaya, Varanasi, Sarnath
Itinerary Details
Day 01 – Delhi-Arrival
Welcome at Delhi Airport Transfer to the hotel
Arrive at Delhi international airport, you will be received by the representative of HTOI and would be further assisted & transferred to your hotel.
Day 02 – Delhi-Lucknow
Train to Lucknow (06 HRS) Transfer from station to the hotelSightseeing Tour of Lucknow
In the morning, you would be transferred to railway station to board the prestigious Express train to Lucknow (the capital city of Uttar Pradesh). On arrival at Lucknow, transfer to the hotel. Later take a guided tour of Bara Immambara, Chhota Immambara, Rumi Darwaza, Jama Masjid and few other attractions of the town.
Day 03 – Lucknow-Shravasti
Drive to Shravasti (04 HRS)
After having breakfast, you would be transferred to Shravasti – it was the capital of ancient Kosala dynasty and is very auspicious place for Buddhists as here Lord Buddha executed the greatest among his miracles confounding the Tirthika heretics. Chinese traveller Hiuen-Tsang had mentioned about Shravasti and its Ashokan pillars. Arrive at Shravasti, check in to the hotel. Later take a tour of Saheth-Maheth – the ruins which prove the prosperity of ancient Shravasti, Jetavana Monastery, ruins of Anandakuti and Gandhakuti, Pakki Kuti, Temples and Monasteries of Sri Lanka, China, Myanmar and Thailand and Jain Temple. Also visit Sobhanath Temple – it is considered as the birthplace of Sambhavnath the Jain Tirthankar.
Day 04 – Shravasti-Kapilvastu-Lumbini
Drive to Lumbini (03 HRS)
In the morning drive to Lumbini – the birth place of Lord Buddha visiting Kapilvastu on the way. Kapilvastu is the place where Lord Buddha spent his childhood days and the archaeological sites which are linked with Buddha. Kapilvastu was the capital of Shakya kingdom and prince Siddhartha was born in this clan. On arrival at Lumbini, check-in the hotel. Later visit the birth place of Lord Buddha. The prime attractions of Lumbini are the Maya Devi Temple, the Sacred Garden and the Ashokan Pillar – that was erected by Mighty Emperor Ashoka the great in 249 BC.
Day 05 – Lumbini-Kushinagar
Drive to Kushinagar (04 HRS)
Have breakfast and transfer to Kushinagar – it is the place where Lord Buddha attained Maharparinivana. It was also the capital city of ancient Malla kingdom. Kushinagar was one of popular 16th Maharanapads in ancient India. The travellers from China, Fa-Hien and Hiuen-Tsang had mentioned in their travelogues about Kushinagar. On arrival at Kushinagar, transfer to the hotel. Later take a sightseeing tour of Wattthai Temple – an example of Buddhist architecture, Nirvana Stupa exposed in 1876, Maharparinivana Temple, Mathakuar Shrine, Ramabhar Stupa and Chinese & Japanese temple and Government Buddha Museum.
Day 06 – Kushinagar-Vaishali-Patna
Kushinagar to Vaishali (05 HRS) Vaishali to Patna (01 HR)
Today proceed further to Patna visiting en-route Vaishali – here Lord Buddha delivered his last sermon and announced his implanting ‘Nirvana’. Vaishali is also birthplace of Lord Mahavira – the Jain Guru hence it is a Jain pilgrimage too. Finally arrive at Patna (the capital of Bihar), transfer to the hotel. Patna has a very important place in Indian history previously known as Pataliputra. It had a magnificent survival for more than a millennium and had been the capital for the great Indian dynasties like Nanda, Maurya, Sunga and Gupta.
Day 07 – Patna-Rajgir-Nalanda-Bodhgaya
Patna to Rajgir/ Nalanda (02 HRS Drive)Rajgir to Bodhgaya (02 HRS Drive)
In the morning depart Patna for Bodhgaya – here Lord Buddha attained the supreme enlightenment (An UNESCO World Heritage Site) en-route visiting Nalanda – the great Buddhist University, the Great Stupa & Archaeological Museum and Rajgir – respected site of Buddha’s sermons. Rajgir is the place where first Buddhist council was held. Arrive in Bodhgaya, transfer to your hotel.
Day 08 – Bodhgaya
Sightseeing Tour of Bodhgaya
Today take a tour of Mahabodhi Temple – here the Buddha gained the enlightenment and is one of the most sacred pilgrimage places for the Buddhists. Also visit Bodhi tree – it is believed that under this Banyan tree prince Siddhartha became Buddha. It is considered that this tree is in existence since the time of Buddha.
Day 09 – Bodhgaya-Varanasi
Drive to Varanasi (05 HRS)
Today, drive to Varanasi – one of the oldest living cities in the world. Arrive Varanasi, transfer to the hotel. Later visit one of the many Ghats of Varanasi to witness the evening Aarti – an unforgettable experience.
Day 10 – Varanasi-Sarnath-Varanasi
Excursion to Sarnath (45 Minutes one way)
Early morning transfer to the Ghats of Holy River Ganges to take a holy boat ride – a very spiritual deed. After breakfast explore the Varanasi visiting Kashi Vishawanath temple, Banaras Hindu University, Sankat Mochan Hanuman temples and various other attractions located in the narrow lanes. Later take an excursion to Sarnath here Buddha delivered his first sermon to the world.
Day 11 – Varanasi-Delhi
Fly to DelhiTransfer from Airport to the hotel
Morning is free to enjoy the spiritual beauty of the city. Afternoon board a flight to Delhi. On arrival at Delhi airport, you would be received and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the time is kept free for last minute shopping and other optional activities.
Day 12 – Delhi-Departure
International-Departure
At appropriate time, you will be transferred to Delhi international airport to embark the flight back to the onward destination. The tour will culminate here.