WALK WITH BUDDHA
Duration: 10 Nights / 11 Days
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Lucknow -Sravasti - Lumbini - Khushinagar - Vaishali - Patna - Rajgir - Nalanda - Bodhgaya - Sarnath - Varanasi - Agra - Delhi

Day 01: Delhi IGI Airport
Arrival at IGI airport our RIE representative will meet & greet you at Delhi in the night or midnight and transfer to Hotel for rest and relax.

DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India. Overnight stay at Hotel

Day 02: New Delhi - Lucknow (Train) - Sravasti (Road)
Early morning after breakfast take Train Shatabdi Express to Lucknow at 6.15 a.m. Reach Lucknow at 12.30 p.m. After lunch depart for Sravasti by road (approx. 3 Hours Drive), Visit the Jetavana Gardens where the Buddha spent twenty four rainy seasons. At Sravasti, Buddha confounded his critics with a million-fold manifestation of himself seated on a thousand - petalled lotus, as fire and water emanated from his body. Also visit the Augulimala Cave & the Ananda Bodhi Tree. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Sravasti

Day 03: Sravasti - Lumbini
Leave early morning after breakfast for Lumbini which is about 7 hours away into Nepal. Stop for lunch at Siddharthanagar. On arrive at Lumbini visit the birth place of the Buddha. Your tour of Lumbini include the Lumbini Gardens, the Ashokan or Rummir pillar, the base relief image of Maya Devi, Puskarnim - the sacred poolsanctum of the birthplace of the Buddha. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Lumbini

Day 04: Lumbini - Khushinagar
Early morning after breakfast proceeds to Khushinagar (5 hours Drive). It is here that the Buddha passed into Mahaparirvana. The Mahaparinirvana temple houses a recumbent figure of the Buddha brought from Mathura by the monk Haribala. Also visit the brick ruins of the Rambhar Stupa representing the Chaitya which was erected on the sacred grounds of the Buddha's cremation. Here you will also see the Indo-Japan-Sri Lanka Buddhist centres and temples of various other nations. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Khushinagar.

Day 05: Khushinagar - Vaishali - Patna
After breakfast proceed to Vaishali. Vaishali was the centre of the Buddhist Council congregation, held after 100 years of the Buddha's Mahaparinirvana. At Kolhua Lord Buddha delivered his last sermon. Later, Emperor Ashoka erected a huge pillar to commemorate the spot of the last sermon. Continue drive towards Patna, on arrival at Patna. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Patna.

Day 06: Patna - Rajgir - Nalanda - Bodhgaya
After breakfast proceed to Rajgir, the site of great sanctity and significance for Buddhists. The Gridhakuta hill was the seat from where the Buddha delivered many of His sermons. It was here that the teachings of the Buddha were recorded in writing for the first time. An aerial ropeway takes pilgrims up the hill where the Japanese have built a beautiful Stupa. Visit Veluvana (Bamboo Garden), the Vulture's Peak, Sattapanni Cave (site of 1st Buddhist Council) and other Buddhist sites. Leave for Nalanda which holds the site of the oldestuniversities of the world.

It had twelve million books, ten thousand students, two thousand teachers and was a centre of great learning which reached its zenith between the 5th & 12th centuries AD. Both Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira are said to have visited this place. Emperor Ashoka built a Vihara, while Emperor Harshvardhan donated a 26m high copper image of the Buddha. Emperor Kumar Gupta on the other hand built a college of fine arts at Nalanda. Arrive at the holy city of Bodhgaya by evening for your next destination on your pilgrimage.

Day 07: Bodhgaya Sightseeing
After breakfast tour of Bodhgaya is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage centre where Lord Buddha attained spiritual birth. Visit the magnificent Mahabodhi Temple, the giant Bodhi tree which is believed to have grown from the original Bodhi tree where the Buddha attained Nirvana. Also visit the Chankarama, the Jewel-walk where Buddha strolled while in deep thought as well other temples and monasteries erected in this holy city by Buddhists from across the world. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Hotel

Day 08: Bodhgaya - Sarnath - Varanasi
Early morning after breakfast we proceed to Varanasi, one of the holiest and fascinating cities in the East (6 hours Drive). Visit Saranath. The Dhamek Stupa here marks the spot of the Buddha's first sermon after enlightenment at this deer park. The museum with a remarkable statue of the Buddha setting the Wheel of Law in motion is another item of interest. Also visit the Mulagandha Kutir Temple. Saranath's hallmark is its tranquility. Arrive at Varanasi by evening for your Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 09: Varanasi - Agra
Early morning after breakfast we proceed the cruise on the River Ganges to see the sunrise and bathing Ghats. Free for own activities or visit temples and monasteries. In the evening you will be transferred to the railway to board your overnight express train to Agra. Departure 22:30 Night on Board

Day 10: Agra
Morning Arrive tundla Railway station & then drive continue towards Agra. After Lunch proceed to the world famous monument of love known as Taj Mahal, one of the 7 Wonders in the World & evening visit Agra fort. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Hotel.

Day 11: Agra - New Delhi
Morning after breakfast drive back to Delhi and on arrival, transfer to IGI Airport for connect your onward destination flight.

Tour Ends But Sweet Memories Remains Always