Buddhist Circuit – 11 Days

On arrival at Delhi you will be met by TBi representative and transferred to hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, proceed for the guided tour of Old Delhi with visit to Raj Ghat, drive past Red Fort and narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk (the walled city) by cycle rickshaw. Later drive past India Gate, Government Buildings like President’s House and Parliament Buildings.

Afternoon visit Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar.

Overnight at the hotel.

An early morning transfer to Railway Station to board the train (Shatabdi Express) for Lucknow.

On arrival, you will be met by the TBi Representative and transferred to hotel. Afternoon, proceed for guided tour of Lucknow.

Lucknow – This bustling city is famed for its Nawabi era. It is home to extraordinary monuments depicting a fascinating blend of ancient and colonial architecture. It was the epicentre of the 1857 War of Independence. Its magnificent monuments include the Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, Kaiserbagh Heritage Zone & The Residency.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, leave by road for Shravasti. On arrival proceed to hotel.

Afternoon proceed for guided tour of Shravasti.

Shravasti was a city of ancient India and one of the six largest cities in India during Gautama Buddha’s lifetime. Shravasti is closely associated with the life of Gautama Buddha, who is believed to have spent 24 Rainy Seasons in this city. You will visit the Jetavana Monastry & Angulimala’s Stupa.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, proceed for Lumbini – Nepal by road. Enroute visit Kapilavastu.

Kapilavastu was the ancient capital of the Sakya Clan, whose ruler ‘Shuddhodhan’ was the father of the Buddha. Lord Buddha left his palace in Kapilavastu at the age of 29 and revisited it 12 years later, after attaining Enlightenment. The main archaeological site was discovered during excavation 1971-76.

Later drive to the Sunauli Border between India and Nepal and cross over to Nepal. Proceed to your hotel in Lumbini.

Overnight at the hotel.

After an early breakfast, visit the birth place of Lord Buddha (World Culture Heritage Site) and Mayadevi Temple.

Lumbini Garden is the place where, Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Lord Buddha. The holy site of Lumbini has ruins of ancient monasteries, a sacred Bodhi tree, an ancient bathing pond and the Mayadevi Temple – which is the place of birth of Lord Buddha. Lumbini Garden was granted World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1997.

Later leave by road for Kushinagar. Arrive and proceed to hotel.

Afternoon leave for a guided tour of Kushinagar.

Kushinagar is the place where the Buddha is believed to have breathed his last. It is one of the principal centres of Buddhist pilgrimage and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. In the uniquely designed Mahaparinirvana temple is a huge statue of the reclining Buddha.

Overnight at the hotel.

After an early morning breakfast, drive to Vaishali. Arrive and proceed to hotel.

Afternoon leave for a guided tour of Vaishali.

Vaishali – Gautam Buddha spent his last rainy season and delivered his last sermon at Vaishali and announced his approaching Mahaparinirvana (the final departure from the world) before leaving for Kushinagar. It also has one of the best-preserved of the Pillars of Ashoka, topped by a single lion. Museum houses some of the archaeological remains discovered here. Close to the museum is the shaded stupa which has the casket relic with the ashes of Buddha.

Overnight at the hotel.

After an early morning breakfast, drive to Bodhgaya via Rajgir. On arrival Rajgir, proceed for guided tour of Nalanda University.

Nalanda University was a centre of learning from the seventh century BC. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At its peak, the school attracted scholars and students from near and far with some travelling all the way from Tibet, China, Korea, and Central Asia. It is believed that Scholar Hiuen Tsang had spent 2 years of his life in the University.

Later drive to Bodhgaya. On arrival proceed to hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

After an early morning breakfast, proceed for a guided tour of Bodhgaya.

Bodhgaya is one of the most important and sacred Buddhist pilgrimage centres in the world with the Mahabodhi Temple Complex. It was here, under a banyan tree, also called the Bodhi Tree that Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment. The magnificent Mahabodhi temple and the Tree from the original sapling still stands in the temple premises. The temple is an architectural amalgamation of many centuries, cultures, and heritages. The Mahabodhi Temple is UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Afternoon, transfer to Railway Station to connect the train for Varanasi.

On arrival, you will be met by TBi Representative and transferred to hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Early morning, proceed for a boat ride on the River Ganges and after breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Varanasi and Sarnath.

Varanasi is a city on the banks of the Ganges. It is the holiest cities in Hinduism and Jainism, and played an important role in the development of Buddhism. The city is known worldwide for its many ghats along the river bank and Temples One of Asia’s largest residential universities is Benaras Hindu University located in the city.

Sarnath is 10 km away from city of Varanasi – a highly revered Buddhist pilgrimage centre. It is believed that after getting enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, Lord Buddha preached his first sermon at Sarnath. The Archaeological Museum houses the findings, wealth and excavations, recovered from the site of first sermon.

Evening enjoy Aarti ceremony on River Ganges.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to airport to connect flight for Delhi. On arrival, remain in transit for your onward flight.

End of Tour.