Footsteps of Buddha

On arrival at Delhi airport, you will be met by our representative who will escort you to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel and rest of the day to relax. In the evening you may explore nearby places on your own. Overnight stay at the hotel.

There is no doubt in admitting that India is a home to every major religion in the World and its soul has simply accepted every religion in such a manner that it has become an amalgamation of religious faiths and an integral part of our beliefs. On this tour, we will take you on to a religious assortment of cultures and showcase their faiths in all aspects of life. You will observe that the practices may be different in various religions however the ideology is all the same and that is what makes this country unique in itself. After the tour, return to your hotel for breakfast and to relax. In the afternoon, check out from the hotel and take a tour of New Delhi. During the tour, we will visit Humayun's tomb, India gate, and government buildings. After the tour drive to Agra. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

In the early morning visit the Taj Mahal for an amazing view of sunrise. Return to hotel for breakfast, later visit Agra fort and Itmad-ud-Daula. Evening transfer to Railway station to board an overnight train for Varanasi.

Pick up on arrival at Varanasi railway station followed by transfer to the hotel. Later in the afternoon, drive to Sarnath where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment 2500 years ago. In the evening, attend the aarti ceremony in the Ghats of the river Ganges. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Early in the morning, drive to Daswamedh Ghat for a sunrise boat cruise on the Ganges River and catch a glimpse of devotees at the prayer. Return to hotel for breakfast followed by a guided city tour of Varanasi. The city tour takes you to Banaras Hindu University, Durga Temple, and Bharat Mata Temple. In the late afternoon, you will be provided a drop at Varanasi railway station to board a train for Gaya. On arrival, you will be provided pick up and transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.

In the morning we will proceed to visit Mahabodhi Temple which is one of the most important and sacred Buddhist pilgrimage centers in the world. It was here under a banyan tree, the Bodhi Tree, that Gautama attained supreme knowledge to become Buddha. On arrival, we will visit Bodhi Tree, Great Buddha Statue, Niranjana River, and Sujata Temple - which is across the Niranjana River & it's 30 minutes walk through the paddy fields. Also, visit various other Buddhist Temples in Bodhgaya. Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Patna. En-route, stop at Rajgir to visit Griddhkuta "Hill of Vultures", where Buddha delivered some of his most famous sermons. Thereafter, we will visit the Saptparni caves where the first Buddha Council was held which is also the source of Rajgir's hot springs. Our next stop will be at Nalanda, a renowned Buddhist monastic university founded in the 5th century B.C. Also visit an archaeological museum that houses the Nalanda University seal, sculptures, and other remains found on the site. After the visit, commence the drive to Patna. On arrival, check-in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will drive to Kushinagar via Vaishali where Lord Buddha preached his last sermon. The excavations carried out in Vaishali have brought to light Buddha stupa 1 and 11 (14th century B.C) built in brick with a casket containing part of the ashes of Buddha. We will also visit the Ashok Pillar, erected by Emperor Ashok to commemorate the spot of the last sermon. After the visit, commence a drive to Kushinagar for an overnight stay.

Kushinagar is the place where the Lord Buddha uttered his last words "Behold now, brethren, I exhort you, saying, decay is inherent in all component things! Work out your salvation with diligence!" and left for heaven. After breakfast, we will proceed to visit a temple dedicated to the event - the Mahaparinirvana temple stands testimony to the mournful demise. Among the various Stupas of Kushinagar, Rambhar Stupa needs your exploration for it is the place where Lord Buddha was supposedly cremated. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Lumbini, the Birth place of Lord Buddha. Later, visit Lumbini Park where the Ashok Pillar carries the inscription - where the Buddha was born. Then, visit the Mayadevi temple devoted to the mother of Lord Buddha which houses a stone picture of giving birth to Lord Buddha. Later, we will visit the China temple which is a beautiful pagoda-style temple with many prayers and meditation cells. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Sravasti. Upon arrival, visit the places in Sravasti where Lord Buddha passed the greater part of his monastic life and preached after the enlightenment. Also, visit the Ananda Bodhi tree where Lord Buddha meditated for a night then visit Jetavan. After the visit, check-in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, drive to Lucknow. Upon arrival, visit the Residency complex- the site of the famous siege of 1857. Imambaras, Romi Darwaja, and colorful bazaars of Lucknow. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, you will be provided a drop at Lucknow airport to connect the flight for Delhi and onwards journey.