| In search of Lord Buddha |  |
Duration :Tour Duration : 10 Nights/ 11 Days
Places to See :Delhi - Varanasi - Sarnath - Gaya - Bodhgaya - Nalanda - Rajgir - Patna - Vaishali - Kushinagar - Lumbini - Sravasti - Lucknow - Delhi
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| Day 01 : Arrival Delhi. |
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Upon arrival at Delhi airport assisted transfer to your hotel for night stay. Spirit of India Tour representative will ensure your comfort during the arrival assistance and hotel check in at Delhi.
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| Day 02 : Delhi sightseeing tour |
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Today after relaxed breakfast, enjoy splendid guided sightseeing tour of New Delhi visiting Qutab Minar - 73 meter high and 15 meter in diameter is the most perfect example of Persian architecture in India, Humayun Tomb - Humayun's tomb is believed to have been designed in 1565 A.D. by the widow of Mughal emperor Humayun, Raj Ghat - The cremation site of the father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. |
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| Afternoon proceed for guided sightseeing tour of Old Delhi visiting Red Fort - Built in 1648 AD by Emperor Shah Jahan, famous for its delicately royal chambers, Jama Masjid - Completed in 1658 , the mosque of Shah Jahan's capital city is the largest in India. Later enjoy a rickshaw ride at Moon Square (Chandni Chowk). Chandni Chown in Delhi is believed to be the market place of Mughal period. Your tour also includes drive through Indian Gate (the War memorial) and the Presidential Palace of India. Night stay at your comfortable hotel in Delhi.
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| Day 03 : Delhi to Varanasi (flight) |
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This morning fly to Varanasi also Commonly Known as Benares. Assisted airport transfers will be performed at Delhi and Varanasi by our representatives. After some relaxed time at the hotel in Varanasi, enjoy excursion tour to the Buddhist site of Sarnath. Sarnath is the one of the holiest sites in the World for Buddhist Pilgrimage tours as Buddha preached his first sermon here in 590 B.C. After excursion tour of Sarnath, return back to Varanasi and visit to the Ghat (bank) of holy river Ganges. Witnesss the evening prayers ceremony on the river Ganga. Overnight stay will be at hotel in Varanasi.
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| Day 04 : Varanasi to Gaya (by train) |
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Early morning during the sunrise time, enjoy boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and most important religions "Hindusim". Visit some of the many Hindu temples that line the river Ganges. Stroll along the narrow lanes and bazaars full of shops selling, among other things, the world famous Benares Silks. There after you will be transferred to Varanasi Railway Station to board train to Gaya - The most important land of Buddhism in India. Assisted railway transfers is arranged in Varanasi and Gaya. Overnight stay at Bodhgaya (Where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment under the famous Bodhi tree). situated 25 Kms from Gaya Station. Night stay will be at hotel in Bodhgaya.
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| Day 05 : Bodhgaya sightseeing. |
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This morning go for sightseeing tour of temples at Bodhgaya. The prime attraction at Bodhgaya is the Mahabodhi temple - It was a place where Buddha meditating for a few week after that he gained enlightment under a tree now famous as Bodhi Tree. It is situated west side of the Temple. Also visit other various temples of Buddhism in India. Evening return back to the hotel to spend night at Bodhgaya.
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Day 06 : Bodhgaya to Patna ex Nalanda & Rajgir.
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Relaxed breakfast in the hotel, and then get ready for drive to Patna. On the way to Patna we stop at Nalanda and Rajgir. Nalanda was a great centre of Buddhist learning in ancient times and also it attracted people from all over world as subjects taught in Nalanda University covered every field of learning. Rajgir is a sacred place where Mahatma Buddha spent few months meditating and preaching at Griddhkuta also known as Hill of Vultures. Evening arrive Patna and check into the hotel. Night Stay at Patna.
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Day 07 : Patna to Kushinagar (253 Kms / 4 Hrs drive) ex Vaishali
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Today we visit Patna Museum which It was built by British Raja in 1917, the most important thing for Buddhist Attraction is a casket Unearthed at the Stupa of Vaishali, Which is said to contain the sacred ashes of Lord Buddha. After Museum sightseeing Leave Patna for Kushinagar. Enroute we stop at Vaishali (60 Kms from Patna) - The place holds a great significance as Buddha delivered his last sermon and announced his Parinirvana there. On arrival at Kushinagar you will be directly transferred to your hotel for overnight stay at Kushinagar.
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Day 08 : Kushinagar to Lumbini (161 Kms / 4 Hrs drive)
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Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy sightseeing tour of Kushinagar visit various Stupas and temple like Mahaparinirvana Stupa or Ramabhar Stupa - It is a place built on the spot where Lord Buddha entered perfect tranquility - the
state of Mahaparinirvana. Then after lunch head to Lumbini - The Birth place of Lord Buddha. On arrival Lumbini check into the hotel. Leisurely time in hotel to enjoy the hotel services. Evening visit Buddhist temple for prayer. Overnight stay at Lumbini.
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Day 09 : Lumbini to Sravasti (200 Kms / 5 Hrs drive).
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After breakfast enjoy the splendid sightseeing tour of
Lumbini - The place itself is interesting as a whole. It is a place where the queen of Kapilvastu gave a birth to prince, Gautam, under a tree. Visit Buddha Temples and Stupas. The main attraction of Lumbini are - Maya Temple, Ashoka Pillar, The Puskarni, The Buddhist monastery. Afternoon drive to Sravasti - It was a place where Lord Buddha lived a long time and demonstrated his supernatural powers to gain the faith of pupil who thought that Buddha could not show super natural miracles. On arrival at Sravasti check into the hotel for overnight stay.
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Day 10 : Sravasti to Delhi by train ex Lucknow (150 Kms /4 Hrs drive)
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After early morning breakfast, go for a visit to Sahet Mahet (the ancient capital of Kosla, the remain of Buddha's hut in Jetavana Monastery. Afternoon drive to Lucknow. On arrival Lucknow you will be directly transferred to Lucknow Railway Station from where you board your overnight air conditioned train to Delhi.
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Day 11 : Arrive Delhi
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On arrival at Delhi transfer to hotel. Later free for shopping. Late in the evening transfer to Delhi International Airport to board the flight back home.
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| Tour ends here……… | |