Buddhist Pilgrimage
Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Nalanda - Patna - Vaishali – Kushinagar - Lumbini - Kapilavastu – Sravasti - Varanasi - Bodhgaya
Overview
A religious believer in any culture may sometimes look beyond the shrine feel the call of some distant holy place renowned for miracles and the revivification of faith, and resolve to journey there. The goal of the journey, in the sacred site, whatever the culture, the general features of a pilgrim's journey are remarkably similar. A generalized account of one woman's pilgrimage may thus serve to illustrate the process. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith, although sometimes it can be a metaphorical journey into someone's own beliefs.
Breakfast
Sightseeing
Hotel
Transport
Trip Highlights
- Darshan in Mahabodhi Temple Gaya
- Visit Gridhakuta Hill, Bimbisara jail in Nalanda
- Visit Mahaparinirvana Temple in Kushinagar
- Visit Mayadevi Temple at Lumbini
Tour Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Gaya
On arrival at Airport, you will greet by our representative. Check into hotel. Bodhgaya is the place of the Buddha's Enlightenment and spiritual home of Buddhists. It attracts many believers from all over the world. Bodhgaya situated near the river Niranjana, is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centres and in the second place of the four holy sites in Buddhism.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya visiting Mahabodhi Temple - The temple, named after the Buddha, is a sacred place for the Buddhists in Bodh Gaya, Maha- bodhi tree - The tree is considered holy since Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under it. Also visit monastries of different countries and Archaeological Museum. Overnight stay is at Bodhgaya.
Day 02: Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Nalanda - Patna
After breakfast proceed to Patna (182 kms - 6 hrs) enroute visiting Rajgir and Nalanda. Rajgir is a site of great sanctity and significance for Buddhists. Rajgir is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site since the Buddha spent 12 years here and the first Buddhist council after the Buddha was hosted here at the Saptaparni caves. Afternoon visit Gridhakuta Hill, Bimbisara jail. Drive to Nalanda which is 14 kms drive and it was one of the oldest Universities of the World and International Centre for Buddhist Studies. Drive to Patna which is 90 kms, on arrival at Patna, you will transfer and check into hotel. Overnight stay is at Patna.
Day 03: Patna - Vaishali - Kushinagar
After breakfast proceed to Kushinagar (approx. 256 kms and 07 hrs drive) enroute visiting Vaishali - place where Buddha announced the approaching of his Mahaparinirvana. After that continue drive to Kushinagar (place where Lord Buddha had left the world behind him after offering an invaluable contribution to humanity, the great religion known as Buddhism). On arrival Kushinagar, transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit Mahaparinirvana Temple (where Buddha took his last breathe) and Rambhar Stupa (cremation site of Lord Buddha). Overnight stay is at Kushinagar.
Day 04: Kushinagar - Lumbini
After breakfast proceed to Lumbini - the birth place of Lord Buddha (180 kms and 05 hrs drive). On arrival, transfer to hotel. . Afternoon visit, the birth place of Buddha - Mayadevi Temple, This place is a blessed one for its serenity and the natural beauty, purely coinciding to the perception of a place where the legend was born. Overnight stay is at Lumbini.
Day 05: Lumbini - Kapilavastu - Sravasti
After breakfast proceed to Sravasti (225 kms and 5.30 hrs drive) enroute visiting Kapilavastu - the childhood home of Gautam Buddha. Afterthat proceed to Sravasti where the Buddha preached most of his sermons. Here he is said to have performed many miracles, and levitated. During the monsoon, he used to stay at the Jetavana monastery on the outskirts of this town. Visit Sahet Mahet and Angulimal caves. Overnight stay is at Sravasti.
Day 06: Sravasti - Varanasi
After breakfast proceed to Varanasi (300 kms / 08 hrs drive),before Varanasi visit sarnath, is the place where Lord Buddha had preached His first sermon to His five disciples after attaining enlightenment. Visit to Dhamekh Stupa - one of the most visited and most revered Buddhist Shrines in the world. Also visit Sarnath Museum. Later proceed to Varanasi and check into hotel. Overnight stay is at Varanasi.
Day 07: Varanasi
Early morning have optional activity by viewing Sunrise by Boat Ride(Optional, at own cost) After breakfast visit Bharat Mata Temple is dedicated to ‘Mother India’, Tulsimans Temple is dedicated to Lord Rama, Kalbhairav Temple, Durga Temple is also called the Monkey Temple , New Vishwanath Temple within the premises of the Banaras Hindu University, Banaras Hindu University.
Day 08: Varanasi: Drop
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport. Leave our country carrying with you magical memories of our tour.
Important Information
Hotel Details:
- The Hotels used are normally First Class Hotel ranging in the 3 Star Category. Even we also provide optional hotels which you can choose to enhances based on your budget.
- Hotel accommodation is on Double Sharing Basis.
- Daily Buffet / Fixed Menu Breakfast as per Plan mentioned in the Package.
- The Hotels are subject to availability. In case of unavailability in the mentioned Hotels, alternate accommodation will be arranged in a similar category Hotel.
- Standard Check-in at 12.00 Noon & Check-out at 09.00AM. But for some Hotels, Check-in & Check-out at10.00, 11.00 AM or 12.00 or 01.00 Noon it depends upon the Hotel rule. Kindly coordinate.
- Non AC Rooms are provided in Hill Stations due to low temperature.
Transportation Details:
- All Transfers and Sightseeing by Air-condition Private Transport as per the itinerary.
- Transportation for entire round: (02 -03pax) Etios or Indigo/ (04 – 05pax) Innova/ (06 – 12pax) Tempo Traveller or similar for all categories as per the itinerary. Vehicle is as per the itinerary and not on disposal basis.
- Guests have to coordinate with the Driver and Guide, to leave the Hotel on time so as to ensure that the sightseeing locations have reached on time.
- All Toll, Parking, Permit, Driver Allowance, Fuel Cost and Transportation Tax.
Notes:
- Our Company Terms and Conditions apply.
- All sightseeing is subject to Weather and Political Conditions in the Destination.
- Do carry comfortable walking shoes.
- It is mandatory to carry a valid photo identity card (Passport / Driving License / Voter ID card).
- Shopping would be on your own arrangements.
Packages Exclude
- Any Meals/ en-route Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Cost due to upgrading or changing hotels, Room type, category etc. and late check out, if any.
- Any entry fees for Monuments, Tourist Places, Temple, Monasteries, Gardens, Plantation, Park, Sanctuary, Forest, Rides, Safaris, Boating, Rafting, Skiing, Skating, Cable Car / Ropeway Rides, Helicopter Rides, additional sightseeing tours/ excursions not included in the itinerary.
- Porter age at Hotels and Airports, Insurance, Tips, Room Service, Laundry, Mineral Water, Alcoholic or Non Alcoholic Beverages, Phone Calls, Room Heaters, Video Camera, Still, Personal Nature viz etc.
- Package does not include fees for any Pooja/ Dharsan/ Aarthi, Gurusamy, Pooja Material etc.
- Expense caused by factors beyond our control like Rail and Flight Delays, Roadblocks, and Vehicle Mal-Functions, Political Disturbances, Strike etc.
- Air, Rail or Surface fare from / to your originating city of stay, unless specified.
- Supplement charges applicable for Long weekends and Festivals. Compulsory Gala Dinner will be charged extra for Christmas and New Year Eve.
- Any item or service not specifically mentioned in "Inclusions" column.
- Govt. Service Tax of 3.09 % .