Day 01     Arrival in Bodhgaya

Arrival at Gaya International Airport and transfer to hotel at Bodhgaya. Bodhgaya – situated near the river Niranjana, is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centers since it was here that Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, which stands strong till date. Check-in at the hotel upon arrival and spend rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay in Bodhgaya.

Day 02     Bodhgaya

After breakfast, proceed to explore this ancient city, covering Mahabodhi Temple Complex- The temple stands in the east to the Bodhi Tree. Inside the temple, in the main sanctum, there is a colossal image of the Buddha in sitting posture touching the earth by his right hand. Temple also showcases the various aspects of Buddha’s life and his journey to attain enlightenment. This place in also popularly listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Later visit, Bodhgaya Archaeological Museum which houses a small collection of Buddhist sculpture from the 1st century B.C, to the 11th century A.D. And, Sujata House – temple dedicated to an Uruvela tribeswoman, who offered food to the starving Siddhartha.  Overnight in Bodhgaya.

Day 03     Bodhgaya – Rajgir – Nalanda – Patna (190 kms / approx. 5.5 hours)

After breakfast, drive to Rajgir and enroute visit Nalanda, the ancient Buddhist university, one of the world’s oldest university founded in the 5th century. Also visit monasteries and temples with impressive Buddhist & Hindu images. The Institute for research in Buddhism and Pali literature which houses rare manuscripts is also worth visiting for the enthusiasts. After Nalanda, drive further to Rajgir. During the lifetime of the Buddha, Rajgir was the capital of the powerful Magadh kingdom, ruled by the virtuous king Bimbisara. Visit the Vishwa Shanti Stupa. It is a marble structure with niches bearing golden images of the Buddha, built by the Nipponza Myohoji sect of Japan. Also, cover Griddhakuta – a rock protrusion resembling a vulture’s beak, probably gave the hill its name. In the rock cut caves here the Buddha spent many rainy seasons, meditating and preaching. Venuvana Vihara- Site of the monastery Venuvana Vihar built by king Bimbisara for Lord Buddha to reside. This was the king’s first offering to Lord Buddha.Jivakameavan Gardens: Seat of the Royal Physician’s dispensary where Lord Buddha was once brought to have wound dressed by Jivaka, the royal physician during the reign of Ajatshatru and Bimbisara. Continue your drive and arrive in Patna. Check-in at the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 04     Patna – Vaishali – Kushinagar (235 kms / approx. 6 hours)

After breakfast, drive to Kushinagar and enroute visit Vaishali. Lord Buddha visited Vaishali frequently and at Kolhua, close by, preached his last sermon. To commemorate the event, Emperor Ashoka, in the third century B.C. erected one of his famous lion pillars here. A hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha – Vaishali hosted the second great Buddhist council. Two stupas were erected to commemorate this event. Late arrival and overnight stay in Kushinagar.

Day 05     Kushinagar – Lumbini (140 kms / approx. 3.5 hours)

Explore Kushinagar – the place that the Buddha chose for his Mahaparinirvana or final exit from this earth. There are several new monasteries and temples. Visit the Rambhar Stupa that marks Buddha’s cremation ground. Mahakashyapa lit the funeral pyre at Mukutabandha Vihara (Rambhar Stupa) in Kushinagar. Today not much remains of this stupa expect a large brick mound rising to a height of almost 15 meters set within a well-kept park. Also Visit Mahaparinirvana Temple. Post lunch, leave Kushinagar for Lumbini. Enroute obtain visa and permits and check-in at hotel in Lumbini upon arrival, for overnight stay.

Day 06     Lumbini – Sravasti (170 kms / approx. 4 hours)

Lumbini is the place where Lord Buddha was born. Visit the Maya-Devi Temple–This temple is dedicated to Maya Devi, who was Buddha’s mother. The temple was built during the 2nd century. Next to the temple there is a pool where Maya Devi used to bath. Ashoka Pillar: built in the year 259BC, this pillar was built by King Ashok, who was great Buddhist disciple, when he constructed this pillar, the King exempted the villagers from paying tax and gave out 100 golden coins to the people. In the seventh century, the pillar was struck by lightning and split in at two parts. The site was lost for six centuries and covered with dense forest before being re found in 1895. The place was cleared and the pillar reconstructed and the sacred pond which are associated to the roots of Buddhism. After lunch proceed for Sravasti and check-in at the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 07     Sravasti – Varanasi (320 kms / approx. 6.5 hours)

After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing of Sravasti, where Buddha preached most of his sermons. Here he is said to have performed many miracles, and levitated. Explore Jetavana monastery where during the monsoons Buddha took shelter, there is also famous Anand Bodhi Tree. Later visit Sahet Mahet and Angulimal caves. Continue your drive and arrive in Varanasi. Check-in at the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 08     Varanasi

Early morning, enjoy a sublime boat ride on the Ganges River. View the numerous ghats along the bank of the Ganges, presenting a varied scene from dawn to dusk. Later, proceed to Sarnath, located eight km from Varanasi. It is famous as the place where the Buddha first preached his message after attaining nirvana. And, visit the Dhamek Stupa… it marks the spot where the Buddha proclaimed his faith in front of his first five followers. The earliest and most important relic is found here is the Ashoka pillar, erected in 250 BC. Rest of the day leisure at the hotel. Overnight stay in Varanasi.

Day 09     Varanasi – Aurangabad (via. flight)

Early morning, proceed for the airport to board your flight to Aurangabad. Upon arrival in Aurangabad, you will meet and be assisted by our representative. Proceed to hotel for check-in at the hotel. Enjoy your visit to Ajanta caves – UNESCO World Heritage Site, exemplifying finest Indian Art, particularly Buddhist painting from Jataka tales. Most of the paintings in Ajanta are right from 2nd century BC-AD and some of them about the fifth century AD. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 10     Visit to Ellora

After breakfast, visit Ellora Caves- another World heritage Site, popular for magnificent cave temple suggesting Indian rock-cut architecture, with huge sculptural reliefs heightening the overall symbolism of the temple as cosmic mountain and as the home of Shiva. Rest of the day leisure at the hotel. Overnight stay in Aurangabad.

Day 11     Aurangabad – Mumbai (via. flight)

After breakfast, proceed to the airport to board the flight to Mumbai. Here, you will be assisted by our representative and transferred to your designated hotel for check-in and overnight stay in hotel.

Day 12     Sightseeing in Mumbai

After breakfast, enjoy full day city tour covering Gateway of India, Victoria Terminus, Prince of Wale museum, Juhu beach and Chowpatty. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 13     Departure from Mumbai

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Mumbai airport for return flight back home.

Hotels Envisaged:

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