Footstep of Lord Buddha  

New Delhi, the capital city of India, where upon arrival you are greeted and escorted to your hotel, where a room has been blocked for immediate occupancy.

Overnight is at the hotel.

After breakfast at hotel, you undertake a full day sightseeing tour of New & Old Delhi. You visit the Qutab Minar Complex, dominated by the 234-foot Victory Tower, followed by the spectacular Rajpath, passing the triumphant House of Parliament, Diplomatic Enclave, President’s House and the India gate. You will also visit the famous Birla Mandir.

In the afternoon, your focus is sight seeing of Old Delhi.

Visit the great Red Fort which was the opulent residence of Shah Jehan, builder of the Taj Mahal and the magnificent Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) which dominates the skyline.  You also visit the Raj Ghat-- cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, later walk through Chandi Chowk, the old marketplace of Shahajahanabad, now a picturesque bazaar.

Later visit some of the main shopping areas in Delhi.

Overnight at hotel.

 After breakfast at hotel, our representative meets you at the hotel and will escort you to the airport for your flight to Lucknow. Upon arrival at Lucknow, you will be met by our representative who will escort you to Saravasti. Upon arrival you will check into your hotel.

Sravasti, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, has the honour for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana Gardens. The city believed to be founded by the mythological king Sravast, has ancient stupas, majestic monasteries and several temples. This holy place also has the famous Anand Bodhi tree, planted by Buddha's disciple, Ananda.

Overnight is at the hotel.

 After breakfast at hotel you will now drive to Lumbini, which is in Nepal, located at a distnace of 123 kms and will take apprx 4 hours to reach. After the border formalities you continue drive for another 27 kns until you reach your hotel. After freshening up, you go on a sightseeing tour of Lumbini.

Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, was located in 1890 after being untraced for 1,500 years.
Lumbini grove, the sacred site of Lord Buddha's birth is today a small village. Three hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana, Emperor Ashoka visited Lumbini and erected a pillar there. This pillar, though broken, still remains at the site. It is known as the Rummendei Pillar after the earlier name of the place (modern name Rupandhei) in Nepal.

You return to hotel for overnight.

 After breakfast at hotel you will now drive to Kushinagar, crossing into Indian border. Kushinagar is located at a distance of 146 kms and will take apprx 5 hrs to reach. After immigration formalities are covered, you arrive at your hotel for freshening up. Later in the afternoon sightseeing tour of Kushinagar.

Kushinagar is the place where Lord Gautam Buddha breathed his last. The religious significance of Kushinagar can be perceived by the fact that a large number of followers visit this place everyday. This is also the place where Lord Buddha preached his last sermon and said "All things must pass. Decay is inherent in all things".

Rambhar Stupa is the most important landmark of Kushinagar. The stupa is said to have been built on the same spot where Lord Buddha was cremated in 483 BC.

You return to hotel for overnight.

 After breakfast at hotel you will now drive to Patna, enroute visting Vaishali 70 kms from Patna.

Vaishali today is a small village surrounded by banana and mango groves as well as rice fields, But has an impressive historical past. Lord Buddha visited Vaishali frequently and 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. On the outskirts of Vaishali stood the grand double storied Buddhist monastery. Buddha often discoursed here. He extended spiritual enfranchisement to women by admitting them to the Holy Order which was founded here. Legend has it that on one of his visits, several monkeys dug up a tank for his comfortable stay and offered him a bowl of honey. This is regarded as one of the great incidents in the legends of Buddha, who announced his approaching Nirvana and preached his last sermon here.
You will continue drive to Patna and upon arrival will check in at your hotel for overnight stay.

 After breakfast at hotel you will now drive to Rajgir at a distance of 115 kms and will take apprx 2 hrs to reach.  Enroute you will stop at Nalanda University, a great seat of learning.

Nalanda was the most renowned university in ancient India. It derived its name from Na-alam-da, meaning Insatiable in Giving, one of the names by which the Lord Buddha was known. Established in the 5th century B.C. it remained a live center of learning till the 12th century A.D. when it was destroyed by the invader Bakhtiar Khilji. Hsuan Tsang the Chinese traveler studied here in the 7th century A.D. and there is a monument in his memory. The University of Nalanda offered free educational and residential facilities to as many as 10,000 students and 2000 teachers, and was supported by a number of villages. Its library, Ratna Sagar, is believed to have contained nine million volumes. It is not surprising, then, that the destruction of this university dealt a crippling blow to Buddhist education.

You will continue your drive to Rajgir and upon arrival check in at your hotel for an overnight stay.

The picturesque Rajgir, or Rajagriha as it was known in the past (literally, the abode of kings) is surrounded by the meandering river Banganga and 5 hills.

During the lifetime of the Buddha the hills and caves surrounding Rajagriha were home to spiritual teachers. Like many others in search of truth, Buddha, after he renounced his royal heritage came to this city to seek the path of vation.

The first Buddhist structures at Rajgir were raised when Ajatsatni built a monastery, and a stupa over his share of the Buddha's ashes. The Japanese have built the World Peace Stupa, with its gilded images of the Buddha. Rajgir also has the Nipponzan Myohoji, the Japanese temple.

Overnight stay at the hotel. 

After breakfast at the hotel you will drive to Bodhgaya, located at a distance of 135 kms and will take apprx 3 hrs to reach. Upon arrival you will check in at your hotel.

According to Buddhist traditions, Prince Gautama Siddhartha, wandering as a monk, reached the sylvan banks of Falgu River, near the city of Gaya. There he sat in meditation under a bodhi tree (Ficus religiosa). After three days and three nights of meditation, Siddharta attained enlightenment and insight, and the answers that he had sought. He then spent seven weeks at seven different spots in the vicinity meditating and considering his experience. After seven weeks, he travelled to Sarnath, where he began teaching Buddhism.

Overnight stay at the hotel. 

 After breakfast at the hotel, visit the sites at Bodhgaya.

Mahabodhi Temple stands in the east to the Bodhi Tree. Animesh Lochan Chaitya is believed that the Buddha spent one week here looking towards the great Bodhi (Banyan) tree out of gratitude, without twinkling his eyes.  The present Bodhi Tree is probably the fifth succession of the original tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. Vajrasana, the seat of stability, is a stone platform on which the Buddha is supposed to have sat in meditation gazing east, under the Bodhi tree. Chankramana is the sacred spot of the Buddha's meditative perambulations & Ratnagarh where Buddha spent one week here, where it is believed that five colors came out of his body.

Overnight stay at the hotel. 

After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Varanasi. Varanasi is located at a distance of 310 kms and will take the better part of the day.

The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Often referred to as Benares, Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world. These few lines by Mark Twain say it all: "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together". Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the origins of Varanasi are yet unknown. Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals.

Upon arrival at Varanasi you will check into your hotel for your overnight stay.

 Early this morning embark on a boat cruise on the river Ganga.

The riverfront, as seen from a boat, early in the morning, at sunrise, is a spiritually uplifting sight. Hinduism, deep and mystical, is everywhere. In a decorated doorway... in a glimpse of a glittering temple ...in the sound of a sacred bell ...the chant of the priests and the fragrance of flower oblations. This religious city is crowded with temples and its labyrinth of streets swelled with throngs of people.  Multitudes of devotees come to the river to pay homage to the Sun God.  Pass the bathing ghats where thousands of pilgrims immerse themselves in the holy water of the Ganges River, and the burning ghats where cremations are conducted.

Return to your hotel for breakfast.

Afternoon yo undertake a walking tour of Varanasi.

Since Varanasi is mainly associated with Hinduism, temples form the main attraction. The Ganga Ghats (river fronts) are the main center of religious activities and rituals and also form one of the main attractions of Varanasi. The Alamgir Mosque, blend of the Hindu and Mughal styles of the architecture, is another important attraction of Varanasi. Some of the most important temples of Varanasi are Durga temple, Vishwanath temple, Sankat Mochan temple, Tulsi Manas temple and the Bharat Mata temple. The Bharat Mata Temple houses a huge relief map of the whole of Indian subcontinent and Tibetan plateau.

Return to the hotel for overnight.

 After breakfast at the hotel, you will be escorted by our representative to the airport for your flight to Khajuraho. Enroute you will stop by at Sarnath.

Sarnath is located at 10 Kms from Varanasi where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon to the five holy men; preaching the middleway to final 'NIRVANA’.It is the place where Buddha delivered his first sermon.

Continue drive to the airport in time to board your flight for Khajuraho.

Khajuraho was the religious and political capital of the Chandela Dynasty during the 9th to 13th centuries. Although once a splendid city, today Khajuraho is best known for its amazing Tantric temples built in the graceful Nagara style of architecture and enveloped with erotic sculptures - the oldest site of its kind in the world.

Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel.

In the afternoon, visit the Western Group of temples, containing the largest and loveliest temples.

Of this group, the Kandariya Mahadev temple dedicated to Shiva is the most perfect, and with its elaborate 31 meter high spire and bands of beautiful carving, it represents Chandela art at its best. It shares a high terrace with the older and simpler Devi Jagadamba temple. The less ornate Eastern Group reflects the austerity of the Jains.

Overnight is at the hotel

After breakfast at the hotel you travel to Jhansi by road, which is located at a distance of 170 kms and will take apprx 4 hours, to board superfast Shatabdi Express train to Agra. Enroute from Khauraho to Jhansi, stop by at Orrcha.

Orcha a medieval city founded by Bundela rulers with palaces and temples of the 16th and 17th century which have remarkably withstood the onslaught of time. The city is picturequely flanked by the river Betwa. A number of beautiful temples and “Chhatris” are built on the bank of this serene river and whether in the crimson light of dawn or in the dusky twilight, it is great to see their reflection in the river water. There are altogether 14 chhatris arrayed on the banks of this historical river and their images in the river – best viewed from a nearby bridge – imprint a lingering impact on every visitor. Most of the ‘chhatris’ bear a Mughal style of architecture except for the famous Chhatri of Madhukar Shah.

Continue drive to Jhansi, where you board train for Agra, home of the one and only Taj Mahal

Upon arrival at Agra, you are transferred to your hotel for overnight.

After breakfast at the hotel, you visit the 16th-century Agra Fort.

Explore the 16th century Agra Fort, seat of the Mughal dynasty in the 16th century. It lies on the bend of the River Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the year 1565-73 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls red sandstone and a moat. 

Followed by a visit to the magnificent Taj Mahal, this incredible lacy white grandeur built by Emperor Shahjehan in memory of his loving wife Mumtaz Mahal, the “lady of the Taj”. It has been described, as the most extravagant monument ever built for love for the emperor was heartbroken when his wife Mumtaz died. The Taj Mahal has recently been immortalized by the inclusion as one of the “Seven Wonders of the World”.

Overnight is at the hotel

After breakfast at the hotel drive to Jaipur the “Pink City” of Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, which is 202 kms and takes apprx 4 hrs.

The city was painted in the tones of an autumnal sunset, literally blushed pink when Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria, stepped on its soil in 1863.  Interspersing the play of red and pink with white borders and motifs, painstakingly outlining the architectural highlights of Jaipur's buildings, the city has retained its glow since 1727 when Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II had it built.  Surrounded by rugged hills, each crowned by a formidable fort; with beautiful palaces, mansions and gardens dotted throughout its precincts, Jaipur simply exemplifies the lifestyles of an amazing people.

Upon arrival you check in at your hotel.

This afternoon you tour this incredible city where the past is never far from present. 

The Hawa Mahal or “Palace of Winds” provides an excellent view over the city as befitting its former role: enabling the ladies of the royal household to watch, unseen, the daily life and processions in the streets below. Explore City Palace, characterized by balconies, tiny windows, cupolas, courtyards and arched entrances.  It now houses an excellent collection of Rajasthani costumes, miniatures and an armory of weapons.  The Maharajah’s observatory, originally built in the city's early years, first appears as a collection of abstract sculptures, but is in fact a collection of the huge masonry instruments for studying the movement of constellations and stars in the sky.

Drive back to your hotel for overnight stay.

early morning you take an excursion to Amber Fort.

Amber was once the capital of the Mina tribes believed to be the original inhabitants of this area. History recalls the glory and wealth of Amber’s association with the Mughals. Raja Man Singh was the Commander-in-Chief of Akbar’s army and Mirza Raja Jai Singh was a powerful ally of Jahangir. You will have a unique experience of riding a caprisoned elephant heralded by musicians from the foothill to the ramparts of the ancient fort. Once inside we explore the Palace of Mirrors, inlaid with millions of tiny glistening mirrors, the hall of Public Audience and the beautiful manicured gardens.

Retunr to hotel for breakfast. Morning is at leisure. Afternoon drive to Delhi which is 262 kms and will take apprx. 6 hours. Upon arrival you will be transfered to the International airport for your onward journey.