Buddhist Heritage Circuit Tour of India

Day 01: "Discover Activities", New Delhi, provide pickup from Varanasi airport / Varanasi hotels. Later after some rest visit the holy banks of river Ganges, Varanasi the spiritual centre of India attracted the philosophers from all walks of Life. Thousands of years ago, Holy Reformers from "Buddhism", "Jainism" and "Hinduism" based themselves in Varanasi to profess their philosophy and work for the betterment of the humanity. Still these days you can observe many hermits and sages meditating near the river bank to gain spiritual knowledge. Evening witness "Ganga Aarti" ceremony on the banks of the Ganges. Overnight at the hotel in Varanasi. ...more ...less

Day 02: Morning breakfast at the hotel, later From Varanasi excursion to "Sarnath" where Buddha delivered his first sermon:
Early morning enjoy a boat ride (sharing basis) on the river ganges watching pilgrims performing their ritual and traditions. Get an overview of the Varanasi at a distance while mounting on your boat. Return to your hotel to have your breakfast.
Later excursion to "Sarnath" where Buddha delivered his first sermon. Discover Sarnath and its Buddhist pilgrimage, where Buddha made his first sermon, Visit temples, stupas and monuments, famous tourist attractions in the area, and pilgrimage spots.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Varanasi

Morning board your train to "Gorakhpur" which is the gateway to Lumbini (Nepal). Depart Varanasi at 0545hrs & Arrive Gorakhpur at 1100hrs. Arrive in Gorakhpur, meet our driver and get driven to Lumbini (Buddha's birthplace) by road. Arrive Indo-Nepal border checkpost at "Sanauli". Complete border formalities which usually takes 30 minutes approximately. Now Our driver will keep waiting from the Indian side of the border. From checkpost, you can easily hire a cycle Rickshaw to reach the ancient complex housing Buddhist sites. Visit over 25 international Buddhist monasteries, study Buddhism, meditation and visit Buddha's birthplace itself within the sacred Mayadevi Gardens! Mayadevi Temple is one of the important sites in the Lumbini Garden with many historians and archaeologists referring to it as the place of birth of Lord Buddha. Inscriptions on the Ashoka Pillar also refers the spot as his birthplace. It is said that here the newly born Prince took his first seven steps and gave a peace message to humanity. Finaaly return to the checkpost, board our car and get driven back to Gorakhpur hotel/ airport. Note: Tourists must Apply for multi entry Indian visa from thier home country since they will returning to indian side after visiting the nepalese side. Nepal visa they can get easily at the spot by paying approx USD 30 Per person.

Return to Gorakhpur in the evening and stay overnight at a hotel.

Day 04: Gorakhpur to Kushinagar, where Buddha breathed his last: Breakfast at the hotel, later drive to Kushinagar. Arrive and checkin hotel. Visit Mahaparinirvana temple where you can find a giant reclining Budhha statue, also visit Ramabhar stupa built exactly on the same spot where Buddha breathed his last. Overnight at the hotel in Kushinagar

Day 05: Morning breakfast at the hotel, later Kushinagar to Patna drive. Arrive Patna and checkin hotel. Patna is the gateway to the Buddhist sites of Bihar region. In Patna visit "Gol Ghar", an enormous granary, was built by British in 1786, after the terrible impact of the 1770 famine. The winding stairway around this monument offers a brilliant view of the city and the Ganga flowing nearby. Also visit Patna Museum, which houses historical artefacts dating back to Buddhist and Hindu heritage. Overnight at the hotel in Patna.

Day 06: Morning breakfast at the hotel, later excursion to Rajgir and Nalanda twin Buddhist sites.

Rajgir hills: Dotted with ancient artefacts, and nestled in the Rajgir hills, one will find himself immersed in the wonders of the ancient world in this full-day tour to this historical land.

Nalanda University ruins: Visit to the ancient Nalanda University, which functioned between the 5th and 13th centuries.

Return to Patna & Overnight stay at the hotel in Patna

Day 07: Morning have breakfast at the hotel, later Patna to Bodhgaya, 5hrs drive. Arrive Bodhgaya and transfer to hotel. Later Visit Maha Bodhi temple where lord Buddha attained wisdom sitting under a tree. Visit Bodhi Tree, giant Buddha Statue. Overnight stay at Hotel in Bodhgaya.

Morning breakfast at the hotel, later get driven to Varanasi. Arrive in Varanasi and get dropped at the Varanasi airport to board your flight for onward journey.

NOTE: For those flying our from nearby "Gaya" airport, we can provide them a drop also at the Gaya airport.
"Discover Activities", New Delhi is happy to welcome you in this part of the world .