BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE TOUR
Day 1: Arrival Varanasi
Arrive at Varanasi, our representative will help you with check-in at the hotel. Varanasi was well known as Banaras a holy city. It is said that Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world. After freshen up proceed to the sightseeing of Varanasi in which you will visit BHU( Bharat Hindu University) and Art Gallery. Besides the city tour, we visit Ganga ghat in the evening for the Aarti ceremony. Joining the Aarti ceremony will be a prime experience. Varanasi is one of the most important places for Buddhist Pilgrimage and Hinduism.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Day 2: Varanasi – Sravasti (300 Km 7 hours drive)
In the morning after breakfast proceed to the boat ride in the holy river Ganga. Sarnath is the most important place for today’s sightseeing. Sarnath is a deer park where Lord Buddha first taught Dharma. Here you must visit the Museum. Leave Sarnath on time because we have to reach another place of Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour. On arrival transfer to the hotel.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Day 3: Sravasti – Lumbini (225 Kms 6 hours drive)
In the morning after breakfast proceeds to visit Sravasti. Sravasti is said to be founded by legendary king Sravasti. The place is devoted to Lord Buddha. It is believed that Lord Buddha performed many miracles at Sravasti. Jetavan is the most important place to visit in Sravasti. Besides regular sightseeing also visit Sahet Mahet and Angulimal cave. Later, drive to Lumbini. On arrival transfer to the hotel.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Day 4: Lumbini – Kushinagar (182 Kms 5 hours drive)
After breakfast, you must make a visit to Lumbini. It features a number of temples. Lumbini is the place where Rani Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautam. The most important temples in Lumbini is the Mayadevi Temple. Besides the temple visit, we will take a tour of the Ashoka Pillar. Later in the afternoon drive to Kushinagar. It is the final resting place of Lord Buddha. Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana in 483 BC. On arrival check-in at the hotel. After resting, continue visiting prominent destinations in Kushinagar. This includes a visit to Mahaparinirvana Stupa where Lord Buddha attained salvation.
After dinner at the hotel, a night spent in Kushinagar.
Day 5: Kushinagar-Vaishali-Patna (225 Kms 6 hours drive)
After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Patna and the en-route visit to Vaishali. Lord Buddha visited Vaishali in his fifth year of enlightenment. Vaishali is one of the most important sites in Buddhist Pilgrimage. Lord Buddha spent the rainy season here. Vaishali is the place where Lord Buddha declared his parinirvana. Other most important places to visit is Ananda Stupa and Ashoka Pillar. Later continue our drive to Patna.
On arrival, check-in hotel. After dinner, spent a night in Patna.
Day 6: Patna – Rajgir/ Nalanda – Bodhgaya (182 Km 6 hours drive)
Early in the morning after breakfast, we will drive to Bodhgaya. On the way visit to Rajgir and Nalanda. Mauryan Empire evolved Rajgir as the former capital of the Magadha kingdom. Also, visit Griddhkuta which means ‘Hill of Vultures’. Later visit Nalanda, which is the ruin of the oldest university in the world. besides the regular sightseeing, we can enjoy a ropeway ride in Rajgir. Bodhgaya is the principal center of Buddhism. On arrival at Bodhgaya, check-in hotel.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 7: Bodhgaya (the principal center of Buddhism Pilgrimage Tour)
In the morning after breakfast, we will start our Bodhgaya tour. Bodhgaya is considered as one of the four most important holy sites in Buddhism. Buddhist Pilgrimage tour is incomplete without visiting Bodhgaya. Bodhgaya is the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. It is believed that Lord Buddha penanced here under the Bodhi tree. In the course of the day, mainly visit Mahabodhi Temple, Sujata Village. Bodhgaya is also famous for its monasteries, therefore, we will visit the Royal Bhutan Monastery, Thai Monastery, etc. Besides sightseeing, we visit for prayer gathering or join prayer meetings held in the temple.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8: Bodhgaya – Gaya – onward destinations
In the morning after breakfast, we will check-out from the hotel. Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour comes to an end. Based on your flight schedule we will transfer you to the Gaya airport or Varanasi Airport. If your flight is booked from Varanasi airport then leave early from Bodhgaya to reach on time.