Footsteps of the Buddha

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Footsteps of the Buddha

Delhi - Agra - Bodhgaya - Vaishali - Kushinagar - Lumbini - Varanasi - Sravasti - Sankissa
11 Days - 10 Nights

Overview

This in-depth tour traces the footsteps of Lord Buddha to India's holiest Buddhist sites and to Agra and Delhi. Start at Bodhgaya, site of Enlightenment, and then visit Vaishali, Kushinagar, Lumbini, and Sravasti—each closely related to the life and teachings of the Buddha. Visit Sankasya, an old city related to the coming down from heaven of Buddha, and then drive to Agra to see the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Round off your pilgrimage to Delhi to witness the cultural heritage of the capital. The ideal blend of spirituality, history, and architecture, this tour is a full Buddhist and cultural experience.

Tour Highlights

  • Visit Bodhgaya, the sacred site where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree.
  • Explore Mahabodhi Temple, monasteries of different countries, and the Archaeological Museum.
  • Travel to Vaishali, the birthplace of Lord Mahavira and an important Buddhist pilgrimage center.
  • Discover Kushinagar, where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana — visit Mahaparinirvana Temple and Rambhar Stupa.
  • Visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and explore the serene Mayadevi Temple.
  • Experience Sarnath near Varanasi — the site of Buddha’s first sermon and home to the Dhamekh Stupa and Sarnath Museum.
  • Explore Sravasti, where Buddha performed many miracles and spent several monsoon seasons at Jetavana Monastery.
  • Discover Sankasya, an ancient site developed by Emperor Ashoka, featuring the remains of a stupa and the famous Ashokan Pillar.
  • Visit Agra, home to the majestic Taj Mahal, a symbol of eternal love.
  • End your journey in Delhi, marking the completion of a spiritually enriching Buddhist trail.

Tour Plan

01

Day 01: Arrive Gaya / Bodhgaya

Arrival Gaya Int'l airport. Meeting and Greeting at the airport. Transfer to hotel in Bodhgaya.

02

Day 02: Bodhgaya

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.

03

Day 03: Bodhgaya

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 at Bodhgaya Hotel.

04

Day 04: Bodhgaya – Vaishali

Morning leave Bodhgaya for Vaishali (182 kms - 6 hrs)

05

Day 05: Vaishali – Kushinagar

Morning proceed to Kushinagar (approx. 256 kms and 07 hrs drive) - 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 at Kushinagar hotel.

06

Day 06: Kushinagar – Lumbini

Morning drive 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 at Lumbini hotel.

07

Day 07: Lumbini -Varanasi

Morning leave for Varanasi (325 kms and 8.30 hrs drive) Morning proceed to Varanasi (300 kms / 08 hrs drive)- one of the oldest living cities of the world. On arrival Varanasi, trip to Sarnath (12 kms from Varanasi). 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. Evening back to Varanasi hotel for overnight stay.

08

Day 08: Varanasi - Sravasti – (320 Km)

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 in Sravasti.

09

Day 09: Sravasti- to Sankasya (362 KM )

After breakfast check out from the hotel also Sankasia, Sankassa and Sankasya was an ancient city in India. The city came into prominence at the time of Gautama Buddha. According to a Buddhist source, it was thirty leagues from Savatthi.[1] After the Gautama Buddha's Mahaparinirvana (passing away) king Ashoka developed this place and installed one of his famous Pillars of Ashoka in the city, from which the elephant capital survives. He also built a stupa and a temple commemorating the visit of the Buddha. This temple exists even today and the ruins of the stupa are also present as a temple of Vishari Devi. It is said that the name Visahari Devi is given to the mother of the Buddha.

10

Day 10: Sankasya to AGRA (160 KM)

After breakfast check out from the hotel,

11

Day 11: Agra - Delhi Airport drop

Onward Destination

TOUR END

Inclusion

  • Accommodation on double sharing basis in mention or similar hotel.
  • Assistance in Arrival and Departure.
  • Breakfast in the hotel.
  • All transfers & sightseeing by AC vehicles
  • Guide during the sightseeing
  • All applicable taxes, toll & parking except 5% GST

Exclusion

  • Any Air fare or Train Fare.
  • Room service, Telephone calls and Laundry.
  • Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicles, other than mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Any portage at hotels, tips, insurance, wine mineral water, telephone charges, and all items of personal nature.
  • Monuments Entrance fees.
  • Any service not specified in inclusions.
  • 5% GST extra