The Buddhist Circuit Tour – 8 Nights & 9 Days

*IMAGE COURTESY U.P TOURISM GOVT OF UTTAR PRADESH

A person who has set out to discover the path to freedom from suffering, and then to teach it to others is called a Bodhisattva. A person who has discovered that path, followed it to its end, and taught it to the world is called a Buddha. The Buddha advised his disciples to visit four special places which would inspire faith and spirituality after he was gone. These four places are:

Lumbini: The birthplace of the Buddha. This is where Queen Maya Devi gave birth to Prince Siddhartha under a sal tree. The peaceful gardens of Lumbini and the ancient Maya Devi Temple mark this sacred spot, offering a glimpse into the very origins of Buddhism.

Bodhgaya: Bodh Gaya contains one of the holiest of Buddhist sites: the location where, under the sacred pipal, or Bo tree, Gautama Buddha (Prince Siddhartha) attained enlightenment and became the Buddha.

Sarnath: is a place located near the confluence of the Ganges and Varuna rivers in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is at the deer park in Sarnath, where Gautama Buddha first taught the nature of existence (Dhamma), and where the Buddhist Sangha (assembly) came into being.

Kushinagar: It was at Kushinagar that Gautama Buddha attained the Mahaparinirvana, which is the final liberation that a Buddha attains upon death, from the cycle of rebirth.

Additionally, there are four sites where the Buddha performed miracles: Rajgir, Vaishali, Sankasiya and Sravasthi. Together they make the eight great places of Buddhist pilgrimage.

The 8 NTS / 9 DAYS Buddhist Circuit Tour Package:

Day 1:   On arrival at Delhi airport you will be met by our representative who will transfer you to the hotel ( you may visit the market or take a sightseeing tour of Delhi, depending on the arrival time of your flight ). Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2:  After breakfast, you will be taken on a short tour of Delhi, before being transferred to the Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station to board the Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train. Assemble at the station by 1:00 pm for a traditional welcome. At 2:30 pm, the train leaves  for Gaya. Evening Tea & Dinner will be served on-board. Overnight stay on board.

Day 3: Early morning tea, wash, change & breakfast on-board. After arrival at Gaya railway station depart to Bodhgaya by coach ( distance is 16 kms ). Check-in at the hotel. Lunch and relax. Sightseeing of Bodhgaya including Mahabodhi Temple & Niranjana River. Continue sightseeing of Thai Temple, Japanese Temple, Buddha Statue.
Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel. 

Day 4:   After breakfast at the hotel. Check Out and proceed to Rajgir by coach (85 kms). Arrival at Rajgir. Sightseeing of Rajgir including Bimbimsara Jail, Gridhakut hill &Venuvan. Lunch at the hotel. After lunch, proceed to Nalanda for sightseeing covering ruins of world famous Nalanda University & Nalanda Museum. In the evening, proceed to Gaya Railway Station. Arrival at Gaya Railway Station and board the train. Dinner on board & proceed to Varanasi. Overnight stay on board.

Day 5:   Early morning tea on board and arrival at Varanasi. Breakfast on board. Disembark from the train and proceed to Sarnath (10 kms) for sightseeing of the Dhamekh stupa, Sarnath museum, Ashoka pillar and Mulgandha Kuti Vihar. Check in at the hotel for lunch, wash and change. Visit the river Ganges ghat for the evening Aarti ( worship with lighted lamps ). Return to the railway station. Dinner on board and proceed to Nautanwa for the visit to Lumbini in Nepal.    

Day 6:   Early morning tea followed by Breakfast on-board. Arrival at Nautanwa Railway station.  Proceed by coach to Lumbini, Nepal. Indian nationals do not require a visa to enter Nepal, however, a government issued ID card is necessary. Other nationals to keep their passports and Visae ready. In case Nepal visa is not issued, visa fees to be kept ready also, along with passport sized photographs. A double-entry Visa will be required for return to India. Check-in at hotel. Lunch at hotel. Sight-seeing of Lumbini including Maya Devi Temple and Ashoka Pillar. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 7:    After breakfast at the hotel, check-out and proceed to Kushinagar by coach (155.6 kms/3 hrs 55 mins). Upon arrival at Kushinagar, proceed to lunch at the hotel. After lunch visit Mahaparinirvan Temple, Rambhar Stupa, Mata Kutir Temple and other sites. Depart to Gorakhpur by coach (53.1 kms/1 hr 20 mins.) Arrival at Gorakhpur Railway Station. Depart to Balrampur by Buddhist Train. Dinner on board & proceed to Balrampur for visit to Sravasti.

Day 8:   Arrival at Balrampur Railway station. Early morning tea on-board, followed by departure by coach to Sravasti (15kms). Arrive at the Hotel. Wash, change and breakfast. Sight-seeing of Jetvana Vihara, Pakki Kuti & Sehat Mahet. Lunch at the hotel. Indulge in some free time. Proceed to Balrampur Railway station, to board the train to Agra. Dinner on board the train.

Day 9:    Early morning tea and arrival at Agra City railway station. Wash, change and breakfast on-board. Proceed for sight-seeing of the World famous Taj Mahal. Proceed to the Agra Cantt. Railway Station. Depart by train to New Delhi . Lunch on board. Evening Tea.

Arrival at Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station. Further programme to follow the itinerary as discussed.