Tour overview

Destination: Delhi-Varanasi-Sarnath-Bodhgaya-Rajgir-Nalanda-Patna-Vaishali-Kushinagar-Lumbini-Sravasti-Lucknow-Sanchi-Aurangabad-Ellora Caves-Ajanta Caves-Mumbai

Overview

Buddha Vacation’s Grand Buddhist Tour is a religious & a heritage tour especially designed for Buddha’s followers to pay homage to Lord Buddha, to visit various Buddhist sites in India, Nepal and also for those who are keen in to know about rich culture and the history of India. You will see all those sacred places which were associated with Buddha in his period, those places were the landmark in Buddha’s life. Buddha Vacations feels proud to operate this Buddhist tour for our travellers.

Included

  • Welcome drink on arrival in hotels (Non-alcoholic)
  • Accommodation in hotels
  • Daily breakfast
  • All transfers and tour by air conditioned private vehicle
  • Lucknow to Bhopal train tickets (2nd AC)
  • Bhopal to Aurangabad train tickets (2nd AC)
  • Service of English Speaking Driver
  • All toll, parking, fuel charges and driver’s allowance
  • All applicable govt. taxes
  • Professional services of Buddha Vacations

Not Included

  • Any international flights
  • Visa charges
  • Delhi to Varanasi flight tickets
  • Boat cruise charges to Elephanta Island and return
  • Tour Guide Fee
  • Meals (Except Mentioned in inclusions)
  • Expenses of Personal use i.e. drinks, laundry charges, phone calls
  • Anything not mentioned in inclusions

Day 01. Arrive Delhi

Arrival at Delhi airport, you shall be picked up by Buddha Vacations representative holding the placard on your name. Meet assist and later you shall be transferred to booked hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 02. Delhi to Varanasi (by flight)

Morning breakfast in hotel check out and you shall be dropped at Delhi airport for your flight to Varanasi. Arrive at Varanasi airport pick up and transfer to hotel. Later proceed for trip to Sarnath. Sarnath is a place where Buddha gave his first preach after the enlightenment. This place is about 10kms from Varanasi and located near the confluence Point of Holy River Ganges and Varuna.
Later evening witness The Ganga Arti at the river Ganges. Transfer back to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 03. Varanasi to Bodhgaya (260kms/5-6hrs)

Morning breakfast in hotel check out and drive to Bodhgaya. Bodhgaya is a religious site and it is associated with Buddha’s life. Buddha got the enlightenment in Bodhgaya under the Bodhi Tree.

Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Later visit Mahabodhi temple complex and Mahabodhi Tree.

Day 04. Bodhgaya-Durgeshwari Caves-Gaya-Bodhgaya

Morning again pay a visit to Mahabodhi temple, later go for a trip to Durgeshwari Caves, Durgeshwari temples also known as Mahakala Caves are just 18kms from Bodhgaya towards the northeast. Lords Buddha underwent years of penance here before he descended to Bodhgaya.

Later drive back to Bodhgaya, en-route visit Vishnupad Temple (Hindu temple) in Gaya. Reach Bodhgaya and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 05. Bodhgaya to Rajgir to Nalanda to Patna

Morning breakfast in hotel check out and drive to Rajgir (72kms) and visit World Peace Stupa, Gridhkutta (Vulture’s Peak), Venuvanaram & Bimbisar Prison. Later drive to Nalanda (17kms) and visit the ruins of ancient University in Nalanda. It was the oldest university of world & International Centre for Buddhist studies.

Continue drive to Patna (85kms). Upon reaching Patna, you shall be transferred to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 06. Patna to Vaishali to Kesaria to Kushinagar

Morning breakfast in hotel check out and drive to Vaishali and visit The Lion Pillar (Also known as Ashokar Pillar) built by the emperor Ashoka at Kolhua. Later visit Bhawan Pokhar old temple (Hindu temple). Also visit Buddha Stupa-I (Abhishek Pushkaran).

Later continue drive to Kesaria and visit Kesariya Stupa. Continue drive to Kushinagar and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 07. Kushinagar to Lumbini (160kms/4-5hrs)

Morning breakfast in hotel check out visit Mahaparinirvana Temple (Where Lord Buddha took last breathe) and Rambhar Stupa (Cremation site of Lord Buddha). Also visit Japan Temple.

Later continue drive to Lumbini (Nepal). It is advised to get a Double Entry visa for India and Single entry visa for Nepal. On arrival in Lumbini you shall be transferred to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 08. Lumbini to Sravasti (160kms/4-5hrs)

Today after breakfast check out and visit the Holy Birth Place site of Lord Buddha. Later drive to Sravasti (India).

Upon arrival at Sravasti, you shall be transferred to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 09. Sravasti to Lucknow (160kms/3-4hrs)

After breakfast in hotel check out and visit Sahet-Jetavana (Remains of fabled Buddhist Monastery) and Mahet-Angulimal Caves.

Later continue drive to Lucknow. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 10. Lucknow to Bhopal (Overnight train Journey)

Today morning breakfast in hotel, you shall be taken for full day Heritage tour in Lucknow, visit heritage sites like Bara Imambara, Chota Imambara, Rumi Darwaza and Constantia (The La Martiniere School).

Evening you shall be transferred to Lucknow railway station for your overnight train journey to Bhopal.

Day 11. Bhopal –Sanchi-Bhopal

Morning you arrive at Bhopal railway station, pick up and transfer to hotel. Freshen up and later proceed to visit Sanchi. Sanchi is 46kms away from Bhopal, its famous for Buddhist Stupas, art and architecture. Visit The Great Stupa, Udayagri Caves, Ashokan Pillar, Sanchi Museum and Gupta temple.

Evening drive back to Bhopal and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 12. Bhopal to Aurangabad (Day train journey)

Morning you shall be transferred to Bhopal railway station for your train journey to Aurangabad. (11hrs journey)

Evening reach Aurangabad airport, pick up transfer to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 13. Aurangabad-Ellora Caves- Aurangabad

Morning leisurely breakfast in hotel proceed to trip to Ellora Caves. (Closed on every Monday). Ellora caves are just 30kms away from Aurangabad, Ellora caves are UNESCO world heritage site and it’s bring the beauty of structures in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, and this place shows the ancient rock-cut architecture. Ellora tour allows you to visit monuments of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
These caves were used as monasteries or temples by the monks. The main sights in Ellora are Ellora cave temples, Cave 10, Cave 32, Cave 21 and many more. The famous attraction of Ellora is the Kailasa temple, world’s most massive monolithic sculpture. The temples feature sculptures, which are moulded in an artistic way depicting the mythologies.

Back to Aurangabad and visit Aurangabad Caves and Bibi Ka Maqbara. Transfer to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 14. Aurangabad- Ajanta Caves-Auangabad (110kms/3hrs)

Morning breakfast in hotel proceed for an excursion trip to Ajanta Caves, (Closed on every Tuesday) Ajanta Caves in situated in Aurangabad of Maharashtra is also monuments carved in rocks. Ajanta is UNESCO selected World Heritage site. Ajanta Tour allows you to understand the ancient cave art.
Here there are 30 caves in which five are the chaityas, which is Buddhist prayer hall and the remaining caves are viharas which were the monasteries. Majority caves are examples of ancient Indian wall painting and also rock-cut sculptures depicting mythologies.
You can reach here through Ajanta Tour Packages offered by tour operators. Major attractions are cave 1, cave 2, cave16 and cave 17.

Evening drive back to Aurangabad and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 15. Aurangabad to Mumbai (by flight)

Morning leisurely breakfast in hotel check out and visit local markets, later transfer to Aurangabad airport for your flight to Mumbai. Mumbai airport arrival and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 16. Mumbai sightseeing & Departure

Morning breakfast in hotel check out visit famous Elephanta Caves (Collection of ancient caves and temples), it’s an UNESCO world Heritage site located on Elephanta Island. Later visit Gateway of India, Marine Drive. Evening you shall be dropped at airport for your onward journey.