In The Land Of Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama was an ancient Indian prince who was pained to see the sufferings of people around him. He left his home and family in the search for truth, and after several years of rigorous monastic living, he reached enlightenment under a bodhi tree in present-day Bihar, a state in eastern India. He birthed the philosophy of Buddhism, which today has flourished into a philosophy of peace, compassion, and happiness.

On this specially designed tour, we will take you across the most important places associated with the Buddha’s search for the realization of, and teachings of truth. We will journey across his birthplace of Lumbini, enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, first sermon at Sarnath, and death at Kushinagar. We will also visit Sravasti where we spent 24 years in his search for the truth.

Highlights

  • Visit the Historic Capital of India- New Delhi
  • Explore Lucknow – The city of Nawabs
  • Travel from Lumbini to Kushinagar – Birth to Death of Buddha
  • See the Archaeological sites at Nalanda University & Sarnath
  • Visit the Mahabodhi tree and Mahakala Caves in Bodhgaya
  • Devote yourself to a highly spiritual city – Varanasi

The Itinerary

DELHI – LUCKNOW – SRAVASTI – LUMBINI VIA KAPILAVASTU – KUSHINAGAR – PATNA – VAISHALI – BODHGAYA VIA NALANDA AND RAJGIR – VARANASI – DELHI

Meal Code: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner

Jama Masjid, Delhi

DAY 1: FLY TO DELHI

Departure from your home country to Delhi.

DAY 2: ARRIVE DELHI

We will meet you at the airport to welcome you in traditional Indian style and take you to the hotel. You can spend your afternoon relaxing or you can venture out to discover Delhi – a culmination of centuries of diverse rulers, immigration and cultural diversity. In the afternoon we will visit the Tibetan community in the north of the city called Majnu Ka Tila, which is dotted with Buddhist monasteries, temples, and Tibetan shops.

  • Overnight at The Suryaa Hotel New Delhi
  • B

DAY 3: DELHI SIGHTSEEING

Delhi is the cultural centre of the country, a melting pot of diverse religions and heritage. Today we will spend the day discovering some of the city’s iconic monuments including the Sikh Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the Qutab Minar (the tallest brick minaret in the world), Jama Masjid (one of the largest mosques in India), and the Baha’i Lotus Temple – made of pure white marble, the Lotus symbol is common to Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam.

  • Overnight at The Suryaa Hotel New Delhi
  • B

Bada Imambara, Lucknow

DAY 4: TRAIN TO LUCKNOW

After breakfast in the morning, you will be transferred to the New Delhi railway station to board a train to Lucknow. Dotted with buildings from the British era and two beautiful mausoleums, Lucknow has a rich heritage of performing arts and cuisines. Upon reaching, you will be transferred to the hotel. Later in the day, we will venture out to explore the old market of Lucknow.

  • Overnight at La Place Sarovar Portico, Lucknow
  • B

DAY 5: LUCKNOW SIGHTSEEING

Today we will embark on a full day of sightseeing. In the morning, we will visit the British Residency, site of the famous siege of 1857, Dilkusha Gardens (expansive gardens with the remains of an 18th century house built in the English baroque style) and La Martiniere. In the afternoon, we will visit the monuments of the Avadh Nawabs, he rulers who governed the state of Oudh or Awadh during the 18th and 19th centuries. These include Imambaras, Romi Darwaja and Lucknow’s colourful bazaars. Overnight and dinner at hotel.

  • Overnight at La Place Sarovar Portico, Lucknow.
  • B

DAY 6: DRIVE TO SHRAVASTI

After breakfast drive to to Shravasti (approximately 5 hrs driving time) and check into the hotel. Sravasti was a city in ancient India and is an important site for Buddhist pilgrimages. It is here that Buddha and his disciples spent about 24 years living a monastic life. The city is dotted with age-old stupas, monasteries and many temples. You will visit the Ananda Bodhi tree where the Buddha meditated and the Jetavana monastery where he presented the majority of his teachings.

  • Overnight at Lotus Nikko Hotel, Shravasti
  • B

Lumbini, Nepal

DAY 7: DRIVE TO LUMBINI

In the morning, we will drive to Shravasti (approximately 5 hrs driving time) and check into the hotel. Shravasti was a city in ancient India and is an important site for Buddhist pilgrimages. It is here that Buddha and his disciples spent about 24 years living a monastic life. The city is dotted with age-old stupas, monasteries and many temples. You will visit the Ananda Bodhi tree where the Buddha meditated and the Jetavana monastery where he presented the majority of his teachings.

  • Overnight at Hotel Buddha Maya Garden, Lumbini
  • B

DAY 8: DRIVE TO KUSHINAGAR

After breakfast we will leave for Kushinagar (4 hours driving time) and check into the hotel. In Kushinagar, we will visit ancient stupas, modern temples, and the stunning reclining Buddha statue commemorating the Buddha’s death and cremation. Overnight in hotel in Kushinagar.

  • Overnight at The Royal Residency, Kushinagar
  • B

DAY 9: DRIVE TO PATNA VIA VAISHALI

We will continue our Buddhist pilgrimage by driving to Patna, stopping en route at Vaishali where Lord Buddha preached his last sermon. Excavations carried out in Vaishali uncovered ancient brick stupas, with a casket containing part of the Buddha’s ashes. Also visit the 3rd century pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka to mark the site of the Buddha’s last sermon.

  • Overnight at Hotel Maurya, Patna
  • B

Bodhgaya

DAY 10: DRIVE TO BODHGAYA ENROUTE VISIT NALANDA & RAJGIR

After breakfast, we will drive to Bodhgaya stopping en route at Nalanda, the Buddhist University founded in the 5th century B.C. We will visit the archaeological museum that houses relics and remains found on the site. Later, we will drive a short distance to Rajgir, stopping at Griddhkuta ‘Hill of Vultures’, where the Buddha delivered some of his most famous sermons. We will finally drive to Bodh Gaya and check into a hotel.

  • Overnight at The Royal Residency, Bodhgaya
  • B

DAY 11: BODHGAYA SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast enjoys a full day of sightseeing of in Bodhgaya – the birthplace of Buddhism. It is here that Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment beneath a bodhi tree and became Buddha. Even though this diminutive town attracts thousands of pilgrims from around the world every year, it retains a serene ambiance. The most sacred spot is a bodhi tree, which flourishes inside the Mahabodhi Temple complex, amid a beautiful garden. Overnight in a hotel in Bodh Gaya.

  • Overnight at The Royal Residency, Bodhgaya
  • B

DAY 12: TRAIN TO VARANASI

Early morning transfer to Gaya railway station to board train to Varanasi. Transfer to the hotel and rest for a while. In the evening, you will experience the overwhelming and intoxicating ritual of the evening prayers by the banks of the revered Ganges River, a lifeline of India.

  • Overnight at The Ganges View, Varanasi
  • B

Aarti, Varanasi

DAY 13: VARANASI SIGHTSEEING

Early morning enjoy a sunrise boat ride on the river Ganges. In stark contrast to the brimming evening, the quietude of the morning is humbling. You will see devotees taking holy dips in the river and praying to the rising sun.

In the afternoon, we will take a short drive out to Sarnath, the deer park where the Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment.

  • Overnight at The Royal Residency, Bodhgaya
  • B

DAY 14: FLY TO DELHI

Morning at leisure or free for exploring the atmospheric ancient city of Varanasi, before transferring in the afternoon to board your flight to Delhi. Transfer to hotel.

  • Overnight at Hotel ibis New Delhi Aerocity
  • B

DAY 15: INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE

Departure for your home country.

TOUR COST

Tour Cost

Per person sharing a twin or double room £2260

Single room supplement £660

Email : enquiries@soulofindia.com | Call Us: 020 8901 7630

How to book this tour

Read our Booking Terms and Conditions

Email : enquiries@soulofindia.com | Call Us: 020 8901 7630

Travel Insurance

It is essential to have adequate insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health, and destination you are visiting.

Cost Includes

  • Internal flight from Varanasi to Delhi in an economy class with 25 kg checked in baggage and 7 kg cabin baggage.
  • Train journey from Delhi to Lucknow in an air-conditioned executive class.
  • 13 nights' accommodation in hotels as per itinerary, sharing single / twin or double room with en-suite facilities (Check-in is 1400 hrs and checkout 12 noon. Early check-in late checkouts are subject to availability).
  • Daily breakfast at all hotels.
  • All arrival, departure transfers, long drives and sightseeing by a chauffeur driven private air-conditioned Innova car.
  • Services of a local English-speaking representative for all arrival and departure transfers to assist you at the airports and railway stations.
  • Services of English-speaking guides during sightseeing as specified in the itinerary.
  • Entrance fees to all monuments during sightseeing as specified in the itinerary.
  • Complementary Mineral water while traveling & sightseeing.

Cost Does Not Include

  • International airfare.
  • Any meals are other than specified in the itinerary.
  • India Visa Fee: E-Tourist visa facility is now available for India for citizens of most countries of the World. We will send you a step-by-step guide for E-Tourist visa on confirmation of booking.
  • Any expenses of personal nature like laundry, telephone calls, beverages, etc.
  • Camera fees at monuments and other places of interest.
  • Travel Insurance: It is essential to have adequate insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health and destination you are visiting.
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