On the Footsteps of Lord Buddha

Duration of Trip: 10 Nights / 11 Days
Places Covered: Delhi - Sravasti - Lumbini - Kushinagar - Patna - Bodhgaya - Varanasi

One of the best Buddhist pilgrimage tours, the Footsteps of Buddha Tour Package covers Lumbini - the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, Bodhgaya with its Mahabodhi Tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, and Sarnath - where He delivered his first ever sermon. Stupas at Sarnath are considered quite sacred among Buddhists. The tour also covers Sravasti - where Lord Buddha lived for 25 years and performed several miracles demonstrating his divine powers, Kushinagar - where Buddha attained Nirvana, and Patna, the capital of Bihar, which was once known as Pataliputra and is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site known for housing several antique Buddhist relics and idols of Buddha.

 

Day 01: Arrival at Delhi
Company representatives from TNS will receive you on arrival at the international airport in Delhi. They will transfer you to your hotel, where you can relax and will stay overnight.

Day 02: Delhi - Lucknow - Sravasti
This morning you will be met by our representative and escorted from your Hotel to the New Delhi railway station in time to aboard the Shatabdi Express (0615 / 1230 hrs.). Upon arrival in Lucknow you will be met and drive to Sravasti (170 kms/4 hour). Upon arrival check-in to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Sravasti: Formerly the capital of the Kosala Mahajanpada, Sravasti has the distinction of being host to Lord Buddha for 24 rainy seasons. Buddha performed many miracles here. Sravasti boasts of several age old stupas and majestic monasteries that much attract the visitors. However, the pride of Sravasti is the Anand Bodhi Tree believed to be planted by Anand, the favorite disciple of the Lord Buddha.

Day 03: Sravasti - Lumbini
This morning you are collected from your hotel for a half day tour of Sravasti. Upon arrival check-in to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Lumbini: is the place where lord Buddha was born, so it is an important Buddhist tour destination. Lumbini located near the foothills of Himalaya in Nepal is a beautiful destination.

Day 04: Lumbini - Kushinagar
Early morning enjoy a boat ride on the holy river The Ganges. Upon arrival check-in to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Kusinagar: One of the most attractive Buddhist destinations of India, and a great pilgrimage centre, Kusinagar is much renowned as the place where the Tathagata, i.e., Lord Buddha, breathed his last at the age of 80. Presently, the site has a wonderful statue of Lord Buddha, in a reclining position, in the Mahaparinirvana Temple. The statue was brought from Mathura.

Day 05: Kushinagar - Patna
This morning you are collected from your hotel for half day tour of Kushinagar. Later continue your drive to Patna. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Patna - Bodhgaya
This morning you will drive to Bodhgaya (200 kms/07 hrs.) enroute visiting Nalanda and Rajgir. Later continue your drive to Bodhgaya. Upon arrival check-in to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Bodhgaya
This morning you are collected from your hotel for half day tour of Bodhgaya.Overnight at hotel.

Bodhgaya is one of the most revered Buddhist pilgrimage destinations of India. This is the place where prince Gautam attained enlightenment and came to be known as Lord Buddha. There is a Bodhi Tree standing tall which is believed to be descendant of the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. It has become an important pilgrimage destination.

Day 08: Bodhgaya - Varanasi
This morning drive to Varanasi (242 kms/07 hrs.) enroute visiting Sarnath - After attaining enlightenment in Bodhgaya, Buddha came to Sarnath and delivered his first sermon. The Emperor Ashoka (c 304 - 232 BC), who spread the Buddha's message of love and compassion throughout his vast empire, visited Sarnath around 234 BC, and erected a stupa here. Several Buddhist structures were raised at Sarnath between the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD, and today it presents the most expansive ruins amongst places on the Buddhist trail. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09: Varanasi - Delhi
Early morning enjoy a boat ride on the holy river The Ganges followed by the tour of Varanasi. Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel for check-in etc. The evening is at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Delhi
This morning you are collected from your hotel for full day tour of Old and New Delhi. Evening at leisure to perhaps venture out and discover the city or its many restaurants on your own. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Depart Delhi
Day free for shopping in Delhi. Evening transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. TNS Travel will arrange a FAREWELL DINNER before reaching the airport for flight home with sweet memories of India.

TOUR ENDS

THE TOUR INCLUDES:

1. ACCOMMODATION AT SUGGESTED HOTELS,
2. DAILY BREAKFAST AT HOTEL
3. SIGHTSEEING TOURS AS MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY,,
4. ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDES
5. PRIVATE CAR WITH DRIVER
6. CHANDNI CHOWK RICKSHAW RIDE
7. BOAT RIDE ON SACRED RIVER GANGES
8. ALL APPLICABLE TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGES
9. ALL ROAD TAXES, GOVERNMENT TAXES AND DRIVER ALLOWANCES,
10. ONE FAREWELL DINNER FROM TNS GROUP.

EXCLUDES:
Lunches and dinners are not included (except where mentioned in the inclusion list) along with personal expenses, camera, etc. tips, (if any) at places where applicable. All hotels are subject to availability and all flights are subject to confirmation. Airfare is included in the tour price. It is not separate.