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India Tours >> Spiritual Tours >> Buddhist Trail
Delhi - Patna - Bodhgaya - Varanasi - Kushinagar - Balrampur - Lucknow
Duration : 10 days. |
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| Day 1- ARRIVE DELHI |
| The colour & romance of India greets you as you disembark from your plane in Delhi – it is one of the most historic capitals in the world and two of its monuments- the Qutab Minar and Humayun's Tomb, which has been declared as the World Heritage Sites. It is also one of the greenest capital. For the visitor, it serves as a perfect introduction to the cultural wealth, the complexities and dynamism of India. Meeting and assistance upon arrival thereafter transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel. |
| Day 2- Delhi |
| After breakfast take a sight seeing tour of Old & New Delhi. Morning visit Old Delhi: The important places in Old Delhi include the majestic Red Fort, the historical Chandni Chowk and if time permits you can visit Raj Ghat the Memoir of Mahatma Gandhi. Afternoon visit New Delhi visit the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys; the India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war; the Laxmi Narayan Temple, built by the Birlas, one of India’s leading industrial families; Qutab Minar, built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty; and the lotus-shaped Baha’i Temple. |
| Day 3- DELHI – VARANASI |
| Breakfast at the hotel. Later in the morning, transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi - is among the oldest living cities in the world, it is also the holiest a 'Hindu pilgrimages. Thousands come daily to Varanasi to take a ritual dip in the river Ganga, to cleanse their souls of sins and to worship tit its, many temples. Meeting upon arrival and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, visit Sarnath Temple - 5 miles out of Varanasi. Sarnath is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, where Buddha preached his first Sermon in 590 BC. Sarnath has a fine Museum filled with sculptures found at the site. Evening witness Ganga Aarti at the Amrit Rao Peshwa Ghat Overnight at the hotel. |
| Day 4- VARANASI – ALLAHABAD Surface 125 Kms |
Early morning boat ride on the Ganges at dawn when it is full of pilgrims is an amazing place to witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and most important religions. Thereafter, return to hotel for breakfast Later, walk through the narrow lanes and colourful bazaars in the heart of the old city and visit the temples. The visit includes the famous Kashi Vishwa Nath Temple, Banaras Hindu University.
Later proceed for The city of confluence of the great rivers of Ganga, Yamun and the mythical Saraswati. The confluence known as sangam is believed to have great soul cleansing powers. According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma, the creator chose a piece of land on earth, for the 'Prakrishta Yagna', now where these rivers flow in a confluence. The land, blessed by the Gods come to be known as 'Prayag'. Upon arrival check in at hotel. Later visit the Patalpuri Temple, Mankameshwar Temple among the famous Shiv temples in Allahabad this one is set on the banks of Yamuna, near the Saraswati Ghat. Overnight at the hotel. |
| Day 5- ALLAHABAD – AGRA (OVERNIGHT TRAIN) |
| Breakfast at the hotel. Later visit Sangam - The place where the three great rivers of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati meet is the most sacred place called sangam. Legends say that a few drops of nectar fell in it. People come here to take a holy dip which is said to cleanse the soul. The astrologers calculate times, which are the best for the holy dip if asked for. The chief attractions of this place are the Kumbh Mela and the Ardh kumbh. Allahabad Fort - This magnificent fort, built by emperor Akbar in 1583 A.D. is known for its unparallel design and craftsmanship. The fort stands on the banks of the holy sangam. The majestic fort has massive walls and three galleries. Its three gateways are flanked by high towers. Ashoka Pillar The antique piece, standing 10.6 m tall, dates back to 232 B.C. The majestic Ashoka pillar is made of polished sandstone. The pillar displays several edicts including the Persian inscription of Emperor Jahangir, commemorating his accession to the throne. Hanuman Temple The unique temple is the only one of its kind housing an idol of Hanuman in a reclining posture. It is situated near the sangam. Later in the evening trannsfer to railway station to board train for Agra . Overnight on the board train Delhi - Varanasi - Allahabad - Agra - Mathura - Jaipur - Mumbai |
| Day 6- AGRA - MATHURA |
| Upon arrival at Agra meeting and transfer to hotel. Agra - synonymous with Taj. A pleasant town with a comparatively slow pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble and soapstone by craftsmen who are descendants of those who worked under the Mughals. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes. Later proceed to Mathura (or Brajbhoomi) is famous as the birthplace of Lord Krishna, an important deity in the Hindu religious pantheon. It is an important pilgrim place of the Hindus and one of the seven sacred cities in India. The main pilgrim center in Mathura is the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple. Mathura is also an important craft center. Continue your visit of Mathura visit Vrindavan is 10 km from Mathura and it is associated with the childhood exploits of Lord Krishna. Like Mathura, Vrindavan is also famous for its temples. There are about 4,000 temples in Vrindavan. The main temples are Govind Dev Temple, Rangaji temple, Bankey Bihari temple, Radha Ballabh temple, Madan Mohan temple, Pagal Baba temple and the Nidhi Van temple. Gokul is 16 km south of Mathura. It is said that Lord Krishna was secretly raised here. Mahaban is 18 km southeast of Mathura. Lord Krishna is believed to have spent his youth here. Govardhan is 25 km west of Mathura. Legend has it that Lord Krishna had protected the local people from the wrath of the rain God Indra by holding up a hill on one finger Overnight at Mathura. |
| Day 7- MATHURA – AGRA |
| Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to Agra . Upon arrival check in at hotel. Later city tour of Agra visit the World famous Taj Mahal, whose eternal beauty will astonish and mesmerize the visitors. It is also known as the "Crown of Palaces” built by the Emperor Shah Jehan to immortalize the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal who died in 1631. Afternoon, discover the strong & magnificent Red Fort - built by the three generations of Mughal Emperors between 1565 and 1573, whose military power cannot be questioned. It was the residence of the Mughal Emperors. Each one left there its print, Red sandstone of Akbar and Jahangir, White marble of Shah Jahan. This fort rises on the edges of Yamuna River; surrounded by a wall from 20 to 33 meters top and 2500 m perimeter. Evening visit the Mankameshwar Temple – dedicated to Lord Shiv legends say that any wish made here will come true. This temple has great reverence and strict dress code for all who wish to visit this temple. Overnight at the hotel. |
| Day 8- AGRA – JAIPUR |
| Breakfast at the hotel. Later proceed to Jaipur - the Capital of Rajasthan. Jaipur, the city-capital in the tone of an autumnal sunset, literally lush pink when prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria, stepped on its soil in 1883. Interspersing the play of red and pink were white borders and motifs, painstakingly outlining the architectural highlights of Jaipur's buildings. Jaipur had been like that since 1727 when Maharaja Sawai Nai Singh II had it built that year. Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri – the extraordinary city built by Akbar the Great, deserted 14 years later, but which, during its brief span, the city had more significant than London in both grandeur and population continue towards Jaipur. Upon arrival check in at the hotel. Rest of the free Overnight at hotel. |
| Day 9- Jaipur |
After breakfast proceed for the visit the Amber Fort built in the time of Mughals. The area used to be always ready for the war. Amber was residence of the Maharajas. By seeing the majestic ramparts of the Fort, which surround the palace, you will be able to imagine the power of the character. You will ascend this 11th century Baiston on a gaily decorated Elephant.
Visit the Palace with its crimped rooms of mirrors and the old harem, true labyrinth. The magnificent public and private rooms show evidence of the splendour of the rulers of 16th & 17th century. Possibility of attending Puja at the Kali temple. Puja is the time of the prayers according to Hindu rites'. One can enter in the temple only naked feet and without leather articles on oneself Thereafter return to Jaipur, the capital of Radjasthan, ground of knighthood of high feats of arms.
In the afternoon, tour of the Pink city visiting the imposing City Palace now a museum - the principal Residence of the former ruling family, Jantar Mantar - the ancient Observatory, Hawa Mahal - the exotic Palace of the Winds & the picturesque bazaars of the walled city. Overnight at the hotel. |
| Day 10- JAIPUR – DELHI Depart Delhi |
| Breakfast at hotel. Time free till you proceed for Delhi Upon arrival at Delhi transfer to International airport for onward flight. |
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