Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour(11 Days/10 Nights)

Day 1 - Arrival at Calcutta/Delhi

When you arrive in either Calcutta or Delhi, we will spend half the day sightseeing around the city. Calcutta was the capital of India during British Colonial rule and has several remnants of it, the most famous one being the Victoria Memorial. Other important sights in Kolkata include Howrah Bridge which connects the city of Howrah to Kolkata and St Paul's Cathedral. Delhi was the capital of India during the rule of the Sultanate kings and the Mughals. It is also the present capital of India. It has several monuments that reflect India's glorious past like the Qutub Minar built by Qutub Uddin Aibak and the tomb of the Mughal emperor Humayun.

Day 2 - Calcutta/Delhi to Patna to Nalanda and Rajgir to Bodhgaya

We will fly from Calcutta or Delhi to Patna. From Patna we will drive to Bodhgaya where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. It is a well known pilgrimage site in India. On the way to Bodhgaya, we will also pay a visit to Nalanda as well as Rajgir. Rajgir was the capital of the ancient Indian city of Magadha, while Nalanda was a famous international centre for learning. There is a historic road from Rajgirs outskirts, that leads to a place called Gridhakuta translated as vultures peak. This was the place where the Buddha is said to have preached.

Day 3 - At Bodhgaya

We will see the various sights Bodhgaya has to offer and stay there overnight.

Day 4 - Bodhgaya to Varanasi to Sarnath to Varanasi

In the morning by Surface, we will depart from Bodhgaya to Varanasi, an ancient Indian city and a popular pilgrim destination for Hindus. Later we will go to Sarnath for an excursion. Sarnath is the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment and preached his Middle Path and Four Noble Truths. After that we return to Varanasi.

Day 5 - Varanasi to Kushinagar

Early in the morning we will take a boat ride over the holy Ganges River to watch the sun rising as well as to see the ghats where people bathe, in this ancient, predominantly Hindu city of Kushinagar. We will spend the night at Kushinagar.

Day 6 - Kushinagar to Lumbini to Bairampur

By surface we will go from Kushinagar to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. It was also visited by the Emperor Ashoka after he was coronated abd he erected a pillar there. Later we shall go to Bairampur.

Day 7 - Bairampur to Sravasti to Lucknow

We will go to Lucknow from Bairampur, visiting on the way, Sravasti, the capital of ancient Kosala. Lucknow is a grand old historical city ruled by the Nawabs before the arrival of the British. We will spend the night in Lucknow.

Day 8 - Lucknow to Delhi

We will leave for Delhi from Lucknow by flight. We will spend half a day sightseeing at both Old as well as New Delhi. We will visit the several secretarial buildings ,Jama Masjid, the Qutub Minar and the Red fort. We will stay the night at Delhi.

Day 9 - Delhi to Agra to Delhi

We will go on an excursion to Agra for an entire day. Agra is world famous for its monument Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his late and adored wife Mumtaz Mahal. We will also visit the Fort at Agra built by the great emperor Akbar, in red stone as well as his tomb at Sikandra. We will stay overnight at Delhi.

Day 10 - At Delhi

The day will be spent relaxing in Delhi.

Day 11 - Leave Delhi

Depart for your onward journey. We thank you for travelling with us and look forward to seeing you again.