India- Nepal Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour

India- Nepal Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour

This  Buddhist tour provides a great opportunity to visit all four sacred places of Buddhism. Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, is the most majestic site to visit now with temples, monuments and archeological sites.  You will visit Kushinagar where Buddha got nirvana, Bodh Gaya where Buddha enlightened and Sarnath where he first preached to his disciples. In a single pilgrimage holiday you will visit Nepal the peaceful country and India an amazing one with hustle and bustle.

Destinations Covered: Kathmandu-Lumbini-Kushinagar-Vaishali-Bodh Gaya-Gaya-Varanasi.

 

Day 01:Arrival Kathmandu  (By Flight) 

Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport  meeting assistance at the airport & transfer to the Hotel. Rest day free for Leisure. Overnight stay at Hotel.  

 

Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing

Swyambhunath Stupa

After breakfast, proceed for a city tour of Kathmandu visiting  Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square & Patan Durbar Square.The stupa of Boudhanath lies 8kms east of Kathmandu. This ancient colossal stupa is one of the biggest in the world and the center of Buddhism in the world. It was listed in the UNESCO Heritage Monument in 1979.Kathmandu  Durbar Square, the complex of palaces, courtyard and temples, built between the 12th and 18th centuries used to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. Swyambhnath Stupa, atop the hillock is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal enlisted in the World Heritage Site.Patan City is an enchanting melange of palace buildings, artistic courtyard and former palace complex. One remarkable monument here is a 16th century temple dedicated to the Hindu God Lord Krishna, built entirely of stone. Evening back to the hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 03: Kathmandu - Bhairahawa 

Wake up, take breakfast, then drive to Bhairawa (7-8 hour 262 km west of Kathmandu and 21km ahead of Lumbini), transfer to a hotel at Bhairahawa. Rest of the day is free to relax, overnight in Bhairawa. 

Day 04: Bhairahawa - Lumbini

In the early morning, drive to Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha, image of Maya Devi, Lord Buddha, old monastery, ponds and pillars are interesting to see. Very recently, several Buddhist countries have built several beautiful shrines in Lumbini. An international committee has also been set up for the development of this sacred historical place. The visit to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, the realm of the Shakya is not only for spiritual enlightenment but also for solace and satisfaction that one normally gets in a calm and peaceful place like it.

Day 05: Lumbini - Sonauli - Sarasvati - Balrampur

A short drive to Sunauli border, Arrival Sonauli: Pick up from Sunauli Border and transfer to Balrampur enroute sightseeing of Saravasti - The city believed to be founded by the mythological king Sarasvati, has age-old stupas, majestic monasteries and several temples. Buddha is said to have performed some miracles here. This holy place also has the famous Anand Bodhi tree, an offspring of the one, said to have been planted by Buddha's main disciple Anand. Overnight in Balrampur. 

Day 06: Balrampur / Kushinagar (216 kms. / 5 hrs)

Morning drive to Kushinagar. Arrive Kushinagar and check – in at the hotel. Later visit the Rambhar Stupa, which marks Buddha’s cremation ground. Also visit the Mahaparinirvana temple, which houses the recumbent figure of Lord Buddha.

Day 07: Kushinagar / Patna (253 kms. / 6 hrs)

Morning drive to Patna, Arrive Patna and check – in at hotel. Afternoon city tour visiting Har Mandir Sahib, also known as Patna Sahib, consecrates the place where the 10th Guru of the Sikhs Guru Gobind Singh was born in 1776; Golghar – is a large dome-like structure from where one can have a fine view of the Ganga and the surroundings of the city; Patna Museum – has a rich collection of Mauryan and Buddhist sculptures, terracotta and other interesting items.

Day 08: Patna / Bodhgaya (109 kms. / 4.5 hrs)

Morning drive to Bodhgaya. Arrive Bodhgaya and check – in at the hotel. Bodhgaya – most sacred place for Buddhists as it has a Peepal tree under which Gautama the Buddha attained enlightenment some 2500 years back.

Day 09: Bodhgaya

Morning sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya visiting Mahabodhi Temple – depicting the various phases of Buddha’s journey towards enlightenment, showing different aspects of his life; Bodhgaya Archaeological Museum – houses a small collection of Buddhist sculpture from the 1st century B.C, to the 11th century A.D; Jagannath Temple close by has a four armed statue of Shiva in black stone.

Day 10: Bodhgaya / Varanasi (242 kms./06 hrs.)

Morning transfer to Varanasi, Arrive Varanasi and transfer to a hotel visiting Sarnath enroute, an important Buddhist pilgrimage point.

Day 11 : Varanasi-Delhi

 

Morning after Breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to the next Destination.