Best of North India & Buddhism 15 Days 4.5

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1- Arrival at Delhi

  Your trip will be starting from the date of arrival at New Delhi airport India at where you will meet our company representative and your drive begin straight to the hotel booked in the capital city. After a brief discussion about the tour program you will enjoy the overnight stay at hotel.

• Day 2- Delhi Sightseeing

  This day is purely dedicated to visit the historical & cultural sites of the capital city. Your tour begins with Old Delhi places like the India’s biggest mosque Jama masjid, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi Raj Ghat and the famous spice market at Chandni chowk the famous market of Delhi city. Then you will move straight to New Delhi which was designed by the british commisioned officer Edward Lutyens in 1931. Here you can explore the iconic monument the India Gate, the parliament street and the Indian President house. Now the time comes to explore some of the world heritage sites like Qutub minar and the Humayun’s tomb. Later you will return back to hotel in Delhi for overnight stay.

• Day 3- Delhi – Agra

  After sumptuous breakfast you will be leaving straight to the Agra city located on the banks of river Yamuna. The Agra city was the capital of Mughals once they made massive monuments in 16th Century. You will visit the red sandstone Agra Fort built by Akbar in 1565 and its palaces and courtyards are one of the finest example of Mughal architecture. Afterwards you will be straight leaving towards the Mehtab Garden where you can see the foundation of the Black Taj Mahal suppose to built by emperor Shahjahan who built the white marble Taj Mahal. In the evening explore world famous handicrafts markets of the Mughal city. Stay at hotel.

• Day 4- Agra – Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri

  With the first ray of sun watch the real Taj Mahal the epitome of love built by the Mughal emperor Shahjahan in the loving memory of her wife Mumtaz. This wonderful monument has no comparison in the world and without watching it you India holidays could not complete. After breakfast you will be leaving to another city of India called Jaipur. En -route you will stop for watching the Fatehpur Sikri “city of victory” which was built by the Mughal emperor Akbar. Here you can see the colossal Buland Darwaza, Jodhabai’s palace (Hindu queen of the emperor), Deewan e aam and Deewan E khaas. Once the visit complete you will continue your drive towards the pink city. Stay overnight at hotel in Jaipur.

• Day 5- Jaipur Sightseeing

  After breakfast you will proceed to admire the beauty of Amber fort situated on top of a hill overlooking the old city built in 16th century. An elephant ride ascent to the fort. The panoramic views amaze you and you will explore the palaces such as sheesh Mahal, Jharokas, courtyard, temples, stepwell will take you to a fascinating journey. The sprawling city palace will be another charm of the city where you can watch the historical artifacts, weapons, dresses inside this palace. Your next visit will be of the Hawa Mahal a palace of breeze which is built to facilitate the royal ladies during the time of public processions and fairs. Also visit the Jantar mantar which is a stone observatory built to astrology purpose by the king. In the evening explore the Jaipur markets which are particularly famous for gold & silver jewelry, Fabrics, blue pottery and wooden handicrafts. Return back to hotel for overnight stay.

• Day 6- Jaipur Varanasi by Air

  After breakfast take the morning flight straight to the 6000 years ancient city of India Varanasi earlier known as Kashi. This city is also known as the spiritual centre of Hindu religions where people gathered every evening on the banks of the western ghats of the river Ganges to offer daily prayer of river ganges. Upon arrival at Varanasi you will be picked up by our representative and transfer to your hotel. In the evening you will be taken to attend the evening prayer ceremony (Ganga aarti or Light offering ceremony) this event will mesmerize your mood. Return back to hotel for the overnight stay.

• Day 7- Varanasi & Sarnath Sightseeing

  Wake up early and leave to enjoy the Boat ride trip in the middle of river Ganges where you will encounter the rituals, ceremonies, spirituality of Hindu India. The Dashaswamedha ghat and the Manikarnika ghat and its funeral ceremony will show you the different aspects of human life. It is said the funeral pyre never ends here. Take a dip in river Ganges which makes you free from the cycle of death and rebirth and you will get moksha immortality. After wards visit the world famous temple of Lord shiva “Kashi Vishwanath” where the sold gold spire of the temple will make you amazes and the visit of this temple will make your life fulfill with happiness and prosperity.

  Later enjoy the city tour with some other temple like Sankat Mochan Temple, Bharat Mata Temple, Durga Temple and the Banaras Hindu University.

  Your next visit will be of the Sarnath Temple which is dedicated to Gautam Buddha and he delivered his first ever sermon to his disciples. Also visit the Sarnath museum which has 3rd century BC sculptures, texts and antiques. Return back to hotel for overnight stay.

• Day 8- Varanasi – Bodhgaya

  After breakfast you will head towards Bodhgaya the city where lord buddha (prince Siddharth) get the enlighten to become Buddha under the Bodhi tree and this is sacred for both Hindu and Buddhists. Stay overnight at hotel.

• Day 9- Bodhgaya Sightseeing

  This day is purely dedicated to watch Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi tree, Chinese temples and monasteries and the school of destitute. Overnight stay at hotel.

• Day 10- Bodhgaya to Patna via Nalanda & Rajgir

  After breakfast you will proceed to Patna located in the state of Bihar which is earlier known as Vihara. En-route stop to watch Nalanda town renowned for the world’s oldest resident’s university where about 10,000 scholars and 2000 teachers lives together. Also, you will be passing through Rajgir which is small village where Budhha preached his most important sermons. The ruins, temples & history of these cites make them important to visit for every tourist. Upon reaching Patna or Patliputra during the great emperor Ashoka time you will be checked in to hotel for overnight stay.

• Day 11- Patna to Kushinagar via Vaishali

  This day you will be leaving to Kushinagar and you will be visiting en-route Vaishali where the founder of Jainism lord Mahavir was born here in 6000 BC. Also the Buddha preached his last sermon in Vaishali. Here visit the Relic stupas, Japanese International peace pagods and the Ashokan Pillar erected by emperor Ashoka 2000 years ago to commemorate the Buddha’s lesson. Continue your drive towards the Kushinagar. It is believed that Buddh took his last breath in Kushinagar located in Uttar Pradesh state of India. This site is also known as the place of mahaparinirvana where buddha finally liberated from the death and rebirth cycle. In Kushinagar you will see Parinirvana stupa, Thai Temple, Japanese temple buddhist museum and monasteries. Night stay at Kushinagar.

• Day 12- Kushinagar- Lumbini

  After breakfast you will proceed straight to Lumbini which is now located in Nepal and you need to take Nepal visa to cross the borders of India and Nepal. Lumbini is the prime attraction of Buddhism among the top 4 places of Buddhism where Buddha Birth, get enlighten, discourse and death.

  Here you will visit the famous mayadevi temple, Lumbini museum, Myanmar temple, Royal Thai monastery then stay overnight at hotel.

• Day 13- Lumbini- Shravasti

  After having breakfast you will proceed to Shravasti located in India. In this site Buddha spent almost 25 years of life living in the monasteries of jetvana. Shravasti has two villages Sahet and mahet where you can find ancient ruinst monasteries and belonging related to the life of Buddha. Here you can also visit the Jain Tirthankaras temple Swetambhara. Stay night at hotel.

• Day 14- Shravasti – Lucknow

  On this day you will be reaching the Lucknow city the city of Nawab’s known for their luxuries, life style, traditions and culture. This city is famed for many historical monuments such as Bada Imambara, Chota Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, Chattar Manjil and Bhool bhulaiya. Lucknow is also a paradise for shopping lovers. Stay overnight at hotel in Lucknow.

• Day 15- Lucknow- Delhi by Air

  This will be your last day of Best of North India & Buddhism 15 Days and you will be driven straight to Lucknow airport to catch your return flight to Delhi city and here the tour ends.