Buddha Purnima in Bodhgaya

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Tour Start Date: 30th April 2009

Day 1: Arrive Delhi
On arrival at the airport, you will be met and assisted by our representative and escorted to the hotel. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 2: Delhi
After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing in Delhi • your first stop is Red Fort built by the great Mughal emperor Shahjahan when he shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi. A short drive down lies Jama Masjid, a grand mosque built by Shahjahan. Further, a fascinating walk down Chandni Chowk or the Silver Street takes you back to a bygone era. Next comes a drive to Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Rajghat and then on to Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India dating back to 1191 AD. Close to it are the cloisters of one of the first mosques of India, the Quwwatul. In the centre of the courtyard is a 2000 year old iron pillar built in 4 AD, famous for never having rusted. From there to Humayun's tomb built by the widow of Mughal Emperor Humayun. A drive through Delhi's avenues of British vintage brings you to India Gate, a memorial to the "unknown soldier", Rashtrapati Bhawan (residence of the President of India), and the awesome Rajpath. Finally to Connaught Circus where the best bargains await you. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 3: Delhi • Jaipur
After breakfast, proceed to Jaipur. On arrival in Jaipur, you will be met by our representative. Check-in to your hotel. In the evening, you will explore the local market. Overnight stay in Jaipur.

Day 4: Jaipur
After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing in Jaipur. Your tour begins with an Elephant Ride at Amber Fort followed by the city tour covering Hawa Mahal, Royal Observatory, City Palace, Nawab Sahab Ki Haveli and Johari Bazar. Overnight stay in Jaipur.

Day 5: Jaipur - Agra
After breakfast, proceed to Agra with a visit to Fatehpur Sikri en route. Sikri is an awesome ghost town Akbar built when he grew weary of Agra; he abandoned it a decade and a half later owing to water scarcity. It still stands, its massive fortification and impressive gateway and palaces unbeaten by time. Sitting in the middle of a pink sandstone courtyard is the marble tomb of saint Salim Chisti. On arrival in Agra, check-in to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will be taken for sightseeing in Agra. You will visit the Taj Mahal, Red Fort and the Tomb of Itmad-ud-daula. Overnight stay in Agra.

Day 6: Agra - Varanasi
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight to Varanasi. On arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit the stupas, the ruins of Sarnath which was the scene of Buddha•s first sermon. Overnight stay in Varanasi.

Day 7: Varanasi
Early morning enjoy a boat ride at River Ganges. After breakfast, you will be taken for sightseeing in Varanasi. You will visit the Vishwanath Temple, Bharat Mata Temple etc. Overnight stay in Varanasi.

Day 8: Varanasi - Bodhgaya
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight to Bodhgaya. On arrival you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Take an inspiring tour of this holiest of Buddhist pilgrimage centres, known to be the land where Buddha attained enlightenment. Visit the Stahabodhi temple, a couple of Japanese and Tibetan monasteries, the Magadha University and museum. Overnight stay in Bodhgaya.

Day 9: Bodhgaya
Today you will experience the celebration of Buddha Purnima In Bodhgaya. Overnight stay in Bodhgaya.

Day 10: Bodhgaya - Vaishali - Kushinagar
After breakfast, drive to Kushinagar with a visit to Vaishali en route - a very special place to Buddhists as The Lord delivered his last sermon and announced his impending "Nirvana". See the majesty of Ashok Pillar, Lotus tank, Chaumukhi. Overnight stay in Kushinagar.

Day 11: Kushinagar - Lumbini
After breakfast, visit The Mahanirvana Temple and proceed to Lumbini. Overnight stay in Lumbini.

Day 12: Lumbini - Kapilvastu - Sravasti - Balrampur
After breakfast, visit The Ashoka's Pillar (249 BC) rediscovered in 1890's inside thick sal forest, a temple of Mayadevi, the ruins of an old monastery and some new stupas, then in the afternoon proceed to Balrampur with a visit to Sravasti enroute, where you will see the extensive ruins of this ancient city and Jetavana Monastery. On arrival in Balrampur, check-in to your hotel. Overnight stay in Balrampur.

Day 13: Balrampur - Lucknow
After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing in Balrampur. Later proceed to Lucknow. On arrival, check in to your hotel. Overnight stay in Lucknow.

Day 14: Lucknow - Delhi
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing in Lucknow. Visit the Imambara, Rumi Darwaza. In the evening, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight to Delhi. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 15: Delhi - Flight Back Home
After breakfast, you are free to explore the city on your own. In the evening, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. 

• Accommodation for 14 nights in 3 star / Heritage hotels
• Daily breakfast
• All transfers & sightseeing by an individual vehicle
• English speaking local guide
• All applicable taxes

*NOTE: Above rates are per person on double occupancy basis & subject to change.

Balrampur, Lucknow, Delhi, Lumbini, Kapilvastu, Sravasti, Kushinagar, Bodhgaya, Vaishali, Varanasi, Agra, Jaipur