The Golden Path – Buddhist Tourism Circuit
The Golden Path – Buddhist Circuit
Destination
Delhi – Lucknow – Shravasti – Lumbini – Kushinagar – Vaishali – Nalanda – Rajgir – Bodh Gaya – Varanasi – Delhi
Best Time To Visit : Whole Year
13 Days / 12 Nights
The Golden Path – Buddhist Tourism Circuit Highlights
India is the root country of Buddhism. There are numerous pilgrimage sites in India that are profoundly revered in Buddhism like Bodhgaya, Patna, Kushinagar, Vaishali, etc. Nepal houses the two pilgrimage sites of Buddhism- Kapilvastu and Lumbini.
This 13 Days & 12 nights itinerary takes the traveller to these sacred sites, and to the other spots linked with early Buddhism. It is an ideal tour package for travellers who want to follow the footsteps of Lord Buddha.
Highlights
Delhi: Explore gems of the Capital City of Delhi; The Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, Lodhi Gardens, Gandhi Smriti, etc.
Lumbini: visit the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
Kushinagar: where Gautama Buddha attained Parinirvana (Salvation).
Sarnath: where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon.
Vaishali: Considered the First republic in the world.
Day 01: Arrive in Delhi by flight.
Welcome to India- a country where hospitality is a way of life; to a culture steeped in tradition, a land where history lives in music and dance.
Arrive at Delhi airport you will be received in a traditional manner with garlands and proceed to your hotel for check in.
Day 02: Delhi
Morning, After breakfast we meet in the lobby for a brief orientation and programme highlighting the trip.
Drive past Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of the President of India, India and arrive The Qutab Minar for a guided tour.
After the guided tour, we take you to Gandhi Smriti Museum complex.
Afternoon, we take you for a relaxed walking trip to the Lodhi Gardens to enjoy the beautiful lush green gardens with ancient monuments scattered within.
Finally, we will take you to a place where Buddhist followers are living. In Delhi Ladakh Buddhist Vihar is very good place to intact with Buddhist followers.
The Buddhist Monastery of Ladakh Buddhist Vihar in Majnu Ka Tila is the most popular place to visit. Surrounded by the small Buddhist locality and a famed market, it is a Tibetan style monastery with Lord Buddha as the main deity and incredible wall art.
Overnight in Delhi
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 03: Delhi – Agra – Delhi
Today early morning pickup from the hotel and drive down to Agra. On arrival, we will proceed to visit the Taj Mahal. After this, we will visit Agra Fort (Near the gardens of the Taj Mahal)
Overnight in Delhi
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 04: Delhi – Lucknow (Train/Flight) & Drive to Shravasti
Morning train to Lucknow. You can experience the luxury train, which takes around 6 hours to reach Lucknow, or you can take a flight
On arrival in Lucknow proceed to Shravasti by road. Shravasti is a small town where Buddha lived most of his life after enlightenment.
Arrive and check-into the hotel for an overnight stay.
Overnight in Shravasti
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 05: Shravasti – Lumbini
Today morning after breakfast at the hotel. We take you for a sightseeing of Shravasti visiting Maheth and Saheth clusters of Buddhist attractions.
The place forms an important angle in the Buddhist Triangle of Sarnath-Shravasti-Kushinagar in the eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Maheth is another important site of Buddhist shirnes and. In fact, Maheth was the actual site of the erstwhile Shravasti city.
After the sightseeing, proceed to Lumbini. On arrival check-in at the hotel for overnight stay.
Overnight stay in Lumbini
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 06: Lumbini – Kushinagar
Today morning after breakfast at the hotel. We take you to visit the birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini. Visit Mayadevi Temple, one of the most ancient Buddhist Temples and known as the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
Afterwards, we proceed to Kushinagar. On arrival check-in at the hotel for overnight stay.
Kushinagar is an important city for Buddhist Pilgrimage and frequently visited by the Buddhist Pilgrims.
Overnight in Kushinagar
Meal Plan : Breakfast
Day 07: Kushinagar – Vaishali
Morning visit Mahapari Nirvana Temple (the place of death of Lord Buddha) and Ramabhar Stupa
Afterwards, proceed to Vaishali. On arrival check-in at the hotel.
Overnight in Vaishali
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 08: Vaishali – Bodhgaya via Rajgir and Nalanda
Today morning after breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to Bodhgaya en route visiting Rajgir and Nalanda.
Nalanda, the historic epicentre of learning and excellence. This once world famous university attracted students from other parts of the world during 5th to 12th century AD.
Afterwards proceed to Bodhgaya check in at the hotel.
Overnight in Bodhgaya
Meal Plan : Breakfast
Day 09: Bodhgaya
Today morning after breakfast at the hotel. Proceed for sightseeing of the famous Mahabodhi Temple.
Afternoon sightseeing of Niranjana River, Sujata Village, and Monasteries.
Overnight in Bodhgaya
Meal Plan : Breakfast
Day 10: Bodhgaya
Today morning after breakfast at hotel, proceed for full day excursion covering.
Dungeshwari Cave Temples are a set of caves where Buddha is believed to have spent several years in meditation before attaining enlightenment.
Barbara Hill Caves are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in. Evening return to Bodhgaya.
Overnight in Bodhgaya
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 11: Bodhgaya – Varanasi
Today morning after breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to Varanasi. On arrival check in at the hotel.
Afternoon visit the local market to explore the area.
In the evening we take you to a boat ride on the Ganges and witness the famous Aarti of river Ganges.
Overnight in Varanasi
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 12: Varanasi
Today early morning we take you to visit wonderful ghats of the holy river Ganga and enjoy a boat ride with a picturesque view of the sunrise.
Later post-breakfast proceeds for a city tour of Varanasi. Starts from the visit to the Durga temple, Sankat Mochan temple and the Bharat Mata temple. Later enjoy the pleasure trip to Sarnath, about 10 km from the holy city of Varanasi, is the place where Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon.
Overnight in Varanasi
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 13: Varanasi – Delhi
Today morning after breakfast, we transfer to the airport to board flight for Delhi, arrive Delhi and you will be transferred to your hotel for check in.
Afternoon, depending on the time available, brief city tour.
Overnight in Delhi
Day 14: Delhi Departure
Morning after breakfast, on time we will transfer you from the hotel to the airport to catch onward flight