Varanasi Bodhgaya Kushinagar Lumbini Buddhist Tour

Day 01: Arrive Varanasi

On arrival at Varanasi Airport / Station. India's holiest and world's oldest living city popularly known as Kashi, Benares or Banaras, located on the sacred Ganges River. Meet and greet with a traditional Indian welcome and escorted to your hotel.. In evening proceed to witness Aarti ceremony at the Dashashwamedh Ghat located at the banks of the holy River Ganga and near to Kashi Vishwanath Temple - Dedicated to Lord Shiva one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. (Please note: No Vehicle Zone vehicle will stop at parking .You have to walked or take Rickshaw take though a over-crowded market and reached at the Dashashwamedh Ghat.) Return hotels. Dinner and Overnight stay at Varanasi.

Day 02: Varanasi- Sarnath -Bodh Gaya (270 Kms/ 6 Hours)
Breakfast at the hotel .Drive to Sarnath approx 15 Kms/ 30 Minutes. One of four major pilgrimage destinations for Buddhists the place where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon to his five disciples after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya . Visits Dhamekh Stupa remarkable structure was built by Emperor Ashoka , Deer Park- The site of Buddha's first teachings and Archaeological Museum (Note: The museum at Sarnath is closed on Fridays ) . Return to Hotel for Lunch. later drive to Bodh Gaya approx 270 kms/ 6 Hours. One of the most important Buddhists pilgrimage sites where Buddha attained Enlightenment underneath the Bodhi tree. .Upon arrival in Bodh Gaya, check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner and Overnight stay at Bodh Gaya.

Day 03:- At Bodhgaya
Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed for full day tour to Bodhgaya visit Mahabodhi Temple a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Bodhi Tree where the Buddha attained enlightenment. Sujata Village- Girl Sujata offers the rice milk bowl to Buddha and ended Sakyamuni's hard asceticism. Later visits Burmese Temple , Thai Temple , Tibetan Monastery , Chinese Temple & many more International Monastery and Temple ( Closing Time 17:00) and 80th feet Statue. After Lunch visit to Dungeshwari Caves , Here, Prince Siddhartha performed austere meditation for years and reduced himself to a skeleton. The location is very sacred among Buddhists as the site purified by lord himself through continuous meditation. Dinner and Overnight at Bodhgaya.The rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner and Overnight stay at Bodh Gaya.

Day 04 : Bodhgaya - Rajgir – Nalanda – Patna
Breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Patna approx 170 kms/ 6 Hours - The capital of Bihar state. En-route visiting Rajgir (65 Kms) the capital of ancient Magadh visits Gridhrakuta Hill also known as Vulture's peak, where Buddha was said to have rested after the day's preaching. Vishwa Shanti Stupa or World Peace Stupa was built by Japanese monk Fujii Guruji located at atop the Ratnagiri hills accessed by Chair Lift Aerial Ropeway. Venuvana also known as Bamboo Grove was built by King Bimbisara. Monastery surrounded by bamboo trees Buddha spent many of the rain-retreats. Lunch at Hotel drive to Nalanda approx 15 Kms / 30 Minutes visit the ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara and oldest university of the World – a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned International Centre for Buddhist Studies. Nalanda Museum collection of antiquities sculptures, inscription and stone images found from the excavated site. Thereafter drive to Patna approx 90 Kms / 3 Hours .Upon arrival in Patna, check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner and Overnight stay at Patna

Day 05: Patna - Vaishali – Kushinagar (260 Kms/ 7 Hours)
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Kushinagar approx 260 kms/7 Hours one-way journey. One of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites where Gautam Buddha had Mahaparinirvana. En-route visiting Vaishali (50 Kms) host second Buddhist council . Ashok Lion Pillar was built by Emperor Ashoka beside Ananda Stupa. Buddha's Relic Stupa was built by Lichchavis. World Peace Pagoda was built by Japanese monk Nipponzan Myhoji. En-route visit Kesariya Stupa -The largest Buddhist stupa in the world. Lunch at Local Restaurant later proceed to Kushinagar. Upon arrival in Kushinagar,Check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner and Overnight stay at Kushinagar.

Day 06: Kushinagar – Lumbini (180 Kms / 05 Hours )
Breakfast at the hotel .Proceed for visiting Mahaparinirvana Temple where Buddha took his last breathes. Inside the temple Reclining Buddha statue lying 6.1 meter long. Rambhar Stupa is also known as Mukutbandhan-Chaitya cremation site of Lord Buddha 1.5 Kms from Nirvana Temple. Return to Hotel for Lunch. Later drive to Lumbini approx 180 Kms/ 5 Hours a UNESCO World Heritage Sites -The Birth Place of Lord Buddha. One of the holiest and significant places for Buddhists religions. Prince Siddhartha (Lord Buddha) was born on the full moon under a sal tree in the month of April. En-route stops at India/Nepal border for Visa/Immigration formalities (Ensure Double / Multiple Entry Visa for India). Upon arrival in Lumbini, check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner and Overnight stay at Patna.

Day 07: Lumbini – Kapilvastu- Saravasti (200 Kms/ 5 )
Breakfast at the hotel . Morning visit Mayadevi Temple dedicated to mother of Lord Buddha. Inside temple marked Stone pinpoints the exact birth spot. Ashoka Pillar was built by Emperor Ashoka. Puskarini Sacred Pond in which the prince was bathed after birth and international monasteries .Early Lunch at Hotel and drive to Kapilavastu – The Childhood Home of Gautam Buddha and spent 29 years of his life. Later drive to Sravasti -It was capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala and holiest place for Buddhists the Buddha preached most of his sermons. They had performed many miracles during the monsoon. Upon arrival in Saravasti , Check-in at the hotel. Dinner and Overnight stay at Saravasti.

Day 08: Sravasti – Varanasi (370 kms / 9 hrs drive)
Breakfast at the hotel . Morning visit Saheth (Jetvanaram) where Buddha is said to have sheltered for 24 rainy seasons. Maheth (Angulimal Caves) , Anathapindika House and Ananda Bodhi Tree also known as peepal tree. Back to Hotel for Lunch and drive to Varanasi approx 370 kms/ 9 Hours . Upon arrival in Varanasi , Check-in at the hotel. Dinner and Overnight stay at Varanasi.

Day 09: Varanasi
Early morning enjoy the boat ride on the holy river Ganges with picturesque view of sunrise. Return to Hotel for breakfast. The rest of the day is at leisure or local shopping. At an appropriate time transferred to Varanasi airport to board the flight for onward destination with the happy memory.