Following in Buddha’s footsteps – India & Nepal
This tour is offered not only to Buddhist followers, it is a great opportunity for everyone who is interested to explore new cultures and religions, to know different worlds, customs, languages, food, ways of life!
The itinerary covers the four most important places of pilgrimage in Buddhism which are located in the Northern India and Southern Nepal, in the area between New Delhi and Rajgir. This is the area where Gautama Buddha lived and taught, and the main sites connected to his life are now important places of pilgrimage for both Buddhists and Hindus.
Besides visiting all the shrines and monasteries we will have enough time for Ayurveda treatments, for shopping and many more different activities during our tour, so pack your bags and follow your dreams!!!! Namaste
For booking contact directly TREK NATION INDIA
at: info@treknationindia.com, travelnatindia@gmail.com
call: (+1) 929 293 2029, (+1) 646 644 1979
or use the book/inquiry link below:
Day 1
NAMASTE AND WELCOME TO INDIA!
We meet in Delhi International Airport according to arrival times to get acquainted and preview the adventures ahead. Check in the hotel for dinner and overnight stay for rest and relaxation after a long flight. If time allows explore the surroundings.
Day 2
DELHI / GAYA (BY AIR, dept. NEW DELHI 12:10PM, arrvl. GAYA 1:40PM)
After breakfast transfer to New Delhi domestic airport to catch flight for Gaya. After arrival checking into hotel. Later visit Maha Bodhi temple. Prince Siddhartha found Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree after meditating for 49 days. Then he became Lord Buddha, the Enlightened One. Dinner and overnight in a hotel in Gaya.
Day 3
GAYA / RAJGIR (60KM / 2H)
After breakfast we will drive to Rajgir. After check-in in a hotel visit Nalanda which is 10 km far from Rajgir where ruins of the great ancient University has been excavated. The University of Nalanda was founded in 5th century AD, this great seat of learning flourished until 12th century. Evening come back to Rajgir for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4
IN RAJGIR
Today we will spend our full day sightseeing Rajgir. It has an amazing complex of temples and monasteries. This place has been associated with Lord Buddha and Buddhism. Buddha not only spent many years in Rajgir but also delivered sermons here. The teachings of Buddha were penned down at Rajgir and it was also the venue for the first Buddhist Council. Today Rajgir has come up as one of the most important pilgrimage sites for the Buddhist. It also has some very beautiful Hindu and Jain temples which attracts Hindus and Jains as well to the place. The added attraction is the ropeway which takes you uphill to the Shanti Stupa and Monasteries built by the Japanese Devotees on top of the Ratnagiri hills. Dinner and overnight in Rajgir.
Day 5
RAJGIR / VARANASI (BY TRAIN, dept. RAJGIR 8:10AM, arrvl. VARANASI 3:02PM)
After breakfast check out from hotel and transfer to railway station to catch train for Varanasi. On arrival check into hotel. In the evening, experience the Hindu ritual Aarti. According to the Hindu mythology, Varanasi liberates soul from human body to the ultimate. It is the Ganga Ghats of Varanasi that complement the concept of divinity. The Ganga Ghats at Varanasi are full of pilgrims who flock to the place to take a dip in the holy Ganges, which is believed to absolve one from all sins. Overnight stay in Varanasi.
Day 6
VARANASI / SARNATH / VARANASI
Today we will start our day with early morning boat ride. Boating on the Ganges at the sunrise in Varanasi is one of the main attractions. One can observe Hindu’s way of life on the bank of the river Ganges. There are number of temples and cremation ghats. After the boat ride take a small walk in to the oldest part of Varanasi famous for its narrow streets. Visit Kashi Vishwnath temple area.
After breakfast drive to Sarnath, approximately 10km (6.2ml) from Varanasi City. Varanasi is where the Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon. It makes Sarnath one of the most venerated Buddhist places. There are many Buddhist monuments at Sarnath. Evening come back to Varanasi for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7
VARANASI / KUSHINAGAR (230KM / 6-7H)
Drive to Kushinagar, the place where Lord Buddha fell ill and left his body. Important places to see here are Mukatanabandhana Stupa and the reclining Buddha statue in red sandstone. This is the place where Lord Buddha attained salvation. We will sleep in Kushinagar tonight.
Day 8
KUSHINAGAR / LUMBINI (150KM / 4-5H)
After check out from the hotel we will start driving to Lumbini. Today we will cross the India and Nepal border since Lumbini is situated in Nepal. It is the place where Lord Buddha was born thus it is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site. Freshen up in hotel later look around to see monasteries. Overnight stay in hotel in Lumbini.
Day 9
LUMBINI / POKHARA (170KM / 7-8H)
After breakfast visit monastery, the footprint of Buddha and Ashoka pillar. We can also visit some Hindu temples. After prayers and meditation transfer to Pokhara by road. The journey is very scenic as we will be driving in the Himalayan roads. After arrival check in a hotel, if time allows explore the surroundings. Dinner and overnight stay in Pokhara.
Day 10
IN POKHARA
Today we have no planned activities, it is time for relaxation and Ayurveda treatments (extra charge will apply). According to your desires we might visit some of Pokhara’s places of interest.
Day 11
POKHARA / KATHMANDU (200KM/ 6-7H)
Proceed to Kathmandu the capital city of Nepal situated at elevation of 4500 feet in the Himalayas. It is famous for beautiful panoramic mountain views with monasteries and temples. Evening walk in local street markets. We will be flexible today. Overnight in Kathmandu
Day 12
IN KATHMANDU
After breakfast drive to Bajrayogini temple. Later visit Swyambhunath shrine, Darbar square, Pashupatinath temple and Stupa of Boudhanath. Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 13
KATHMANDU / DELHI (BY AIR, dept. KATHMANDU 2.45PM, arrvl. NEW DELHI 4:10PM)
Morning free for local shopping. At noon we will check out from the hotel and catch afternoon flight for Delhi. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 14
INDIA DEPARTURE
Today there are no group activities. The only services provided is breakfast and mid-day check out from the hotel followed by transfer to Delhi International Airport. Whatever your plans are, our representative will help you get on the right track.
Inclusive:
- Accommodation in double sharing on MAP basis – bed, breakfast and dinner in *3 hotels or equivalent
- Transportation by car for all transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary
- English speaking tour escort/guide throughout the tour
- Permits and entrance fees to all monuments
- Monument guides charges
- Boat ride in Varanasi
- Rajgir / Varanasi train fare in AC class
- Assistance on arrival and departure
Rate does not include:
Any airfare, Indian and Nepali visas fees, insurance fee, lunch and extra meals, tips, any alcoholic beverages, any other beverages besides tea and coffee, laundry, camera entrance fee, video making fee, Ayurveda and medical treatments, donations in monasteries, temples or ashrams, personal expenses, expenses incurred beyond our control such as bad weather flight / train delays or cancellation, road closure, landslides, political disturbances etc.
Flight fares Delhi / Gaya and Kathmandu / Delhi we will add to the total cost whenever we buy the ticket. As the flight fare keep changing time to time. The cost of those local flights circulates at about 150 – 200 dollars for both.
