» India Pilgrimage Tours
Places Covered : Delhi - Patna - Nalanda - Bodhgaya - Varanasi - Gorakhpur
- Balrampur - Lucknow
Duration : 14 Nights / 15 Days
Day
01 : Delhi
Arrival at Delhi by air. On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight
at hotel.
Day 02 : Delhi - Patna
Transfer to airport and
leave by air for Patna. This city, the ancient Patliputra, was the seat of many
empires which flourished during the 6th Century AD. Half-day's sightseeing of
the city include visits to Patna Museum, Sher Shah Masjid and Hari Mandir Temple.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 : Patna - Rajgir
Early morning
proceed by Car/Coach for Rajgir. On arrival check in at the tourist bungalow.
Rest of the day at leisure.Overnight at tourist bungalow.
Day 04
: Rajgir - Nalanda - Rajgir
Early morning proceed by Car/Coach for Nalanda
- an important seat of learning from the 5th century BC to the 12th century AD.
Excavations have disclosed many Buddhist Chaltyas or halls of worship and monasteries.
Afternoon city tour of Rajgir, once the capital of Magadha. Both the Buddha and
Mahavira chose this city for their retreats and sermons. Return to Rajgir by surface.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 : Rajgir - Bodhgaya
Early morning
proceed by Car/Coach for Bodhgaya, and visit Vajrashilla, the sacred spot under
the Bodhi Tree. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 06 : Bodhgaya
Full day sightseeing of Bodhgaya visiting Buddhist temples in India. Overnight
at hotel.
Day 07 : Bodhgaya - Varanasi
After breakfast proceed
by Car/Coach to Varanasi, the eternal city, which is the holiest Hindu city in
India, and one of the oldest living cities in the world. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 08 : Varanasi
Early morning proceed for boat riding on the
Ganges to view the rituals that take place along the ghats (waterside steps).
Afternoon at leisure to take a walking trip of the city centre - see shops overflowing
with Banaras silk and brocades. Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 : Varanasi
Full day excursion to Sarnath for buddhist pilgrimage in India. It was here
in the Deer Park that the Buddha delivered his first sermon. See in motion 'The
Wheel of Law' of the Buddhist faith.
Day 10 : Varanasi - Gorakhpur
Early morning proceed by Car/Coach for Gorakhpur. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 : Gorakhpur
Full day pilgrimage
tour to Kushinagar or Kasia where the Buddha left his mortal body. Spend the night
at the hotel.
Day 12 : Gorakhpur
Full day excursion to Lumbini
where the Buddha was born. The Emperor Ashoka came here as a pilgrim and erected
a pillar, which carried the inscription "Here Buddha was born". Overnight
at hotel in Gorakhpur.
Day 13 : Gorakhpur - Balrampur
Early
morning proceed by Car/Coach for Balrampur. Afternoon buddhist pilgrimage tour
of Balrampur (Shravasti). Overnight at hotel.
Day 14 : Balrampur -
Lucknow - Delhi
Early morning proceed by Car/Coach for Lucknow. Lucknow
derives its name from Lakshmana (the brother of Rama - the hero of the epic Ramayana),
who lived here towards the end of his life.
Afternoon sightseeing tour
of Lucknow visiting the Great Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, Sikandar Bagh and the Aliganj
Temple. The Great Imambara built in the 18th century was constructed to provide
employment during the famine.
The absence of beams and pillars in the
huge main hall is an architectural achievement. The Rumi Darwaza is the Turkish
Gate at the entrance to the Great Imambara. Evening transfer to airport and fly
to Delhi. On arrival check in at the hotel.
Day 15 : Delhi
Transfer
from hotel to airport in time to catch your flight for onward destination.
