Buddha & South India Trip
Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days
Places Covered: Chennai - Varanasi - BodhGaya - Rajgir - Patna - vaishali - Kushinagar - Lumbini - Sravasti - Lucknow - Sankasya - Agra - Delhi - Chennai
DAY 01
Arrival in Chennai and Transfer to Hotel. Then you will be driven for sightseen of Chennai. Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the capital city of Tamil Nadu and one of the foremost tourist destinations of South India. The numerous temples,Sri Parthasarathy Temple,Kapaleswarar Temple, Guindy National Park, MGR Film City, Birla Planetarium Fort St. George, The High Court, The Marina Beach, shrines, forts and palaces of Chennai are a reflection of the rich and diverse historical heritage of the city. Overnight at Hotel.DAY 02
Take a Flight for Varanasi. On Arrival check-in at your hotel. we visit banks of the river Ganges where we board a boat to see the morning ablutions of the Hindus from the security of our boat. The boat ride starts from Dasashwamedh Ghat and ends at Manikarnika Ghat along the sacred Ganges. See the Kashi Vishwanath temple and the Gyanvyapi kund and the mosque attached to it. Also visit the Benares Hindu University the largest residential university in India.
Return to your hotel for Lunch. Later visit Sarnath the sacred city for the Buddhist all over the world. It was here that Lord Buddha preached his first sermon to his first five disciples. Also worth visiting is the museum with artifacts dating back to 3rd century BC. Visit the nearby ruins of the ancient seat of learning in Sarnath. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 03: Varanasi - BodhGaya.
In the morning you willbe driven for Bodhgaya. Bodhgaya Is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centers, for, it was here that Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment to become the Buddha. Visit the Stahabodhi temple, Japanese and Tibetan monasteries, Magadha University and museum. Return to the hotel for overnight Stay.
DAY 04: BodhGaya - Rajgir - Patna.
Take breakfast and drive to Patna. On the way to Patna, visit Rajgir-the place where Gautam Buddha meditated and preached. At Rajgir visit Gridharkuta Hill with its famous monastery venuvan Vihar, built by king Bimbisara. Also visit the ruins of famous Nalanda University. On arriving Patna, check in at the hotel for overnight stay.
DAY 05 : Patna - Vaishali - Kushinagar
Take early breakfast and drive towards Kushinagar the Buddhist Circuit Tour. Enroute visit Vaishali- the town wear Buddha announced his approaching Nirvana. On reaching Kushinagar-the place where Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana, check in at the hotel and after some rest, head on a tour of famous monasteries. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.
DAY 06: Kushinagar - Lumbini.
On day 06 of the Buddhist Circuit Tour, take breakfast and leave for Lumbini in Nepal. On reaching Lumbini, check in at the hotel in Bhairawan. In the afternoon set on a guided tour of Lumbini-the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.
DAY 07: Lumbini - Sravasti.
After breakfast proceed to Sravasti its about 150 km from the city of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, Shravasti was Buddha’s favourite rainy season retreat where he Buddha performed his first miracle. Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 08 : Sravasti - Lucknow.
Having the breakfast.Later, proceed to Lucknow. Check into the hotel for an overnight in Lucknow.
DAY 09 : Lucknow - Sankasya - Agra.
Morning - sightseeing tour of Lucknow, the city of the Nawabs and Begums. The places to visit are Bera Imambara, Chota Imambara and the Amina Bazaar. Then drive to Agra,enroute Sankasia. SANKASYA. BUDDHA'S ASCENT TO AND DESCENT FROM THE TRAYASTRIMSAS HEAVEN, AND OTHER LEGENDS.Continue drive to Agra.Reach Agra. Check in to the Hotel. Overnight Hotel in Agra.
DAY 10: Agra - Delhi.
After breakfast proceed to Delhi. Day free to relax or explore the city.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 11: Delhi - Chennai.
Transfer to Chennai, the Heart of Deccan India, by train.Lunch and dinner on board.
DAY 12
Train.
Lunch and dinner on board.
DAY 13
Welcome to Chennai. Transfer to hotel for overnight stay. After lunch half-day sightseeing tour of the city.
DAY 14
Transfer to airport for onward destination.
