Buddha’s Footprints

Arrive Delhi

Late night, arrive Delhi. Meeting–and–assistance on arrival and garlanding at New Delhi International Airport. Transfer to your hotel.

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New Delhi, India's capital city, with a thousand years of history is a city of contrasts that combines a unique ambience of the ancient and the modern. An orderly plan of wide roads lined with sturdy colonial buildings, which was established soon after the Imperial capital of British India moved here from Calcutta in 1911.

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Morning, visit Old Delhi. Red Fort– Built in 1648, this sprawling fort of red sand stone along the river Yamuna is surrounded by a wall of about 2.4 km circumference. Built by the Mughal Emperror Shah Jahan, Jama Masjid is one of the most magnificent mosques in India. – the crowded bazaar (silver street) of Old Delhi. In fact, we will take a cycle–rickshaw ride in the narrow lanes of the Old City! N.B. It will only be a drive past the Red Fort in Delhi as we will be going inside the Red Fort in Agra which is more interesting and picturesque.

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Afternoon, sightseeing of New Delhi. Visiting Bangla Sahib Gurdawara (Sikh temple), drive past the diplomatic enclave, Parliament House, India Gate and President's Estate. From here, we will pay a visit to the Gandhi Smriti, the house where Gandhi was assassinated and is now a very pleasant museum. Lastly, we will be visiting the Qutab Minar.

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Overnight at the hotel.

In Delhi

New Delhi, India's capital city, with a thousand years of history is a city of contrasts that combines a unique ambience of the ancient and the modern. An orderly plan of wide roads lined with sturdy colonial buildings, which was established soon after the Imperial capital of British India moved here from Calcutta in 1911. Morning, visit Old Delhi. Red Fort– Built in 1648, this sprawling fort of red sand stone along the river Yamuna is surrounded by a wall of about 2.4 km circumference. Built by the Mughal Emperror Shah Jahan, Jama Masjid is one of the most magnificent mosques in India. – the crowded bazaar (silver street) of Old Delhi. In fact, we will take a cycle–rickshaw ride in the narrow lanes of the Old City! N.B. It will only be a drive past the Red Fort in Delhi as we will be going inside the Red Fort in Agra which is more interesting and picturesque. Afternoon, sightseeing of New Delhi. Visiting Bangla Sahib Gurdawara (Sikh temple), drive past the diplomatic enclave, Parliament House, India Gate and President's Estate. From here, we will pay a visit to the Gandhi Smriti, the house where Gandhi was assassinated and is now a very pleasant museum. Lastly, we will be visiting the Qutab Minar. Overnight at the hotel.

Delhi to Varanasi (Flight)

Leave Delhi  : 1025 hrs Arrive Varanasi  : 1150 hrs Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon, take a short excursion to Sarnath where Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon, after attaining Nirvana. Emperor Ashoka had monastaries and stupas built here which were destroyed by Muslim invaders in later years. Some remains were discovered by British archaeologists in 1835. We will also visit the Archeological Museum here which mainly houses the Buddhist cultural wealth recovered from this area. In the evening, we will go down to the bank of the river Ganges on cycle– rickshaws to view performance of "Aarti" (fire–worship) being offered to the holy river. The sight and sound of the bells, chanting of prayers and the light of numerous floating lamps is fascinating!! Overnight at the hotel.

In Varanasi

Early morning transfer to the ghats for a a boat– ride on the river Ganges to see the sunrise and witness local people worshipping and bathing at the Ghats. Return to hotel for breakfast. Rest of the day free. Overnight at the hotel.

Varanasi to Bodhgaya (Surface)

Morning, drive to Bodhgaya (210 km / 5 hrs). On arrival, check–in at your hotel. Evening, visit the Mahabodhi Temple, a World Heritage site, it is built adjacent to the site of Buddha's enlightenment in the 6th century AD. The temple was attacked and plundered by Muslim invaders in the 11th century and re–built several times. Overnight at the hotel.

Bodhgaya to Patna (Surface)

Morning, drive to Patna (220 km / 6 hrs) en route visiting Nalanda & Rajgir Rajgir which was the capital of the Magadha kingdom and is a pilgrimage centre for Jains and Hindus as well. The Japanese Buddhists have built the massive Vishwashanti Stupa on the Ratnagiri Hill which can be accessed by a chairlift. The stupa has statues of Buddha at the four stages of his life – birth, enlightenment, teaching and death. From the hill top, the Jain shrines can also be viewed scattered across 26 distant hills. Spread over 14 hectares, the Nalanda University Ruins Archaeological Complex is set amidst expansive lawns which offset the spectacular layout and carvings of this ancient university. The monasteries and the viharas are separated by a central valley. Interesting structures to look out for include: steps leading up to perhaps a dais for professors and stupas with images of the Buddha carved in. According to the Chinese traveler Xuan Zang who also taught at the university during 685 and 762 AD, 10,000 monks and professors resided here at the time. On arrival in Patna, check–in at your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Patna to Kushinagar (Surface)

Morning, drive to Kushinagar (260 km / 7 hrs). Afternoon, sightseeing of Kushinagar where Buddha breathed his last. Several monuments built by devotees from across the world have been built on this holy site along the Buddha Marg. These include: Vietnam's Linh Son Buddhists temple, meditation centre and gardens, the Burmese Mahasukhamdadacham Thargyi Pagoda, the Mahaparinirvan Temple with a tranquil and reclining Buddha and the Matahkuar temple, the Japanese – Sri Lanka temple and the Wat Thai temple. The Ramabhar Stupa, or the Mukutbandhan Stupa is the site of the cremation of Buddha. Overnight at the hotel.

Kushinagar to Lumbini (Surface)

Morning, drive to Lumbini (160 km / 5 hrs). On arrival, check–in at your hotel. Afternoon, sightseeing of Lumbini. Lumbini is the birth place of Buddha. It is one of the most significant pilgrimage destinations located in the southern Terai plains of Nepal. Lumbini is listed in the World Heritage Monument List by UNESCO. The Indian emperor Ashoka identified and set the Ashoka pillar in Lumbini which is the main attraction of this area. The other main attractions of this area are Maya Devi Temple, Scared Garden spread over 8sq km and scared pond Puskarni where Mayadevi had taken a bath before giving birth to Gautam Buddha. Many countries have built monasteries in this area, it's possible to walk around and visit them as you like. Though the buildings are mainly in the new style. Overnight at the hotel.

Lumbini to Kapilvastu - Sarvasti (Surface)

Morning, drive to Sarvasti en route visiting Kapilvastu (240 km / 7 – 8 hrs). Commonly referred to as Piprahawa, Kapilvastu is a place with immense historical significance. The place was formerly the capital of the Shakya Dynasty where Lord Buddha was born. The place holds significant value for Buddhist pilgrims and has several Stupas. The archaeological excavations have revealed stone caskets containing relics believed to be that of Buddha. Overnight at the hotel

Sarvasti to Lucknow (Surface)

Morning, sightseeing of Sravasti (ancient Savatthi), which was the capital of ancient Kosala Mahajanapada, is an important Buddhist destination. Founded by the mythological King Sravasta, Lord Buddha and his disciples stayed and preached for 24 years in Sravasti. This ancient city has several age–old stupas, majestic monasteries and several temples. Later, drive to Lucknow (220 km / 6 hrs). On arrival, check–in at your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Lucknow to Agra (Train)

Morning, sightseeing of Lucknow, the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh, extends along the banks of the River Gomti. The creator of Lucknow as it is today was Nawab Asaf ud Daula. The city became known as a centre for Urdu poetry and courtly diction and reached its acme during the reign of Wajid Ali Shah who was a connoisseur of music and poetry. The main attraction in Lucknow is the Asafi Imambara. Also known as the Bara Imambara, it was built by Nawab Asaf–ud–Daula in 1784 and is one of the architectural wonders of that era. Its central hall is said to be the largest vaulted chamber in the world. Except for the galleries in the interior, there is no woodwork in the entire structure. It has large underground passages which have been blocked up. A staircase from outside leads to a series of labyrinths known as Bhool–Bhulaiyan which is a complicated entanglement of zig–zag pass. Within the compound of the Imambara is the grand Asafi Mosque. Shahi Baoli is another attraction here. The British Residency of Lucknow is a famous historical landmark of this place. It is now in ruins and has been declared a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India. The Rumi Darwaza of Lucknow is one of the most impressive architectural structures in India. It was constructed in the year 1784 by Nawab Asaf–ud–daula. The Rumi Darwaza is an example of the fine architectural style of Awadh. After sightseeing, we will be transferred in time to the railway station to board our train for Delhi. Leave Lucknow :  1555 hrs; Arrive Agra :  2155 hrs On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Agra to Jaipur (Surface)

Morning, sightseeing of Agra visiting Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonderers of the World built by Shaha Jahan (Mughal Emperor) for his beloved wife Mumtaz. Thereafter proceed to Agra Fort; built by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565 A.D. the fort is a masterpiece of design and construction. Within the fort are a number of exquisite buildings. Later, drive on to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri (232 km / 7 hrs approx with Fatehpur Sikri). Fatehpur Sikri, built during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) was the capital of the Mughal Empire for only some 10 years. The complex of monuments and temples, all in a uniform architectural style, includes one of the largest mosques in India, the Jama Masjid. On arrival in Jaipur, check–in at your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

In Jaipur

0800 hrs: After early breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Amer Fort. the former capital of the Kachhwaha Rajputs, on a hillside overlooking Maotha lake, 11 km from Jaipur on the Delhi – Jaipur road. Also have the unique experience of ascending the fort on elephant backs. En route to Amer Fort photo stop at Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds. The monument was originally conceived with the aim of enabling ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and royal processions of the city. After lunch, proceed for sightseeing of City Palace. This is in the heart of the old city and is the former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles. Even today The City Palace is the principal residence of the ruling family. Also Visit Jantar Mantar A stone observatory. Largest of Jai Singh's five remarkable observatories , it has complex instruments with different settings and shapes. Also visit the local bazaar. Overnight at the hotel.

Jaipur to Delhi (Surface)

Morning, drive back to Delhi (255 km / 6 hrs). On arrival, check–in at your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Leave Delhi

Morning, transfer to the airport to board flight for home.