Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi and meet our representative at the arrival hall and transfer to Hotel.
Overnight at Hotel in Delhi.

Day 02: In Delhi
Morning proceed for sightseeing tour of New & Old Delhi. Visit the 12th Century Qutab Minar; gracefully fluted and hand carved for its entire height of 234 feet. Near it stands the Iron Pillar which has withstood the ravages of time and hasn’t rusted in 1500 years. Also, visit the graceful mausoleum of the Mughal Emperor Humayun and the modern Birla Temple. Drive past the President's House, the Parliament House and the Secretariat buildings. The Red Fort, which was built in 1648 by Mughal Emperor Shahjehan and the Jama Masjid, which is one of the largest mosques in India are other places of interest. The Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana are the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru respectively and make for a peaceful retreat. Besides these, visit Chandni Chowk for a unique shopping experience at Old Delhi.
Overnight at Hotel in Delhi.

Day 03: Delhi - Lucknow Train - Lucknow Shatabdi ( 0615 / 1230 ) Lucknow – Sravasti Drive : 180 Kms / 4-5 hrs
Morning transfer to Railway Station to board Train to Lucknow. Arrive Lucknow and drive to Sravasti, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala. Sravsti is known for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana Gardens. The city is believed to be founded by the mythological king, Sravast and has age-old stupas, majestic monasteries and several temples. Buddha is said to have performed some miracles here. In Sravasti, visit Saheth - Maheth and Jetvan. Overnight at Hotel in Sravasti.

Day 04: Sravasti - Lumbini Drive - 225 Kms / 6hours
Drive to Lumbini (birth place of Lord Buddha). En-route visit Kapilavastu (Piprawaha). Kapilavastu was the ancient capital of the Sakya Clan whose ruler was the Father of Buddha, which is why Buddha is also referred to as Sakyamuni. Prince Gautam, as Buddha was then known, left his palace in Kapilavastu at the age of 29 and revisited it 12 years later, long after he had attained enlightenment. A large Stupa stands at this ancient site, which is said to have the bone relics of Buddha. We continue our drive to Lumbini (95 Kms. from Kapilavastu). Situated across the Border in Nepal, Lumbini is the Birth Place of Lord Buddha. Arrive Lumbini and check-in at Hotel. Later, visit the Ashokan Column, the famous Rummindei Pillar, which commemorated the emperor's visit in 249 B.C. It still stands to mark the sacred spot of Buddha's nativity.
Overnight stay at Lumbini.

Day 05: Lumbai - Kushinagar Drive - 180 Kms / 6 hours
Morning proceed for the sightseeing tour of Lumbini, the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha. He renounced his riches in favour of seeking peace and enlightenment as Gautam Buddha. Here is the seat of Buddhism, a religion that blossomed and spread across the world. Later proceed to Kushinagar. Arrive Kushinagar and check-in Hotel. Afternoon proceed for the sightseeing tour of Kushinagar, earlier known as Kushinara. It is believed that Buddha attained 'Mahaparinirvana' (release from the endless cycle of birth and rebirth) here. The statue of the Reclining Buddha at the temple is one of the most sacred sights for the pilgrims and a mound of bricks marks the place where Buddha is said to have been cremated.
Overnight at Hotel in Kushinagar.

Day 06: Kushinagar - Patna Drive - 310 Kms / 8 hrs
Morning drive to Patna. En-route visit Vaishali, which is believed to be the first republic of the world. Having an elected body of representatives holds special significance for the Buddhist devotees. At Kolhua, Lord Buddha delivered his last sermon, hinting at his impending departure from the mortal world. Vaishali is famous for Amrapali, the beautiful dancer and courtesan of Vaishali, who offered Buddha a mango orchard and was so impressed by his teachings that she later became a nun (Bhikshu). Later, Emperor Ashoka erected a huge Pillar to commemorate the spot of Buddha’s last sermon. Continue drive to Patna. Arrive Patna and check-in at Hotel.
Overnight at Hotel in Patna.

Day 07: Patna - Bodhgaya Drive - 230 Kms /8 hrs
Morning drive to Bodhgaya. En-route visit Nalanda, home to one of the oldest known universities of the world. Its ruins show that over 2000 teachers and 10000 students from all over the Buddhist world lived and studied here. The Chinese chronicler Huien Tsang spent many years here, both as a student and a teacher. An international centre for Buddhist studies also functions here. Later, visit Rajgir, the ancient capital of the Magadh Kings. Buddha came here often. Rajgir is an important place of pilgrimage for Hindus as the temple complex here is dedicated to the Sun God. Arrive Bodhgaya and check-in at Hotel.
Overnight at Hotel in Bodhgaya.

Day 08: In Bodhgaya
Morning proceed for a visit to the Mahabodhi Temple and Lord Buddha Temple. Evening at leisure.
Overnight at Hotel in Bodhgaya.

Day 09: Bodhgaya - Varanasi Drive - 300 Kms / 7 hrs
Morning drive to Varanasi. En-route visit Sarnath, 10 Kms. east of Varanasi, it is one of Buddhism's major centers in India. After attaining enlightenment, Buddha came to Sarnath where he gave his first sermon. Also visit the deer park and the museum. Continue drive to Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi and check-in at Hotel. Evening see the "aarti" ceremony on the banks of the river Ganges and stroll along the narrow lanes and bazaars full of shops selling the world-famous Banaras Silks among many other things.
Overnight at Hotel in Varanasi.

Day 10: Varanasi - Delhi Flight
Morning proceed for a boat cruise on the river Ganges to observe the way of life of pilgrims by the Ghats. Later transfer to Airport to board flight for Delhi. Meet our representative at arrival hall and transfer to Hotel.
Overnight at Hotel in Delhi.

Day 11: Leave Delhi
In-time transfer to airport to board your flight for onward destination.

*** End of Tour ***

Tour Cost   No of Pax Tour cost   Superior hotels Standard hotels 01 pax on single occupancy USD 2394 per person USD 2133 per person 02 pax on twin share USD 1291 per person USD 1137 per person Airfare supplement USD 261 per person USD 261 per person Entrance Supplement USD 40 per person USD 40 per person All rates quoted is in US dollars , per person and valid from 01 July /30 Sept 08   Tour Cost   No of Pax Tour cost   Superior hotels Standard hotels 01 pax on single occupancy USD 3280 per person USD 2488 per person 02 pax on twin share USD 1738 per person USD 1324 per person Airfare supplement USD 261 per person USD 261 per person Entrance Supplement USD 40 per person USD 40 per person All rates quoted is in US dollars , per person and valid from 01 Oct 08 / 31 Mar 09   Hotel Options

Cities Superior Standard No of nights Delhi Le Meridien (5*) ( deluxe ) The Connaught (4*) ( standard ) 02 Sravasti Lotus Nikko (3*) ( standard ) Lotus Nikko (3*) ( standard ) 01 Lumbini Lumbani Hokke (4*) ( standard ) Lumbani Garden (3*) ( standard ) 01 Kushinagar Lotus Nikko(3*) ( standard ) Lotus Nikko(3*) ( standard ) 01 Patna Maurya Patna(5*) ( standard ) Hotel Chanakya (4*) ( standard ) 01 Bodhgaya Lotus Nikko(3*) ( standard ) Hotel Sujata (2*) ( standard ) 02 Varanasi Taj Ganges (5*) ( superior ) Hindusthan International (4*) ( deluxe ) 01 Delhi Le Meridien (5*) ( deluxe ) The Connaught (4*) ( standard ) 01

Package Includes           Accommodation in all the hotels on single/twin/ sharing basis, as per the list above.   Breakfast on all days except at Sravasti / Kushinagar where accomodation in on room + breakfast + dinner basis   All prevailing taxes like Luxury tax at hotels wherever applicable.   All transfers to or from hotels, city tours, excursions, drives by an air-conditioned transport.   Services of an English speaking local guide at Delhi and Varanasi only   Inter state road tax, toll tax, driver’s allowance, parking etc.   Train fare for the sector New Delhi – Lucknow in aircon chair car   All applicable taxes

Package Does not Includes           Any lunch, dinner, snacks, mineral water etc. unless mentioned in the itinerary.   Entrance fee to any monuments ( quoted separately ) or camera fee .   Any airfare ( quoted separately ) or airport tax   Tips, gratuities.   Portage, laundry, telephone calls, table drinks or any other expenses of personal nature.       Flight   Sector Flight Dep Arr Fare : Economy class Varanasi / Delhi 9w 724 1440 1600 USD 261 per person in m class ( Fare as on date and subject to change )