India Buddhist Tour - 07 Nights / 08 Days

Kolkata - Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Varanasi - Kushinagar - Lumbini - Sravasti - Lucknow - Delhi

India Buddhist Tour is a classic sojourn taking the tourists and pilgrims through the Buddhist heritage strewn sites the country is known for. Beginning from city of joys, Kolkata, the journey enters the enlightening Bodhgaya, Rajgir and Sarnath reminiscent of the lord’s knowledgeable teachings. From there, the India Buddhist tour enters the sites associated with Lord Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana in Kushinagar and birth in Lumbini, Nepal. On return, the pilgrims will also get a chance to visit the site where the lord spent maximum monsoon retreats, Sravasti.

Upon arrival in Kolkata, meet Incredible India tour representative for assisted transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast, begin Kolkata city tour with a visit to Victoria Memorial, Kali Temple and Mother Teresa House. In time transfer to the railway station to board the connecting train for Gaya. Overnight on board.

On reaching Gaya, transfer to hotel in Bodhgaya for overnight stay. Bodhgaya as the world knows is the holiest of all Buddhist pilgrimage centres in India. It was here that Gautama attained enlightenment and became Buddha under the revered Bodhi tree. After some time to relax, visit the Mahabodhi Temple where the second generation offshoot of Bodhi Tree can be seen and venerated with great reverence.

The Great Mahabodhi Temple was built by Ashoka the Great in 3rd Century BC. The present brick structured temple was built during 5th to 6th century period. Also, the temple complex is a world heritage site, adding on to the prominence of the site. A devotee can walk through the landmark attractions of Bodhgaya including the sites where lord contemplated during the enlightenment phase like Chankramana, Muchalinda Lake, Animesh Lochan Chaitya, etc and even visit the monasteries in the city. Or even can gaze at the spiritual mightiness of the Lord Buddha through 80 ft high statue. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast, begin a full day excursion to Rajgir, the capital of 6th century Magadha Empire. Lord Buddha spent many time here before enlightenment and post enlightenment and gave many knowledgeable discourses here. Visit Gridhrakuta, Saptaparni caves, Ajatshatru fort and Venuvana Vihara. Next in the day is the visit to the illustrious Nalanda, which is the world’s oldest university founded in the 5th century. Presently in ruins, Nalanda forms a rich reminiscent of the region’s educational heritage and legacy.
Also visit monasteries and temples with impressive Buddhist & Hindu images. Return back to Bodhgaya for overnight stay.

Day 05. Bodhgaya - Varanasi

Early morning after breakfast, check out Bodhgaya for Varanasi. On arrival in Varaasi, check into hotel. Afternoon, begin an excursion to Sarnath, this is the principle centre of Buddhism known for an important episode from lord’s life. Here only, Buddha after enlightenment preached his first sermon after gaining enlightenment. Overnight stay in Varanasi

Early morning, begin a boat-ride on River Ganges. This is one of the rare and illustrious experiences in India where pilgrims and tourists get to witness the ritualistic sunrise amidst the chants and morning rituals along the famous Ganga Ghats. On return to hotel, have breakfast and then prepare yourself to check out the spiritual city for Kushinagar.

On arrival in Kushinagar, check into hotel. In the noon, begin the sightseeing of Kushinagar with a visit to Ramabhar stupa which marks the spot where the body of the Lord was cremated. Also visit Mahaparinirvana Temple which enshrines the large recumbent figure of Buddha in the state of Nirvana. Overnight stay in Kushinagar.

After breakfast, move towards for Sravasti. On the way to it, visit Lumbini, the place where Buddha was born. An ancient temple with a holy pond and an inscribed Ashokan Pillar illustrate the glory of Lumbini forest. Continue your drive to Sravasti. On arrival here, check into the hotel for overnight in Sravasti.

Morning after breakfast, visit Sravasti (Sahet-Mahet). This was an ancient capital of the Kingdom of Kosala and an active centre for Buddhism in its heydays. After sightseeing of the stupas and monastic remains, proceed to Lucknow. On arrival in Lucknow, transfer to the airport and board connecting flight for Delhi. On arrival at Delhi Domestic Airport, begin Delhi city tour and after Dinner, transfer to airport to board the flight to the onward destination.