Spiritual Tour of Lord Buddha

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to railway station to connect train for Aurangabad. On arrival at Aurangabad meeting and assistance followed by transfer to hotel. Later continue for city tour of Aurangabad visiting Daulatabad Fort, Bibi-Ka-Muqbara and Aurangabad Caves. Overnight stay at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and half day excursion for Ellora Caves which is 30 kms from Aurangabad lie the finest rock cut cave temples of Ellora - 10th & 11th century, which encompasses the three religion - Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Of the 34 caves that are both monasteries and temples, the most remarkable is the magnificent Kailasa temple. The entire structure was carved out of a monolith and took over 100 years to complete. (Ellora Caves closed on all Tuesdays). Later drive back to Aurangabad. Overnight stay at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Ajanta caves, located 100 kms, a 2½ hour drive, northeast of Aurangabad in the Waghora valley. These magnificent rock-cut caves, 30 in number, date from 2nd BC to 7th Century AD. They are exclusively Buddhist, unique in that they combine three forms of Art - architecture sculpture and painting (Ajanta caves are closed on Mondays) . Afternoon drive to Jalgaon. On arrival at Jalgoan drop you at railway station to connect train for Bhopal. On arrival at Bhopal meeting and assistance followed by transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and proceed to visit Saanchi Stupa. A lot of Buddhist travellers across the world visit this serene hill crowned by a group of stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from 3rd century BC to 12th century AD. In the afternoon transfer you to railway station to connect train for Agra. On arrival at Agra check-in at hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Early morning visit Taj Mahal at sunrise. Breakfast at hotel, later visit Agra fort. Evening transfer to Railway station for Varanasi. Overnight at board. (Taj Mahal is closed every Friday)

Taj Mahal, the pinnacle of Mughal architecture, was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1658), grandson of Akbar the great, in the memory of his queen Arjumand Bano Begum, entitled 'Mumtaz Mahal'. Mumtaz Mahal was a niece of Empress Nur Jahan and granddaughter of Mirza Ghiyas Beg I'timad-ud-Daulah, wazir of emperor Jehangir.

Upon arrival at Varanasi meeting and assistance followed by transfer to hotel. (We may get rooms after 12:00 hrs, but would try to get room at least to wash & change). Later proceed to visit SARNATH (where Buddha delivered his first sermon). Afternoon proceed for the city tour visiting various temples including The Vishwanath Temple, built by the Birla’s, was planned by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. The Bharat Mata Temple houses, instead of gods and goddesses, a huge relief map in marble of the whole of Indian subcontinent. The Tulsi Manas Temple, built in 1964, is dedicated to Lord Rama. Evening view "Aarti" ceremony on the Ghats. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Early morning boat cruise at the river Ganges to observe the way of life of pilgrims by the Ghats. Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Bodhgaya. On arrival at Bodhgaya check-in at hotel. Later we will visit Mahabodhi Temple which includes tall stone lotuses, figures of Buddha sitting in different postures on the walls, his footprints on the stones and a colossal golden Buddha in the sanctum sanctorum. The Bodhi Tree is situated in the premises of the temple, is the one under which Buddha attained illumination. Another option is to sit and meditate under the Bodhi Tree. Later return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast in the morning, we will drive to Patna. En-route, we will visit Nalanda, founded in the 5th century B.C. We will also visit an archaeological museum houses the Nalanda University seal, sculptures and other remains found on the site. Later take a 20 kms drive to Rajgir. Further, we will visit Griddhkuta "Hill of Vultures", where Buddha delivered some of his most famous sermons. Thereafter, we will visit Saptparni caves where first Buddha Council was held which is also the source of Rajgir's hot springs. Later continue drive to Patna. On arrival at Patna check-in at hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast in the morning, we will drive to Kushinagar. En-route, we will be visiting Vaishali, where Lord Buddha preached his last sermon. The excavations carried out in Vaishali have brought to light Buddha stupa 1 and 11 (14th century B.C) built in brick with a casket containing part of ashes of Buddha. We will also visit Ashok Pillar, erected by Emperor Ashok to commemorate the spot of the last sermon. On arrival in Kushinagar check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning sight-seeing of Kushinagar, one of the major Buddhist pilgrimage destinations where Lord Buddha attained Parinirvana or final Nirvana. Also, visit ancient stupas and modern temples, commemorating the Buddha's death and cremation. Visit the spectacular reclining Buddha Statue. Enjoy a night stay at the hotel in Kushinagar. Later continue drive to Lumbini. On arrival at Lumbini check-in at hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to airport to connect flight for Kathmandu. On arrival at Kathmandu meeting and assistance followed by transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and proceed for city tour of Kathmandu Pashupatinath Temple - the most sacred of the Hindu temples in Nepal dedicated to lord Shiva, built in 1696. Carry on the sightseeing tour of the Patan - a city of architecture and fine arts. Sometimes known as "Town with a Thousand Golden Roofs". Visit Tibetan Handicraft centre at Jawalakhel to watch carpet weaving.

Afternoon visit Swayambhunath - the oldest Buddhist shrine. Looking east from here, one can see the entire Kathmandu valley spread out below. A short drive will take to Boudhanath - the world’s largest stupa; a sight of great reaeration to the Buddhist. Continue to Kathmandu Durbar Square - the temple of the Living Goddess and the old Royal Palace. Finally, visit Kathmandu - a temple built from a single tree from which the Kathmandu derives its name. Overnight stay at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to airport to connect flight for onward destination.