The Buddhas Trail

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.

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Delhi. On arrival at Delhi drop you at airport to connect flight for Patna. On arrival at Patna meeting and assistance followed by transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast in the morning, we will drive to Bodhgaya. 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 Bodhgaya. On arrival at Bodhgaya check-in at hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Bodhgaya is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centres. It was here that Gautama attained enlightenment and became Buddha under the "Bodhi" tree Morning visit the Stupa and the various monasteries, Mahabodhi temple built by Ashoka the Great in 3rd Century BC One can visit the Sacred Bodhi tree.

Later Proceed for Varanasi. On arrival check into Hotel. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Varanasi GhatEarly morning boat ride on river Ganges to see the beautiful sunrise at Ganges. After breakfast excursion to Sarnath, the principle center of Buddhism. It was here around 530 B.C that Buddha preached his 1st sermon after gaining enlightenment.

Afternoon drive to Kushinagar - the place where Buddha passed into Parinirvana. On arrival check into Hotel. Overnight stay at the Hotel

After Breakfast Sightseeing of Kushinagar. Visit Ramabha stupa which stands on the spot where the body of the Lord was cremated. Also visit Natha Kumarka Kot enshrining the large recumbent figure of Buddha in the state of Nirvana. Proceed for Sravasti on the way Sightseeing of Lumbini the place where Buddha was born. An ancient shrine with an image representing the nativity of Buddha is still preserved. Continue your drive to Sravasti. On arrival check into Hotel. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Morning visit Sravasti (Sahet-Mahet), capital of the ancient Kingdom of Kosala, an active centre for Buddhism. After sightseeing proceed to Lucknow. On arrival Lucknow transfer to Airport to connect Flight for Delhi.

Later transfer from Delhi Domestic Airport to International Airport to connect flight back home.