Find Buddha in India Tour

Find Buddha in India tour is a journey of exploration aboard the Mahaparinirvana Express Train to the sites which changed the course of Tathagata’s life. At one site, he gained enlightenment and at another important Buddhist heritage site, he preached the first sermon featuring Middle Path based on the noble eight fold path. The second half of the journey goes beyond the conventional route to find Buddha. The group of monuments in Sanchi presents the devotion of the great emperor Ashoka towards the faith. These are the most perfect and well preserved stupas in India recording the rise, efflorescence and decline of Buddhist art and architecture over a period of 1,500 years. And towards the end, Find Buddha in India tour finds its perfect completion via a visit to the caves of Ajanta and Ellora, the ancient trace of Buddhism etched permanently on stone.

Day 1. Delhi - Gaya (990 km) (Mahaparinirvana Train Tour)

17:30 hrs - Gather at Delhi Safdurjung Railway Station to board the only Buddhist train in the world - Mahaparinirvana Express. After traditional welcome; check in the respective coach.

19:00 hrs – Mahaparinirvana Train departs for Gaya.

20:00 hrs – Dinner on-board and overnight stay on the train.

Day 2. Gaya - Bodhgaya (16 kms) (Mahaparinirvana train Tour)

06:30 hrs – Early morning tea, Wash & Change & breakfast on board.

08:30 hrs – Arrive Gaya, the gateway city for Bodhgaya, the epicenter of Buddhism. Disembark the train and assemble at a point to board the coaches for road journey to Bodhgaya for sightseeing including a visit to Mahabodhi Temple, the spiritual shade of Bodhi Tree, Niranjana River and other city attractions during Find Buddha in India Tour.

12:30 hrs – Check in at hotel for lunch and relax till tea time.

16:00 hrs – Proceed for discovering the city in detail via Thai Temple, Japanese Temple and Buddha Statue.

19:30 hrs – Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3. Bodhgaya – Nalanda – Rajgir – Gaya – Varanasi (Mahaparinirvana train Tour)

05:30 hrs – Early morning tea & breakfast followed by checkout from the Hotel for excursion to Nalanda

07:00 hrs – Departure for Rajgir tour (85 Km)

09:30 hrs – Upon arrival at Rajgir, continue sightseeing of Bimbisara Jail, Gridhakut hill, Venuvan Vihara and Saptaparni Caves, the sight of first Buddhist council.

12:30 hrs – Proceed to a restaurant in Rajgir for lunch.

13:30 hrs - Proceed to Nalanda for sightseeing covering ruins of world famous Nalanda University & Nalanda Museum.

17:00 hrs – Depart back to Gaya Railway Station to proceed further during Find Buddha in India Tour

19:00 hrs - Arrival at Gaya Railway Station and board the Mahaparinirvana Express.

20:00 hrs – During the tour, relish dinner on-board and depart from Gaya at 23:30 hrs to Varanasi (220 km) by train.

Day 4. Arrive Varanasi (Mahaparinirvana Train Tour)

05:00 hrs - Early morning tea on-board and arrival at Varanasi. Disembark the train and board buses.

06:00 hrs – 08:30 hrs – Arrival at Hotel in Varanasi for check in and breakfast.

08:30 hrs – Depart Varanasi for Sarnath (10 kms) and pay spiritual respects to the Dhamekh Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, and Mulgandha Kuti Vihar or Deer park where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. Also visit Sarnath Museum where The Ashokan Pillar – the inspiration behind the national emblem is placed.

12:30 hrs – Return for hotel in Varanasi for Lunch and free time to rest in the vivacious Varanasi.

17:00 hrs – In the evening after tea, visit to the river Ganges Ghat and begin another most awaited experiences in the city through boat ride (with required safety procedure adhered). Also witness the amazing Evening Aarti and understand the cultural fabric of India. Return to the hotel for overnight.

Day 5. Varanasi – Delhi

Breakfast at hotel. Morning is free at leisure till departure transfers to Airport to board the connecting domestic flight for Delhi.

On arrival in Delhi, transfer to hotel. Later continue exploring New Delhi via its iconic attractions Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb and India Gate. Later drive past President and Parliament House, epitomizing the prevalence of Indian democracy. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 6. Delhi – Bhopal (By Flight) - Sanchi - Bhopal

Transfer to Domestic airport to connect flight for Bhopal (By S2 2791: Dep 0715 Hrs /Arr 1000 Hrs.) On arrival in Bhopal, proceed for an excursion to Sanchi and Bhimbetka Caves (Apprx 45 Kms one way). Blessed by the antiquity of time, both the sites near Sanchi are the world heritage sites. Sanchi is known for its group of monuments associated with Lord Buddha. It is believed that the large hemispherical mound enshrines a relic of the Lord. The toranas or gateways also are an illustrated attraction of Sanchi. Bhimbetka Shelters in Raisen District is another world heritage site associated with exhibit the earliest traces of human life in India.

After this enriching day of excursion, come back to hotel for overnight.

Day 7. Bhopal - Aurangabad

After breakfast, transfer to railway station to connect train to Aurangabad (By Kamayani Express 1072 : 0740 Hrs / 1745 Hrs). Arrive Manmad Railway Station & transfer to the hotel for overnight.

Day 8. Aurangabad

During Find Buddha in India tour, begin a morning excursion to Ajanta Caves. Recognized as a world heritage site, AJANTA is a marvellous cave complex dedicated to 30 Buddhist caves comprising chaitya-grihas and monasteries. These ancient caves illustrate the paintings associated with Buddha, previous Bodhisattvas, incidents from the life of Buddha and the Jataka tales. The paintings are executed on a ground of mud-plaster in the tempera technique. (Ajanta caves remain closed on every Monday).

In afternoon, begin the sightseeing of Ellora Caves: About 18 miles away from the city of Aurangabad -a group of rock temples - possess a magnificent series of Buddhist, Brahmanical and Jain temples of the 9th Century A.D. Kailash Temple, hewn out of a single rock, carved with life size figures of gods and goddesses, is a wonder. (Ellora caves remain closed on every Tuesday).

Day 9. Aurangabad - Mumbai

After breakfast transfer to airport to connect flight Mumbai (Available Domestic flight - Jet Airways/ Indian Airlines). On arrival transfer to hotel.

In afternoon, begin a city tour via visiting museum, Gateway of India, Hanging Garden, Dhobi Ghats, Mani Bhawan etc. Overnight in Mumbai.

Day 10. Departure from Mumbai.

Breakfast at hotel. Check out from hotel 1200 Hrs. Transfer to airport to connect flight for onward destination of Buddha Tours India.