Land of Buddha is an enlightening discovery of Buddhist heritage scattered since time immemorial in different parts of India and Nepal. In fact, this land of Buddha tour includes a visit to the six world heritage sites including Ajanta and Ellora caves, Group of monuments in Sanchi, Taj Mahal in Agra, Lumbini in Nepal and Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya.
This unusual itinerary begins from Mumbai and takes tourists through the center of India to the Buddhist circuit of India, including the four fold pilgrimage sites of Lumbini, Kushinagar, Sarnath and Bodhgaya in a sequence.
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Day 01 : Arrive Mumbai, Mumbai - Aurangabad (L/D)
Arrive Mumbai, and continue Mumbai city tour with a visit to Marine Drive, Jain Temple and Hanging Gardens on the Malabar Hills. Enjoy the complete views of the Marine drive from the Hanging Gardens Later transfer to Mumbai Airport for Aurangabad. Transfer to Hotel for overnight in Aurangabad.
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Day 02 : Aurangabad-Ellora-Aurangabad (B/L/D)
Begin morning with a visit to Ellora Caves, one of the highly visited world heritage sites of India. The cave complex at Ellora exhibit the brilliance of stone carving in the form of 34 monasteries dedicated to Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. The uninterrupted sequence of these caves in the complex belongs to 600 to 1000 AD, making them a rare archaeological gem of India. After the excursion; return back to Aurangabad for overnight stay. | | | |
Day 03 : Aurangabad- Ajanta-Bhusaval-Bhopal (B/L/D)
Begin next morning with a visit to the famous Ajanta Caves. These caves are the oldest specimen of rock cut sculpted chaityas and monasteries representing the story of Buddhism that flourished during 200 BC to 650 AD. Located deep within the Sahyadri Hills above the Waghora River, these caves illustrate the journey of Buddhism through largest corpus of wall paintings. Later in the evening, leave Ajanta Caves for Bhusaval Railway Station where you will board an Overnight Train for Bhopal departing at 19:50 Hrs. Overnight on board. | |
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Day 04 : Bhopal-Sanchi- Agra (B/L/D)
Arrive Bhopal Railway Station at 03:20 hrs and transfer to hotel for wash and change with breakfast. After breakfast in Bhopal, begin the sightseeing via a visit to Sanchi Stupa. It is uniquely known to preserve the most perfected and well preserved stupas, toranas or gateways and other important Buddhist architecture built during 1500 years, displaying the best of the Buddhist art and architecture in India. After sightseeing, return to Bhopal and transfer to Railway Station to board connecting train Shatabdi Express for Agra (14:40-20:25 Hrs). On arrival, transfer to Hotel for stay in Agra. | |
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Day 05 : Agra-Lucknow (B/L/D)
Begin the day with a scintillating visit to Taj Mahal and witness the architectural beauty and emotional appeal of this modern day wonder of the world. Continue exploring Agra with a visit to Agra Fort, which served as the home and center of Mughal power under its first five kings. In the evening, check out the hotel and transfer to the Railway Station to board connecting train (2330/0620) for Lucknow. Overnight on Board. | | | |
Day 06 : Lucknow-Sravasti (B/L/D)
Arrive Lucknow at 06:20 Hrs in the morning and transfer to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, proceed for Sravasti. In the morning, visit Sahet Mahet representing the heritage of Sravasti, the capital of ancient Kingdom of Kosala and the center for Jetvana Vihar Monastery. This monastery in its heydays had the honour of sheltering Lord Buddha for 24 rainy monsoons. The pilgrimage circuit of Sravasti consists of famous Anand Bodhi tree, Angulimala Stupa and Caves, majestic monasteries, ruins of Sahet and Mahet and several temples. Overnight stay in Sravasti.
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Day 07 : Sravasti-Lumbini (B/L/D)
Check out Sravasti for Lumbini city tour allowing tourists to visit the site of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who later became Gautama Buddha. Arrive Lumbini and visit Maya-Devi Temple, the sacred Pushakarini Pond and admire the devotion of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka who became a devout Buddhist and installed Pillar inscriptions in India far and wide.Overnight in Lumbini
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Day 08 : Lumbini-Kushinagar (B/L/D)
Leave Lumbini for Kushinagar to experience the contrasting emotion of visiting the site where Buddha entered perfect tranquility and left this mortal world. Visit Mahaparinirvana temple & Ramabhar Stupa (the cremation place of Lord Buddha). Overnight stay in Kushinagar. | | |
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Day 09 : Kushinagar-Varanasi (B/L/D)
After breakfast, proceed for Varanasi to visit the sight of Buddha’s first sermon after enlightenment in Sarnath. This site holds sacred importance amongst the Buddhists all over the globe.
On arrival in Sarnath, visit the prime attractions of the town, Chaukhandi Stupa and Dhamekh Stupa deeply associated with Buddha and Buddhism. Visit Buddhist temple, Stupas, Museum and ruins. Overnight in Varanasi. | |
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Day 10 : Varanasi-Bodhgaya (B/L/D)
Early morning, begin the boat ride on river Ganges and witness the spiritual rituals along the bathing and cremation ghats. Morning begin the Varanasi city tour via visiting Bharat Mata temple and Banaras Hindu University, the iconic landmarks of the city. Proceed for Bodhgaya, one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centre, later this day. It was here that Gautama attained enlightenment and became Land of Buddha Tour under the "Bodhi Tree". After some relaxing time, visit Mahabodhi Temple built by Ashoka the Great in 3rd Century BC. Overnight stay in Bodhgaya. | | |
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Day 11 : Bodhgaya-Rajgir-Bodhgaya (B/L/D)
After breakfast, continue full day excursion to Rajgir, the capital of 6th century Magadha Empire. Lord Buddha spent many years here. Visit Gridhakuta, Sapataparni Caves, Ajatsatru fort, Bimbisara Jail and Venuvana Vihara during Rajgir city tour. Continue the excursion to Nalanda university ruins based on the world's oldest university founded in the 5th century. Also visit monasteries and temples with impressive Buddhist & Hindu images. Return back to Bodhgaya for overnight stay. | | | |
Day 12 : Bodhgaya Depart (B)
Morning visit Mahabodhi Temple. In time transfer to Airport and board connecting International Flight for onward destination. | | |
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