Lord Buddha stated once that it’s better to travel than to arrive. The Buddha’s trail allows a pilgrim or a tourist to follow the serene journey that was once walked by Lord Buddha himself in order to realize the full worth of his life. Born in Lumbini (Nepal), Prince Siddhartha spent his better part of life wandering as an ascetic in search of ultimate truth of life and contentment. And he found it in Bodhgaya, under the shade of Bodhi Tree as enlightenment and Buddhahood. From there, he went towards Sarnath, a town near Varanasi where he preached his first sermon to the first five followers, turned the wheel of law and established the foundation of Buddhism. From there, he moved on to many sites like Sravasti’s Jetavana Vihara where he spent many monsoon retreats and preached many enlightening sermons and discourses. And he ended up his mortal existence in Kushinagara, the site of his Mahaparinirvana. The pilgrims who want to experience the same sentient emotions like him embark on The Buddha’s Trail and seek inspiration from the Lord amongst us. |
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Day 1, Arrival Delhi
Upon arrival in Delhi, meet Buddhist Train Tour Representative who will escort you till the vehicle for the surface journey to Agra (203 km / 4-5 hr). Check-in at hotel. Overnight in Agra.
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Day 2, Agra / Varanasi
After breakfast, visit the world famous Taj Mahal and drive through Agra Fort. Later enjoy shopping in Agra where you can obtain souvenirs from the city of love. After dinner, transfer to Tundla Railway Station to board connecting train to Varanasi. (TAJ MAHAL IS CLOSED ON EVERY FRIDAY). | | | |
Day 3, Varanasi
Upon arrival in Varanasi, transfer to the hotel. Relax and enjoy breakfast in one of the oldest continuing cities of the world. Later begin the excursion to Sarnath where Buddha delivered his first sermon and turned the wheel of law. On return to Varanasi, begin the city tour through a visit to the sacred temples and revered Ganges Ghats in the city. Be a part of sacred Aarti alongside the River Ganges and indulge in some shopping here. Overnight in Varanasi. |
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Day 4, Varanasi / Bodhgaya
Early morning, begin the drive (8 hours) to Bodhgaya, the city of enlightenment. Check-in at Hotel. In afternoon, visit Mahabodhi Temple Complex, dedicated to the Lord Buddha and his spiritual awakening. Visit Mahaparinirvana Temple Complex in reverence, meditate under Bodhi Tree, gaze at Animesh Lochana Chaitya, visit Muchalinda Lake and pay respects to Chankramana during The Buddha's Trail. Later visit the landmark of the Great Buddha Statue, Sujata Temple dedicated to Sujata who served Buddha with the bowl of rice pudding during his continuous meditation. This incident later became the root of Middle Path, which is one of the profound theories of Buddhism. In evening. visit various other Buddhist Temples in Bodhgaya during the Buddha Trail. Overnight in Bodhgaya.
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5, Bodhgaya / Kushinagar
Begin the Buddha’s Trail early morning with a drive to Kushinagar. On arrival, check in at hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Kushinagar. | | |
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Day 6, Kushinagar / Lumbini
Begin the day with a visit to Mahaparinirvana Temple where Buddha took his last breath, Rambhar Stupa, the cremation site of Lord Buddha and Japan Temple. Leave Kushinagar for Lumbini, the place of Tathagata’s birth. Overnight in Lumbini.
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Day 7, Lumbini / Sravasti
Continue the Buddha’s Trail with a visit to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Pay the respects to Mayadevi Temple, gaze Pushkarini Pond in gratitude and admire the Ashokan Pillar inscription adjacent to the temple. In afternoon, leave for Sravasti. On arrival, check in at hotel. Dinner and overnight in Sravasti. | | | |
Day 8, Sravasti / Lucknow
Visit Sravasti during the Buddha's Trail as a site where Buddha spent his 24 monsoons. Discover the heritage of Sravasti through Jetvana monastery and Ananda Bodhi Tree. Later, drive for 5 hrs towards Lucknow Arrive Lucknow. After Dinner at Lucknow hotel transfer to Railway station to board train to Delhi, Overnight in Train. | |
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Day 9, Delhi / Departure
Arrive Dellhi station then transfer to hotel. Morning is free for shopping & own activities in Delhi. After Lunch at local restaurant, transfer to Airport to connect flight for onward destination and conclude the Buddha’s trail.
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