India and Nepal share Buddhist roots in the cultural essence. The Buddha’s trail with Nepal Tour is a soulful pilgrimage for 11 days where visitors can experience the shared cultural and spiritual connection between two premier south Asian countries. Here, tourists get to complete their four fold pilgrimage, including a visit to Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar and Lumbini on Mahaparinirvana Express train, besides exploring the natural heritage of Nepal via an adventurous excursion to Pokhara and Kathmandu valley.
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Day 1, Delhi - Gaya (990 kms) (Mahaparinirvana train Tour)
17:30 hrs - Assemble at the Safdurjung Railway Station in Delhi and check in the respective coaches of Mahaparinirvana Express, the only Buddhist Train in India after traditional welcome.
19:00 hrs - Leave Delhi for Gaya, the first stopover for The Buddha’s Trail with Nepal.
20:00 hrs - Dinner with overnight stay on the train onboard.
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Day 2, Gaya - Bodhgaya (16 kms) (Mahaparinirvana train Tour)
06:30 hrs - Begin early morning with tea, Wash & Change and breakfast onboard.
08:30 hrs - Upon arrival in Gaya, disembark the train and assemble to board the coaches for road journey to Bodhgaya for sightseeing including a visit to Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree, Chankramana, Animesh Lochan Chaitya, Muchalinda Lake within the complex only.
12:30 hrs - Check in the hotel for lunch and relax till tea time.
16:00 hrs - Proceed for the local sightseeing and visit Thai Temple, Japanese Temple and Buddha Statue.
19:30 hrs - Return to hotel for dinner and overnight in Bodhgaya. |
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Day 3, Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Nalanda - Gaya - Varanasi (Mahaparinirvana train Tour)
05:30 hrs - After early morning tea & breakfast, check out Hotel in Bodhgaya for Rajgir tour.
07:00 hrs - Board the coach for Rajgir (85 km)
09:30 hrs - Arrive Rajgir and begin sightseeing of Bimbisara Jail, Gridhakuta hill, Venuvana Vihara and Saptaparni Caves.
12:30 hrs - Proceed to a Restaurant in Rajgir for lunch.
13:30 hrs - After lunch is over, move towards Nalanda to witness splendid ruins of world famous Nalanda University. Also visit Nalanda Museum showcasing rare artifacts and sculptures devoted to Buddhist faith.
17:00 hrs - In evening, drive back to Gaya Railway Station via road.
19:00 hrs - Arrive Gaya Railway Station and board Mahaparinirvana Express.
20:00 hrs - Dinner on-board. Departure from Gaya at 23:30 hrs to Varanasi (220 km) by Buddhist Train. |
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Day 4, Varanasi - Sarnath - Gorakhpur (Mahaparinirvana Train Tour)
05:00 hrs - Early morning tea on-board and arrival at Varanasi. Disembark the train and board deluxe coaches for a drive to hotel.
06:00 hrs - 08:30 hrs - Reach hotel in Varanasi for check in and breakfast.
08:30 hrs - Leave Varanasi for an excursion to Sarnath (10 km) where Buddha delivered his first sermon. Marvel at the presence of Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath Museum, The Ashokan Pillar and Mulgandha Kuti Vihar, associated deeply with the remarkable episode in the life of Lord Buddha.
12:30 hrs - Return Varanasi for lunch.
13:30 hrs - Relax after lunch till evening.
17:00 hrs - Visit River Ganges Ghat and experience the Boat Ride (with required safety procedure adhered). Witness Evening Aarti, another must visit attraction of Varanasi. Return to the Train.
20:00 hrs - Dinner in train. Depart Varanasi for Gorakhpur (224 km) at 23:30 hrs. |
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Day 5, Gorakhpur - Kushinagar (Mahaparinirvana Train Tour)
05:20 hrs - Early Morning, Tea, Wash and Change on board.
06:20 hrs - Arrival at Gorakhpur Railway Station. Proceed by coach to Hotel at Kushinagar.
08:00 hrs - Arrival, check-in and breakfast at the Hotel. 09:00 hrs - After breakfast, proceed for Kushinagar tour including Mahaparinirvan Temple, Rambhar Stupa and Mata Kuar Temple. This was the site of Lord Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana and a revered site where Tathagata rendered Mahaparinirvana Sutra. 14:00 hrs - Lunch at the hotel. A trip to Pawa, the Parinirvana site of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism can be optionally organized (20 kms away from Kushinagar)
17:00 hrs - Evening tea. Yoga & Meditation session can be organized (Subject to availability of appropriate teachers / instructors).
19:00 hrs - Dinner and overnight in Kushinagar |
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Day 6, Kushinagar - Lumbini - Gorakhpur05:00 hrs - 06:00 hrs - Early morning tea and breakfast at the hotel.
06:15 hrs - Check-out Kushinagar and depart for Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha and fourth in the Buddhist pilgrimage in Nepal. .
12:30 hrs - On arrival, check in the hotel and begin Lumbini tour including a visit to Maya Devi Temple and Ashokan Pillar
13:30 hrs - Lunch at Hotel in Lumbini.
14:00 hrs - Proceed for sightseeing of Pushkarni Pond and Buddhist Monastery at Lumbini. Evening return to hotel for overnight. |
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Day 7, Lumbini - Pokhara
Breakfast at hotel. Later drive to Pokhara, the second largest city in Nepal by car. (Approx 287 Km / 07 Hrs) On arrival, check-in at hotel for overnight. This valley is trekker’s paradise showcasing the nature’s best-kept bounties in a row. |
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Day 8, Pokhara tour
After breakfast, begin the sightseeing of the green valley via K.I. Singh Pul, Mahendra Pul and Prithvi Highway Pul from north to south. Continue exploring the valley via a visit to Bindebasani Bhagwati Temple and the Old Pokhara City. Later visit Tibetan Refugee Camp and observe the carpet weaving tradition at the camp. Walk down to the David falls and hear the sounds of a mythical river believed to be flowing underground. Overnight in Pokhara. |
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Day 9, Pokhara - Kathmandu
After breakfast, drive to Kathmandu (approx 200 Km / 06 Hr drive).On arrival, transfer to hotel / resort. Overnight in Kathmandu. |
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Day 10, In Kathmandu
Begin the day with the sightseeing of Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa. Located on the banks of Bagmati River, Pashupatinath enshrines Lord Shiva in the form of Lingam. (Only Hindus are allowed inside). In the month of February, an annual pilgrimage on the occasion of Shivaratri is held here every year. Boudhnath is an important Buddhist pilgrimage centre in the capital of Nepal. This is nothing but the colossal stupa which is denoted by the all seeing eyes of the Buddha. It was built by king Manna Diva in compensation of his sins, inset with prayer wheels. Afternoon begin the sightseeing of Patan & Swayambhunath stupa.
In Patan, visit the old Newar City displaying the ancient heritage of Nepal. Here, one can find out more about traditional wooden carving that Newaris excelled in the past. The wooden heritage is evident with the presence of many temples, old carved windows and balconies of wood. One can even visit the curio shops and bazaar in Patan to have a wooden souvenir back home. Continue exploring the city via a visit to historic Durbar Square, the Golden Gate, the sky piercing temple of Teleju and the statue of Yogendra Malla.
Later continue the excursion to Swayambhunath, the last Buddhist site covered during The Buddha's Trail with Nepal tour. It is a 2500-year old site where according to legends the Radiant Lotus of the valley settled when the water was drained by Manjushri, the god of wisdom. The five Dhyani Buddha's attended by their consorts are enshrined at the base of the stupa. (Non Hindus are not allowed inside Swayambhunath temple).
Overnight stay at hotel.
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Day 11, Departure from Kathmandu
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to airport to connect flight for onward destination. |
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