• Applicable Transfer
• Sightseeing & City Tour

Day 01: Arrival at Delhi

Upon your arrival at the airport, meet our representative awaiting just outside the arrival hall, past the customs area & currency shops. Later at the hotel our representative will brief you about tour starting day after.
Delhi, the national capital of India is an historic city and commercial centre of Northern India. Numerous dynasties ruled and flourished each bequeathing the city with different colours, shades and folds of civilisation as heritage.  With a multi-ethnic society, Delhi welcomes all to witness a miniature of the vast Indian subcontinent.

Day 02: Delhi

A full day sightseeing tour of Delhi is planned for the day. Today Delhi will unleash its historic and cultural heritage as you are introduced to various awe inspiring monuments. Start exploring from the undulated lanes of Old Delhi.  The attractions here worth visiting first include the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site of Red Fort and the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India.  In the same vicinity go sightseeing at the ancient bazaar of Chandini Chowk and pick some pretty trinkets such as silver jewellery and other curios. The day tour will also include visits to one of the largest brick minarets of the world- Qutab Minar and the stunning Humayun's Tomb built in 1562 CE.  
Visit the eclectic mix of modern and cosmopolitan worlds of India and take a sightseeing tour of New Delhi.  Once called Lutyens’ Delhi, the area of New Delhi was designed by British architect, Sir Edward Lutyens.  These glorious imitations of Victorian style architecture have always been an eye-candy for the connoisseurs of art and architecture.  Enjoy a drive past monuments of national significance such as President’s House, Parliament House and later enjoy a beautiful view of India Gate.  Shopping at Connaught Place comes with a surprising variety, ranging from cheap junk jewellery to swankiest of brands the shopping complex has it all and thus disheartens none.

Day 03: Delhi – Varanasi

Take a morning flight to reach Varanasi. On arrival meet our representative and transfer to the hotel. The holy city of Varanasi situated on the banks of sacred River Ganges is one of the oldest cities of the world.  The city is the Oldest Living City of the World & traces of its existence are found around 10000 BC. A religiously thriving region of North India, Varanasi is a pilgrimage where people come on a quest to eternal bliss and with one dip in the holy river they are believed to be washed off all the sins. In the afternoon enjoy a short city tour of Varanasi visiting the banks of the holy river Ganges to witness the splendid evening Aarti ceremony paying homage to the river goddess.

Day 04: Varanasi

Before breakfast, take an early morning boat ride at the holy river Ganges. Witness Aarti, the grand morning worshipping of River Ganges while moving on a boat from where the sight is simply soul-stirring.  Later set on a drive to the holy city of Sarnath.  Situated 12kms from Varanasi, Sarnath is famous for its Stupas, excavated ruins of monasteries, the Museum for the Ashoka Pillar with the four sided lion head, which is India's National Emblem.  It has been a premier centre for Buddhism & has a rich collection of ancient Buddhist relics & antiques comprising numerous Buddha & Bodhisattva images on display at the Archaeological Museum.

Day 05: Varanasi- Gaya

Morning road depart to Gaya, a famous Hindu centre in Bihar where pilgrims visit to offer post funeral rituals. People set on a lengthy circuit of the holy shrines at Gaya and pray for their ancestors.  The city mentioned in numerous great epics of Hindus, Gaya is considered a very pious city.  Spend the rest of the day at Gaya in the hotel booked for your night stay.

Day 06: Gaya – Bodhgaya- Gaya

This morning leave for Bodhgaya, the Mecca of Buddhism. It is believed to be the place where Lord Buddha attained the state of nirvana, the ultimate enlightenment.  An excursion to Bodhgaya will be an enriching experience for you will be visiting the main monastery called the Mahabodhi Temple here.  Visit the Mahabodhi temple complex, (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) built by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century B.C. The temple comprises of a sapling of the original Bodhi Tree sitting under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment after 3 nights of meditation.  Explore the temple and indulge in religious activities at Mahabodhi Temple.  Later our representative will drive you back to the hotel in Gaya where you will stay for the night.  

Day 07: Gaya- Patna

In the morning you will depart for Patna, which houses numerous Hindu, Jain and Buddhist pilgrim centres.  En route pay a visit to Nalanda-the Buddhist University.  Popular for being an ancient centre of learning in Bihar, Nalanda has been called one of the first great universities.  On your visit to the vicinity explore some of the buildings constructed during Mauryan age by the great Emperor Ashoka.  The great grand library of Nalanda was a vast repository of Buddhist preaching which was burnt to ashes by Mughal invaders.  The stupas and relics of world’s most admired University will surely be a fascinating visit.  Also visit Karanda Tank-where Buddha used to bath.  Evening arrive Patna and check in at the hotel.  Later in the day visit Patna-museum, the state museum of Bihar.  

Day 08: Patna- Gorakhpur

Set on a morning drive to Gorakhpur.  En-route visit Vaishali, this is the place where Buddha delivered his last sermon and also announced his approaching Parinirvana.  A few relics of Buddha have been enshrined in the Stupa 1.   Continue to Kushinagar – the place where Buddha passed into Mahaparinirvana.  This is where Buddha breathed last and which now is known as a significant pilgrimage centre of Buddhists.  A peaceful area basking in divinity known as Buddha Marg is the most beautiful and soothing region of the city.  Following Lord Buddha’s trails  you will then resume the journey and reach Gorakhpur, where our representative will escort you to a hotel for booked for an overnightstay.   

Day 09: Gorakhpur- Bhairawan – Lumbini- Bhairawan

Morning surface depart for Bhairawan.  On arrival check in at the hotel and then set on an excursion to Lumbini-the birth place of Lord Buddha.  One of the most renowned Buddhist pilgrimage sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lumbini is where Buddha was born.  Though a famous pilgrimage site, Lumbini is comparatively less crowded; people like to visit here in filtered number and prefer to stay quietly mainly to meditate at the monasteries situated around sacred sites.  While in the vicinity you must visit the centre of Lumbini, the Maya Devi Temple.  The temple marks the exact spot where Queen Maya Devi gave birth to Gautama Buddha.  Surrounding the temple is a sacred garden which consists of Pillar of Ashoka and numerous ancient monasteries and stupas.  After an inspiring day at Lumbini return to Bhairawan for overnight stay.

Day 10: Bhairawan- Kapilvastu – Balrampur- Sravasti- Balrampur

On this day leave Bhairawan for Balrampur by surface. En route you will pass through Kapilvastu, where Lord Buddha is said to have lived 29 years of life.  The place consists of remains of a large stupa and numerous monastic buildings dating back to that age.  Continuing with the journey reach Balrampur where our representative will escort you to the hotel booked for overnight stay.  In afternoon take an excursion to Sravasti, the place where Buddha spend a great part of his monastic life. At Sravasti, you will visit Jetavana monastery the place where Buddha used to preach and give discourses.  He stayed here for 19 rainy seasons and thus the place is highly respected by Buddhist devotees.  After spending an entire day at Sravasti you will return to the hotel at Balrampur and stay overnight.

Day 11: Balrampur- Lucknow

In the morning depart for Lucknow-the eighteenth century capital of the Nawabs (landlords during the Mughal period).   The sophistication in its countenance, compassion in its multicultural identity, grace in its Chikan embroidery work and syrupiness of its Dussheri mangoes, Lucknow is a historical city of Uttar Pradesh.  On arrival check in at the hotel, followed by overnight stay.

Day 12: Lucknow – Delhi

In the morning set on half day city tour of Lucknow visiting Bada Imambara-an elegant building with a main hall- the largest vaulted apartment in the world.  Also visit Chotta Imambara, a stunning mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Shah.  The imposing monument is worth a watch especially during festivals when it is decked with beautiful lights.  Other attractions of the town include Husainabad market famous for its gold /silver brocades and silverware, Museum and Clock tower. In the afternoon you will be transferred to railway station to catch train to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi check in a hotel for overnight stay.

Day 13: Delhi- Departure

Connect to the airport in time for your flight. An optional day trip in Delhi can be arranged, based on the time available.