Buddha Connections tour package

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi airport
Our company representative will meet and assit you at the airport
Later transfer to prebooked hotel (for immediate occupency)

Day 02 : Delhi sightseeing
Breakfast at the hotel
Later start sightseeing Delhi : India’s capital & a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British left behind . The division between New & Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals of the British & the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably confront the citys’ past.

AM :Sightseeing of Old Delhi including Red Fort: The red stone walls of the fort extend from 2kms and vary in height from 18m on the riverside to 33m on the city side. The hall of public audiences, the hall of private audiences, the royal baths and Moti Masjid built by Aurangzeb for himself are important part of the immense fort. Jama Masjid: It is the largest mosque in India and the final architectural extravagance of Shanjahan. Raj Gath: The memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination.Lunch at the hotel / Local restaurant.

PM : Sightseeing of New Delhi starts from Lotus Temple - Bahai House of Worship, a white marble building built in great architechture with the fusion of old & new styles. It is a very peaceful place surrounded by nice graden; Qutab Minar: The building complex dates back to the onset of Muslim rule in India and are fine examples of Afghan architecture. Humayun’s Tomb : Built by wife of Humayun, the second Mughal king. It is an early example of Mughal architecture. India Gate: The 42m high stone "Arch of Triumph", erected in the memory of Indian soldiers who died in the First World War; Drive through Rajpath "Kingsway" a VVIP area of Delhi including Rashtrapati Bhawan; Laxmi Narayan Temple: Garishly colored modern temple is erected by the industrialist Birla. This temple is dedicated to Laxmi - the goddess of wealth and Narayan - Lord Vishnu, husband of Laxmi.

Evening drive from Delhi - Agra (approx 210 kms)

Arrive Agra and check in to hotel for overnight stay

Day 03 : Agra - Varanasi (By Overnight Train)
Morning at the time of sunrise visit the magnificent Taj Mahal, which is entirely made of white marble and its walls are decorated with exquisite Pietra Dura (stone inlay) work. Back to hotel for breakfast and later start city sightseeing including the imposing Agra Fort - built of red sandstone and marble is a hilltop citadel with fabulous courtyards, fountains and gates.

Evening transfer to the Railway station to board Overnight Train to Varanasi.

Day 04 : Varanasi
Arrive Varanasi in the morning and transfer to hotel
Late breakfast at hotel

PM : Excursion to Sarnath enroute, an important Buddhist pilgrimage point. This is the place where the Buddha preached his first sermon in the Deer Park, contains the most impressive remains, as well as a modern temple. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05 : Varanasi - Bodhgaya (242 Kms - 06 hrs)
Morning at the time of sunrise we take a Boat cruise at the river Ganges to observe the way of life of pilgrims by the Ghats. After breakfast we will visit Afternoon we proceed for the city tour visiting various temples including The Vishwanath Temple, built by the Birlas, was planned by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. The Bharat Mata Temple houses, instead of gods and goddesses, a huge relief map in marble of the whole of Indian subcontinent. The Tulsi Manas Temple, built in 1964, is dedicated to Lord Rama.

PM : Drive to Bodhgaya. Arrive Bodhgaya and check - in at hotel. Bodhgaya - most sacred place for Buddhists as it has a Peepul tree under which Gautama the Buddha attained enlightenment some 2500 years back. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 06 : Bodhgaya
After breakfast we embark on a sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya visiting Mahabodhi Temple - depicting the various phases of Buddha's journey towards enlightenment, showing different aspects of his life; Bodhgaya Archaeological Museum - houses a small collection of Buddhist sculpture from the 1st century B.C, to the 11th century A.D; Jagannath Temple close by has a four armed statue of Shiva in black stone. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 07 : Bodhgaya - Patna (109 Kms - 4.5 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Patna, we arrive by lunch and check - in at hotel. Post lunch city tour visiting Har Mandir Sahib - also known as Patna Sahib consecrates the place where the 10th Guru of the Sikhs Guru Gobind Singh was born in 1776; Golghar - is a large dome-like structure from where one can have a fine view of the Ganga and the surroundings of the city; Patna Museum - has a rich collection of Mauryan and Buddhist sculptures, terracotta and other interesting items of the items. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 08 : Patna - Kushinagar (253 Kms - 06 hrs)
Morning drive to Kushinagar, on arrival check - in at hotel. Later we visit the Rambhar Stupa - which marks Buddha's cremation ground. Our second stop is Mahaparinirvana temple - which houses the recumbent figure of Lord Buddha. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 09 : Kushinagar - Balrampur (216 Kms - 05 hrs)
Morning drive to Balrampur. On arrival check - in at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 10 : Balrampur - Lumbini (197 Kms - 4.5 hrs)
Morning after breakfast drive to Lumbini. Arrive Lumbini and check - in at hotel.
Lumbini is the place where Buddha was born 2500 years ago.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 11 : Lumbini - Kathmandu (By flight)
Morning after breakfast start sightseeing of Lumbini
PM : Transfer to airport to board flight for Kathmandu (Buddha Air Flight). Arrive Kathmandu at 1620 hrs and transfer to hotel. Kathmandu - surrounded by green hills and mountains with snow-capped peaks against its northern and eastern background the Valley is indeed beautiful. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 13 : Kathmandu
After breakfast start sightseeing tour of Kathmandu visiting Pashupatinath Temple - the most sacred of the Hindu temples in Nepal dedicated to lord Shiva, built in 1696. We carry on the sightseeing tour of the Patan - a city of architecture and fine arts. Sometimes known as "Town with a Thousand Golden Roofs". Visit Tibetan Handicraft center at Jawalakhel to watch carpet weaving.

Post lunch Sightseeing tour of Swayambhunath - the oldest Buddhist shrine. Looking east from here, one can see the entire Kathmandu valley spread out below. A short drive will take you to Boudhanath - the worlds largest stupa; a sight of great reneration to the Buddhist. We continue to Kathmandu Durbar Square - the temple of the Living Goddess and the old Royal Palace. Finally, visit Kasthamandup - a temple built from a single tree from which the Kathmandu derives its name. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 : Kathmandu - Patan - Kathmandu
Morning after braekfast drive to visit Patan city, one of the three cities in Kathmandu Valley is separated from Kathmandu only by the Bagmati River and is the second largest town in the valley. It is sometimes referred to as Lalitpur, the city of beauty. Patan Durbar Square: As in Kathmandu Patan also have the Royal Palace facing the Durbar Square but Patan’s Durbar Square is a concentrated mass of temples, undoubtedly the most visually stunning display of Newari architecture to be seen in Nepal. This square rose to its full glory during the Malla Period. Bhimsen Temple: Bhimsen Temple is dedicated to the god of trade and business, which possibly explains it’s well kept and prosperous look Vishwanath Temple: The elaborately decorated two storey temple was built in 1627 and two large stone elephant guarding the front entrance. Shiva’s vehicle, the bull, is on the other side of the temple while inside is a large lingam which is denoted as Power or wisdom. Krishna Mandir: Mandir (Temple) dedicated to Krishna the eight incarnation of Vishnu, this temple was constructed during the reign of Siddhinarsing Malla. A major festival is held here in August / September, on the occasion of Krishna’s birthday, Krishnaasthami. Krishna Temple: An attractive octagonal stone Krishna Temple with 21 spires is also known as the Chyasin Deval. The temple was built by king Vishnu Malla in 1723 and is one of the exquisite example of stone work to be found in Nepal Golden Temple: Also known as the Hiranya Varna Mahabihar, this unique Buddhist monastery is only a few minutes walk north of Durbar Square. Legends relate the monastery was founded in 12th century. The rectangular building has three roofs and a copper gilded facade. Inside the shrine are the images of the Buddha and Avalokiteswar and a stairway leads to the 1st floor where monks will show you the various Buddha images. Mahaboudha Temple: Despite its height, the Temple of the Thousand Buddhas, or Mahaboudha Temple, is not immediately visible as it is tightly surrounded by other buildings. This shikhara – style temple is modeled after the original Temple at Bodhigaya in India. The temple takes its name from the terracotta tiles with which it is covered, each bearing an image of the Buddha.

Evening back to Kathmandu and free time for shopping etc. Overnight at hotel

Day 15 : Kathmandu Departure
Transfer to the international airport for flight back to your home.