Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour India Nepal

On arrival at the New Delhi airport, Alkof Holidays representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city's bustling streets or wander its wide tree-lined boulevards to get your first taste of India. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, our representative will transfer you to New Delhi airport to board a flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi airport, our representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel in Varanasi. Rest and relax at the hotel, later explore the city of Varanasi, visit various ghats, sacred temples and the local market of Varanasi. Later in the evening attend Aarti on the bank of River Ganges. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Early in the morning, enjoy a boat ride on the River Ganges, followed by a visit to Akhara and see the traditional form of martial arts practiced there. Morning city tour of Varanasi, this includes a walk through the various sacred Ghats. Visit the sacred shrine of Kashi- Vishwanath (also known as the Golden Temple), and Bharat Mata Mandir, a simple temple dedicated to 'Mother India'. Later proceed to Sarnath, an important site for the Buddhists, visit the Dhamekha Stupa, the Archeological museum and the Chaukhandi Stupa. In the evening attend aarti on the bank of River Ganges in Varanasi. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Bodh Gaya. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, head out for full day sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya, visit Mahabodhi Temple - The temple, named after the Buddha, is a sacred place for the Buddhists in Bodh Gaya, Maha- bodhi tree - The tree is considered holy since Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under it, after that visit Sujata Village, Niranajana River, various monasteries, etc. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Patna. On the way, halt at Rajgir, to visit Gridhkuta Peak, at the top of Ratnagiri hill, where Lord Buddha preached many inspiring sermons, a Peace Pagoda has been built by the Buddha Sangh of Japan. Also visit Venuvanaram and Bimbisara Prison. Then drive to closely located Nalanda - the historical and religious place in central of bihar. In Nalanda - visit the ruins of ancient university; the site of Nalanda was one of the greatest monastic universities of the ancient world University established in 5th century BC. It is believed that Lord Buddha and also the founder of Jainism religion Lord Mahavir taught at this university for years. There is even a monument to facilitate Chinese traveler monk and writer Hiuen Tsang who studied at this university in the 7th century A.D.   Later, continue your drive to Patna for overnight stay.

Early in the morning, leave for Kushinagar. Enroute visit Vaishali, which is believed to be the first republic of the world, having an elected body of representatives hold special significance for Buddhist Devotees. The Buddha preached the Radha Sutra to the eighty four thousand faithful gathering here. Later continue your drive to Kushinagar. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Later visit Mahaparinirvana temple , this is the place where Buddha passed into Parinirvana, also visit Rambhar Stupa where Lord Buddha was cremated.  Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Lumbini, crossing Indo-Nepal border. Upon arrival, check-in to the hotel. Later explore Lumbini - a small town in the southern Terai plains of Nepal, where the ruins of the old city can still be seen. Also visit the Birth place of Lord Buddha. Shakyamuni Buddha was born in Lumbini, in southern Nepal, two thousand five hundred years ago. Since his time, Nepal has been a sacred ground for Buddhist, as it is the birth place of Lord Buddha. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Kathmandu. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel, commence the sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Durbar square, Swayambhunath stupa and Patan Durbar square.

SWAYAMBHUNATH STUPA: Said to be around 2000 years old, this Buddhist Stupa sits atop a hillock 02 kilometres west of Kathmandu overlooking the valley. The oldest written reference to the stupa dates from the 5th century, but it could have existed much earlier. Moreover, a legend has it that the stupa evolved spontaneously at the time of the Kathmandu valley's creation. Swayambhunath is famously known as the 'Monkey Temple' owing to the presence of a large number of monkeys around the area.

THAMEL: After sightseeing tour of Durbar Square get on a rickshaw (tricycle) for an interesting 20-minute ride to the tourist hub of Thamel. Travelers and the locals consider it a tourist haven. Its filled with narrow streets, all lined with budget hotels, small shops selling everything from food and provisions to clothes, carpets, walking gears, music CDs, DVDs, handicrafts, paintings which make it an ideal place for souvenir shopping. The area also has some very good restaurants when you need to stop for munching.

KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE: The durbar square with its arrays of temples, courtyards, monuments and the ancient palaces of the former Nepali Royals is located in Basantapur in the heart of Kathmandu city, the country's capital. Chief attractions here include Hanuman Dhoka Royal Palace, the magnificent Taleju Temple towering more than 40 meters; Kumari Ghar, the residence of the Living Goddess, Kumari; the temple of Ashok Vinayak dedicated to lord Ganesh (elephant headed deity), and Kal Bhairav, the God of Wrath. There is a giant pagoda of 'Kasthamandap', a structure which is said to have been built out of a single tree. The name of the capital 'Kathmandu' is said to be actually derived from 'Kasthamandap'.

PATAN DURBAR SQUARE: Located 5 km southeast of Kathmandu, the Patan city popularly known as 'the city of artisans' accommodates a magnificent square housing the palace buildings of the then royals, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples - a display of Newari architecture that had reached its pinnacle during the reign of the Malla kings. It is filled with wood and stone carvings, metal statues, and ornate architecture, including dozens of Buddhist and Hindu temples, and over 1200 monuments.

BHAKTAPUR DURBAR SQUARE (listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO): A former capital of the valley, it was once a flourishing city on the trade route to Tibet. It has preserved its traditional character better than the other two cities, due to its more isolated location. It is regarded today as a classic showcase of medieval Nepalese town life. It is situated in the east of Kathmandu valley about 14 km. away. It today retains much of its beauty in ornate woodcarvings and in the famed Golden Gate.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

The day is free for own leisure activities. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, our representative will transfer you to the Kathmandu International Airport to board the flight to your home or onward destination.

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On arrival at New Delhi Airport, India, our local representative will be there at the airport holding a placard of your name for identification. We shall also provide you list of emergency 24 hours contact numbers for any emergency.

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