Tour by Theme
Footprints of Lord Buddha
HomeFootprints of Lord Buddha
Day 01 - Delhi-Arrival
Arrive at Delhi international airport, you will be received by the representative of HTOI and would be further assisted & transferred to your hotel. Rest of the time is kept free to recover from jetlag. Stay overnight at the hotel. Day 02 - Delhi
After having leisurely breakfast, our representative and guide would meet you at the hotel and start a full day guided tour of Delhi. Visit Qutab Minar, which is one of the tallest towers of it’s time in India, Humanyun’s Tomb – an UNESCO world heritage site which was built by Begum Hamida for his husband Mughal Emperor Humanyun. It is one of the forerunners of the Taj Mahal. Later also visit India Gate, President’s House, the landmark of India Democracy the Parliament House. Take a tour of Red Fort – an UNESCO world heritage site and a symbol of mighty Mughal Empire, Jama Masjid the biggest mosque of India, Chandni Chowk and Raj Ghat (a Memorial of Father of India Mahatma Gandhi). Stay overnight at the hotel. Day 03 - Delhi-Lucknow
In the morning, you would be transferred to railway station to board the prestigious Shatabdi Express train to Lucknow (the capital city of Uttar Pradesh). On arrival at Lucknow, transfer to the hotel. Later take a guided tour of Bara Immambara, Chhota Immambara, Rumi Darwaza, Jama Masjid and few other attractions of the town. Stay overnight at the hotel. Day 04 - Lucknow-Shravasti
After having breakfast, you would be transferred to Shravasti – it was the capital of ancient Kosala dynasty and is very auspicious place for Buddhists as here Lord Buddha executed the greatest among his miracles confounding the Tirthika heretics. Chinese traveller Hiuen-Tsang had mentioned about Shravasti and its Ashokan pillars. Arrive at Shravasti, check in to the hotel. Later take a tour of Saheth-Maheth – the ruins which prove the prosperity of ancient Shravasti, Jetavana Monastery, ruins of Anandakuti and Gandhakuti, Pakki Kuti, Temples and Monasteries of Sri Lanka, China, Myanmar and Thailand and Jain Temple. Also visit Sobhanath Temple – it is considered as the birthplace of Sambhavnath the Jain Tirthankar. Day 05 - Shravasti-Kapilvastu-Lumbini
In the morning drive to Lumbini - the birth place of Lord Buddha visiting Kapilvastu on the way. Kapilvastu is the place where Lord Buddha spent his childhood days and the archaeological sites which are linked with Buddha. Kapilvastu was the capital of Shakya kingdom and prince Siddhartha was born in this clan. On arrival at Lumbini, check-in the hotel. Later visit the birth place of Lord Buddha. The prime attractions of Lumbini are the Maya Devi Temple, the Sacred Garden and the Ashokan Pillar - that was erected by Mighty Emperor Ashoka the great in 249 BC. Day 06 - Lumbini-Kushinagar
Have breakfast and transfer to Kushinagar – it is the place where Lord Buddha attained Maharparinivana. It was also the capital city of ancient Malla kingdom. Kushinagar was one of popular 16th Maharanapads in ancient India. The travellers from China, Fa-Hien and Hiuen-Tsang had mentioned in their travelogues about Kushinagar. On arrival at Kushinagar, transfer to the hotel. Later take a sightseeing tour of Wattthai Temple – an example of Buddhist architecture, Nirvana Stupa exposed in 1876, Maharparinivana Temple, Mathakuar Shrine, Ramabhar Stupa and Chinese & Japanese temple and Government Buddha Museum. Day 07 - Kushinagar-Vaishali-Patna
Today proceed further to Patna visiting en-route Vaishali – here Lord Buddha delivered his last sermon and announced his implanting 'Nirvana'. Vaishali is also birthplace of Lord Mahavira - the Jain Guru hence it is a Jain pilgrimage too. Finally arrive at Patna (the capital of Bihar), transfer to the hotel. Patna has a very important place in Indian history previously known as Pataliputra. It had a magnificent survival for more than a millennium and had been the capital for the great Indian dynasties like Nanda, Maurya, Sunga and Gupta. Stay overnight at the hotel. Day 08 - Patna-Rajgir-Nalanda-Bodhgaya
In the morning depart Patna for Bodhgaya – here Lord Buddha attained the supreme enlightenment (An UNESCO World Heritage Site) en-route visiting Nalanda - the great Buddhist University, the Great Stupa & Archaeological Museum and Rajgir - respected site of Buddha’s sermons. Rajgir is the place where first Buddhist council was held. Arrive in Bodhgaya, transfer to your hotel. Rest of the time is kept free for optional activities. Stay overnight at the hotel. Day 09 - Bodhgaya
Today take a tour of Mahabodhi Temple - here the Buddha gained the enlightenment and is one of the most sacred pilgrimage places for the Buddhists. Also visit Bodhi tree – it is believed that under this Banyan tree prince Siddhartha became Buddha. It is considered that this tree is in existence since the time of Buddha. Stay overnight at the hotel. Day 10 - Bodhgaya-Varanasi
Today, drive to Varanasi – one of the oldest living cities in the world. Arrive Varanasi, transfer to the hotel. Later visit one of the many Ghats of Varanasi to witness the evening Aarti – an unforgettable experience. Stay overnight at the hotel. Day 11 - Varanasi-Sarnath-Varanasi
Early morning transfer to the Ghats of Holy River Ganges to take a holy boat ride – a very spiritual deed. After breakfast explore the Varanasi visiting Kashi Vishawanath temple, Banaras Hindu University, Sankat Mochan Hanuman temples and various other attractions located in the narrow lanes. Later take an excursion to Sarnath here Buddha delivered his first sermon to the world. Stay overnight at the hotel. Day 12 - Varanasi-Delhi
Morning is free to enjoy the spiritual beauty of the city. Afternoon board a flight to Delhi. On arrival at Delhi airport, you would be received and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the time is kept free for last minute shopping and other optional activities. Day 13 - Delhi-Departure
At appropriate time, you will be transferred to Delhi international airport to embark the flight back to the onward destination. The tour will culminate here.