ITINERARY
Day 1: Departure from Home – Delhi

Arrival in Delhi on the morning of Day 2: Transfer to the hotel, breakfast, and rest time. In the afternoon, visit Old Delhi. Overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 3: Flight from Delhi to Varanasi

After breakfast, fly to Varanasi. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. During the evening twilight, proceed to the Ganges River. In the three holy Indian cities of Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Varanasi, people perform a fascinating ritual: the Ganga Aarti. Every evening, this ritual fire offering is performed on the banks of the Ganges. Overnight stay in a hotel in Varanasi.

Day 4: Varanasi – Sarnath

After breakfast, drive to Sarnath, located 13 kilometers away. In Sarnath, Buddha delivered his first public teaching after enlightenment. King Ashoka built several stupas and monasteries here, which are now just ruins. Visit the 30-meter-high Dhamek Stupa, marking the spot where Buddha is said to have delivered his first sermon. Also, visit the Ashoka Pillar and the Mulagandhakuti Temple with the Deer Park behind it. Return to Varanasi and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 5: Varanasi – Bodh Gaya (Distance approx. 270 km, travel time approx. 5 hours)

After breakfast, depart from Varanasi. The day takes us to Bodh Gaya, the holiest place for Buddhists. It is believed that Prince Siddhartha Gautama spent three years, three days, and nights sitting and meditating under a tree until his enlightenment. Overnight stay in a hotel in Bodh Gaya.

Day 6: Bodh Gaya

After breakfast, visit the Maha Bodhi Temple, the main temple, and one of the oldest Buddhist temples. The 55-meter-high, pyramid-shaped temple has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We can meditate together under the Bodhi tree. In the evening, participate in a ceremony at the main temple. Overnight stay in a hotel in Bodh Gaya.

Day 7: Bodh Gaya

After breakfast, explore Bodh Gaya. The town is scattered with monasteries, temples, and shrines built by Buddhists from all over the world. Thousands of pilgrims come to this city every year to learn, meditate, or simply absorb the special atmosphere. Overnight stay in a hotel in Bodh Gaya.

Day 8: Bodh Gaya

This day is at leisure, take your time to experience this special place and its atmosphere according to your needs. Overnight stay in a hotel.

Day 9: Bodh Gaya – Rajgir (Distance approx. 70 km, travel time approx. 2 hours)

Breakfast at the hotel, then drive to Rajgir. The small town is surrounded by green forests and is a sacred place for both Buddhists and Jains. In Rajgir, it is believed that Buddha Siddhartha Gautama spent a considerable amount of time and preached. Explore the Saptaparni Caves and the Jivkamaravana Monastery – popular retreats of Buddha. Take a stroll through Venuvana Park, a gift from King Bimbisara to Buddha. The city is a popular spa resort due to its many hot springs. You can take a cable car ride to the so-called Vulture’s Peak and visit the Laxminarian Temple, the site of the first Buddhist council. Overnight stay in a hotel in Rajgir.

Day 10: Rajgir – Nalanda – Patna (Distance approx. 110 km, travel time approx. 2.5 hours)

Breakfast at the hotel, then continue to Patna. Stopover in Nalanda and visit the oldest university in the world. In the 5th century BC, it became a renowned center for Buddhist teachings. Buddha is also said to have spent some years here. Overnight stay in Patna.

Day 11: Patna – Vaishali – Kushinagar (Distance approx. 340 km, travel time approx. 6-7 hours)

Breakfast at the hotel and then drive to Vaishali, about 63 kilometers from Patna. Buddha is said to have preached frequently here during his time as a monk. After Buddha’s death, Vaishali was the site of the second council, attended by several hundred monks. Only an Ashoka pillar and the remains of the stupa testify to the former glory of the city. After the visit, continue to Kushinagar. Overnight stay in a hotel.

Day 12: Kushinagar – Kapilvastu – Lumbini (Distance approx. 260 km, travel time approx. 5 hours)

After breakfast, visit Kushinagar, one of the four main pilgrimage sites of Buddhism. According to tradition, Buddha passed away here or achieved Parinirvana – complete nirvana. The Mahaparinirvana Temple houses the six-meter-long statue of the reclining Buddha. After extensive exploration, continue to Lumbini. Stopover in Kapilvastu, a former capital of the Shakya kingdom located in Nepal. Overnight stay in a hotel in Lumbini.

Day 13: Lumbini

Breakfast at the hotel, then embark on a discovery tour of Buddha’s birthplace. Lumbini is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists, located on the Nepalese side near the border with India. Ashoka visited the site and erected a stupa and a pillar to commemorate Buddha’s birth. A temple was built at the birthplace in honor of Queen Maya, the mother of Siddhartha Gautama. The afternoon is at leisure. Overnight stay in a hotel in Lumbini.

Day 14: Lumbini – Gorakhpur – Delhi (Distance approx. 123 km, travel time approx. 3 hours)

After breakfast, drive from Lumbini to Gorakphur Airport. Flight to Delhi. Overnight stay in a hotel.

Day 15: Delhi

After breakfast, start the city tour of Delhi. Morning: Chandni Chowk – the old grand boulevard, Raj Ghat – memorial for Mahatma Gandhi, who was cremated here in 1948, the Presidential Palace, the India Gate, and the Sikh Temple. This temple is a beautiful example of Sikh architecture with its characteristic golden domes and the square temple pond with holy water. Afternoon visit to Humayun’s Tomb. This magnificent tomb of Humayun was commissioned by his wife and completed nine years after his death. It is considered the prototype of Mughal tombs with its 43-meter-high marble dome. The Taj Mahal was built a century later following a similar plan. Overnight stay in a hotel in Delhi.

Day 16: Agra – Delhi – Home

After breakfast, visit the famous Red Fort of Agra. Then return to Delhi. In the evening, farewell dinner at a restaurant in the city. Timely transfer to the international airport.