Footsteps of Buddha - 12N/13D

On arrival in India, you will be greeted and escorted by India Holiday Mall's staff to your hotel. In its 3000 years of existence; seven cities have risen where the present capital of India stands. Here you'll encounter a fascinating blend of the ancient and the contemporary. Where government buildings, medieval palaces, and bazaars exist beside a modern metropolis. Delhi is a city waiting to be explored.

Overnight in the Hotel

(Rooms will be available from 1200 Hrs.)

Early morning arrival in Delhi. On arrival, you will be greeted and escorted by India Holiday Mall staff to your hotel.

After breakfast visit Red Fort (Photo stop) – the 17th-century imposing fortress, the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), India's largest mosque where more than 20,000 people can kneel in prayer and Raj Ghat -Mahatma Gandhi's Memorial.

In the afternoon visit New Delhi. You will drive past President's Palace and India Gate (42m high), built to commemorate the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the 1st world war. Later visit Humayun's Tomb, and the Qutub Minar, the highest sands stone minaret in the world ( 73 meters).

Transfer to airport to connect flight for Patna. On arrival, assistance, and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon excursion of Vaishali - known for Buddha Stupas, Ashoka Pillar and Bawan Pokhar Temple. This is the place where Buddha announced his Mahaparinirvana and happens to be the birthplace of Lord Mahavira.

Morning drive to Bodhgaya en route visiting Nalanda and Rajgir. Rajgir, the place where Buddha meditated and preached; first Museum PatnaBuddhist Council was held here and further is known for Hot Springs, which have curative powers, and is sacred to Hindus. Nalanda is known for its Archaeological Complex and Museum.

On arrival, check in at hotel.

Full-day visits - Bodhgaya, in the state of Bihar, reckoned as the most important Buddhist pilgrimage center, is the place where Lord Sakyamuni (Gautam Buddha) entered into meditation after being moved by the sufferings of mankind. The giant Bodhi Tree (Peepal) that we see today is believed to have grown from the original Bodhi Tree under which, sitting on the raised platform, Prince Siddharth meditated and finally attained Nirvana. Then there is Chaukramana, the jewel Walk, where it is believed that the Buddha strolled while in deep thought.

Also, visit Shaivite Monastery and the famous Jagganath Temple.

Drive to Varanasi and check in at hotel.

Early morning boat excursion on the river Ganges, a ferry pilgrimage from ghat to ghat. People bathe early in the morning to offer Ghats Varanasithe prayers to the rising sun. The two cremation ghats are Manikarnika & Harishchandra where funeral pyre burns day and night. Every pious Hindu believes that to die in Kashi and to be cremated on banks of the Ganges is to attain release from the cycle of birth and death.

Morning sightseeing tour of the city visiting the Bharat Mata Temple with a big relief map of India in marble, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Banaras Hindu University which has an Art Gallery and the Mosque of Moghul Emperor Aurangazeb built on the site of an ancient Hindu Temple.

Afternoon excursion of Sarnath - visit the buried Buddhist city where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon, Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from 6th century B.C. to 12th century AD. Visit the ruins, the stupa, the Buddhist temple, and the Museum

(Museum closed on Fridays).

Drive to Kushinagar and check-in at hotel. Afternoon visits - Kushinagar, one of the principal centers of Buddhist pilgrimage, is the place of Mahaparinirvana. The monuments of Kushinagar are situated in three distinct comprising the main site of the Nirvana Temple, the central stupa and surrounding monasteries.

Drive to Lumbini and check-in at hotel. Afternoon visits - in the village of Lumbini in Nepal, the Queen Mahamaya gave birth to Prince Siddhartha who later became the Buddha. Over 2000 years ago Emperor Ashoka set up a commemorative pillar here. The pillar carries the inscription - Here the Buddha was born-. Another shrine preserves an ancient image depicting the nativity of the Lord.

Drive to Kathmandu and check in at hotel.

Visit Bodhnath, Pashupatinath, and Bhadgaon. Bhadgaon is a Newar city of the 9th century. Visit the ancient gateway, Durbar Square, the royal residential quarter of Bhupendra Malla, the temple of Nytapole in pagoda style and other temples. Bodhnath - visit the temple of Bodhnath, the colossal 2500 years old Stupa, one of the largest in the world.

This Stupa has the all seeing-eyes of the Buddha by king Mana Deva in expiation of his sins of the advice inset with prayer wheels. Also, visit the Pashupatinath Temple which is noted for its erotic woodcarvings of the struts.

Morning city and Swaymbhunath tour - visit the Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka, the ancient royal residential quarter, Swayambhunath TempleMahadev and Parvati Temple and other temples. Also visit Swayambhunath, the 2000 years old site with 5 Dhyani Buddhas enshrined at the base of the Stupa.

Afternoon visit Patan - visit the Old Newar City - the historic Durbar Square, see the Golden Gate, the sky piercing temple of Teleju and the statue of Yogendra Malla, other temples and old windows and carved balconies of wood, curio shops, and bazaars.

Morning free. Transfer to airport to connect flight for Delhi .

On arrival, wait in the transit and later connect flight back home.