The Lotus Trail

Delhi – Varanasi – Bodhgaya – Patna – Kushinagar – Lumbini – Sravasti – Lucknow –Delhi

10 nights /11 days

• Boat ride at Varanasi.
• aarti ceremony on Ganges
• Visit to Buddha's birthplace - Lumbini.
• Visit to Nalanda University.
• Visit to Sarnath.

Rediscover the sanctity of the land of Buddha. This tour is specially designed to trace the footsteps of Gautam Buddha. Through the remains of monasteries and gardens, through the dusty plains to the Himalayan foothills, treading the sites long sanctified by Buddha, in an eternal quest to unravel the complex truths of life.

Absorb the aura of solemn grandeur that surrounds Bodhgaya - the cradle of enlightenment. Here more than 2500 years ago came Siddhartha, a young ascetic, having renounced royal heritage. As he gazed across the river Phalgu upon the serene landscape of Uruvea village (modern Bodh Gaya) he knew his quest had ended. Also visit the Lumbini Gardens, the birthplace of Prince Siddhrath.

Kapilavastu is where the young prince spent his childhood and Sarnath is where he first took to preaching after attaining Enlightenment. End your experience with Nalanda, the famed ancient university, which is the bedrock of all Buddhist learning. The tour also navigates through Sravasti, Lucknow, Varanasi and Kushinagar, places which are associated with the life of the Buddha. Each city is teeming with possibilities for the discerning travellers seeking something beyond the routine tourist attractions.

Transfer to hotel for immediate occupancy. Morning free. Afternoon - combined sightseeing tour of New Delhi and Old Delhi. Visit to begin with a drive through the prestigious streets of the Diplomatic Enclave then on to India Gate, Rastrapati Bhawan and Qutub Minar (one of the most perfect towers of the Persian world). Visit to Old Delhi, will take you to the Red Fort, Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India) and Raj Ghat (memorial of Mahatma Gandhi).

DAY 2     Delhi – Varanasi

Morning transfer to airport to board to Varanasi. Afternoon - city sightseeing tour and visit to Sarnath.

DAY 3      Varanasi – Bodhgaya 280 kms / 8 hours

Early morning boat ride on the Ganges to capture the serenity and to observe the flow of life on the sacred ghats of the river, later drive to Bodhgaya

DAY 4       Bodhgaya

Morning - sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya, the place where Buddha attained enlightenment under the Mahabodhi tree. Afternoon free for relaxation.

DAY 5      Bodhgaya – Patna 220 kms / 6hours

Morning - proceed to Patna en route visit Nalanda and Rajgir, the capital of the Magadha kingdom. In Nalanda you will visit the university which was a seat of Buddhist learning.

DAY 6      Patna – Vaishali 55 kms /1.5 hours

Morning proceed for your excursion to Vaishali. You will get to see one of the seven Ashoka pillars and the Anand Stupa. Rest of the day at leisure.

DAY 7   Patna – Kushinagar  260 kms / 7 hours

Morning - drive to Kushinagar. Afternoon - sightseeing tour of Kushinagar, where Lord Buddha passed into Mahaparinirvana, at the age of 80.

DAY 8   Kushinagar – Lumbini 160 kms / 5 hours

Morning - drive to Lumbini, birth place of Buddha. In the afternoon, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Lumbini where you will see the Ashoka Pillar, Sacred Pond, Maya Devi Temple, Temple of Lords and the ruins of an old monastery.

DAY 9 Lumbini - Kapilavastu – Sravasti 240 kms /7-8 hours

Drive to Sravasti via Kapilavastu, the place where Buddha spent his early childhood. Afternoon - sightseeing tour of Sravasti, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala.

DAY 10 Sravasti – Lucknow 220 kms / 6 hours

Morning drive to Lucknow. Evening free.

DAY 11 Lucknow – Delhi

Morning - sightseeing tour of Lucknow, the city of the Nawabs and Begums. Afternoon transfer to the airport or station to board flight / Train to Delhi. Upon arrival transfer to international airport. Departure Delhi.