Journey of Enlightenment: A Buddhist Heritage Trail

• Arrival at Bodhgaya
• Meet, assist, and transfer to hotel.
• Afternoon visit to Mahabodhi Temple- Sacred site where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree.
• Overnight stay in hotel at Bodhgaya.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drive to Rajgir visit:
• Gridhkutta Hill- Hilltop where Buddha delivered several important sermons.
• Venuvanaram- First monastery donated to Buddha by King Bimbisara.
• Bimbisar Prison- Prison where King Bimbisara was held captive by his son Ajatashatru.
• Continue to Nalanda visit:
• Ruins of Nalanda University- World’s first residential university and a global center of Buddhist learning.
• Black Buddha Temple- Temple known for its striking black stone statue of Buddha in Bhumisparsha mudra.
• Drive to Vaishali and check into hotel.
• Overnight stay in hotel at Vaishali.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Visit:
• Ashokan Pillar- One of Emperor Ashoka’s famous pillars marking significant Buddhist sites.
• Relic Stupa- Stupa enshrining the Buddha's relics distributed after his cremation.
• Coronation Tank- Sacred tank where Licchavi kings were crowned and blessed.
• Drive to Kushinagar with enroute stop at:
• Kesariya Stupa- One of the tallest and largest Buddhist stupas in the world, believed to be built by the Licchavis.
• Upon arrival in Kushinagar, visit:
• Mahaparinirvana Temple- Marks the place where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana.
• Rambhar Stupa- Site where Buddha was cremated after his Mahaparinirvana.
• Transfer to hotel.
• Overnight stay in hotel at Kushinagar.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drive to Lumbini, Nepal (ensure double-entry Indian visa and Nepal visa).
• Visit:
• Birthplace of Lord Buddha- The sacred spot where Queen Maya Devi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama.
• Maya Devi Temple- Enshrines the exact birthplace of Buddha with ancient stone markers.
• Ashokan Pillar- Erected by Emperor Ashoka to mark Buddha’s birthplace.
• International Monasteries- Temples built by different countries showcasing diverse Buddhist architecture.
• Transfer to hotel.
• Overnight stay in hotel at Lumbini.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drive to Sravasti with enroute visit to:
• Kapilvastu (Buddha's childhood home)- Ancient city where Buddha spent his early years as Prince Siddhartha.
• Continue to Sravasti, transfer to hotel.
• Overnight stay in hotel at Sravasti.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Visit:
• Jetvanaram- One of the most visited monasteries where Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons teaching.
• Angulimal Cave (Saheth & Maheth)- Associated with the conversion of the feared dacoit Angulimal by Buddha.
• Drive to Varanasi, transfer to hotel.
• Overnight stay in hotel at Varanasi.

• Early morning boat ride on the Ganges- Spiritual boat ride along sacred ghats, witnessing Hindu rituals and sunrise.
• Return to hotel for breakfast.
• Drive to Sarnath visit:
• Dhameka Stupa- Built at the site where Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment.
• Deer Park- The location of Buddha’s first teachings to his disciples.
• Sarnath Museum- Houses important Buddhist relics, including the Lion Capital of Ashoka.
• Drive to Bodhgaya, transfer to hotel.
• Overnight stay in hotel at Bodhgaya.

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Free time for leisure or shopping.
• Transfer to airport for onward flight.

***TOUR ENDS***

****WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY JOURNEY****