Journey of Enlightenment - Buddhist Heritage Trail from Bodhgaya to Varanasi

Day 1: ARRIVE IN BODHGAYA

Arrival: Welcome on arrival at Bodhgaya Airport, where a Magadh tours executive will meet and greet at the airport with a traditional welcome.

Transfer: After meet-and-assist services, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in.

Afternoon visit to Mahabodhi Temple- Sacred site where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, visit Sujata Village, Niranjana River

Overnight: Dinner & overnight in a hotel at Bodhgaya.

Day 2: GAYA - RAJGIR - NALANDA - VAISHALI

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the 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: Dinner & overnight in a hotel at Vaishali.

Day 3: VAISHALI - KUSHINAGAR

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed to 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.

Buddha Samayak stupa.

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, Transfer to Hotel.

Overnight: Dinner & overnight in a hotel at Kushinagar.

Day 4: KUSHINAGAR - LUMBINI

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed to Visit:

Mahaparinirvana Temple- Marks the place where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana.

Rambhar Stupa- Site where Buddha was cremated after his Mahaparinirvana.

After visit drive to Lumbini, Nepal (Kindly ensure double-entry Indian visa and single entry Nepal visa).

Arrive Lumbini after clearing immigration, transfer to hotel.

Overnight: Dinner & overnight in a hotel at Lumbini.

Day 5: LUMBINI - SRAVASTI VIA KAPILVASTU

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed to visit:

The Holy 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.

After visit drive to Sravasti. Enroute visit:

Kapilvastu (Buddha's childhood home)- Ancient city where Buddha spent his early years as Prince Siddhartha.

After visit drive Continue to Sravasti, transfer to hotel.

Overnight: Dinner & overnight in a hotel at Sravasti.

Day 6: SRAVASTI - VARANASI

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed to 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: Dinner & overnight in a hotel at Varanasi.

Day 7: VARANASI - BODHGAYA

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 (closed on Friday) Houses important Buddhist relics, including the Lion Capital of Ashoka.

Drive to Bodhgaya, transfer to hotel.

Overnight: Dinner & overnight in a hotel at Bodhgaya.

Day 8: BODHGAYA - DEPARTURE

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed to visit various international monasteries.

Free time for leisure or shopping.

Transfer: Timely Transfer to airport to catch the flight for onward destination.

Journey of Enlightenment: A Buddhist Heritage Trail

Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Nalanda - Vaishali - Kushinagar - Lumbini - Kapilvastu - Shravasti - Varanasi - Bodhgaya

07 Nights / 08 Days

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