Day 01:Arrive Delhi
Meet our representative at the airport welcoming you to India with fresh flower garlands. Transfer to the hotel for overnight.

Day 02:Delhi
One of the most fascinating aspect of Delhi is the visibility of its historic past. Some of the large portion of the city could well earmarked as archeological parks because the rulers of the successive dynasties between the 13th and the 17th century established seven cities in different parts of Delhi. A chronological review of these cities fortunately also serves as suitable itinerary and highlights the important monuments. These buildings are the reflections of Delhi?s past and are counted amongst the biggest attraction. The Qutab Minar, Humanyun?s Tomb, Safdarjung and Lodi Tomb, Birla Temple and Red Fort. A rickshaw ride in the narrow crowded lanes of Chandni Chowk. See the colonial architectural grandeur from the exquisitely designed Rastrapati Bhawan, the lush green gardens of India Gate and the Parliament house. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03:Delhi-Varanasi
Flight Morning transfer to airport in time to connect flight for Varanasi. Arrive and straight to Sarnath. The site where Buddha delivered his first sermon to his five disciples, preaching the middle path for attaining 'Nirvana'. Realizing the sanctity of the site, emperor Ashoka, in the 3rd century B.C. built some of the finest monuments and legacies.

The 34-metre-high Dhamek stupa stands as a remarkable structure. This contains the remains of Lord Buddha, while the Deer Park in Sarnath is where the Lord delivered his first sermon. The area is now graceful and pleasant, breathing the spirit of the enlightened one, aglow with the devotion of the many followers who inhabited it through the centuries that followed.

'Choukhandi' Stupa:
Raised by Moghal Emperor Akbar in 1555 A.D., it is believed to be the place where Buddha met his five disciples. The majestic Ashoka pillar records visit of emperor Ashoka to Sarnath. It was originally adorned by a capital of four lions, now housed in the Sarnath museum. The capital became the state emblem of modern India.

The Stupas:
The great Dhamek Stupa and dharmarajika stupas stand testimony to the great Buddhist activity. The most remarkable structure at Sarnath is the cylindrical Dhamek stupa, 28 mts. in diameter at the base and 43.6 mts. in height, built partly of stone and partly of brick. The stone facing the lower part is adorned with delicate floral carvings of Gupta origin.

In the museum here is a magnificent statue of the Buddha turning the wheel of law, and many other excavations that exhibit the flowering of the Indian Plastic arts.

Mulgandha Kuti Vihara:
The Tibetan Buddhist shrine, Mulgandha Kuti Vihara, built in 1930, enshrines sacred relics from various places and a life-size golden statue of the Buddha. It is decorated with brilliant frescoes by Japanese artist, Kosetsu Nosu. There are also a few Chinese and Jain temples A 'Bodhi' tree growing on the campus is believed to be the offspring of one under which Buddha had attained enlightenment.

Continue drive to Varanasi. Upon arrival transfer to hotel for overnight.

Day 04:Varanasi-Bodhgaya
240 Kms- 6 hrs Early morning boat ride on river Ganges. In this ancient city of pilgrimage, the bathing ghats are main attraction. People flock here in large numbers every day to take bath and worship in the temples built beside the river bank. Centuries old tradition to offer puja to the rising Sun is still maintained.Later return to hotel for breakfast and checkout. Morning city sight seeing ofThe Kashi Vishwanath Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is popularly known as the golden Temple due the Gold plating done on its 15.5 meter high spire. One tonne of gold donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh has been used in the gold plating of the spire. The temple was destroyed in the various invasions and was rebuilt in 1776 by Rani Ahilyabai of Indore.

Durga Temple built in the 8th century, the Durga temple is one of the most important temples in Varanasi. This temple is built in Nagara Style. The shikhara of the temple is formed by many small spires which are built one on top of the other.

Bharat Mata Temple is dedicated to Mother India. Just one kilometer from the Varanasi station. The temple is built in the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth which was built by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupt. This temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936 so that the citizens could respect Mother India in statue form. The statute is built in marble. The statue is a replica of undivided India in three dimension which has the mountains, plains and oceans in right proportion.

Bodhgaya holds extreme religious importance to the Buddhists, Bodhgaya lies13 km south of Gaya, beside the river Phalgu. It was here, that the Lord Buddha sat under the Banyan tree and attained enlightenment, and a descendant of that original tree still flourishes there today. Bodhgaya is small and quiet town, which is the most important of all the Buddhist sites in the world. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05:Bodhgaya-Patna
111 Kms Morning visit The Maha Bodhi Temple of Bodh Gaya is one of the important places of worship for the Buddhists. Apart from being a vital Buddhist center, it is also a significant archaeological site. Devout Buddhists and tourists from all over the world visit Bodhgaya, to study Buddhism and the art of meditation, or to simply absorb the aura of solemn splendor that surrounds the place.

Marking the holy spot of the enlightenment of the Master, this site is looked upon with greatest sanctity and became a flourishing Buddhist establishment with numerous temples, stupas and monasteries.

According to tradition a large number of shrines and memorials were erected at the site to commemorate the incidents before after enlightenment but only few now can be recognized. Of the earliest shrines, traditionally attributed to Ashoka, only vajrasana or the sandstone throne with the characteristic Mauryan polish and decorative designs has survived and is seen beneath the holy Bodhi tree.

To the Sunga period belongs a portion of the sandstone railing carved with bas-reliefs, typical of the age. The remaining portion of the railing pertains to the Gupta period. The main brick-built shrine known as the Maha Bodhi temple which appears to have been originally erected in circa 2nd century A.D., is encumbered with the heavy renovations, the four corner-towers being an arbitrary addition of circa 14th century. Its central tower, standing on a high plinth, is about 55m high and is a straight-edged pyramid of seven storeys, relieved by pilasters and chaitya-niches, substantially agreeing with its description left by the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang. The remaining shrines and stupas mostly belong to the Pala period (9th to 12th century).

Towards the West of the Maha Bodhi temple, is the Maha Bodhi tree where

Gautam Buddha did his meditation and attained enlightenment.

Bodhi Sarovar: before going in for meditation, Buddha took bath in this pond. This pond is situated towards the west of Bodhi temple. The pond is situated in a very attractive place and is worth visiting.

Chankamana: Towards North of the Bodhi Temple is a platform with foot impressions of Buddha. Apart from these ponds and platforms, there are many temples built by the people of various nations like the Tibet temple, the Japanese, the Thai, the Lankan and the Bhutan temple. These temples are also a major attraction for the tourists and devotees, who visit Bodh Gaya.

Leave Bodh Gaya for Patna enroute visiting Rajgir, which is a great holy place of the Buddhists. It is the ancient Rajagriha or Girivraja, the capital

of the ancient kingdom of Magadha. During the days of Mahavira and Buddha, who visited it very often, it was a very flourishing city. It was the venue of the 1st Buddhist Council held immediately after the Nirvana of Buddha, during the time of king Ajatshatru. The ruins of Rajgir, which have been partly excavated, cover an extensive area with in and outside the hill enclosure and include the ancient defenses and remains of habitations, shrines, stupas and monasteries. A monastery with large elliptical halls has been recently excavated and identified as Jeevak Amravan, mentioned in the Buddhist texts as a favorite retreat of Buddha.

Gridhakuta Hill:
About 10km from the railway station is Gridhakuta (Vulture's Peak), the hill from where Gautam Buddha delivered many sermons, after he attained enlightenment. It was here that the Buddha delivered two important sutras - the Lotus Sutra and the Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom Sutra).

Vishwa Shanti Stupa: To mark the holy spot at the Gridhakuta Hill, there stands today the 38m high Vishwa Shanti Stupa. The awesome modern stupa can be reached by a chairlift, a fifteen-minute round trip offering panoramic views.

Ajatshatru Fort: The ruins of a fort built by the king of Magadha, Ajatshatru, can be seen here. Built in the 6th century, it was within these high walls that he imprisoned his father, Bimbisara. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of Ajatshatru Stupa, which enshrines Magadha share of the Buddha's relics.

Venuvana Vihar: It is a Japanese shrine where a monastery was built for the Buddha to live. It is said that king Bimbisara as an offering to the Buddha, built Venuvana or the Monastery of the Bamboo Grove. Right next to it is the now-muddy water tank, Karanda, in which the Buddha bathed.

Saptadhara: Gushing from the base of the Vaibhava Hill are the seven hot springs, called Saptadhara, that attract the religious as well as the sick. The hottest of these sulphur springs is the Brahmakund, where the water is a steaming 45 degrees centigrade. It is believed that the Buddha used its waters to heal the ill and the infirm.

Day 06:Patna-Kushinagar 265 Kms- 7 Hrs
Morning drive to Kushinagar, enroute visit Vaishali. Vaishali derives its name from King Vishal, whose story of valour is narrated in the Ramayana. History accounts that when Pataliputra was the capital of Magadha, Vaishali emerged as a center of trade, industry and commerce. The world's first democracy with a duly elected council-- Vajji, had its seat of administration in Vaishali. Being associated with Buddha and Jain Tirthankars, Vaishali has emerged as a historical and scenic place. Lord Buddha came thrice here and also gave his last sermon at Vaishali. Amrapali, a courtesan, gifted a mango grove to Buddha and later she became a Buddhist nun. Vaishali was also the venue for the second Buddhist council, 100 years after the death of Buddha. Vaishali is also considered to be the birthplace of Jain Tirthankar, Mahavira, by the Swetambar sect of Jains. Many historical monuments and material were found in the excavations at Vaishali. Ashokan Pillar: Also known as the 'Singh Stambh' or Lion Pillar, this pillar is supposed to have been built by Emperor Ashoka. This pillar is one of the masterpieces in the art of sculpting. Four lions crown this pillar. These lions form the national emblem of India. The Fort of King Vishal: This one kilometer long fort is said to have housed the parliament of olden times. This fort is named after King Vishal. The fort was a part of the oldest democracy in the world. The construction of this fort is worth giving a look. Museum : The museum of Vaishali is worth visiting. This museum houses some of the excavated artifacts from Vaishali. Abhishek Pushkarni : About the Abhishek Pushkarni , it is said that a king was anointed with the water of this tank before his coronation. Then there are the Stupas, and the Dargah of Miran ji, which are some of the tourist places in Vaishali. The stupas found in Vaishali had stone caskets, which contained the relics of Buddha. Continue drive to Kushinagar. Upon arrival transfer to hotel for overnight.

Day 07:Kushinagar-Lumbini-Saravasti-Balrampur
270 Kms Morning drive to Balrampur enroute visit Lumbini- the birthplace of Lord Buddha. In the afternoon visit the Mayadevi temple and proceed via Sravasti to Balrampur. Overnight in Sravasti/ Balrampur.

Day 08:Balrampur-Lucknow
250 Kms In the morning proceed for the sight seeing tour of the city visiting Sahet Mahet, Angulimar's cave and Sujata's House. In the afternoon proceed to Lucknow. Arrive Lucknow and overnight in hotel.

Day 09 :Lucknow-Delhi-Onward Flight
Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Later in the evening transfer to international