Buddhist Tour India with Ajanta and Ellora Caves

Stay - Mumbai

On the day of arrival, Alkof Holidays representative will meet you at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai and transfer you to the hotel. If time permit, enjoy sightseeing of Mumbai. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Mumbai

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a guided tour of Mumbai ‘The City that Never Sleeps’. The first spot is at Mumbai harbor where you will take a ferry ride to Elephanta Island, explore the heritage site famous for the ancient caves - which were used during 5th century BC. Later in the afternoon, take a ferry back to the land. After lunch at any restaurant, you will be taken to Gateway of India for photo-shoot and sightseeing. Later, you will be taken to Prince of Wales Museum. You can find interesting artifacts of Indus Valley civilization here. Later visit Mani Bhavan, a memorial for Mahatma Gandhi. Evening is free for shopping, you will be taken along busy lanes filled with shops and other attractions. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Aurangabad

After breakfast at the hotel, rest of the day leisure. Later in the afternoon, our representative will transfer you to Mumbai airport to board a flight to Aurangabad. Upon arrival at Aurangabad, our representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel for overnight stay.

Stay - Aurangabad

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a guided tour of Ajanta Caves (Ajanta caves is closed on Monday). Ajanta Caves is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which houses 30 rock-cut Buddhist Caves. The caves have beautiful paintings and sculptures which are rightly called the Buddhist masterpieces. After sightseeing around the place, drive back to the hotel for overnight stay.

Stay - Delhi

After breakfast proceed for a guided tour of Ellora Caves. Ellora Caves encompasses 34 rock cut shrines representing Buddhist, Hindu & Jain art dating from the 4th to 9th century A.D. The most remarkable among them is the Kailash Temple, meant to be a replica of Lord Shivas celestial abode - Kailash is the best example of Rock cut architecture and an engineering marvel. Also visit the Daulatabad Fort which was built by the Yadavas. Initially, the fort acted as a southern military base. After sightseeing of Aurangabad, take a flight to New Delhi from Aurangabad Airport. Upon arrival at New Delhi airport, our representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel for night stay.

Stay - Delhi

Embark on a full day of sightseeing beginning in Old Delhi with a visit to the stunning Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in Asia, and the Raj Ghat, a moving memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Take a short rickshaw ride at the Chandni Chowk (A huge market of spices and clothes), also visit Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb, and Qutub Minar. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Agra

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and leave for Agra “The City Of The Taj Mahal”. Upon arrival at Agra, check-in at your hotel. Take some rest at the hotel, later visit Itmad-ud-Daulah, Agra Fort, and the Taj Mahal. Rest of the day at leisure, overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Lucknow

Early in the morning, leave for Lucknow. On the way, visit Sankisa and Kannauj. Sankisa - which is related to many Myths pertaining to Lord Buddha, especially his descending from the heaven after death, makes it an ideal destination for Buddhist pilgrim. The village is mainly famous for the archaeological and historical importance. Also visit, temple of Bisari Devi, Buddhist Sculptures dating back to Mahayana age, the remains of Ashoka Pillar with an elephant in lieu of the usual lion. Later visit the town of Kannauj is mentioned in the book of Mahabharata. Ruled over by Hindu king Harsha Vardhana, this city had seen the golden period of Hindu architecture. In the evening upon arrival at Lucknow, our representative will transfer you to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Shravasti

After breakfast at the hotel, visit visit Rumi Darwaza and Imambara in Lucknow. Later proceed to Shravasti - the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, it has the honor for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetavana Gardens. Upon arrival at Shravasti, check-in at the hotel. Later proceed for a sightseeing around Shravasti, visit Jetavana and Ananda Bodhi Tree. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Lumbini

Early morning 6.00 AM, drive to Lumbini. Do the immigration formalities at India – Nepal boarder, upon arrival at Lumbini transfer to hotel. After the Lunch visit Lumbini - a small town in the southern Terai plains of Nepal, where the ruins of the old city can still be seen. Also visit to the Birth place of Lord Buddha. Shakyamuni Buddha was born in Lumbini, in southern Nepal, two thousand five hundred years ago. Since his time, Nepal has been a sacred ground for Buddhist as the birth place of Buddha. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Kushinagar

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Kushinagar crossing Indo-Nepal border. Upon arrival, check-in to the hotel. Rest and relax at the hotel, later visit - Mahaparinirvana temple , this is the place where Buddha passed into Parinirvana and was cremated and also visit Rambhar Stupa where Lord Buddha was cremated. Evening free time for own or religious activities in temple. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Bodhgaya

06 AM Early morning breakfast, and drive to Bodhgaya. Lunch at Vaisali Residency, enroute visit Vaishali. Vaishali is believed to be the first republic of the world, having an elected body of representatives hold special significance for Buddhist Devotees. The Buddha preached the Radha Sutra to the eighty four thousand faithful gathering. Later drive to Bodhgya, on late night arrival and transfer to hotel for night stay.

Stay - Bodhgaya

After breakfast, head out to the historical & religious place in central of bihar called Nalanda. In Nalanda - visit the ruins of ancient university; the site of Nalanda was one of the greatest monastic universities of the ancient world University established in 5th century BC. It is believed that Lord Buddha and also the founder of Jainism religion Lord Mahavir taught at this university for years. There is even a monument to facilitate Chinese traveler monk and writer Hiuen Tsang who studied at this university in the 7th century A.D. Then drive to closely located Rajgir. Lunch will be served at Hotel, After lunch Visit Gridhkuta Peak, at the top of Ratnagiri hill, where Lord Buddha preached many inspiring sermons, a Peace Pagoda has been built by the Buddha Sangh of Japan.Tour continue visit to Venuvanaram and Bimbisara Prison. Then drive back to the hotel in Bodhgaya for overnight stay.

Stay - Bodhgaya

After breakfast, head out for full day sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya, visit Mahabodhi Temple - The temple, named after the Buddha, is a sacred place for the Buddhists in Bodh Gaya, Maha- bodhi tree - The tree is considered holy since Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under it, after that visit Sujata Village, Niranajana River, various monasteries, etc. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Varanasi

Early in the morning, check-out from the hotel and leave for Varanasi. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Rest and relax at the hotel, later proceed to visit Sarnath - where Buddha preached his first sermon after he had attained enlightenment at Bodhgaya. Next visit to Dhamekha Stupa, The Dhamekha Stupa is the most remarkable and massive structure at Sarnath. Built partly in stone and partly in brick, the Dhamekha Stupa is 28 meter in diameter at the base and 43.6 meter in height. The stone facing the lower part is decorated with delicate floral carvings of Gupta period. Tour continues to visit Deer Park also visit Sarnath Museum. Evening is free for local shopping or own activities. Overnight stay at the hotel in Varanasi.

Early morning enjoy a boat ride in river Ganges looking at the beautiful Ghats passing by. The experience will be completely ecstatic as boat’s helm cuts through clam waters of Ganges creating ears pleasing music. Take a holy dip in the water of river Ganga. Stroll around various ghats and visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple or Golden Temple - One of the popular and must visit temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. After enjoying your trip, our representative will accompany you to the airport from where you will board your flight to IGI Airport, New Delhi. Upon arrival at IGI Airport, New Delhi board another flight to your home or onward destination.