Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour India Nepal

Stay - Delhi

On the day of arrival at the New Delhi airport, Alkof Holidays representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city's bustling streets or wander its wide tree-lined boulevards to get your first taste of India. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Bodh Gaya

After breakfast at the hotel, our representative will transfer you to New Delhi airport to board a flight to Patna. Upon arrival at Patna, our local representative will meet you and transfer you to Bodh Gaya. On the way, visit the historical and 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, to 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. Later, continue your drive to Bodhgaya for overnight stay.

Includes: Breakfast, Accommodation, Transfers, Sightseeing

Stay - Bodh Gaya

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. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Varanasi

After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Varanasi. On the way 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.

Stay - Varanasi

Early in the morning enjoy a boat ride on 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 12 Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva. Later in the evening attend Aarti on the bank of River Ganges. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Kushinagar

After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Kushinagar. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day free for own activities or attend religious activities in the temples. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Shravasti

After breakfast at the hotel, visit - Mahaparinirvana temple , this is the place where Buddha passed into Parinirvana, also visit Rambhar Stupa where Lord Buddha was cremated. Later leave for 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

After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Lumbini. After completing the immigration formalities at India – Nepal border, visit Kapilvastu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the ancient capital of the Shakya Clan, whose ruler ‘Shuddhodhan’ was the father of the Buddha. Later, continue your drive to Lumbini, upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Rest and relax at the hotel, later explore Lumbini - a small town in the southern Terai plains of Nepal, where the ruins of the old city can still be seen. Also visit 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 it is the birth place of Buddha. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Kathmandu

After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Kathmandu. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Kathmandu

After breakfast at the hotel, head out for a full day sightseeing of Kathmandu, visit of Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath Stupa, and Patan Durbar Square. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Kathmandu Durbar Square (listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO): The Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the popular places liked by many visitors due to its exquisite architecture and artistic embellishment. The complex of palaces, courtyards and temples, built in 1200 to 1768 A.D. with hundreds of erotic carvings used to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu which epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people.

Swayambhunath (listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO): Atop a green hillock west of Kathmandu, stands the great stupa of Swayambhunath. This is a site that is over 2500 years old marking the point where the legendary patriarch Manjushri discovered the lotus of the ancient valley lake. Constructed to specific rules each with a symbolic meaning, the stupa of Swayambhunath is a model of its kind.

Patan Durbar Square (listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO): The Patan Durbar Square has been acclaimed as one of the finest urban streetscapes in the world. Most of the monuments seen today were built between the 16th – 18th centuries. It is known as the centre of fine arts and for the superb craftsmanship of its artisans. Essentially a Buddhist city, historic inscriptions establish Patan as an important town from early times (said to have been founded by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century B.C.).

Stay - Kathmandu

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel, later visit Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Pashupatinath Temple (listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO): Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world. It lies 5 km. east of Kathmandu Valley on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River. Thousands of pilgrims visit this temple every year during Shivaratri (the birthday of Lord Shiva). Entrance to the temple precinct is forbidden to non-Hindus. The Large, gilded triple-roofed temple was built in 1696 A.D.

Boudhanath (listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO): This is the largest stupa in Nepal and one of the largest in the world located east of the valley. It was built by the Lichchhavi King Mana Dev in the 5th century A.D. The Rinpoches who reside here have established Boudhnath as one of the most flourishing centres of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. The colossal ancient stupa is 36 meters high.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square (listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO): A former capital of the valley, it was once a flourishing city on the trade route to Tibet. It has preserved its traditional character better than the other two cities, due to its more isolated location. It is regarded today as a classic showcase of medieval Nepalese town life. It is situated in the east of Kathmandu valley about 14 km. away. It today retains much of its beauty in ornate woodcarvings and in the famed Golden Gate.

After breakfast at the hotel, our representative will transfer you to the Kathmandu International Airport to board the flight to your home or onward destination.