Buddhist Special Tour (India And Nepal)

Stay - New Delhi

On the day of arrival at the New Delhi airport, Alkof Holidays representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - New 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 Ghandi. 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 - Varanasi

After breakfast, Alkof Holidays representative will transfer you to the New Delhi airport to board the flight for Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi airport, our representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel in Varanasi. Rest and relax at the hotel, later explore the city of Varanasi at your own with a local guide. In the evening attend Aarti on the bank of River Ganges. Overnight stay at the hotel.

In Varanasi, you can indulge yourself in many activities what the locals do, also you have enough free time to explore Varanasi at your own and since this is a guided trip so an English speaking guide will be there to suggest, assist you and explain you about all the sightseeing, sacred temples, history and myths of the oldest city of India - Varanasi. In this way you can explore the real life of Varanasi.

Stay - Varanasi

Early in the morning, enjoy a boat ride on the River Ganges, followed by a visit to Akhara and see the traditional form of martial arts practiced there. Morning city tour of Varanasi, this includes a walk through the various sacred Ghats. Visit the sacred shrine of Kashi- Vishwanath (also known as the Golden Temple), and Bharat Mata Mandir, a simple temple dedicated to 'Mother India'. Later proceed to Sarnath, an important site for the Buddhists, visit the Dhamekha Stupa, the Archeological museum and the Chaukhandi Stupa. In the evening attend aarti on the bank of River Ganges in Varanasi. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Bodhgaya

After breakfast, leave for Bodhgaya. the place of Buddha's Enlightenment. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Bodhgaya

After breakfast, proceed for a guided tour of Bodhgaya, visit The Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree, Great Buddha Statue, Niranjana River, Sujata Temple and lots of other significant temples. The Mahabodhi temple is built on the east of the sacred tree stands majestically 17 feet high on a base 5 feet square, and consists of a soaring pyramidal tower surmounted by a stupa. The Vajrasana or Diamond Throne lying between the Bodhi Tree and the temple marks the actual spot where Buddha sat in meditation and attained supreme knowledge. Visit several Buddhist temples built by the followers of Buddhism from all over the world. Later return back to the hotel for a night stay.

Stay - Rajgir

After breakfast, leave for Rajgir, Rajgir was capital of 6th century Magadha Empire, where Buddha preached at the "Vultures peak" and the first Buddhist council was held after his death. Here, we will climb the peak by cable car. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Rajgir.

Stay - Patna

After breakfast, Leave for Patna, en-route visit Nalanda. Patna is 2500 year old capital city of Bihar. Nalanda is the world's oldest university founded in the 5th century. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Patna.

Stay - Varanasi

After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Vaishali for sightseeing. Vaishali is mentioned in the Ramayana and in the Buddhist literature, is reputed as the birthplace of Lord Mahavira and the capital of Lichchavis from early times. In Vaishali, visit Ashoka Pillar, Buddha stupa and Shanti stupa. Later drive back to Patna for night stay at the hotel.

Stay - Kushinagar

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and leave for Kushinagar, (the place where Lord Buddha had left the world behind after offering an invaluable contribution to humanity, the great religion known as Buddhism). On arrival at Kushinagar, check-in at the hotel. Rest and relax at the hotel, later proceed for sightseeing of Kushinagar, visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple (where Buddha took his last breathe) and Rambhar Stupa (cremation site of Lord Buddha). Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Lumbini

Today morning after breakfast, check-out from the hotel and transfer to the Indo-Nepal border. At Nepal Border, you will be received by Alkof Holidays, Nepal counterpart and he will transfer you to Lumbini - the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Lumbini is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Upon arrival at Lumbini, check-in at the hotel. Relax at the hotel, later in the evening visit the Ashoka Pillar, built in 259BC by Ashoka The Great - the Emperor of India. In the 7th century, the pillar was struck by lightning and split into two parts, the site was lost for six centuries, re-founded in 1895. Also take a walk through the monasteries made by many nationals. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Kathmandu

After breakfast, leave for the Kathmandu - the capital city of Nepal. Kathmandu, is home to Pashupatinath, the most sacred Hindu temple complex that is located on the banks of the Bagmati River. Upon arrival at Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Kathmandu

After breakfast, leave to Patan to visit its Kopan Monastery. Kopan Monastery is a thriving monastery of 360 monks, mainly from Nepal and Tibet. Kopan has become especially famous for teaching Buddhism to the western people.

Also visit the Patan Durbar Square, this site is acclaimed as one of the finest urban streetscapes in the world. It is known as the centre of fine arts and for the superb craftsmanship of its artisans. Later return to Kathmandu to visit the Pashupatinath Temple. 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. Also visit the Boudhanath Stupa, the largest stupa in Nepal and one of the largest in the world. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Kathmandu

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the village of Nagarkot from where you can enjoy stupendous views of the Himalayas, and Kathmandu valley or another option available is to trek to 14th Century World heritage temple of Changu Narayan. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Stay - Delhi

After breakfast, take a flight to NEw Delhi from Kathmandu airport. Upon arrival at New Delhi airport, our representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel, rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, Alkof Holidays representative will transfer you to the New Delhi airport to catch the flight for home or onward international destination.