Day 01
Arrival Delhi
Our representative will receive you on arrival at the airport in Delhi and will take you to your hotel.
Delhi the capital of India is one of the most charming & happening place in the world. With thousands of sightseeing places like India Gate, Red fort, Jama Masjid, Akshardham Temple, Lotus Temple, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Gandhi memorial at Raj Ghat, Presidents residence, National Museum and of course The Connaught Place. This city has been beautifully planned with extra greenery to suite your eyes! Delhi is surely the travelers delight.
Activities: If interested we shall take you for architectural visit, Akshardham temple or else you can explore the Delhi lanes and immortalize them in photographs.
Akshardham temple is a Hindu temple complex, which portrays Hindu religion and Indian cultures, architecture and spirituality. The temples lay down its foundation near the banks of Yamuna and attract a majority of tourist visiting Delhi. This stone crafted temple exhibits the life story of Swami Narayan as well as displays the history of India.
Overnight hotel.
Day 02
Delhi - Agra: (233 Kms/4 Hrs)
After Breakfast drive to Agra.
Reach, check into the hotel and get ready for sightseeing.
Agra: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shahjahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.
Proceed to the TAJ MAHAL at sunset for a great view and exploration.
Taj Mahal: Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder, which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.
Agra Fort: The red sandstone structure is surrounded by chahar-bagh, a four-square formal garden. Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction. It lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a moat.
After Agra Fort we will visit Baby Taj or the Itmad-Ud-Ullah – The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj. One of the most beautiful Mughal tombs, Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb was built by Noor Jahan, the Empress of Jahangir for her father in 1628. The tomb is a resting place of the powerful personality in Mughal Court, Itmad-Ud-Daulah, whose life is very interesting. Formerly a very poor Persian merchant then named Mirza Ghiyas or Ghiyas Beg he became a minister and a trusted treasure in Akbar's court. After Akbar's death in 1605, his son Jahangir rose into power. Jahangir made Ghiyas Beg his chief minister and honored him with the title of Itmad-Ud-Daulah, the Pillar of State. Later, Jahangir met a beautiful daughter of Ghiyas Beg named Mehr-Un-Nissa and married her. Mehr-Un-Nissa soon played a significant role in the Jahangir's court and was called Noor Mahal, the light of the Place. Owing to her influence, her father and brother were granted with privileges in the court. When Ghiyas beg (Itmad-Ud-Daulah) dies in 1622, Noor Mahal decided to build a mausoleum for him. Queen Mumtaz Mahal or the lady of the Taj was also from this prevailing family. The mausoleum is entirely made of white marble and graced with intricate decoration of inlay work, and marble-screen work belonging to the Islamic style. With its tranquil, small garden on the bank of Yamuna River, the tomb stands impressively elegant from a distance.
Overnight will be in Agra.
Day 03
Agra - Lucknow
After Breakfast drive to Lucknow (10 - 11 hrs) en-route visit SANKASIA, where Lord descended from heaven after giving sermon to his mother after 7 years of her dealth. Later continue drive to Lucknow, Check-in at Hotel.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 04
Lucknow - Varanasi
After early breakfast Visit Lucknow city and drive to Varanasi(07 hrs), Check-in at Hotel.
Evening free for own activities.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 05
Varanasi
Early morning Boat ride on River Ganges to see the bathing Ghats. After lunch afternoon visit SARNATH along with Pirith ceremony (where Buddha delivered his first sermon).
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 06
Varanasi - Bodhgaya
After breakfast drive 243 kms / 6.5 hours to Bodhgaya.
Check-in at Hotel.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 07
Bodhgaya
Morning after breakfast visit Mahabodhi Temple & Bodhi Tree, Great Buddha Statue, Niranjana River, Sujata Temple - which is across the Niranjana river.
Afternoon visit to Dungeshwari caves.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 08
Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Nalanda - Bodhgaya
After early breakfast drive to Rajgir the vulture Hill, hot spring in Rajgir, world peace Stupa, Bamboo’s Garden. Continue to Nalanda to visit the ruins of world oldest University.
Return back to Bodhgaya.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 09
Bodhgaya - Vaishali - Kushinagar
After early breakfast drive to Vaishali. Check in at hotel.
Visit Maha Parinirwana Temple (where Buddha took his last breathe) and Rambhar Stupa (cremation site of lord Buddha), Japan Temple.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10
Kushinagar - Lumbini (Nepal)
After breakfast drive 5 hrs to Lumbini with packed lunch. While going to Lumbini, stop at India/Nepal border for Visa/Immigration formalities.
Later check-in at Hotel. 15 Min. drive from the Nepal Border. Noon visit Lumbini, the Birth place of Lord Buddha.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 11
Lumbini - Kapilvastu - Sravasti
After breakfast morning leave for Sravasti, enroute visit Kapilavastu - where Buddha's childhood was spent & also visit ruins of the Palaces.
Later continue drive to Sravasti & on arrival check-in at hotel. After Lunch visit Sravasti, where Buddha spent his 24 monsoons, visit Jetvana and Ananda Bodhi Tree.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12
Sravasti - Lucknow - Delhi
After breakfast drive 5-6 hrs to Lucknow. Thereafter transfer to Railway station to board train to New Delhi. After dinner transfer to IGI airport to catch flight for onward journey.
