Day 1: Delhi

Arrive Delhi in late evening. Meet and greet at the airport, transfer to your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2: Delhi

After breakfast in the morning proceed for the full day city tour of Old & New Delhi. In Old city visit Red Fort built by Emperor Shah Jahan; Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India; Raj Ghat- the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi and enjoy a walking tour in Chandni Chowk- the silver street of Delhi bustling with activity.

In the afternoon visit Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India; Humayun’s Tomb built in the Indo Persian style; India Gate – A War Memorial Arch. Also drive past the President’s house, Parliament house, Government secretariat buildings and Connaught place, a busy shopping center.

Day 3: Delhi / Varanasi

Take a morning flight to reach Varanasi. On arrival meet our representative and transfer to the hotel. In afternoon enjoy a short city tour of Varanasi.

Day 4: Varanasi

Enjoy an early morning boat ride on the river Ganges to see the sunrise and visit the bathing Ghats. In afternoon visit Sarnath which is about 10 kms away. It was here in Sarnath, seven weeks after his enlightenment that Buddha gave his first discourse. (Sarnath was then known as Isipatana).

Day 5: Gaya

Varanasi to Gaya (250 kms/7hrs) Morning road departure to Gaya. Checkin at hotel.

Day 6: Gaya to Bodhgaya (10 kms/½hr)

This Morning leave for Bodhgaya the Mecca of Buddhism. Bodhgaya is the place where Buddha sat down under a Bodhi-tree and decided not to get up anymore until he discovered the truth. Just a short time later, it is said he became a fully enlightened Buddha. Visit the Mahabodhi temple complex. The first temple of the Mahabodhi temple complex (a UNESCO world heritage site) was built by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century B.C., and the present temple dates from the 5th or 6th centuries. It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely in brick, still standing in India, from the late Gupta period. Full day religious activities at Mahabodhi Temple. Return to Gaya.

Day 7: Patna

Gaya to Patna by road (116kms/3½hrs) Morning departure to Patna, enroute visiting Nalanda-the Buddhist University. Also visit Karanda Tank-where Buddha used to bath. Evening arrive Patna and check in at the hotel. Later in the day visit Patna-museum, which was b uilt in 1917. The items on display include archaeological objects, coins, art, paintings, instruments, textiles, paintings, thankas, bronze images and sculptures and terracotta images of Hindu and Buddhist artists.

Day 8: Gorakhpur

Patna to Gorakhpur by road (418kms/10hrs) Morning surface drive to Gorakhpur. Enroute visit Vaishali, this is the place where Buddha announced his approaching nirvana. Continue to Kushinagar - where Buddha passed into Mahaparinirvana. Arrive Gorakhpur, check In at the hotel.

Day 9: Bhairawan - Lumbini

Gorakhpur to Bhairawan by surface (132kms/4hrs) Morning surface departure for Bhairawan. On arrival check in at the hotel. Excursion to Lumbini-the birth place of Lord Buddha. Siddhartha Gautama, the Lord Buddha, was born in 623 B.C. in the famous gardens of Lumbini, which soon became a place of pilgrimage. Among the pilgrims was the Indian emperor Ashoka, who erected one of his commemorative pillars there. Return to Bhairawan for overnight stay.

Day 10: Kapilvastu - Sravasti

Leave Bhairawan for Balrampur by surface (240kms/5½hrs). Enroute visit Kapilvastu (also known as Piprahwa). This is the place where Lord Buddha spent the first thirty years of his life. If Lumbini is remote, then Kapilavastu seems to be caught in a time warp.

Continue your drive for Balrampur, checking in at the hotel on arrival. In afternoon take an excursion to Sravasti. Sravasti (ancient Savatthi), the capital of Kosala Mahajanapada , was the biggest town in the Gangetic plains during the Buddha's lifetime. Sravasti was host to Lord Buddha for 25 years during the annual Vassavasa (rain retreat) when the Sangha congregated at one place. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 11: Lucknow

Balrampur to Lucknow by road (165kms/4½hrs) Morning surface departure for Lucknow-the eighteenth century capital of the Nawabs (landlords during the Mughal period). On arrival check in at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 12: Lucknow - Delhi

Lucknow to Delhi by train Morning half day city tour of Lucknow visiting Bada Imambara-an elegant building with a main hall (50fts) is the largest vaulted apartment in the world, Chotta Imambara, Husainabad market famous for its gold /silver brocades and silverware, Museum and Clock tower. Afternoon transfer to railway station to catch train to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel.

Day 13: Departure for onward destination

Connect to the airport in time for your flight. An optional day trip in Delhi can be arranged, based on available time