No other river compares to the holy Ganges in the populations dependent upon it for both physical and spiritual nourishment. This unique tour from us,…
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Tailor-made Tour 15 days from £3720 per person
Places Visited: Delhi, Jama Masjid, Lucknow, Sravasti, Lumbini, Kushinagav, Patna, Bodhgaya, Varanasi, Agra
In his very first sermon Lord Buddha put forth the Middle Way, the Four Noble Truths, and the Eightfold Path - the message spread rapidly, penetrating caste and class barriers; today Buddhism is a way of life in large parts of the world, its message of peace and tolerance speaks to us all.
Buddha preached that the way to salvation is not dependent on God but on understanding the way things really are for all living beings subject to desire. We take you on a journey to places associated with important events in Buddha's life.
Prince Siddhartha was born at Lumbini, became Buddha, the Enlightened One, at Bodhgaya, gave his first sermon at Sarnath, lived the greater part of his monastic life in Sravasti, and attained Nirvana at Kushinagar. We also take in Lucknow, "City of Nawabs" known for its gracious living, and the fabled Taj Mahal in Agra.
Holiday Types
Cultural Holidays Wildlife Holidays River Cruising Holidays Luxury Train Holidays Family Holidays Honeymoons Beach Holidays Adventure Holidays
Suggested itinerary
Day 1
UK
Take an evening flight from London Heathrow.
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Day 2
Delhi
Transfer to the Maidens or Claridges Hotel. In the afternoon visit the bustling sights of Old Delhi including the largest mosque in India known as the Jama Masjid and Rajghat, the resting place (Samadhi) of India's favourite son, Mahatma Gandhi. The day's sightseeing ends with a rickshaw ride through the convergent bazaars of Chandni Chowk, the main trading centre of Old Delhi.
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Day 3
Delhi, Lucknow
Take an exciting day train to the city of Lucknow where you spend two nights at the first class Vivanta by Taj hotel.
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Day 4
Lucknow
In the morning visit the Residency Complex, site of the infamous siege of 1857 which was one of the first revolts against the British authorities. Continue your sightseeing tour of the city with visits to the Islamic Imambara shrine and Romi Darwaja city gate. Round off the day exploring Lucknow's colourful bazaars.
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Day 5
Lucknow, Sravasti
Today provides your first real taste of the 'Buddhist landscape' as we approach the site of Sravasti. It is here that the historical Buddha spent much of his life teaching the path to enlightenment to those men and women 'ready' to listen. Stay at the Lotus Nikko or Residency hotels for the night. In the afternoon visit the local sites of significance including Ananthapindika's Stupa, Anandabodhi tree and Gandhakuti or Buddha's hut.
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Day 6
Sravasti, Lumbini
Heading further east with your private car and driver you'll cross Nepal's southern border and come to the birthplace of Buddha at Lumbini. Stay at the Maya Garden or Nirvana Hotels for the night. In the afternoon visit the Lumbini gardens and the Maya Devi Temple which is dedicated to Buddha's mother. There are various modern monasteries that are also worth a quick visit.
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Day 7
Lumbini, Kushinagar
Moving on to Kushinagar stay at either the Lotus Nikko or Residency hotels. Visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple which is where Buddha is said to have attained Parinirvana. His final words to those congregated at the site are thought to have been, 'All composite things pass away. Strive for your own liberation with diligence.'
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Day 8
Kushinagar, Patna
Leaving Kushinagar drive to the city of Patna, stopping en route at Vaishali which is an auspicious site for devotees of both the Jain and Buddhist faiths respectively. The Buddha is said to have given his final public discourse here and the site was later the birthplace of the great Jain saint Bhagwan Mahavira. Your overnight stay is at the Maurya Hotel.
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Day 9
Patna, Bodhgaya
Drive on to Bodhgaya with a stop at the historic site of Rajgir. Bodhgaya is the site where the young, Siddhartha Gautama, attained enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree and became the awakened one or Buddha. Stay at the either the Lotus Nikko or Residency hotels for two nights.
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Day 10
Bodhgaya
Spend the day calmly exploring the Mahabodhi Temple Complex and other sights associated with the life of Buddha.
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Day 11
Bodhgaya, Varanasi
This morning drive to Nalanda. The archaeological was once the largest university in existence and students were dedicated to the study of the 'Buddha Dharma'. Continuing on to Varanasi you'll stay two nights at the Ganges View Hotel. This evening witness a ceremonial worship or "aarti" on the banks of the Ganges River.
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Day 12
Varanasi
Varanasi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world today and a highlight for the culturally minded traveller. An early morning boat ride is arranged on the Ganges to see devotees at prayer along the "ghats". In the afternoon visit Sarnath, the site of Buddha's first public discourse and a peaceful space to spend a few hours.
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Day 13
Varanasi, Agra
Take an exciting day train to Agra and watch the Indian countryside slower pass by.
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Day 14
Agra, Delhi
Visit the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri today, before returning to Delhi on the Shatabdi Express train. The Grand Hotel is your accommodation for the night.
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Day 15
Delhi, UK
Take a midday flight back to London.
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Tailor-made Tour 15 days from £3720 per person
What's included
✓ International flights from London
✓ 13 nights accommodation
✓ All internal transportation and transfers
✓ English-speaking guides
✓ Breakfast daily
✓ Entrance fees to sites and monuments listed in tour itinerary
Places and Experiences in this tour
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