Day 01: Delhi (Arrival)
Around midnight arrival in
Delhi. The cosmopolitan city and capital New Delhi is the main
gateway for the travellers to India. Upon arrival, you will be met by an Indo Vacations representative and transferred to the hotel.
Day 02: Delhi - Agra (about 210 km
/ 3 hours)
In the morning we have sightseeing in Old Delhi. Sightseeing of
Old Delhi includes "Rajghat", the site where Mahatma Gandhi was
cremated and
Jama
Masjid, the great mosque of old Delhi. Today we also visit the
famous "Humayun
Tomb" which is the first substantial example of Mughal
architecture in India and "Qutub
Minar". We drive through the embassy area in New Delhi where we
will see the
India
Gate and some impressive Government Buildings and drive to
Agra. In the evening
arrive in Agra. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 03: Agra
We start today our sightseeing by a visit to the
Agra Fort, built by three of the greatest Mughal emperors. The construction of this massive structure began in
1565 under Akbar's reign and continued till the time of his grandson's reign, Shah Jahan who built the impressive
imperial quarters and mosque. After the visit of Agra Fort we proceed to visit the most
beautiful monument of India, the
Taj
Mahal, an enduring monument to love, with a
continually fulfilling beauty. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between
1631-52, as a tomb and memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace),
who died at the age of 39 giving birth to her 14th child.
Day 04:
Agra - Jhansi (by train) Jhansi –
Khajuraho (about 175 km)
Today
morning transfer to Agra cantt
railways station for train to Jhansi
12002 +BHOPAL SHTBDI *AGRA CANTT 08:11 to JHANSI JN 10:45
Arrival
in Jhansi and drive to Khajuraho.
Khajuraho was the capital of the Chandela dynasty. The Chandela
Kings claimed descent from the moon. The temples of Khajuraho are
among the finest examples of temple craftsmanship in the whole of
India. The rest of the day at leisure.
Day 05: Khajuraho - Varanasi (by air)
Today we visit the temple complex of
Eastern Group and
Western
Group to see the most beautiful temples in India. Most famous among
them is the Laxmana Temple which is dedicated to god Vishnu. The
presence of erotic sculptures in the Temples at Khajuraho is one of
the expression among others of the celebration of all human
activities displaying different aspects of Hinduism. In the evening
flight to
Varanasi. The rest of the day at leisure. Varanasi is
without doubt India’s most sacred city and thus visited by over one
million people. Varanasi is also called the city of light. Buddha
visited this city in 500 BC.
Day 06: Varanasi
In the early morning we take boat ride on the holy River Ganges
and enjoy sunrise on the boat.
Ghats (flight of
steps) and the activities of pilgrims on that are the principal
attraction for visitors to Varanasi. Thousands of pilgrims and
devotees visit this city to make holy prayers, to meditate and to
purify themselves through taking a bath in the holy river Ganges. In
the noon we have a city sightseeing of Varanasi.
Day 07: Varanasi - Bodhgaya
(about 255 km / 4 hours)
Today we drive to Bodhgaya. Bodhgaya (once Uruvela village) is
the place where 2500 years ago in the 6th century BC, a young
ascetic, Siddhartha attained enlightenment to become the Buddha and
found Buddhism, one of the world's oldest religions. Bodhgaya is the
spiritual home of the Buddhists.
Day 08: Bodhgaya
Today we visit the Mahabodhi temple built to mark the spot where
the Buddha attained enlightenment. The famous Mahabodhi temple,
which stands in the centre of the Mahabodhi Temple Complex, has been
restored and rebuilt over the centuries. The Mahabodhi Temple
Complex houses all the major pilgrimage spots. A large circular
stone with the Buddha's footprints is kept in a small shrine on the
left. We also visit the Bodhgaya museum that is located near the
Mahabodhi temple. It houses antiquities excavated in and around Bodh
Gaya. It has a large collection of Buddhist and Hindu relics,
terracotta seals, scriptures and pillars from the Sunga period.
Day 9: Bodhgaya - Patna
(about 115 km / 2 hours)
Today we drive to Patna. Enroute we visit Vaishali. Patna, the
ancient Indian town of Pataliputra was thriving township during the
Buddha's lifetime. Patna, the state capital of Bihar is situated on
the banks of the Ganga. It is the major entry point for pilgrims who
wish to travel on the footsteps of the Buddha. In the evening we
will drive to Kumrahar to see the ruins of Pataliputra, which is
about 6 km from Gandhi Maidan. The remains of a massive assembly
hall with bases of 80 pillars have been excavated at the site, of
which only one pillar remains intact.
Day 10: Patna - Kushinagar
(about 240 km / 5 hours)
Today we drive to Kushinagar. Kushinagar is the place that the
Buddha chose for his Mahaparinirvana, or final exit from this earth.
Kushinagar or Kushinara as it was then known was the capital of the
Malla republic, one of the republican states of northern India
during the 6th and 5th centuries BC. There are several new
monasteries and temples. In the evening we visit the Rambhar Stupa
that marks Buddha's cremation ground. Mahakashyapa lit the funeral
pyre at Mukutabandha Vihara (Rambhar Stupa) in Kushinagar. Today not
much remains of this stupa expect a large brick mound rising to a
height of almost 15 metres set within a well-kept park. We also
visit the large Burmese Chandramani Bhikshu Bharamasala. This is the
oldest monastery in Kushinagar.
Day 11: Kushinagar - Kathmandu
(about 305 km / 7 hours)
Today we will drive to Kathmandu.
Day 12: Kathmandu
In the morning we start our sightseeing by visiting Durbar Square.
Durbar Square is the spiritual heart of Kathmandu. The old royal
palace at the centre of the city was surrounded by temples and other
important buildings. This is the most important point in Kathmandu
to observe the culture and religion of Nepal. We also visit the
temple of living goddess Kumari. After Durbar Square we will visit
Swayambhunath. The stupa at Swayambhunath is the most important and
oldest site of Buddhist worship in Nepal. Swayambhunath Stupa is
famous for the eyes of Buddha which seem to observing the world from
all 4 directions. After Swayambhunath we visit Bodnath. Bodnath is
the largest Stupa of Nepal. Around the octagonal base of Stupa there
are 108 images of Buddha where prayer ceremonies of Buddhist Lamas
are taking place since over 2000 years. Now we proceed to the temple
city of Pashupatinath which is Nepal’s most important Hindu pilgrim
site on the banks of the Bagmati river. The temple of Pashupatinath
is dedicated to god Shiva.
Day 13: Kathmandu - Lumbini
Today we will drive to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha.
Lumbini was located in 1890 after being untraced for about 1500
years. In the evening we have a sightseeing in Lumbini and visit the
birth place of Lord Buddha. Overnight stay in Lumbini.
Day 14: Lumbini - Sravasti
Today we drive to Sravasti. Sravasti (ancient Savatthi) was the
capital of Kosala Mahajanapada and was the biggest town in the
Gangetic plains during the Buddha's lifetime. Sravasti was host to
the Master for 25 years during the annual vassavasa (rain retreat)
when the Sangha congregated at one place. In the evening we visit
the famous monastery where Lord Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons
preaching. Overnight stay in Sravasti.
Day 15: Sravasti - Lucknow (about 160 km / 3 hours)
Today we drive to Lucknow.
Day 16: Lucknow - Delhi (by flight)
In the afternoon we drive to the airport to catch the flight to
Delhi. Upon arrival, you will be met by an Indo Vacations
representative and transferred to the hotel. Rooms are available to
get fresh and change before we depart to the airport with Indo
Vacations representative.
Day 17: Delhi
The whole day at leisure in Delhi.
Day 18: Flight to home
Around midnight
transfer to airport flight to home destination.
Tour Reservation
To get more
information or to book this tour please submit the
Query Form
or send us an
e-mail !
Your
booking will be activated only after we get a reconfirmation from
your side.
Our Services Include:
Accommodation in
double room on twin sharing basis with bath and WC in the
chosen category.
Services of qualified
local guides (English speaking or languages of your choice)
at every place of sightseeing.
All Transfers and departures on arrival and departure by Indo Vacations
representative.
All Transfers and Sightseeing
throughout the tour by Car with driver.
Exclusions:
Any Kind of Personal Expenses such as Tips, Laundry, Telephone Bills
and Alcoholic
beverages.
Camera Fees (Still
or Movie).
Any Flight Charges.
Monument Entrances.
Unspecified Meals etc.
Visa Fees
We always look
forward for any changes in the itinerary as wished by you for
your individual trip.
If
you are willing to travel in a group - the
Group Departure
dates are available
! |
Check
our
Festival calendar
to know about the dates
of various festivals of North India
during your
travel ! |
Visit
North India Tours
for more Tours & information on North India ! |
If you are interested in above tour
please
e-mail us
with the number of participants
and the wished dates to
enable us to workout the
tour cost !
|
Please have a look at our
References to read the
testimonials of tourists & guests
who have
traveled with us.
|
Please also check
our
FAQ
page to get more
information.
|
|