8 Days Divine Steps of Buddha Tour from Bodhgaya

Bodh Gaya

Your Buddhist Trail tour begins today. Upon arrival at Gaya airport you will be greeted by our IML travel representative who will transfer you to your hotel. Check-in to your hotel and get relax to comfort yourself from the tiredness of your long tiring journey. Bodhgaya (also written Bodh Gaya) in north-eastern India is the site of the Buddha’s enlightenment and the most important of four main Buddhist pilgrimage destinations known as Uruvela in the Buddha’s time. The two major sacred sites in Bodhgaya are the Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi Tree, around which many other temple and monasteries of various Buddhist traditions (Japanese, Tibeten, Bhutanese, Vietnamese, Thai and others) have been built. Every year, millions of Buddhist pilgrims, mainly from Asian countries, flock to Bodhgaya to be inspired, despite negative karma and earn merit by visiting the holy site where the Buddha became Buddha (“Enlightened one”).

2 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Mahabodhi Temple

In evening pay a brief visit to the world heritage site of Mahabodhi Temple and drive to Neranchara River, Sujata village. Dinner and Overnight stay at the hotel in Bodhgaya.

3 Hours • Admission Ticket Included

Bodh Gaya

Today after early morning breakfast proceed to visit Mahabodhi Buddha temple and walk around the deer park. Later see the monastery ruins area, Dhamekh Stupa, Archaeological museum etc. "Bodh Gaya is the place where Gautama Buddha attained unsurpassed, supreme Enlightenment. It is a place which should be visited or seen by a person of devotion and which would cause awareness and apprehension of the nature of impermanence". Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha-to-be, had been dwelling on the banks of the Nairanjana River with five ascetic followers for six years practicing austerities. Realizing that austerities could not lead to realization he abandoned them. His five ascetic companions disgusted at his seeming failure, deserted him and left for Sarnath. Later Visit Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree, Chinese Monastery, Big Buddha Statue and Royal Thai Temple etc. Dinner & overnight at hotel.

8 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Griddhakuta Peak

After early morning breakfast; proceed for a sightseeing tour of Rajgiri and Nalanda. Rajgir was the capital of Magadh Empire until Ajatshatru moved it to Pataliputra (Patna) in the 5th century BC. Rajgir is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site as Buddha had spent 12 years here and the first Buddhist council after the Buddha attained Nirvana was held here. Visit Ajatshatru's fort, Venuvana, Swarna Bhandar, the Cyclopean wall. Visit the Peace Pagoda on chair lift. Rajgir sightseeing Includes Gridhkuth Mountain, Venuvan, Hot Spring, Jivaka Amravan, Bimbisar Jail. Lunch at Local Restaurant in Rajgiri.

3 Hours • Admission Ticket Included

Nalanda University Ruins

After lunch proceed for Nalanda University. Nalanda founded in 5th century BC, was one of the world’s great universities. Visit the remains of the brick built Great Stupa and local archeological museum. After lunch drive to Rajgir and on arrival check-in at hotel. Dinner & overnight at hotel.

3 Hours • Admission Ticket Included

Ashok Pillar

After Breakfast proceeds your drive to Kushinagar enroute visiting Vaishali, Vaishali or Vesali was a city in present-day Bihar, India, and is now an archaeological site. It is a part of the Tirhut Division. It was the capital city of the Vajjian Confederacy of (Vrijji mahajanapada), considered one of the first examples of a republic around the 6th century BCE. Gautama Buddha preached his last sermon before his death in c. 483 BCE, then in 383 BCE the Second Buddhist council was convened here by King Kalasoka, making it an important place in both Jain and Buddhist religions. It contains one of the best-preserved of the Pillars of Ashoka, topped by a single Asiatic lion.

1 Hours • Admission Ticket Included

Kushinagar

On arrival check into the hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure and relaxation. After lunch proceed for sightseeing tour of Kushinagar. Visit Mahaparinirvana Temple and Ramabhar Stupa. Here at the age of 80 Buddha passed into Mahaparinirvana. Buddha was finally freed from the eternal cycle of re-birth leaving with us all the wisdom and knowledge of Muktabandhanastupa built by Malla dynasty to house Buddha’s relics after the cremation. Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel.

2 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Lumbini

After scrumptious breakfast; check out from your hotel and proceed to Lumbini. Lord Buddha was born at Lumbini while his mother was on her way to parental home from Kapilavastu. Buddha was born in Lumbini during the full moon day in the month of Vaisakh in 623 BC. He was born under a Sal tree when Mayadevi was going to her maternal town on the occasion of delivery. Upon arrival proceed for a sightseeing tour of this adorable city Lumbini and its temples of Lord Buddha. After sightseeing check into the hotel for overnight stay. Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel.

8 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Varanasi

After early morning breakfast; check out from your hotel and embark on a drive to Varanasi. Upon arrival check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. In the evening you may opt out to pay a visit to local markets of Varanasi to explore the glittering side of the city. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

8 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Early morning proceed for a boat ride in Ganga River during the sun rise in Varanasi, here you can experience the way of life of their people. Before the boat ride, you may also take a holy dip in Ganga which is the symbol of faith of spirituality and divinity of this holy Hindu river.

3 Hours • Admission Ticket Included

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Varanasi is one of the oldest city in the world is famous for its cultural and spiritual heritage across the world. From the banks of Ganga to the narrow streets of the city from the educational hub of one of the finest univerVaranasi is one of the oldest city in the world is famous for its cultural and spiritual heritage across the world. From the banks of Ganga to the narrow streets of the city from the educational hub of one of the finest universities in Asia to the Temple Street of Kashi Vishwanath Temple and The Sarnath the city has a lot to offer to its patrons. sities in Asia to the Temple Street of Kashi Vishwanath Temple and The Sarnath the city has a lot to offer to its patrons.

2 Hours • Admission Ticket Included

Ganga Aarti

Today after a brief rest at the hotel we will proceed for a sightseeing tour of the ancient city and experience in the Evening Arti Ritual performed by the local priest of the temple at the Banks of Ganga , it is one of the greatest spectacle to experience here. In the Evening take a stroll at the narrow lanes and market of Godowlia, here you can Shop for souvenirs. Later take a walk at local market and narrow lane of Banaras city, Glimpse of one of the world’s oldest living cities. You will be able to interact the local people, ask questions and sample local delicacies. Few tourists ever wind their way through the bazaars in the Northern Gullis of the old city where you will find hidden alleys leading directly through the sacred zone of Banaras to the oldest Ghats of the city. Winding through the street of the Bengalis, visiting hidden shrines and the vistas of life along the riverside to the historic bathing site called Dashashwamedh, the ten-horse sacrifice Ghat.

2 Hours • Admission Ticket Included

Varanasi

rab a good breakfast and complete your check-out formalities at hotel and proceed to the Varanasi airport to board your return flight to your onwards destination. Come back to your home with the blessings and adorable memories of this tour.

45 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free