Tour of Rajasthan and Buddhist Temples

Buddhist Temples Tour package, offers itself as a two in one package, as here you get the chance to tour the heritage destinations of India along with visit to the pilgrim destinations. The visit to the Buddhist pilgrimage destinations like Lumbini, Khushinagar and Bodhgaya are great experiences and calms down a wandering mind. The bath in the Ganges is refreshing but make sure you have a hard grip on the chains fastened around you, as this river has very strong currents. During this tour, you get the chance to visit the famous temples of Lord Krishna and Rama in Mathura and Vrindavan – the environment there is totally engrossing. The tour also provides facilities to perform various Pujas, Yagana and rituals at different pilgrimage sites, so, you just have to tell in little advance of your requirements, and it will be taken care off. Besides, the tour also offers various other thrills like elephant ride to have a Maharaja style experience up to the precincts of forts and palaces. The camel-cart safari to the villages of Rajasthan and the rickshaw ride in Keopladeo National Park are enthralling, but make sure you mount on well cushioned carts as these rides are very jerky.

• Visiting New Delhi and Old Delhi Attractions.
• Visiting Temples of Lord Krishna and Rama in Mathura, Vrindavan and Ayodhya.
• A Fascinating Tonga Ride and Interaction with local artists of Lucknow.
• Experiencing Divinity at the Buddhist Pilgrimages.
• Boat Cruise in the holy river Ganga in Varanasi.
• Visit the Keopladeo National Park in Bharatpur by Rickshaw
• Tour of Fatehpur Sikri and Taj Mahal.
• Visit to monasteries in Bodh Gaya.
• Rickshaw Ride and Shopping Thrill at Chandni Chowk.

Day 01 :Arrive Delhi   
On arrival to Delhi in the afternoon, you are given a traditional welcome and are then driven to the hotel. After lunch, we take you to city tour of Old and New Delhi. We visit Rajghat, India Gate, President House (from outside), Humayun's tomb, Qutub Minar and Jama Masjid. Evening is in the precincts of Red Fort where you get to watch a 'light and sound show'. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 02 : Delhi – Jaipur (265 kms / 5 hrs)
Morning after breakfast, we drive you to Jaipur- the Pink City of India. This buzzing metropolis is a wild contrast to the eyes. While traveling watch out for the captivating roadside views of Rajasthani folklore, camels, rural magic. Upon arrival to Jaipur, check-in to hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure, you can visit the nearby market and indulge into some shopping of famous lark bangles, silver jewelry, or can interact with locals in the market. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 : Jaipur Sightseeing   
Morning visit Amber Fort and enjoy ride on a caparisoned elephant that takes you up to the Amber Fort. This Fort was established by Raja Man Singh in the 16th century. Within the Amber Fort, you get to see ornate palaces, courts, stairways, pillared pavilions and palaces. Later, we take you to Hawa Mahal and the incomparable City Palace. This Palace has a museum that houses arms, textiles, carpets, paintings and manuscripts. The Palace was built by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 04 : Jaipur – Karauli (180 kms / 4 hrs)
Morning after breakfast, we drive you to Karauli while en routing Galta Ji - the temple of the Sun God.. This temple has a deep gorge at the back end and here you can see beautiful sunset views over the surrounding plains. We then continue drive to Karauli – known for its pink stone used in construction. Upon arrival in Karauli, we take you to the hotel for check in. Later, after lunch, we take you to the Old Palace of Karauli - a representative of the opulence of the medieval Durbars. We then take you to Karauli village by a camel cart that passes through the village and observe the craftsman working, vegetable markets and other activities of the villagers. Later visit the six hundred years old City Palace and Madan Mohan Temple in the same premises to observe the evening Aarti. Later return back to hotel by camel cart. Upon arrival be at leisure and spend overnight in hotel.

Day 05 : Karauli – Bharatpur (100 kms / 2 hrs)
Morning after breakfast, drive to Bharatpur to see the most spectacular water bird sanctuary. This sanctuary features indigenous water birds and migratory birds. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel in the evening, visit the Keopladeo National park by Rickshaw (2 hrs) to see the birds. Rest of the time be in the precincts of the hotel, interact with the hoteliers as they can tell you lot about the migratory birds. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 06 : Bharatpur – Mathura (80 kms / 2 hrs)
Morning after breakfast, drive to Mathura en-route visiting Deeg- situated 36 km from Bharatpur. Upon arrival visit Suraj Mahl's Palace. Continue drive to Mathura and en-route Vrindavan- the place of Krishna's Childhood. On arrival to Mathura, we take you to the hotel. In the evening, visit the Krishna Janma Bhumi- the birthplace of Lord Krishna, Vishram Ghat, the Dwarkadheesh temple and Gita Mandir – situated on the city outskirts. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07 : Mathura – Agra (54 kms / 1 hrs)
Morning after breakfast, we drive you to Agra while enrouting Fatehpur Sikri. This is a marvelous fort built by emperor Akbar in honour of the sufi saint Salim Chisti. Then continue drive toward Agra. Upon arrival, check - in at hotel. Evening is a visit to Taj to observe the splendour of Taj Mahal in the rays of the evening Sun. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08 : Agra - Lucknow (On Train)  
After breakfast time is kept free and you checkout at 12.00 Noon. After lunch, a half-day city tour of Agra is undertaken. We first visit Taj Mahal and followed by it we visit Agra Fort. This Fort was built by Akbar to commemorate his victory in war. Later in the evening, transfer to the railway station to board the connect overnight train to Lucknow. Overnight is in the train.

Day 09 : Arrive Lucknow
Morning hours arrive at Lucknow railway station and our cab drives you to the hotel. Upon arrival in the hotel have breakfast (we request early check-in at around 0830 hrs). Lucknow, is still the home of light-classical North Indian music and the Kathak school of dance. After lunch in the afternoon, we take you to visit Bara Imambara and Husssainabad Imambara. There will be a cultural dance program in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 : Lucknow – Faizabad – Ayodhya – Faizabad (134 kms / 3.5 hrs)
After breakfast, we drive you to Faizabad. On arrival we take you to the hotel. Later we take you for sightseeing of Faizabad and visit Fort Calcutta built by the third Nawab of Avadh and the mausoleum of Bahu Begam and Gulab Bari. We also take you to Ayodhya where you get to see the Babri Masjid and Ram Janmabhumi- the birthplace of Ram. Evening, we return back to Faizabad and overnight is at the hotel.

Day 11 : Faizabad – Lumbini (240 kms / 5 hrs)
Morning after breakfast we drive you to Lumbini - the birthplace of Buddha. On the way, stop for lunch. Upon arrival check into hotel. Evening, we take you to visit Lumbini and the sacred gardens with Mayadevi temple that depicts the birth of Lord Buddha, Ashok Pillar and Sakyan Tank. The Sakyan tank is known to be the place where mother of Buddha took bath before giving birth to Lord Buddha. Later, we return back to the hotel for the overnight stay.

Day 12 : Lumbini – Kushinagar (170 kms / 4.5 hrs)
Morning, after breakfast, we drive you to Khushinagar, famous for Mahaparinirvana, death of Lord Buddha. This place is also known as Kasia or Kusinara. Buddha, the founder of Buddhism passed away in this place and was cremated at the Ramabhar stupa, situated near the Hiranyavati River. Upon arrival to this place, check in to the hotel. Later we take you to the sightseeing tour of Mahaparinirvana Temple and the Rambhar Stupa. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 13 : Kushinagar – Patna (280 kms / 7 hrs)
Morning after breakfast, we drive you to Patna while en-routing Vaishali. Stopping for lunch at Gajraj restaurant. Patna previously was a small village named as Patali or Pataligrama. But later it grew to a big and flourishing city and now is the capital of Bihar. This place is called a divine state as it gave birth to legends like Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira. In-fact, Bihar draws its name from Vihar - Buddhist monasteries in earlier days. Upon arrival to Patna, check in at the hotel. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 14 : Patna – Rajgir (102 kms / 2.5 hrs)
After breakfast, we drive you to Rajgir - a recognized place designated to be the house of the Kings. This is an important place for Buddhist pilgrimages. Rajgir also has some very attractive Hindu and Jain temples. We take you to all these places on your arrival. After your lunch in the hotel, we take you to Amaravana Jivaka- the royal physician who practiced here during the times of Ajatshatru and Bimbisara. It is believed that Lord Buddha also cured himself of a wound here. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 15 : Rajgir – Bodhgaya (90 kms / 1.5 hrs)
Morning after breakfast, we drive you to Bodhgaya. It is here that Buddha was enlightened and he transformed himself from Prince Siddhartha to Lord Buddha. Upon arrival, check -in at the hotel. The lunch is at the hotel. Then we take you to visit the archaeological museum in Bodhgaya. This museum has galleries that display sculptures of Buddha made out of terracotta, iron and copper. Later in the evening, we take you for a Buddhist meditation experience in the temples of Bodhgaya. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 16 : Bodhgaya
After breakfast, we take you to Mahabodhi temple- originally built by Emperor Ashok in 3rd century B.C. We then take you to Animesh Locan Chaiyata, Mohanta's Monastery, Thai temple, Burmese temple. Post lunch, we take you to the monasteries like Tibetan Monastery, Buddhist Monastry, Chinese temple cum Monastry, and the Bodi Tree. This Bodi tree is under which Buddha attained enlightment. The Monasteries are the place where the principles of Buddhism are being taught. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 17 : Bodhgaya – Varanasi (243 kms / 6 hrs)
Morning after breakfast, we drive you to Varanasi. Upon arrival check into hotel. Evening, we take you to the ghats of Varanasi where you get to take a dip in the holy Ganges and to offer prayers in the temples situated in the riverbanks. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 18 : Varanasi  
Morning after breakfast, we take you for a boat cruise in the holy Ganges. Here, you also get to see sunrise and later walk through the narrow streets of Varanasi. Return back to hotel for afternoon. Post lunch we take you to Benaras Hindu University and Bharat Mata Temple. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 19 : Varanasi – Delhi (Flight)
Morning after breakfast, we take you to Sarnath- the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after his enlightment. Then, after lunch, in the hotel, we take you to Airport to board connect flight to Delhi. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Rest of the time is free when we take you for a metro ride. Later in the evening, we take you to Chadni Chowk where there is a rickshaw ride at your disposal. You also get a chance to shops in the baazars of Chadni Chowk. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 20 : Delhi (Departure)
Morning after breakfast, be at your leisure. Then after a very sumptuous lunch, check out of the hotel in time and then we drive you to the airport. Board flight that takes you to your onward destination. Our services end with your departure.