Day 01: Arrive Mumbai

On arrival in Mumbai you will be greeted by our representative outside the baggage hall area at the airport and proceed to hotel. Rest of day at leisure. Overnight stay at Mumbai.

Day 02: Mumbai

Mumbai formerly known as Bombay, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. The seven islands ( Isle of Bombay, Colaba, Old Woman's Island (Little Colaba), Mahim, Mazagaon, Parel, Worli ) that came to constitute Bombay were home to communities of fishing colonies. The main attraction in Mumbai is Hanging Gardens, Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal. Overnight stay at hotel in Mumbai.

Day 03: Mumbai

Mumbai journey continue with Mani Bhavan This simple and charming museum was where Mahatma Gandhi lived on his visits to Mumbai between 1917 and 1934. Gandhi's room and belongings including his books are on display. Mani Bhavan is situated on Laburnam Road. Juhu Beach - this suburban beach is great favourite with Mumbaites, and has plenty to offer everyone. Like Marine Drive's Chow patty, Juhu 'Chow patty' is a vendor's delight with innumerable food counters. It is a wonderful.

Elephanta Caves :

Elephanta caves are in the magnificent Elephanta Island, which is 11 km from Mumbai. It has beautiful carvings, sculptures, and a temple of the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has been a commercial, military and religions centre for centuries having traces of early Buddhist culture. Overnight stay at hotel in Mumbai.

Day 04: Mumbai - Aurangabad

Take a morning flight for Aurangabad. The city is a tourist hub, surrounded with many historical monuments, including the Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as Bibi Ka Maqbara. Hence, it deserves the epithet as Tourist District of India.

The main attractions in Aurangabad are: Aurangabad Caves, Bibi Ka Maqbara, Panchakki (water mill), Ellora (Ellora Caves closed on Tuesdays). Overnight stay at hotel in Aurangabad.

Day 05: Aurangabad – Delhi

Ajanta: The world famous Buddhist caves. Since 1983, the Ajanta Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are 30 caves in Ajanta of which 9, 10, 19, 26 and 29 are chaitya-grihas and the rest are monasteries. The caves have on display, exquisite paintings, and sculptures depicting Buddha's life, halls and monasteries. The land was discovered in 1819, by a group of British Officers. (Open from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Closed on Monday ) Fly for Delhi .On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel in Delhi.

Day 06: Delhi

On this day guests will be provided a tour of the National capital city of Delhi. In the morning the tour will begin with a visit to the charming sightseeing attractions of Delhi, which includes Red Fort (Monday closed), Jama Masjid and Rajghat- the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, Humayun Tomb, Qutub Minar. Overnight stay at hotel in Delhi.

Day 07: Delhi - Jaipur

Morning drive to Lotus Temple (Monday Closed), India Gate and President House. Proceed to Jaipur. Jaipur - the capital of Rajasthan was given a colour coat of pink a century ago in honour of a visiting Prince and since that time, it has retained this colour. Built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer, this city is 260 years old .Overnight stay at hotel in Jaipur.

Day 08: Jaipur ( Naharghar Fort, Jaighar Fort , Amber Palace )

Morning visit Maharaja's City Palace, the Observatory & Ram Niwas Gardens. Hawa Mahal, Naharghar. Nahargarh Fort is the first of the three forts built by Maharaja Jai Sawai Singh of Jaipur. The Fort stands at the top of rugged point of the Aravalis and offers a spectacular view of the City. Keeping this fact in mind, the fort was made to serve as a means of supporting the security of Amer.

Proceed to Jaighar Fort. Jaigarh Fort is located on the top of the hill, by the name of Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles). Jaigarh Fort is also known as the 'Victory Fort', located at a comfortable distance of 15km from Jaipur. Jaigarh Fort is considered as one of the spectacular forts in India. Enroute visit “JAL MAHAL “

Then proceed to Amber Fort, Amber (pronounced Amer) is situated about 11 km from Jaipur and was the ancient citable of the ruling Kachwahas of Amber, before the capital was shifted to the plain, the present day Jaipur. Visit the Sheesh Mahal or the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors. Overnight stay at hotel in Jaipur.

Day 09: Jaipur - Agra

Proceed to Agra, enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and Buland Darwaja (DOOR) other Palaces.

Now transfer to Agra. Visit Taj Mahal built by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains (FRIDAY CLOSED). Later visit the Agra Fort containing the Pearl Mosque, the Halls of Public and Private Audience. Also visit the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daullah built by Empress Noorjehan in memory of her father. Overnight train journey to Lucknow.

Day 10: Lucknow – Sravasti

On arrival to Lucknow, transfer to hotel. Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, extends along the banks of the River Gomti. The creator of Lucknow as it is today was Nawab Asaf ud Daula. After breakfast visit Bada Imambara, Chhota Imambara.

Proceed to Sravasti. Sravasti, capital of the ancient Kosala kingdom is sacred to Buddhists because it is here that Lord Buddha performed the greatest of his miracles to confound the Tirthika heretics. The important tourist attractions in Sravasti.

Maheth, Sobhanath Temple, Saheth, Angulimala's Stupa are other tourist attractions. Overnight stay at hotel in Sravasti.

Day 11: Sravasti – Lumbini

Proceed to Lumbini. The birthplace of the Gautama Buddha. Lumbini, is the Mecca of every Buddhist, being one of the four holy places of Buddhism (Lumbini,Bodhgaya,Sarnath and Kushinagar ). Lumbini is situated at the foothills of the Himalayas in modern Nepal .

Some important places in Lumbini are: The Lumbini Garden, Maya Devi Tample, Puskarni pond, Ramagram .Overnight stay at hotel in Lumbini.

Day 12: Lumbini – Kapilvastu - Kushinagar

Proceed to kapilvastu. Kapilvastu, the ancient capital of Sakya clan to which lord Buddha belonged, is the place where prince Siddhartha grew up. Now a small village called Piprahwa. Kapilvastu was once a flourished city where Buddha spent his first 30 years.

The excavations include a stupa, of an ancient monastery named Devaputra, and two mounds, regarded as the ruins of King Suddhodhana's palace. Other major attractions of Kapilvastu include stupas built by Ashoka and the Gupta Kings, relics of Lord Buddha, etc.

Proceed to Kushinagar and overnight stay at hotel in Kushinagar.

Day 13: Kushinagar – Varanasi

Kushinagar is significant because it is the place where Buddha attained the state of Mahaparinirvana or Permanent Bliss at the age of 80. The pilgrims as well as the tourists from all over the world visit Kushinagar for its historical significance. Three great Chinese scholars Fa-Hien, Hiuen Tsang and I-Tsing, who travelled to India, also visited Kushinagar.

On Kushinagar Tours, you can visit the following places: Mahaparinirvan Temple, Nirvana Chaitya , Ramabhar Stupa, Matha Kuar Shrine, Watt Thai Temple.

The other places of significance on Kushinagar Tours are the Meditation Park, Indo-Japan-Sri Lanka Temple, Wai Thai Temple and a Museum. There are several other noteworthy structures in and around Kushinagar worth visiting .

Proceed to Varanasi. Overnight stay at hotel in Varanasi.

Day 14: Varanasi (Sarnath)

Varanasi is one of the holiest places in Buddhism too, being one of the four pilgrimage sites said to have been designated by Gautama Buddha himself, (the others being Kushinagar, Bodh Gaya, and Lumbini). In the residential neighborhood of Varanasi lies Sarnath, the site of the deer park where Gautama Buddha is said to have given his first sermon about the basic.

Early morning drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats (HARISHCHANDRA TO MANIKARNIKA GHAT). Visit Banaras Hindu University. The Banaras Hindu University was established in 1916 by special efforts of Nationalist Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. Today it has grown into one of the biggest university of India and Asia.

Then proceed to Sarnath where Buddha had preached his first sermon post enlightenment. Also visit Chaukhandi Stupa, Dhamek Stupa, and Mulagandha Kuti Vihar.

The Sarnath museum has a small but awe-inspiring collection of Buddhist, the single most famous exhibit of this museum is the Lion Capital of Ash okaartifacts. The main attraction of the Sarnath Archaeological Museum is the superb Ashokan Pillar. It has four back-to-back lions, which has been adopted as the National symbol of India. Below, there are representations of a lion, an elephant, horse and the bull (Museum Timing 10.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs.  Friday Closed). Evening view "Aarti" ceremony on the bank of Ganga, Ghat Dashashwamedha. Overnight stay at hotel in Varanasi.

Day 15: Varanasi – Bodhgaya

Visit Bharat Mata Tample, built in 1936 and located at Kashi. Vidyapeeth (University ) Campus, is a shrine dedicated to Mother India. It enshrines a marble structure of Mother India, a fine three dimensional structure of undivided India. The marble structure, rather a map of India, is constructed at the right proportions of Oceans, Lands and Hills. This is a unique temple and a symbol of patriotism. The Bharat Mata temple at Varanasi is the only temple dedicated to the Mother India.

Then proceed for Bodhgaya. It is one of the holiest Buddhist centers. This is the place where Gautama meditated and attained enlightenment. The tree that had sheltered him came to be known as the Bodhi tree. Overnight stay at hotel in Bodhgaya.

Day 16: Bodhgaya

This village is situated near the river Niranjana (Phalgu) 12 km from Gaya and 112 km from Patna. It is one of the holiest Buddhist centers. This is the place where Gautama meditated and attained enlightenment. The tree that had sheltered him came to be known as the Bodhi tree. Bodhgaya, an important place of pilgrimage for Mahabodhi Temple, Animesh Lochan Chaitya, Bodhi Tree, Chankramana, Ratnagarh, Sun Temple, Pretshila Hill, Vishnupad Temple, Barbara Caves, 80 feet Statue of the Buddha, Lotus Tank, Buddha Kund, International Buddhist House, Sujata village (2 km), Dungeshwari Hill (Prag bodhi, 22 km by road). Bodhgaya has a number of monasteries, some of them established by Buddhists of Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka etc. Overnight stay at hotel in Bodhgaya.

Day 17: Bodhgaya – Rajgir – Nalanda - Patna

Rajgir is a place of great significance for Buddhists and Jains. Lord Buddha spent 12 years at Rajgir and the first Buddhist council was held here. Sightseeing at Rajgir covers the Shanti Stupa, Hot Springs, Gridhakuta Hill, Bimbisara Jail and other Jain and Buddha monuments. From Rajgir you will be driven to Nalanda (20 km).
Nalanda was a great center of learning in ancient times. Nalanda was one of the greatest monastic universities of the ancient world. At Nalanda you will visit the ruins of the Nalanda University, temples and stupas. Main historical places are Nalanda University Ruins, Archaeological Complex, Nalanda Archaeological Museum, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Hieun Tsang Memorial Hall, Silao, Surajpur Baragaon. From Nalanda you will head for Patna. Overnight stay at hotel in Patna.

Day 18: Patna (Kumhrar) –Vaishali

Patna once called Patliputra the capital of Bihar is among the world's oldest capital cities with unbroken history of many centuries as imperial metropolis of the Mauryas and Guptas imperial dynasties. Sightseeing include Gol Ghar is a large dome-like structure from where one can have a fine view of the Ganga and the surroundings of the city, Patna Museum - has a rich collection of Mauryan and Buddhist sculptures, terracotta and other interesting items.

Kumhrar- site of the ancient city of Patliputra lies 5 km from Patna railway station. Archaeological findings in this area establish Patna's claim to over a thousand years of political glory - 600 BC to 600 AD. Very little of this grandeur remains though, except for the remains of a huge Mauryan hall supported by 80 sandstone pillars dating back to 300 BC.

Proceed to Vaishali (60 km), place where Buddha announced the approaching of his Mahaparinirvana. Also visit Ashokan Pillar, Bawan Pokhar Temple, Budha Stupa-I, Budha Stupa-II, Abhiskek Pushkarn (Coronation tank) Kundalpur, Raja Vishal ka Garh, Shanti Stupa, World Peace Pagoda. Overnight stay at hotel in Patna.

Day 19: Fly To Bombay Or Delhi

In time tranfer to the airport to board the flight for onward destination. Your “CAVES OF BUDDHA” tour ends.