Day 01: Allahabad (Kaushambi) - Varanasi

City tour of Allahabad, which includes - Anand Bhawan, residence of Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime minister of Independent India (Closed on Mondays and Government holidays), Allahabad Fort, Ashoka Pillar & Akshaya Vat.

Transfer to Kaushambi, this place is, to be believed that Lord Buddha had visited in the 6th and 9th year after attaining enlightenment. Excavations have revealed ruins of an Ashokan Pillar, an old Fort and the Ghositaram Monastery, besides a huge number of sculptures and figures, cast coins and terracotta objects. Proceed to Varanasi. Night stay at hotel in Varanasi.

Day 02: Varanasi

Early morning drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats(HARISCHANDRA TO MANIKARNIKA ) . 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 Ashoka artifacts. 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 Varanasi.

Day 03: Varanasi - Kushinagar

Visit “Bharat Mata Temple”. Bharat Mata Temple, built in 1936 and located at Kashi Vidyapeeth 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.

Drive to Kushinagar & overnight at hotel in Kushinagar.

Day 04: Kushinagar - Kapilvastu

At the time of the Buddha, Kushinagar was the capital of the Mallas, and the scene of the Buddha's death. At this location, near the Hiranyavati River, Gautama Buddha attained Parinirvana (or 'Final Nirvana') after falling ill by eating a meal of a species of mushroom which translates as "pig's delight”. Guests will enjoy an excursion to main Buddhist pilgrimage sites which includes Watt Thai Temple typical Thai Buddhist architectural style, Nirvana Stupa, Mahaparinirvana Temple, Mathakuar Shrine, Ramabhar Stupa, Chinese Temple, Japanese Temple and Govt. Buddha Museum. Transfer to kapilvastu & overnight at the hotel in Kapilvastu.

Day 05: Kapilvastu - Lumbini

Kapilavastu is the name of a region of ancient Shakya kingdom that is considered a holy pilgrimage place for Buddhists, located close to Lumbini. Piprahwa 22 km from Siddharthnagar is identified with ancient Kapilvastu where Lord Buddha spent the early years of his life. Main attractions are Stupa Complex, Palace Site, it is said to be the place where Lord Buddha spent the first 29 years of his life. Transfer to Lumbini .The birthplace of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Lumbini lies in the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal. The area around Lumbini is entirely Hindu, but many Buddhist temples and shrines from various nations are scattered around the holy site itself. Maya Devi Temple the most important temple at Lumbini , Puskarni-the sacred pool where it is said Maya Devi bathed before giving birth, Ashoka's Pillar. Overnight at hotel in Lumbini.

Day 06: Lumbini - Sravasti - Lucknow

Morning proceed to Sravasti. Sravasti, capital of the ancient Kosala kingdom is sacred to Buddhists because it is here Lord Buddha performed the greatest of his miracles to confound the Tirthika heretics. The town played host to Lord Buddha for 27 years and was his annual rainy season . The main places of interest are Maheth and Sobhanath. Temple believed to be the birthplace of Jain Tirthankar Sambhavnath. It is revered by Jain pilgrims. Saheth became an important place of pilgrimage, adorned with numerous shrines, stupas and monasteries. The stupas belong mostly to the Kushana period, while the temples are in the Gupta style. The remains date from the Mauryan era (3rd century BC ) to the 12th century AD. One of the earliest stupas, probably dating to the 3rd century BC. Transfer to Lucknow & overnight at hotel in Lucknow.

Day 07: Lucknow - Sankisa

Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, extends along the bank of the River Gomti. The creator of Lucknow as it is today was Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula. Main attractions of Lucknow are Bara Imambara, Chhota Imambara.

Proceed to Sankisa. Mythical legends relate the place to the Buddha. It is believed that after delivering sermons to his mother and other Devas in the Heaven, the Buddha returned to earth here at this place. Sankisa, which was considered the town of human abode. Because of this, Sankisa is counted amongst the pilgrim destinations for the Buddhist .

Buddhist attraction in Sankisa -The Buddha Temple, the Temple of Maya Devi. The Ruins of Ashokan Elephant Pillar. Overnight at hotel in Sankisa / Farukhabad.

Day 08: Sankisa - Agra

Proceed to Agra. Agra is a city on the banks of the Yamuna River in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It finds mention in the epic Mahabharata where it was called Agreva or 'the border of the forest'. It achieved fame as the capital of the Mughal emperors from 1526 to 1658 and remains a major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era buildings, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all three are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Visit Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri is 40 km from Agra and 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 other Palaces. Overnight at hotel in Agra.

Day 09: Agra

The Taj Mahal built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as the final resting place for his favourite Queen, Mumtaz. Finished in by Marvel and India’s most fascinating and beautiful monument. (Taj Mahal 6.00 AM to 7.00 PM (Friday Closed)

The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra Fort in 1565 A.D. although additions were made till the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan.

Other monuments are Chini Ka Rauza, RADHASWAMI SAMADHI, DAYALBAGH, RAM BAGH, MEHTAB BAGH and ITMAD UD DAULAH (Baby) Taj.

Day 10: Agra - New Delhi Depart

Morning post breakfast drive for New Delhi to board the flight for onward destination. Your “FIRST SERMON OF ENLIGHTEMENT ” tour ends.