Varanasi Gateway

Day 01: Arrive Varanasi, visit Sarnath.

Day 02: Morning visit of Sarnath, and
drive to Bodhgaya

Day 03: Full day sightseeing of Bodhgaya

Day 04: Drive to Rajgir

Day 05: Drive to Kushinagar via Nalanda and Vaishali

Day 06: Visit Kushinagar and drive to Sravasti

Day 07: Sightseeing of Sravasti and drive to Lumbini

Day 08: Sightseeing of Lumbini

Day 09: Drive to Varanasi

Day 10: Departure

Day 01: Arrive Varanasi, visit Sarnath.

Our representative will welcome you at the Varanasi airport and transfer
you to your hotel. In the evening, we will visit the ancient Kashi city and the holy Ganges.

Day 02: Morning visit of Sarnath, and drive to Bodhgaya

Today, we will tour Sarnath. Today, we will drive to Varanasi. On the way, we will visit Sarnath where the Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. The main attraction here is Ashoka Pillar which signifies Sarnath as the place where the Buddha delivered his first sermon. The stupa originally was topped by four Asiatic lions facing four directions sitting on a Chakra. The Lion capital has now been preserved at Sarnath museum while the broken remains of the pillar can be seen here. Dhamek and Chaukhandi stupas are
the other attractions here. Dhamek Stupa is believed to have been built in the place where the Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon. The present-day stupa, which dates back to 5th century, is believed to have been built to replace an earlier structure built by Emperor Ashoka. The Chaukhandi Stupa is believed to be the place where the Buddha met his first disciples while traveling from Bodh Gaya to Sarnath.

Day 03: Full day sightseeing of Bodhgaya

We will begin Bodhgaya sightseeing with a visit to Prag Bodhi where the Buddha is believed to have practiced strict meditation. The main attraction
here is the statue of a frail Buddha inside a cave. One can see pilgrims
chanting sacred Buddhist texts and meditating near the cave. After visiting
Dhungeshwari cave, we drive toward Sujata Stupa. The brick stupa is believed to have been built in memory of Sujata, who is believed to have offered rice pudding to the Buddha, before he began his final leg of meditation under a Bodhi tree in the present day Mahabodhi temple premises. Next, we move on to Sujata Temple where Sujata is believed to have offered rice pudding to the Buddha. Then we cross the Niranjana River where the Buddha is believed to have taken bathe before starting his last leg of mediation. In the evening, we will visit the Mahabodhi Temple and the 80-feet Buddha statue.

Day 04: Drive to Rajgir

Today we will drive to Rajgir. After checking into our hotel, we will
begin sightseeing of Rajgir. We will visit Griddhkut – a small hill where the
Buddha is believed to have meditated – and other attractions like Venubana and Bimabasar jail.

Day 05: Drive to Kushinagar via Nalanda and Vaishali

Nalanda is our first destination as we drive toward Kushinara. Nalanda is used to be one of the prominent learning centers between 5th and 12th centuries. Chinese traveler Xuanzang has written elaborated accounts about this place. The place is believed to have been destroyed by Muslim rulers of Delhi in the 13th century. We continue our drive toward Vaishali. The main attraction here is a stupa and an Ashokan pillar with an Asiatic lion. It is believed that the Buddha used to visit this place frequently. It is also believed to be the place where the Buddha delivered his last sermon before he attained Mahaparinirvana. We will visit Kesharia stupa before reaching Kushinagar.

Day 06: Visit
Kushinagar and drive to Sravasti

After breakfast, we will visit Kushinagar where the Buddha is believed to have attained Mahaparinirvana. The Kushinagar town lies about 230 kilometers north of Varanasi. The main attraction here is the statute of Reclining Buddha, which represents the last few days of the Buddha’s
life and the Ramabhar Stupa which is believed to be the place where the Buddha was cremated. Then we continue our drive toward Sravasti. Upon arrival in Sravasti, we will check into our. Remaining time is free for independent activities.

Day 07: Sightseeing of Sravasti and drive to Lumbini

Sravasti is believed to be the favorite place of Buddha. After attaining Nirvana, he is believed to have spent 25 rain years in this place. The major attractions here are the ruins of Angulimala Stupa, Jetvan, Gandh Kuti and Sudath Kuti. After completing sightseeing of Sravasti, we will start driving toward Lumbini.

Day 08: Sightseeing of Lumbini

We will begin the day with a visit to Lumbini Sacred Garden. The major attractions here is Mayadevi Temple which is built on the very place the Buddha was born. Other attraction here is Ashok Pillar which confirms Lumbini as the birthplace of the Buddha. Similarly, Pushkarini Pond, ruins of ancient stupas and building are the major attractions here. We will also tour the monastic zone where we will visit monasteries built by different countries.

Day 09: Drive to Varanasi

We will drive back to Varanasi today. The drive takes around nine hours.
Upon arrival in Varanasi, we will check into our hotel. Remaining time is free for independent activities.

Day 10: Departure

Departure day! Our representative will drive to the airport some three hours before your flight time so that you do not have to rush for customs and immigration formalities. As you return home, you will have lot of time to plan your next holiday.