Land of the Buddha

Day 1 Depart the UK

Today depart the UK on the Virgin Atlantic flight to Delhi. (N)

Day 2 Arrive Delhi

Delhi is India's captivating capital. New Delhi, is its modern half with government buildings, white-washed bungalows and designer shops. It was purpose-built in the 1930s by the British as a colonial capital. In contrast Old Delhi - the heart of Muslim India between the 17th and 19th centuries - is the city's historic district with many mosques, palaces and bazaars to explore. (N)
Accommodation in Delhi: Maidens Hotel
Upgrade option: Taj Mahal Hotel

Day 3 Delhi

After breakfast embark on a guided tour of Old Delhi with to explore the colourful homes, bustling bazaars and elegant mosques in this area. Visit the Chandni Chowk market, the Red Fort and the beautiful Jama Masjid. Continue to New Delhi in the afternoon. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, today New Delhi is home to the official residence of the Indian President, Rashtrapati Bhawan, the imposing India Gate and Rajpath. (B)
Accommodation in Delhi: Maidens Hotel
Upgrade option: Taj Mahal Hotel

Day 4 Delhi to Lucknow – by air

Fly from Delhi to Lucknow. Rich in Indian culture and British colonial history, Lucknow is best known as a centre of India's independence struggle and for the events surrounding the 1857 mutiny. Capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow lines the banks of the River Gomti and is home to a wealth of extraordinary Muslim monuments and grand European architecture. The city is also renowned as a centre for zari work and chikan embroidery. (B)
Accommodation in Lucknow: Lebua Hotel
Upgrade option: Vivanta by Taj – Gomti Nagar Hotel

Day 5 Lucknow

Today explore Lucknow with your guide starting at the ruins of the Residency, site of the dramatic siege and subsequent battles that took place during the uprising of 1857. Visit the cemetery where Sir Henry Lawrence is buried, Wingfield Park, Christchurch and, if time, the Kaisarbagh Palace. Later continue to Chowk Market to experience Muslim Lucknow, where highlights include the Bara Imambara, Rumi Darwaza and spectacular Hussainabad Imambara with its golden dome and impressively elaborate calligraphy. (B)
Accommodation in Lucknow: Lebua Hotel
Upgrade option: Vivanta by Taj – Gomti Nagar Hotel

Day 6 Lucknow to Sravasti – 180kms

This morning leave Lucknow and drive to Sravasti. It was here in Sravasti that Buddha gave the majority of his teachings and discourses and where, during the monsoon months, he spent much of his time. Later visit the nearby remains at Jetavana, a monastic complex containing Buddha's hut, as well as the caves at Angulimal. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Sravasti: Lotus Nikko Hotel

Day 7 Sravasti to Lumbini – 190kms

Leaving Sravasti, drive towards the Indo-Nepalese border and cross into Nepal. From here continue by road to Lumbini. Lumbini is believed to be the birthplace of Buddha, Gautama Siddhartha, who was born here c.563 BC and who lived at this location for the first twenty-nine years of his life. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Lumbini: Lumbini Hokke Hotel

Day 8 Lumbini

Today visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site with your guide. A series of different complexes and temples, the most important place of interest here is an area called the 'Sacred Garden' which contains not only the place where the Buddha is reputed to have been born but also the 3rd or 4th century BC Maya Devi Temple, an Ashokan Pillar, the Pushkarni where the infant Buddha was given his first bath and numerous other interesting archaeological ruins. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Lumbini: Lumbini Hokke Hotel

Day 9 Lumbini to Kushinagar – 130kms

After breakfast leave Lumbini and, crossing back into India, continue to Kushinagar. Kushinagar is revered as the location of Buddha's death and subsequent cremation. Rediscovered in the 19th century, later visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple and Ramabhar Stupa. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Kushinagar: Royal Residency Hotel

Day 10 Kushinagar to Patna via Vaishali – 280kms

This morning leave Kushinagar and drive to Vaishali where the Buddha preached his last sermon, later continue to Patna. Capital of Bihar, this state was not only the early home of Buddhism but was also the birthplace of the Emperor Ashoka. Today Patna is a large city which lines the banks of the River Ganges. (B/D)
Accommodation in Patna: Maurya Patna Hotel

Day 11 Patna

Today explore Patna with your guide. Places of interest include the Gulzaribagh, site of the former East India Company's principle opium warehouse, and the remarkable Golghar 'round house' built of stone slabs in 1786 by Captain John Garstin as a grain store. Also visit the State Museum and the Chowk area of old Patna. (B/D)
Accommodation in Patna: Maurya Patna Hotel

Day 12 Patna to Bodh Gaya via Nalanda and Rajgir – 85kms

This morning leave Patna and drive south to Bodh Gaya stopping en-route in Nalanda, home to one of the world's oldest universities and an ancient pilgrimage site visited by both Buddha and Mahavir, the founder of Jainism. From here drive to Rajgir then continue by road to Bodh Gaya. One of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage centres in the world, it was here under the Bodhi tree that Gautama, the prince, attained enlightenment to become the Buddha. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Bodh Gaya: Royal Residency Hotel

Day 13 Bodh Gaya

Today explore Bodh Gaya with your guide. This vast area houses numerous monasteries, temples and statues, however, the focal point of the entire settlement is the beautiful Mahabodhi Temple and large Bodhi tree. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is believed to stand on the site of an earlier 3rd century BC shrine. Bodh Gaya is also home to temples built by pilgrims from other lands in their own architectural style, from the traditional Bhutanese temple to its modern Japanese counterpart. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Bodh Gaya: Royal Residency Hotel

Day 14 Bodh Gaya to Varanasi – 250kms

Leaving Bodh Gaya, drive to Varanasi. Situated on the banks of the sacred River Ganges, Varanasi has been a centre of learning and pilgrimage for over 2,000 years and is one of the oldest surviving cities in the world. An assault on the senses, few places compare making any visit here an undoubted highlight of the country. Later this evening make your way to ghats and watch the beautiful evening aarti religious ceremonies take place. (B)
Accommodation in Varanasi: Ramada Plaza JHV Hotel
Upgrade option: Suryauday Haveli
Alternative upgrade option: Taj Nadesar Palace

Day 15 Varanasi

Early this morning take ride on a small rowing boat on the River Ganges to silently view the sunrise and witness the pilgrims who gather to perform their daily religious rituals on the riverbank in the lifting mist. This truly is a magical experience. As the sun rises, take a guided walk through the heart of the old city lanes and in the afternoon visit the evocative ruined city of Sarnath where Buddha first preached his message of enlightenment 2,500 years ago. (B)
Accommodation in Varanasi: Ramada Plaza JHV Hotel
Upgrade option: Suryauday Haveli
Alternative upgrade option: Taj Nadesar Palace

Day 16 Varanasi to Delhi – by air

Today transfer to Varanasi Airport in good time to catch the afternoon flight to Delhi. On your arrival you will be met and transferred to your accommodation which is ideally located close to the international airport. (B)
Accommodation in Delhi: Radisson Blu Airport Hotel

Day 17 Delhi to the UK

Today transfer back to Delhi Airport to catch the Virgin Atlantic flight non-stop to the UK. (B)

17 days from £3920 per person

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Itinerary: Land of the Buddha

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