Spiritual Tour of India

After breakfast cruise across the harbour (9 kms) to see Elephanta Caves noted for huge rock cuts. Afternoon tour of Mumbai city main attractions are Kamla Nehru Park, Hanging Gardens situated on the slopes of Malabar Hill offering a panoramic view of Marine drive, Chowpatty Beach, Prince of Wales Museum, Mani Bhawan, Dhobi Ghat, Gateway of India & drive through the Crawford Market, Marine Drive & Flora Fountain. Overnight in Hotel

Morning transfer to the railway station to board the train to Aurangabad by train # 7617 Tapovan Express dep. 06:10 hrs and arr. 13:15 hrs. Check into hotel. Afternoon city tour of Aurangabad visiting Bibi-Ka-Muqbara, Aurangabad Caves and Daulatabad Fort. Overnight at hotel.

Morning visit Ellora Caves (29 kms) encompassing 34 rock cut shrines representing Buddhist, Hindu & Jain art dating from the 4th to 9th century A.D. The most remarkable among them is the Kailash Temple, meant to be a replica of Lord Shivas celestial abode - Kailash is the best example of Rock cut architecture and an engineering marvel. Overnight stay in the hotel. (Ellora caves are closed on Tuesdays)

Morning drive to Ajanta Caves. Ajanta Caves are 99 kms or 1½ hrs drive from the city.Aurangabad dated back to the 2nd century BC. The 30 rock hewn caves are adorned with Buddhist sculpture and the frescoes portray in epic form the religious and secular life through eight centuries. Ajanta is famous for paintings and sculptures, considered as master pieces of Buddhist religious art. Evening board train #2534 Pushpak Express dep. 15:10 hrs / arr. 21.45 hrs. Transfer to hotel for overnight stay. (Ajanta Caves are closed on Mondays)

After breakfast sightseeing tour of Saanchi Stupa. A lot of Buddhist travellers across the world visit this serene hill crowned by a group of stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from 3rd century BC to 12th century AD. Later transfer to the railway station to board the train to Jhansi by train # 2001 New Delhi Shatabdi dep. 14:40 hrs and arr. 17:48 hrs. Drive to Orchha i.e. 20 kms / ½ hrs drive and check in to the hotel. Overnight stay in the hotel.

Morning visit the various temples of Orchha. Later drive to Khajuraho i.e. 170 kms / 03 hrs drive. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Later visit the Khajuraho Temples, Khajuraho is famous for its 10th century Chandela dynasty temples and their erotic sculpture. Overnight stay in the hotel.

Morning is free for leisure or you may revisit the temples. You may alos explore Panna National Park (40 kms away). Afternoon transfer to airport to board the flight for Varanasi by flight 9W 724 dep. 13:30 hrs and arr. 14:10 hrs. Arrive at Varanasi and transfer to hotel. Varanasi is most important place of pilgrimage for Hindus and the sight of devout praying standing water deep in Ganges. Evening visit river Ganga Ghat to attend the holy Aarti. Overnight stay at hotel.

Early morning boat tour on River Ganges to visit Bathing Ghats, return to hotel for breakfast. City tours of Varanasi visiting various temples and noted Banaras Hindu University. Afternoon excursion to Sarnath. It was here that the Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon and set in motion the wheel of law of Buddhist faith. Overnight stay in Hotel.

After breakfast drive to Bodhgaya i.e. 242 kms or 07 hrs drive. Upon arrive transfer to the hotel. Bodhgaya - most sacred place for Buddhists as it has a Peepul tree under which Gautama the Buddha attained enlightenment some 2500 years back. Rest of the day is free for leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast visit Mahabodhi Temple - depicting the various phases of Buddha's journey towards enlightenment, showing different aspects of his life; Bodhgaya Archaeological Museum - houses a small collection of Buddhist sculpture from the 1st century B.C, to the 11th century A.D; Jagannath Temple close by has a four armed statue of Shiva in black stone. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to Patna i.e. 109 kms or 5 hrs drive. Enroute visit Gridhakuta Hill and Bimbisara Jail in Rajgir. Proceed to Nalanda (14 kms from Rajgir) which was one of the oldest Universities of the world and International Centre for Buddhist studies. Arrive Patna. Post lunch city tour visiting Har Mandir Sahib - also known as Patna Sahib consecrates the place where the 10th Guru of the Sikhs Guru Gobind Singh was born in 1776; Golghar - 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 of the items. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to Kushinagar i.e. 253 kms or 7 hrs drive. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Later we visit the Rambhar Stupa - which marks Lord Buddha's cremation ground. Our second stop is Mahaparinirvana temple - which houses the recumbent figure of Lord Buddha. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast visit various stupas and temples. Later drive to Lumbini (in Nepal) (160 / 4 hrs) by surface. Sightseeing of Lumbini where Lord was born. Emperor Ashoka, in the twenty first year first year after his coronation, visited this Birthplace and raised a pillar on the spot. Overnight stay in the hotel.

After breakfast proceed to Sravasti (Sahet-Mahet) which is about 150 kms / 04 hrs drive. Afternoon visit to Sahet & Mahet -15 kms from Balrampur and the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Kosala. Sravasti has the honour for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana Vihar and has the famous Anand Bodhi tree, age-old stupas, majestic monasteries and several temples. Buddha is said to have performed some miracles here.Overnight at hotel

Morning drive to Agra i.e. 370 kms / 9 hrs drive. Enroute visit Sankasia, where Lord descended from heaven after giving sermon to his mother after 7 years of her death. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast city tour of Agra visiting the world famous Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Itmad-ud-Daula. Overnight stay in the hotel. (Taj Remains closed on Fridays)

After breakfast drive to Jaipur i.e. 232 kms / 05 hrs drive. En – route visiting the unique deserted Mughal City of Fatehpur Sikri still in excellent state of preservation. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Afternoon city tour of Jaipur visiting the Hawa Mahal – the palace of winds, the Observatory or the Jantar Mantar. Overnight stay in the hotel.

After breakfast visit to Amber Fort - Amber Fort was the ancient capital of the State. Elephant ride / Jeep Safari is provided to ascend hill on top of which the fort is situated. . Rest of the day is free for leisure. Overnight stay in the hotel.

After breakfast drive back to Delhi 252 Kms / 5 hrs drive. Upon arrival in Delhi transfer to hotel. Rest of the day is free for leisure. Overnight stay in the hotel.

After breakfast sightseeing tour to Delhi. Morning visit Old Delhi. It is a 17th century walled city with its splendid gates, narrow alleys, the enormous Bazaar. Visit Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Raj Ghat. Afternoon tour of New Delhi with wide tree lined avenues, parks and fountains surroundings the imposing government and state Buildings. Visit Humayun's Tomb, an observatory called Jantar Mantar, Qutab Minar, India Gate and President House. Transfer to airport to board flight back to home town.