Golden Triangle and Buddhist Trip

Destinations : Delhi – Jaipur – Agra (en route Fatehpur Sikhri) – Varanasi (by train) – Sarnath – Varanasi – Bodhgaya – Patna – Khushinagar (en route Vaishali) – Lumbini – Balrampur (en route Sravasti) – Lucknow – Delhi

Duration : 16 Days / 15 Nights

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01 : Arrival at Delhi Airport

Welcome to India!

After you arrive at Delhi International Airport, our Company representative will greet you and assist you at Airport and get you transferred to hotel. Relax and get rid of jet-lag. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Delhi is a cosmopolitan city with a flawless fusion of Old Delhi and New Delhi. Witness Old Delhi, a labyrinth of scanty and congested by-lanes and view its age old monuments, forts, gardens and museums. Then be enthralled by New Delhi, its artistic landscape, spacious streets, vivacious lifestyle and vibrant night life.

Overnight stay in hotel.

Day 02 : Delhi full day sightseeing
After your breakfast at hotel, the chauffeur will take you for city tour.

The whole day you'll enjoy sightseeing in Delhi and visit the places like Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Raj Ghat, India Gate, Presidential House of India, Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar & its monuments. These are ethereal structures with mind blowing architectural excellence, amazing calligraphy and verdant surroundings. Further, each one of them is a peep-window where you will learn history and legends of bygone eras.

In evening, you will relish the eye-appealing Light and Sound show at Red Fort in Old Delhi. The show remains closed on Monday. Or else you can go on shopping spree and shop wholeheartedly.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 03 : Delhi – Jaipur
After enjoying breakfast you will check out of hotel and chauffeur will drive you to Jaipur. After arriving in Jaipur our Company representative will get you transferred to hotel. You have the day at leisure.

Jaipur, the flamboyant & colorful capital of Rajasthan is known as “Pink City” of India. With its rich & colorful past, resplendent with tales of valor & bravery, it is now one of the most important heritage cities in India. The city was founded in the year 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber. It remains the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors.

Overnight stay in hotel in Jaipur.

Day 04 : Jaipur full day sightseeing
After you take breakfast in hotel, you will be taken on Agra sight seeing.

Here, you will visit first Amber Fort and will be unable to stop gazing at this monument, wondering at its mirror works, paintings, carvings, mosaics, engravings, frescoes and murals. Experience delight as you ride the highs and lows on the elephant's back to reach the fort, (Elephant Ride).

Further you will see City Palace, which is a perfect illustration of architecture, art and craft structure. It is a palace complex of Jaipur that includes Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal palaces and other buildings.

Next to it, you will visit Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a unique 5-storey structure that looks similar to a giant beehive. A major attraction of this structure is its 953 small windows (jharokhas) that are intricately decorated with skillfully done latticework.

Later visit Jantar Mantar, a great masterpiece of Indian architecture which displays the scientific acumen of ancient India. It is a magnanimous solar observatory that consists of 14 major geometric devices for measuring time, predicting eclipses, tracking stars' location as the earth orbits around the sun, ascertaining the declinations of planets, and determining the celestial altitudes and related ephemeris.

Overnight stay in hotel.

Day 05 : Jaipur – Agra (en route Fatehpur Sikri)
After breakfast in hotel, you will check out of hotel and chauffeur will drive you to Agra.

En route to Agra, you will visit ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri, which is a perfectly preserved red sandstone town. The city displays an amazing blend of Hindu & Muslim styles of architecture. You will visit many splendid palaces & castles including Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Niran Mahal, Diwani Khas, Birbal’s House, Jami Masjid, Dargah of Sheik Salim Chisti, Sunhera Makan, Palace of Jodha Bai, Turkish Sultana House, The Treasury and Nagina Masjid. Here, experience the charm of Mughal era and witness the wonderful example of Mughal art & architecture.

Late evening, you will approach Agra and be transferred to hotel. Overnight stay in Agra.

Day 06 : Agra full day sightseeing
Grab the opportunity for an early morning visit to Taj and view a mesmerizing sight. As you set out to witness the charm, you will see Taj in all its glory and charisma when golden rays of sun falling on the White Marble Monument burst into a prismatic arc forming all around the monument. Return back to hotel and after relishing the delicious breakfast, set off for a full day sightseeing tour of Agra City.

First you will visit Agra Fort. Built with red sandstone and white marble, Agra Fort is a treasure house of Mughal architecture. Inside this magnanimous fort, there are remarkable palaces, embellished chambers, hospitable reception rooms and marvelous mosques. Here, you will get wonderstruck at the beauty of Pearl Mosque, Jahangir Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i-Am, Macchi Bhawan, Nagina Masjid, Meena Bazar, Moti Masjid, Sheesh Mahal and Musammam Burj.

Further you will visit Itmad- Ud- Daula(Baby Taj), Jama Masjid, St John’s Church, Shah Jahan Park and Dayan Bag Temple.

In early evening you will return to hotel and check out. Chauffeur will transfer you then to railway station to board overnight train to Varanasi.

Day 07 : Arrival in Varanasi
Your arrival in Varanasi will be by Morning. On arrival, our Company representative will get you transferred to hotel. Take breakfast and some relaxation. In the afternoon, you will set off for Varanasi city tour.

Lying on the western banks of India's holy river Ganges, Varanasi is a city of religious and spiritual values. It is a place of numerous attractions namely temples, ashrams, muths and ghats of Ganges. Revealing the many legends & spiritual history of India, you will visit several majestic temples including Kashi Vishwanath, Tulsi Manas, Sankatmochan, Durga, Mrityunjay Mahadev and Kal Bhairav. Further, you will see the Ganga river ghats, which are a natural symbols of divinity and witness their beauty and appeal during sunrise and sunset.

After enjoying full day journey, you will be driven back to hotel. Overnight stay in hotel in Varanasi.

Day 08 : Varanasi – Sarnath – Varanasi
After enjoying delicious breakfast in hotel, you will be taken on early morning boat ride on river Ganges, one of the most revered rivers in India. Later, you will be taken to Sarnath.

Known as the “Town of Buddha”, Sarnath is considered to be a place of high reverence. It is the place where Lord Buddha after attaining enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, delivered his very first sermons. Here you will visit Chaukhandi Stupa and Dhamek Stupa; you will get amazed by seeing the delicate floral carvings of Gupta origins.

Further, you will visit Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, which contains compelling frescoes and is a rich repository of Buddhist literature. Other places you will visit here includes Sarnath Museum, Dharmrajika Stup, magnificent Lion capital, India’s National Emblem at Sarnath museum and Saddharmachakra Vihar’s at excavated ruins.

Return to hotel, enjoy a lavish dinner and retire for an overnight stay.

Day 9 : Varanasi – Bodhgaya
After enjoying a delicious breakfast, you will check out of hotel and chauffeur will drive you then to Bodhgaya. On arrival in Bodhgaya, you will get transferred to hotel. After some relaxation, you will be taken on Bodhgaya city tour.

Bodhgaya is a religious site in the state of Bihar and is one of the most famous places of Buddhist pilgrimage. You can see here the Bodhi Tree, a sacred tree under which Lord Buddha meditated and attained supreme nirvana. The main attraction of Bodh Gaya is the Mahabodhi Temple which was constructed around the original Bodhi Tree in 7th century AD. You will see here a massive Buddha statue; further delicately carved stone railings encircle the temple complex. Also visit Thai Monastery and Chinese Temple.

Return to hotel and relish a lip smacking dinner. Retire for an overnight stay.

Day 10 : Bodhgaya
After breakfast in hotel, chauffeur will take you on Bodhgaya city tour.
Filled with pilgrimage sites and oozing with sacredness, the city of Bodhgaya is beautifully situated on the shores of the broad but shallow Lilanjan River (also known as Neranjara). This day you will visit many devotional places including Ratnaghara, Animesh Lochana Chaitya, Indosan Nippon Japanese Temple, Vietnamese Temple, Royal Bhutan Monastery, Cankamana, Burmese Vihara, Tibetan Monastery and Sujata Kuti. Imbibe the beauty and serenity by visiting Muchalinda Lake and Dungeswari Hills.

Return to hotel and have an appetizing dinner. Overnight stay in hotel in Bodhgaya.

Day 11 : Bodhgaya – Patna (en route Nalanda)
Savor a delicious breakfast in morning and then proceed to check-out of hotel. Chauffeur will drive you to Patna. En route from Bodhgaya to Patna, you will visit Nalanda.

Founded in the 5th century AD, Nalanda is famous as the ancient seat of learning. Here you will view the ruins of world's most ancient university. First you'll visit here Nalanda University Ruins Archaeological Complex, an excavated area of about 14 hectares. The complex is surrounded by beautiful gardens and comprises uniquely built edifices that are made of red brick. Located in the east of the central alley, you will find majestic monasteries or vihars, and in the west there lays temple. There is also a small chapel that stores a half broken statue of Lord Buddha. Next you will see Nalanda Archaeological Museum, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara and Hieun Tsang Memorial Hall.

Till late evening, you will reach Patna and get transferred to hotel. Have your dinner and retire for an overnight stay.

Day 12 : Patna – Kushinagar (en route Vaishali)
In the morning, after having breakfast you will check out of hotel. Further, you will be driven to Khushinagar. En route from Patna to Khushinagar, you will visit Vaishali, a sacred Buddhist place.

Vaishali is a hallowed site, where Lord Buddha delivered his last sermons and announced his impending nirvana. Sheltering an aura of devotion, serenity and soul enlightenment, the place contains some majestic pillars and stupas. Here, you will visit a majestic Ashoka Pillar, which has been perfectly chiseled out of a highly polished single piece of red sandstone. Further you will visit Buddha Stupa- I and II, which contain sacred ashes of Lord Buddha stored in stone caskets. Then you will also see Abhiskek Pushkarn (Coronation tank) and Shanti Stupa.

After touring around Vaishali, you will proceed to Khushinagar. Our company representative will get you transferred to hotel. Overnight stay in hotel in Khushinagar.

Day 13 : Kushinagar – Lumbini
After taking a lavish breakfast, you will check out of hotel. Chauffeur will take you then to Lumbini and get you transferred to hotel. After taking enough relaxation, you will set off for Lumbini sight seeing.

Situated in the foothills of Himalayas, Lumbini is the birthplace where Lord Buddha was born amid supernatural signs. Millions of tourists hurl to Lumbini every year to attain peace, solace and spiritual enlightenment. With picturesque landscapes and green forestry, the place in itself is an abode of beauty and serenity. What makes your visit here worthwhile is Maya Devi temple, Stupas and the Pillar built by emperor Ashoka. Also there are several beautiful shrines, carved pillars, exquisite murals with rich architecture that hails from medieval periods.

After complete sight seeing, you will return to hotel. Enjoy delectable dinner and retire for the night. Overnight stay in hotel in Lumbini.

Day 14 : Lumbini – Balrampur (en route Sravasti)
After taking breakfast, you will check out of hotel and chauffeur will drive you to Balrampur. En route from Lumbini to Balrampur, you will visit Sravasti.

Situated in the Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh, Sravasti is a sacred place of Buddhist pilgrimage. This place is hugely famous since Lord Buddha had performed here many miracles; he had manifested himself in millions of forms. You will see the extensive ruins of this ancient city, age old stupas, splendid monasteries and a number of temples.

After visiting Sravasti, you will proceed to Balrampur. There, representative will get you transferred to hotel. Overnight stay in hotel in Balrampur.

Day 15 - Balrampur – Lucknow - Delhi
Enjoy breakfast in morning and check-out of hotel. Chauffeur will drive you to Lucknow then, from where you will board train to Delhi. Our Company representative will meet you at Delhi railway station and get you transferred to hotel. Overnight stay in hotel in Delhi.

Day 16 : Delhi
Relish a lip smacking breakfast in hotel. Rest of the day, you have at leisure.

Delhi is a shopping paradise and a perfect place for die-hard bargainers. Chauffeur will take you to some exclusive shopping hubs, both large and small, where you can shop wholeheartedly. You can also spend your evening dining and getting your taste buds appeased with Delhi's lip smacking culinary delights.

After you enjoy to your fullest, you will be driven back to hotel and check out. Our representative will transfer you to Delhi international airport from where you will catch your flight to your onward destination.

Here tour is concluded! Take home pleasant and unforgettable memories of your journey to India.