  
Itinerary No. 1 Ref: Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour (14Nights/15Days)
Cost-US $999 per person (land only probably around Aus $ 999) Air Tickets & Visa could be arranged on your request @ COST. Non refundable $500 deposit per person required by 30th March 2010 to reserve your place.
Cost Included
* 14 Nights hotel accommodation on Single/Double/Triple sharing and Full board basis as per the itinerary.
* Delhi/Gaya and Varanasi/Agra or Delhi/Lucknow and Varanasi/Agra 2nd class air conditioned train tickets with sleeper facilities as per the itinerary. * Air-condition deluxe vehicle throughout the tour as per the itinerary.
* English Speaking Co. Escort throughout the tour as per the itinerary. * Monuments Guide through out the tour as per the itinerary.
* We will provide One Bottle mineral water per day per pax.
* Boat ride in river Ganges in Varanasi at per the itinerary.
* Assistance at the time of Arrival, Departure and check-In/Out as per the itinerary.
* All current applicable taxes of Hotel & Transport as per the itinerary.
Cost Doesn't Include:
* Airport Departure Tax, Insurance etc.
*Monuments Entrance fees as per the itinerary. * Any personal nature item like film roll, telephone call etc.
* Any other item which is not included in our cost includes heading. Hotel to be provided
City Hotel Name
Varanasi Ideal Tawer , India or Hundusthan (01Night Only)
Bodhgaya Sujata or Taj Darbar (02 Nights Only)
Kushinagar Lotus Nikko Or Royal Residency(01 Night Only)
Sravasti Pawan or Lotus Nikko(01 Night Only) Lumbini New Crystel or Maya Garden Or Nirvana(01 Night Only)
Patna or Rajgir Patliputra Ashok Or Samrat(01 Night Only)
Agra Royale Residency Or Didare Taj(01 Night Only)
Jaipur Maharani Palace or Plaza(02 Nights Only)
Delhi Grand Sartaj or Similar(02 Nights Only) We offer two itineraries to help you. We also can tailor made tours to your need, for groups of 10 or families of 4. OPTION 1 Day 01 : SYDNEY/NEW DELHI, Welcome on arrival at IGI Apt. , meet and assist by our company rep and transfer to hotel. Over night stay at hotel. Day 02 : Delhi/Gaya Over night train journey, Mahabodhi Exp. 1350/0700 Hrs. After breakfast drive for half day city tour. After lunch transfer to New Delhi Railway station for Gaya. Dinner and over night on Board Day 03 : GAYA/BODHGAYA, On arrival Gaya Railway station and transfer to Bodhgaya . On arrival Bodhgaya and check-in hotel for breakfast and rest. After noon visit Mahabodhi temple for praying. Dinner & Over night stay at hotel. Day 04 : At Bodhgaya Day free for sheel ceremony, Evening visit Mahabodhi Temple for praying. Dinner and over night at hotel. BODHGAYA As the place of the Buddha's got Enlightenment, Bodhgaya is the spiritual home of Buhddhists. It attracts tens of thousands of believers from all over the world. Bodhgaya situated near the river Niranjana, is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centers since it was here that Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. The population of this town is 22,000 and is situated at an altitude of 113 m. Maximum temperature in summer rises to 45-47 degree Celsius and minimum is 27 degree, while in winter maximum is 28 degree and minimum is 4 degree. It receives an annual rainfall of 1,860 mm. Most countries with vast Buddhist population have a temple or monastery here.
Day 05: Bodhgaya/Rajgir-Nalanda/Patna, By Surface 185 Kms. 06 Hrs. After breakfast drive to Patna en route visit Rajgir and Nalanda. On arrival Rajgir visit Gridhakutta, Jeevak Aamravana, Venuvana, Bimbisar Jail etc. After that drive to Nalanda visiting ruins of Nalanda University. After that drive to Patna. Lunch on the way Rajgir Restaurant. On arrival Patna, check-in at hotel. Dinner and over night stay at hotel. RAJGIR The picturesque Rajgir, or Rajagriha as it was known in the past (literally, the abode of kings) is surrounded by the meandering river Banganga and 5 hills. During the lifetime of the Buddha this was the capital of the powerful Magadha kingdom, ruled by the virtuous King Bimbisara. The hills and caves surrounding Rajagriha were home to spiritual teachers, ranging from the materialism of the early Charavaka school to the metaphysics of Upanishadic philosophers.
Like many others in search of truth, Prince Siddhartha, after he renounced his royal heritage came to this city to seek the path of vation. Siddhartha overwhelmed the citizens of Rajagriha with his serenity and grace. Even the king went to meet the ascetic and was amazed to learn that he was a kshatriya of royal descent. Bimbisara offered half his kingdom to Siddhartha but all he received was an assurance that when Siddhartha achieved his goal he would return to Rajagriha. The first Buddhist structures at Rajgir were raised when Ajatsatni built a monastery, and a stupa over his share of the Buddha's ashes. NALANDA Nalanda was the most renowned university in ancient India. It derived its name from Na-alam-da, meaning Insatiable in Giving, one of the names by which the Lord Buddha was known. Established in the 5th century B.C. it remained a live center of learning till the 12th century A.D. when it was destroyed by the invader Bakhtiar Khilji. Lord Mahavira and the Buddha both taught here for years. Hsuan Tsang. the Chinese traveler studied here in the 7th century A.D. and there is a monument in his memory. He was one amongst many of those from East and Southeast Asia who came here to study logic, meta-physics, medicine, prose composition and rhetoric. The university of Nalanda offered free educational and residential facilities to as many as 10,000 students and 2000 teachers, for it was supported by a number of villages. Its library, Ratna Sagar, is believed to have contained nine million volumes. It is not surprising, then, that the destruction of this university dealt a crippling blow to Buddhist education in India.
The Archaeological Survey of India maintains the Nalanda Museum across the road which houses some exquisite bronzes of the 9th and 10th centuries, Pala dynasty, and other remains excavated at the site.The beautiful Thai Temple and the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, a centre for research in Pali and Buddhist studies, are 2 kms from the main site.
Day 06: Patna/Vaishali/Kushinagar, By Surface 280 Kms. 07 Hrs. After breakfast drive to Kushinagar en route visit Vaishali. After that drive to Kushinagar. Lunch on the way Chakia Restaurant. On arrival Kushinagar, check-in at hotel. Dinner and over night stay at hotel. KUSHINAGAR Kushinagar is where the Buddha finally attained Mahaparmirvana. Amongst the ruins are the Mukutbandhan Stupa and a beautiful statue of the reclining Buddha.
An inscribed relic casket was dug out of the ruins of a stupa at Piprahwa, now identified as Kapilavastu. Day 07: Kushinagar/Lumbini, By Surface 180 Kms. 05 Hrs. After breakfast visit Mahaparinirvana temple and Rambhar stupa, after that drive to Lumbini. On arrival at Lumbini check-in at hotel for lunch. After that visit birth place of Lord Buddha. Dinner and over night stay at hotel. LUMBINI Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, was located in 1890 after being untraced for 1,500 years. Lumbini grove, the sacred site of Lord Buddha's birth is today a small village in Nepal, 27 kms from Sonauli on the Indo-Nepal Border. Three hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana, Emperor Ashoka visited Lumbini and erected a pillar there. This pillar, though broken, still remains at the site. It is known as the Rummendei Pillar after the earlier name of the place (modern name Rupandhei)in Nepal. Day 08: Lumbini/Kapilvastu/Sravasti, By Surface 210 Kms. 05 Hrs. After breakfast drive to Sravasti en route visit Kapilvastu where Lord Buddha was grew up. On arrival at Sravasti check-in at hotel for lunch. After that visit Saheth-Maheth Jetwana and Angulimal cave. Dinner and over night stay at hotel. SRAVASTI Sravasti, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, has the honour for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana Gardens . The city believed to be founded by the mythological king Sravast, has age-old stupas, majestic monasteries and several temples. Buddha is said to have performed some miracles here. This holy place also has the famous Anand Bodhi tree, an offspring of the one, said to have been planted by Buddha's main disciple Day 09: Sravasti/Sarnath/Varanasi, By Surface 280 Kms. 07 Hrs. After breakfast drive to Varanasi. On arrival at Varanasi check-in at hotel for lunch. Evening visit River Ganges for Praying.. Dinner and over night stay at hotel. SARNATH Sarnath, where the Buddha preached his first sermon in the Deer Park, contains the most impressive remains, as well as a modem temple. The Dharmarajika, Chaukhandi and Dharnek stupas are outstanding. There are also the remains of a monastery, and the beautifully polished Lion Capital of Ashoka. Sarnath contains a rich library and at the Mula gandha Kutir Vihara there are excellent frescoes by Kosetsu Nosu. The Sarnath Museum, not far from the site, contains some of the finest specimens of Buddhist sculpture. Among all centers of Buddhist worship, the Vaisakha (April-May) full moon is observed as the anniversary of three important events - the Buddha's birth, Enlightenment and death, while the Asadh (July - August) full moon is observed. Day 10:Varanasi/Agra, Over Night Train Journey,Marudhar Exp.1800/0530 Hrs. Early morning visit River Ganges for boat ride. Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast full day city tour of Varanasi & Sarnath .Evening transfer to Varanasi Railway station for Agra with pack dinner . Over night on board. Day 11 : In Agra, On arrival Agra Railway station and transfer to hotel and check-in hotel for breakfast and rest. After noon visit Wonder of the World “ Taj Mahal” and Agra fort. Day free for shopping. Dinner and over night at hotel. AGRA
Agra is famous as being home to one of the seven wonders of the world-the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid remainder of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid reminder of the capital in the 16th and early 17th  centuries. A pleasant town with comparatively slow pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble and soa stone by craftsman who are descendant of those who worked under the Mughals. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes. Agra was once the capital of the Mughal empire and even today it seems to linger in the past. Not surprising, for the Mughal emperors with their passion for building, endowed the city with some of the finest structures in the world. Day 12: AGRA/FATEHPUR SIKRI/JAIPUR, By Surface 255 Kms. 05 Hrs. After breakfast drive to PINK CITY JAIPUR en route visit FATEHPUR SIKRI(AKBAR THE GREAT CAPITAL). On arrival at Sravasti check-in at hotel for lunch. Dinner and over night stay at hotel. Day 13: In/JAIPUR, After breakfast drive to PINK CITY JAIPUR tour visiting Palace on wind, Amer Palace etc. Evening visit Chauki Dhani Restaurant for Dance and Dinner. Over night stay at hotel.
Day 14: JAIPUR/DELHI, By Surface 255 Kms. 04 Hrs. After breakfast drive to PINK CITY Delhi. On arrival Delhi check-in at hotel for lunch. After lunch free for shopping. Dinner and over night stay at hotel. Day 15 : Delhi/Sydney After breakfast full day city tour. After lunch free for leisure or shopping. After Dinner transfer to IGI Apt. for Sydney . Delhi On arrival Delhi and transfer to Hotel and take Breakfast. Day Free for leisure. After Dinner transfer to IGI APT. for next destination. Delhi is a city of gardens and fountains, notable examples being the Roshan Ara Gardens, Mughal Gardens , Lodhi Gardens etc. India Gate - This 42-metre high stone arc of triumph bears the names of 85,000 Indian army soldiers who died in the campaign of WW I, the North - West Frontier operations of the same time and the 1919 Afghan fiasco. Rashtrapati Bhavan - The official residence of the President of India stands at the opposite end of the Rajpath from India Gate. Completed in 1929, the palace-like building is a blend of Mughal and Western architectural styles, the most obvious Indian feature being the huge copper dome. Sansad Bhavan - Sansad Bhavan or the Parliament House from outside presents an unbroken circle of high buff pillars, and a higher storey (not originally planned) that screens a central dome. It was in this building the constituent assembly sat for three years to prepare the constitution of free India. Built on three levels, it has a red sand stone foundation storey, a buff coloured storey with 144 pillars and a small attic storey. Specially imported acoustic tiles were used on the walls and sound absorbing plaster on the ceiling. The Parliament library is one of the most impressive in Asia. The Parliament House has amazing constructive geometric qualities. Visit End with Sweet Memories.
Option 2 Lord Buddha At Main Temple Buddhagaya 
Day 01 : …../DELHI, Welcome on arrival, meet and assist by our company rep. At IGI Apt. Transfer  | Delhi is a city of gardens and fountains, notable examples being the Roshan Ara Gardens, Mughal Gardens, Lodhi Gardens etc. India Gate - This 42-metre high stone arc of triumph bears the names of 85,000 Indian army soldiers who died in the campaign of WW I, the North - West Frontier operations of the same time and the 1919 Afghan fiasco. Rashtrapati Bhavan - The official residence of the President of India stands at the opposite end of the Rajpath from India Gate. Completed in 1929, the palace-like building is a blend of Mughal and Western architectural styles, the most obvious Indian feature being the huge copper dome. |
Sansad Bhavan - Sansad Bhavan or the Parliament House from outside presents an unbroken circle of high buff pillars, and a higher storey (not originally planned) that screens a central dome. It was in this building the constituent assembly sat for three years to prepare the constitution of free India. Built on three levels, it has a red sand stone foundation storey, a buff coloured storey with 144 pillars and a small attic storey. Specially imported acoustic tiles were used on the walls and sound absorbing plaster on the ceiling. The Parliament library is one of the most impressive in Asia. The Parliament House has amazing constructive geometric qualities. Day 02 : Delhi/Lucknow/Sravasti, IC-321 0815/0935 Hrs. Early Morning transfer to Domestic Apt. for Lucknow . On arrival Lucknow drive to Sravasti, on arrival Sravasti , check-in at hotel. Dinner & O/night stay at hotel.  SRAVASTI
Sravasti, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, has the honour for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana Gardens. The city believed to be founded by the mythological king Sravast, has age-old stupas, majestic monasteries and several temples. Buddha is said to have performed some miracles here. This holy place also has the famous Anand Bodhi tree, an offspring of the one, said to have been planted by Buddha's main disciple Day 03 : Sravasti/Kapilvastu/Lumbini, 240 KMs, 6 Hrs. Approx., LUMBINI Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, was located in 1890 after being untraced for 1,500 years. Lumbini grove, the sacred site of Lord Buddha's birth is today a small village in Nepal, 27 kms from Sonauli on the Indo-Nepal Border. Three hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana, Emperor Ashoka visited Lumbini and erected a pillar there. This pillar, though broken, still remains at the site. It is known as the Rummendei Pillar after the earlier name of the place (modern name Rupandhei)in Nepal. DAY 04 :Lumbini/Kushinagar, 170 KMs, 4 Hrs. Approx.,  KUSHINAGAR
Kushinagar is where the Buddha finally attained Mahaparmirvana. Amongst the ruins are the Mukutbandhan Stupa and a beautiful statue of the reclining Buddha.
An inscribed relic casket was dug out of the ruins of a stupa at Piprahwa, now identified as Kapilavastu.
Day 05 : Kushinagar/Vaishali/RAJGIR, 390 KMs, 7 Hrs. Approx., VAISHALI Five after the Enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, Lord Buddha came to  Vaishali, the capital of one of the first republican states in the world. Situated on the northern banks of the Ganga, Vaishali is bound by the hills of Nepal on the north and the river Gandak on the west. The Lichchavi nobility came to receive the Enlightened One with a cavalcade of elephants and chariots bedecked with gold. As the Lord set foot on the soil of Vaishali, loud thunder followed by a heavy downpour purged the plague-infected city. The Buddha preached the Ratna Sutra to those assembled, and eighty four thousand people embraced the new faith. In Vaishali for the first time women were ordained into the Sangha. The Buddha's foster mother, Mahaprajapati Gautami, along with 500 Sakyan women made a pilgrimage by foot from Kapilavastu to Vaishali, seeking to join the Order. Three times the Lord refused their entreaties. Ultimately they shaved their heads, donned the orange robes and beseeched the Lord once again. The Enlightened One was finally persuaded to admit the women as bhikshunis or nuns. Day 06 : Rajgir-Nalanda-Rajgir/Bodhgaya, 190 KMs,6 Hrs. Approx., BODHGAYA
As the place of the Buddha's Enlightenment, Bodhgaya is the spiritual home of Buhddhists. It attracts tens of thousands of believers from all over the world. Bodhgaya situated near the river Niranjana, is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centers since it was here that Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. The population of this town is 22,000 and is situated at an altitude of 113 m. Maximum temperature in summer rises to 45-47 degree Celsius and minimum is 27 degree, while in winter maximum is 28 degree and minimum is 4 degree. It receives an annual rainfall of 1,860 mm. Most countries with vast Buddhist population have a temple or monastery here.
NALANDANalanda was the most renowned university in ancient India. It derived its name from Na-alam-da, meaning Insatiable in Giving, one of the names by which the Lord Buddha was known. Established in the 5th century B.C. it remained a live center of learning till the 12th century A.D. when it was destroyed by the invader Bakhtiar Khilji. Lord Mahavira and the Buddha both taught here for years. Hsuan Tsang. the Chinese traveler studied here in the 7th century A.D. and there is a monument in his memory. He was one amongst many of those from East and Southeast Asia who came here to study logic, meta-physics, medicine, prose composition and rhetoric. The university of Nalanda offered free educational and residential facilities to as many as 10,000 students and 2000 teachers, for it was supported by a number of villages. Its library, Ratna Sagar, is believed to have contained nine million volumes. It is not surprising, then, that the destruction of this university dealt a crippling blow to Buddhist education in India.
The Archaeological Survey of India maintains the Nalanda Museum across the road which houses some exquisite bronzes of the 9th and 10th centuries, Pala dynasty, and other remains excavated at the site.The beautiful Thai Temple and the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, a centre for research in Pali and Buddhist studies, are 2 kms from the main site.
 RAJGIR The picturesque Rajgir, or Rajagriha as it was known in the past (literally, the abode of kings) is surrounded by the meandering river Banganga and 5 hills. During the lifetime of the Buddha this was the capital of the powerful Magadha kingdom, ruled by the virtuous King Bimbisara. The hills and caves surrounding Rajagriha were home to spiritual teachers, ranging from the materialism of the early Charavaka school to the metaphysics of Upanishadic philosophers.
Like many others in search of truth, Prince Siddhartha, after he renounced his royal heritage came to this city to seek the path of vation. Siddhartha overwhelmed the citizens of Rajagriha with his serenity and grace. Even the king went to meet the ascetic and was amazed to learn that he was a kshatriya of royal descent. Bimbisara offered half his kingdom to Siddhartha but all he received was an assurance that when Siddhartha achieved his goal he would return to Rajagriha. The first Buddhist structures at Rajgir were raised when Ajatsatni built a monastery, and a stupa over his share of the Buddha's ashes. Day 07 : In Bodhgaya Full day in Bodhgaya. Day 08 : Bodhgaya/Sarnath/Varanasi, 300 KMs,7 Hrs. Approx., 
SARNATH Sarnath, where the Buddha preached his first sermon in the Deer Park, contains the most impressive remains, as well as a modem temple. The Dharmarajika, Chaukhandi and Dharnek stupas are outstanding. There are also the remains of a monastery, and the beautifully polished Lion Capital of Ashoka. Sarnath contains a rich library and at the Mula gandha Kutir Vihara there are excellent frescoes by Kosetsu Nosu. The Sarnath Museum, not far from the site, contains some of the finest specimens of Buddhist sculpture. Among all centers of Buddhist worship, the Vaisakha (April-May) full moon is observed as the anniversary of three important events - the Buddha's birth, Enlightenment and death, while the Asadh (July - August) full moon is observed as the Day 09 : Varanasi/Delhi/AGRA , 9W726, 1715/1815 Hrs.(SPECIAL CASE) Full day city tour and shopping. Lunch in hotel . Evening transfer to Domestic Apt. for Delhi. ON arrival Delhi and drive to Agra(205KMs., 4 Hrs.) On arrival Agra, check-in at hotel and take dinner. Over night stay at hotel . Day 10 : In Agra, After breakfast visit Wonder of the World “ Taj Mahal” and Agra fort. Day free for shopping. Dinner and over night at hotel. Day 11: AGRA/FATEHPUR SIKRI/JAIPUR, By Surface 255 Kms. 05 Hrs. After breakfast drive to PINK CITY JAIPUR en route visit FATEHPUR SIKRI(AKBAR THE GREAT CAPITAL). On arrival at Sravasti check-in at hotel for lunch. Dinner and over night stay at hotel. Day 12: In/JAIPUR, After breakfast drive to PINK CITY JAIPUR tour visiting Palace on wind, Amer Palace etc. Evening visit Chauki Dhani Restaurant for Dance and Dinner. Over night stay at hotel. Day 13: JAIPUR/DELHI, By Surface 255 Kms. 04 Hrs. After breakfast drive to PINK CITY Delhi. On arrival Delhi check-in at hotel for lunch. After lunch free for shopping. Dinner and over night stay at hotel. Day 14 : Delhi/Sydney After breakfast full day city tour. After lunch free for leisure or shopping. After Dinner transfer to IGI Apt. for Sydney . AGRA
Agra is famous as being home to one of the seven wonders of the world-the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid remainder of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid reminder of the capital in the 16th and early 17th centuries. A pleasant town with comparatively slow pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble and soa stone by craftsman who are descendant of those who worked under the Mughals. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes. Agra was once the capital of the Mughal empire and even today it seems to linger in the past. Not surprising, for the Mughal emperors with their passion for building, endowed the city with some of the finest structures in the world.
Visit End with Sweet Memories | 
