Buddhist Tour with Taj Mahal, Agra

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Tour Details

Day 01 : Delhi
Meeting and greetings on arrival at International Airport and transfer to the hotel for check in and overnight stay.

Day 02 : At Delhi
Morning after breakfast at the hotel commence full day tour of Old and New Delhi.
OLD DELHI : An ancient walled city. Here you will see Red Fort, the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire: Raj Ghat, the memo -rial site of the Mahatma Gandhi; Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; and Chandni Chowk, the bustling and colourful market of the old city. NEW DELHI : This city designed and built by the British in the 1920's - a city of wide boulevards impressive Government buildings, green parks and gardens. First you will visit two monuments from Delhi's past Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar. Then your drive takes you along the ceremonial avenue, Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate and Parliament House.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 : Delhi - Jaipur
Morning after buffet breakfast at the hotel proceed to Jaipur by car (5 hours) and check in at the hotel. Afternoon proceed to visit Pink city of Jaipur.

JAIPUR CITY : City Palace Museum - an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal art. The Museum is resplendent with its collection of robes of royal princes, carpets, an armoury of old weapons, miniature paintings portraying court scenes, battle scenes and procession, Jantar Mantar (Observatory) - an accurate Observatory built in 1726 AD : Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) - a five storeyed wonder with a spectacular pyra midal facade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes and spires

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 : At Jaipur
Morning after breakfast at the hotel proceed for an excursin to Amber Fort where you will have a chance to enjoy an elephant ride upto the ramparts of the fort. AMBER FORT : 11 kms from Jaipur - A marvelous example of Rajput architecture with its terraces and ramparts reflected in the Maota Lake below. The magnificent old citadel, a labyrinth of massive walls and towers, shrouds an exquisite marble palace, pillared and carved glimmering with a million tiny mirrors, which create tantalising reflection effect. The ascent to the fort is on gaily caparisoned elephants.

Afternoon is left free to explore this city of colours on your own. Car will remain on disposal if required to be used.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05 : Jaipur - Agra (Taj mahal remaind closed on Fridays)
After buffet breakfast at the hotel in Jaipur proceed to Agra by car (5 hours) enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri.

FATEHPUR SIKRI : A fascinating ghost town, lies a little beyond Agra the deserted Red sandstone city that was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital. It was a veritable fairy tale city and its ruins are still in a pristine condition. It is not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur. Set like a jewel in a courtyard of pink sandstone is the marble tomb of the Saint Salim Chisti, enclosed by delicately carved marble screens.

After the visit continue your drive, on arrival check in at the hotel
Afternoon free to relax. Evening OPTIONAL visit to the Taj Mahal at Sunset. Overnight at the hotel.
AGRA CITY : is the medieval city of the famous 17th century master piece Taj Mahal, which of course is the most splendid of all buildings - perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the world. It was built in the memory of the beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal of one of the greatest kings Shah Jehan of the Mughal Empire - Agra is not only famous for Taj Mahal but the impressive Mughal Red Fort known as the Agra Fort.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06 : Agra to Patna
Morning after breakfast at the hotel commence sightseeing to visit world famous Taj Mahal. Arjuman Banu the niece of Nur Jahan, at the age of 21 married Shan Jahan and took on the name that has passed through time: Mumtaz Mahal, the exalted of the palace. When she died, Shah Jahan was grief stricken and vowed to build her a memorial surpassing anything the world had ever seen in beauty and in the wild extravagance. He brought in skilled craftsmen from Persia, turkey, France and Italy. He put a huge army of 20,000 laborers to work, building a whole new village ( Taj Ganj, which still stands) to house them. Taj Mahal - this huge mass of white marble resting on red sandstone is a jewel, fashioned over 17 years. The work ended on the exact anniversary of Mumtaz Mahal's death. Glimpsed from the enormous main gateway inscribed with verses of the Koran (the entire Koran is said to be reproduced on its walls), the Taj Mahal reveals with the suddenness of a jewel box opening before your eyes , Red Fort built by three generations of Mughal Emperors starting from Akbar the Great in 1565 AD, which is a masterpiece of design and construction. It housed both the residential Palaces of the Royal family, and the military quarters, and Sikandra. The tomb of Akbar features prominently during travel to Sikandra. Started by the Mughal emperor himself, the monument was completed by his son Jehangir. Mughal architecture's finesse and grandeur is clearly etched in these monuments. Built in red sandstone, the monument is fringed by beautiful lush gardens. The Buland Darwaza is its entrance. Huge mosaic patterns adorn the gateway.

Evening transfer to Tundla Railway Station to board overnight train for Patna. Overnight on board.

Day 07 : Arrive Patna
Meeting on arrival at Patna Railway Station and transfer to the hotel for check in.
Later after some relax excursion to Vaishali where Lord Buddha preached his last sermon announcing his approaching Nirvana. Visit stupas holding urns containing ashes of Buddha and Ashoka pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka to mark places sanctified by Buddha. The place is also known now for famous Madhubani paintings. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08 - Patna / Nalanda / Rajgir / Bodhgaya
Morning drive down to Bodhgaya enroute visiting Nalanda - the world's oldest university founded in the 5th century. Also visit monasteries and temples with impressive Buddhist & Hindu images. The Institute for research into Buddhism and Pali literature which houses rare manuscripts, is also worth visiting for the enthusiasts. Archaeological museum is also not to be missed for the rare collectionsand and Rajgir capital of 6th century Magadha empire. It was revered site of Buddha's discourses. Buddha spent many years here. Visit Gridhrakula, Sapataparni cave, Ajatsatru fort and Venuvana..

Arrive Bodhgaya and overnight in the hotel.

Day 09 - Bodhgaya
Bodhgaya is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centres. It was here that Gautama attained enlightenment and became Buddha under the "Bodhi" tree Satabodhi temple, Japanese and Tibetan monasteries along with Magadha university museum are also to be visited. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10 - Bodhgaya / Varanasi
Early morning after breakfast depart for Varanasi (243 kms / 6 hrs) by road (if one so desires one can go by train to Varanasi for Gaya). Arrive by afternoon and transfer to hotel. Afternoon excursion to Sarnath, the principle centre of Buddhism. It was here around 530 B.C that Buddha preached his 1st sermon after gaining enlightenment. Also visit Dhamekh and Dharmarajika stupas.

Day 11 - Varanasi / Kushinagar
Early morning boat ride on river Ganges to see the beautiful sunrise at Ganges followed by visit to temples and Benaras Hindu University.
Late morning drive to Kushinagar - the place where Buddha passed into Parinirvana. Visit Ramabha stupa which stands on the spot where the body of the Lord was cremated. Also visit Natha Kumarka Kot enshrining the large recumbent figure of Buddha in the state of Nirvana. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12 - Kushinagar / Lumbini / Sravasti
Morning excursion to Lumbini, the place where Buddha was born. An ancient shrine with an image representing the nativity of Buddha is still preserved. Afternoon drive visit Sravasti and other Buddhist shrines enroute. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13 – Sravasti / Lucknow
Morning after breakfast at the hotel drive to Lucknow and check into the hotel. Afternoon tour of Lucknow where you will visit Asafi Masjid, Rumi Darwaza, Baradari, Residency, Shahnajaf Imambara, La Martiniere College, Clock Tower, Chhatar Manzil. Bada Imambara, Chhota Imambara, State Museum Zoo and Dilkusha.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 – Lucknow to Delhi and depart Delhi
Transfer to the airport in time to board flight for Delhi. Meeting on arrival at Delhi airport and drive to the city where you will have some free time for last minute shopping etc. Evening in time transfer back to the airport to board homebound flight.

Bon voyages

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