Nepal >> Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour >> 16 Days Foot Step Buddha Tours

Buddha (Born Siddhartha) was the son of Suddhodhana, the chief of Sakya tribe of the Himalayan foot hills. But worldly comforts did not enamour Siddhartha and he turned an ascetic. Tilorakot Durbar the palace of King Suddhodana lies 15 kms from Lumbini in Nepal. Modern day Piprahwa in Siddhrath Nagar district in India is identified with Kapilvastu, Capital of the Sakya clan.

The ruins of the palace where Buddha is supposed to have spent the first 29 years of life are found here. His birthplace, Lumbini, in neighbouring Nepal, is 95 km from Piprahwa. Upon attaining enlightenment at BodhGaya in the neighbouring Bihar, Buddha preached his first sermon at Sarnath 10 km from Varanasi. The archeological museum of Sarnath has a rich collection of Buddha images.

Buddha is supposed to have astonished rival teachers by performing miracles in Saravasti, capital of the ancient Koshala kingdom. It is 17 km from Balrampur. Buddha breathed his last at Kushinagar. The 6 m statue of dying Buddha here dates back to the 5th century A.D. Rambhar Stupa marks his cremation site.

Sakyamuni, Gautama Buddha, traveled this land preaching his message of compassion, simplicity and renunciation. This circuit is a pilgrim's passage through the places immortalised by the Enlightened One. The highlight of your journey will be the Holy Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya under which he gained enlightenment.

Visit Sarnath where he gave his first sermon and Kushinagar where he attained Parinirvana. And among the ruins of Nalanda you can still hear a distant echo of the chants of scholars of ancient times. Your journey promises joy, serenity and a deeper understanding of one of the greatest thinkers of the Asian sub-continent.

We also recomend a tour extension by 4 days to cover, The World famous Ajanta and Ellora Caves situated near Aurangabad in India, and magnificient Bhuddist Stupas situated near Bhopal in Northern India.

Day 1:
On arrival you will be met by our representatives and comfortably lodged in your hotel.

Day 2: Visit the 3 sacred stupas - Boudhnath, Swoyambunath and Namobuddha
A visit of the 3 most sacred stupas in a single day is considered very holy by Tibetan Buddhist and the trio is revered as Bel-yul Chorten-Nam-sum. We shall visit above places and perform prayers and offerings.

Day 3:-Asuri Cave, Tara Temple, Mahabuddha (Temple of 1000 Buddhas)
Visit Asuri Cave where Guru Padmasambawa meditated before journeying into Tibet, temple of goddess Tara and Mahabuddha Temple(temple of 9000 Buddhas, replica of Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya.

Day 4:KTM-Bombay (Now Mumbai)
Arrive and transfer to hotel. Afternoon tour of Bombay. Kamla Nehru Park and Hanging Gardens situated on the slopes of Malabar Hill, offering a panoramic view of Marine drive and Chowpatty Beach, Prince of Wales Museum, Mani bhawan, Dhobi Ghat, Gateway of India and drive through the Crawford market, Marine drive and Flora Fountain. Overnight Bombay.

Day 5:Aurangabad
Transfer to airport for Aurangabad flight. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Overnight Aurangabad.

Day 6:Aurangabad
Full day tour of Ajanta and Ellora Caves. Ajanta Caves are 106 kms from Aurangabad and date 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. Ellora Caves (29 kms) encompasses 34 rock cut shrines representing Buddhist, Hindu and 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.

Day 7:Aurangabad - Bhopal
Visit Ajanta Caves and later in the day, fly or travel by train to Bhopal.

Day 8:Bhopal - Agra
On arrival visit the great Sanchi stupa built by King Ashoka, Ashoka Pillar and the Sachu Museum. Later take the flight or transfer to railway station to connect train for Agra. On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9:Agra to Varanasi
Morning visit Taj Mahal, one of the architectural wonders of the world. Fly to Varanasi. You will be met on arrival & transferred to your hotel. Afternoon visit Sarnath, where The Buddha preached his first sermon after becoming The Enlightened One.

Day 10:Varanasi to Bodhgaya (Lumbini)
Early morning boat ride on River Ganges. After breakfast depart by road to Bodhgaya, a journey of about six to seven hours (240 kms).

Day 11: Bodhgaya
Visit the Mahabodhi Temple Complex which houses the sacred Mahabodhi Temple, the Bodhi tree and other sacred sites; Buddhist monasteries of different countries, sacred sites within the vicinity of Bodhgaya such as Lo-druk-kawa-che (where Buddha underwent 6 years rigorous penance) etc.

Day 12:Bodhgaya-Rajgir-Nalanda-Patna
After breakfast depart by road to Rajgir, a journey of about two hours (80 kms). Later continue to Patan (105 kms). En route visit ancient ruins of Nalanda university.

Day 13:Patna to Kushinagar
After breakfast depart by road to Kushinagar, a journey of about seven hours (260 kms). En route stop at Vaishali. Overnight at hotel Lotus.

Day 14:Kushinagar to Sravasti
After breakfast depart by road to Saravasti, a journey of about six to seven hours (250 kms). Overnight at hotel Lotus.

Day 15:Sravasti to Bhairawa (Lumbini)
After breakfast depart by road to Lumbini, a journey of about five to six hours (200 kms). Afternoon sight seeing tour of sacred Lumbini Garden including visit to Ashokan Pillar, Maya Devi Temple, Puskarni- the sacred pool, sanctum and Buddhist temple. Overnight at Hotel Maya Gardens.

Day 16:Bhairawa to Kathmandu
Free till departure transfer to Bhairawa airport. Upon arrival meet and transfer to hotel