Discover Buddhism & Culture
Package price On Request
Product Code : AGORA162
Embark on a spiritual and cultural journey with the "Discover Buddhism & Culture" private tour. Begin your trip in Mumbai, where you will explore the Elephanta and Ajanta Caves. Continue to Aurangabad, Ellora, and Delhi, before heading to Bodhgaya to witness Buddhist landmarks. Visit Rajgir, Nalanda, and Kesariya Stupa on your way to Kushinagar and Lumbini, where you can spend a full day sightseeing. Continue your journey to Shravasti and Varanasi before ending your trip in Khajuraho and Bhopal, where you can visit the beautiful Jain temples and rock shelters.
Day 1: Arrive Mumbai
On arrival at Mumbai airport, our representative will welcome you and assist you with transfer to the hotel. (check-in/out time 12 pm). Rest of the day is free to relax and unwind.
Day 2: Mumbai
After breakfast, start your city tour of Mumbai with a visit to the Gateway of India, an iconic landmark of Mumbai. Then take a ferry ride to Elephanta Caves (Monday closed), located on the Elephanta Island, which is known for its ancient rock-cut temples and cave shrines. Later, visit the famous Dhobi Ghat, an open-air laundromat where the clothes are washed in traditional style. Return to your hotel for overnight stay.
Day 3: Mumbai – Aurangabad (flight)
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and proceed to the airport to board your flight to Aurangabad. On arrival, check-in at the hotel and take some rest. Later, go on a city tour of Aurangabad, which includes a visit to Bibi ka Maqbara, a tomb built in memory of Aurangzeb's wife. Overnight stay in Aurangabad.
Day 4: Aurangabad
After breakfast, proceed for a full-day excursion to Ajanta Caves (Monday closed), a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves and frescoes. Later, drive back to Aurangabad and visit the Grishneshwar Temple and the Daulatabad Fort. Overnight stay in Aurangabad.
Day 5: Aurangabad - Ellora (36km)/ Delhi
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and proceed to visit the Ellora Caves (Tuesday closed), a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its impressive rock-cut temples and shrines. Later, visit the Grishneshwar Temple and the Daulatabad Fort. In the evening, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Delhi. On arrival, check-in at the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 6: Delhi
After breakfast, start your city tour of Delhi by visiting the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, India Gate, Lotus Temple, and the Jama Masjid. Overnight stay in Delhi.
Day 7: Delhi – Bodhgaya (flight)
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and proceed to the airport to board your flight to Gaya. On arrival, transfer to Bodhgaya and check in at the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Mahabodhi Temple and other important Buddhist monasteries. Overnight stay in Bodhgaya.
Day 8: Bodhgaya - Patna (180km)
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Patna. En-route, visit Rajgir, an ancient city known for its hot springs, temples, and monasteries. Also, visit the Nalanda University, an ancient seat of learning and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, continue your drive to Patna and check in at the hotel. Overnight stay in Patna.
Day 9: Patna - Kushinagar (260km)
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Kushinagar. En-route, visit Vaishali, an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, and Kesariya Stupa, the tallest stupa in the world. Later, continue your drive to Kushinagar and check in at the hotel. Overnight stay in Kushinagar.
Day 10: Kushinagar - Lumbini (160km)
After breakfast, you will visit the sites in Kushinagar including the Mahaparinirvana Temple and Ramabhar Stupa. Later, you will drive to the India-Nepal border at Sonauli where you will be transferred to a Nepali vehicle to continue to Lumbini. On arrival in Lumbini, check-in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 11: Lumbini
After breakfast, you will explore Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. You will visit the sacred Maya Devi Temple, Ashoka Pillar, and the sacred pond. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 12: Lumbini - Shravasti (160km)
After breakfast, you will drive to the India-Nepal border at Sonauli where you will be picked up by your Indian driver. Continue driving to Shravasti. On arrival, check-in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 13: Shravasti - Varanasi (315km)
After breakfast, you will visit the sites in Shravasti including the Jetavana Monastery and Anandabodhi Tree. Later, you will drive to Varanasi. On arrival, check-in at the hotel. In the evening, attend the Holy Ganga Aarti ceremony on the banks of the river Ganges.
Day 14: Varanasi
Early in the morning, enjoy a boat ride on the river Ganges to witness the spiritual rituals performed by devotees. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Later, you will visit the city's famous temples including Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple, and the Bharat Mata Temple. In the afternoon, visit Sarnath, the site of Lord Buddha's first sermon.
Day 15: Varanasi - Khajuraho (flight)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Khajuraho. On arrival, check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the famous Khajuraho temples known for their erotic sculptures.
Day 16: Khajuraho - Bhopal (380km)
After breakfast, you will drive to Bhopal. En route, visit the beautiful Jain temples at Sagar. Later, visit Sanchi and Udayagiri Caves. On arrival in Bhopal, check-in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 17: Bhopal
After breakfast, you will visit Bhimbetka rock shelters and Bhojpur, an incomplete 11th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Later, you will explore the city of Bhopal, visiting its major landmarks.
Day 18: Bhopal - Mumbai/Delhi (flight)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Mumbai or Delhi for your onward journey.
- Assistance on arrival at airport.
- 17 Nights' accommodation in selected price category hotels.
- Daily breakfast at hotels.
- Private AC car/van for airport transfers, sightseeing, and excursions as per the program.
- English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.
- Monument entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.
- Bottled drinking water in car.
- Government taxes.
Hotels used or similar for 17 nights accommodation
Mumbai x 2 nights
3* - Hotel Suba Palace/ BW Hotel Sahil
4* - Sun-N-Sand Hotel/ Fariyas Hotel
5* - Trident Hotel/ ITC Grand Central
Aurangabad x 2 nights
3* - Keys Hotel The Aures/ Aurangabad Gymkhana Club
4* - Ambassador Ajanta / VITS Hotel
5* - WelcomHotel Rama International / Lemon Tree Hotel
Delhi x 2 nights
3* - Madhuban Hotel/ Meridian Plaza
4* - The Royal Plaza/ Country Inn & Suite Saket
5* - Le Meridien/ The Claridges
Bodhgaya x 1 night
3* - Hotel Taj Darbar/ Hotel Mahamaya
4* & 5* - The Royal Residency/ Lotus Nikko Hotel
Patna x 1 night
3* - Hotel Patliputra Ashok/ Patliputra Exotica
4* - Lemon Tree Premier/ Hotel Gargee Grand
5* - Maurya Hotel/ The Panache
Kushinagar x 1 nights
3* - Hotel The Ideal/ Hotel Adelphi Grande
4* & 5* - The Royal Residency/ Lotus Nikko Hotel
Lumbini x 2 nights
3* - Hotel Nirvana/ Lumbini Bamboo Resort
4* & 5* - Buddha Maya Hotel/ Lumbini Hokke Hotel
Sravasti x 1 night
3* - Hotel Pawan Palace/ the sravasti residency
4* & 5* - Lotus Nikko Hotel/ Hotel PlatinumBodhgaya x 1 night
3* - Hotel Taj Darbar/ Hotel Mahamaya
4* & 5* - The Royal Residency/ Lotus Nikko Hotel
Varanasi x 2 nights
3* - Meraden Grand/ Amaya Hotel
4* - Rivatas by Ideal/ Palace On Ganges
5* - Radisson Hotel/ Gateway Hotel Taj
Khajuraho x 1 night
3* - Ramada/Clarks Hotel
4* - Ramada/Clarks Hotel
5* - Radisson Hotel/ Hotel Chandela
Bhopal x 2 nights
3* - Lake View Ashok/ Hotel Grand Ashirwad
4* - Noor Us Sabha Palace/ Graces Resort
5* - Jehan Numa Palace/ Courtyard by Marriott
- Mumbai - Aurangabad - Delhi - Bodhgaya, Varanasi - Khajuraho & Bhopal - Delhi flight fare approx INR 30,500 per person in economy class.
- Camera charges at monuments if any.
- Meals other than mentioned in the inclusions.
- Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.
- Gratuities and optional activities.
- Anything not mentioned in inclusions.