India Itinerary

So I think we have our India Itinerary set. It’s an eleven day tour starting in New Dehli and stretching as far as Nepal. The tour is a LOT more expensive than I was anticipating but its going to be private and relatively high class. Apparently we will have private drivers and people meeting us at the airports/train stations etc. The simple words of wisdom that Mr. Monaco bestowed upon me before my trip were, “Clay, when you travel in India you need to go first class.” With that said I’ll lose my backpackers idealism and hop in the private car….

14th May 2007 / Mon / Arrival Delhi

Arrive Delhi, meet assist at the airport & transfer to hotel. Night stay in Delhi.

15th May 2007 / Tue / Delhi

After a leisurely breakfast sightseeing tour of New Delhi where ornate buildings recall the days when India was the Jewel in the crown of the British empire. Visit the 11th century Qutab Minar ,India Gate and the grand government buildings, the President’s House, Mahatama Gandhi Memorial , Also visit Laxmi Narayan temple popularly known as Birla Temple. Night stay in Delhi.

16th May 2007 / Wed / Delhi – Agra – Varanasi ( By Train )

Early morning pick up from hotel & transfer to railway station to board the superfast airconditioned train to Agra .Breakfast in the train , Arrive Agra in approx. 02 hours & visit the magnificient Taj Mahal – one of the seven wonders of the world surely the most extravagant expression of love ever created. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to build this memorial to Shah Jahan’s beloved wife. Also visit Agra fort – the rusty and majestic red-sandstone fort of Agra stands on the banks of the river Yamuna and the construction was started by Emperor Akbar in 1566. At the Diwan-I-Am (hall of public audience), a colonnaded hall of red-sandstone with a throne alcove of inlaid marble at the back, the Emperor heard public petitions. At the Diwan-I-Khas (hall of private audience) where marble pavilions with floral inlays lend an ethereal ambience, the Emperor sat on his gem-studded Peacock Throne and met foreign ambassadors and rulers of friendly kingdoms. Afternoon excursion to Fatehpur Sikri-a perfectly preserved red sandstone “ghost town” which was the estranged capital of mughal emperor Akbar, built in 1569 and deserted when its water supply failed. Evening free to explore the Agra’s rich heritage of handicrafts in its markets. Late evening transfer to Tundla railway station to board the airconditioned train to Varanasi. Overnight in the train.

17th May 2007 / Thu / Varanasi

Arrive Varanasi, said to be the India’s most sacred city situated on the western bank of the holy river Ganga. It is also the oldest living city in the world. As a place for devotion and worship, with hundreds of temples dotting the city, sunrise on the river front as seen from a boat can be a spiritually uplifting sight. It has a fascination uniquely its own, a quality of sublime beauty, a timeless eternal appeal. Varanasi is the city which cannot be described, only experienced. Meet assist at the railway station and transfer to hotel. Later sight seeing of Varanasi (the oldest and holiest city of India) covering Temples, Aurangazeb’s Mosque and one of the biggest university of India. Evening view “Aarti” ceremony on the Ghats. Night stay in Varanasi.

18th May 2007 / Fri / Varanasi

Morning boat cruise at the river Ganges to observe the way of life of pilgrims by the Ghats. Later excursion to Sarnath, 10kms. East of Varanasi, is one of the Buddhism’s major centers of India. After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha came to Sarnath where he gave his first sermon. Visit the deer park and the museum and later back to Varanasi . Night stay in Varanasi.

19th May 2007 / Sat / Varanasi – Bodhgaya

Morning drive to Bodhgaya & transfer to hotel. Bodhgaya – As the place of the Buddha’s Enlightenment, Bodhgaya is the spiritual home of Buhddhists. Bodhgaya situated near the river Niranjana, is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centres since it was here that Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Rest of the day at leisure.Night stay in Bodhgaya.

20th May 2007 / Sun / Bodhgaya

Morning after breakfast visit Mahabodhi Temple, Niranjana River, Sujata Village. Night stay in Bodhgaya.

21st May 2007 / Mon / Bodhgaya – Ragjir – Nalanda – Patna

After Breakfast drive to Patna enroute sightseeing of Nalanda & Rajgir. 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 Magadhan 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. 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. Arrive Patna and tranfer to hotel. Night stay in Patna.

22nd May 2007 / Tue / Patna- – Vaishali – Kushinagar

After breakfast drive to Kushinagar, Kushinagar is where the Buddha finally attained Mahaparmirvana. Amongst the ruins are the Mukutbandhan Stupa and a beautiful statue of the reclining Buddha enroute visiting Vaishali. Arrive Kushinagar & transfer to hotel. Night stay in Kushinagar.

23rd May 2007 / Wed / Kushinagar- Lumbini

After breakfast visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple & Stupas, later drive to Lumbini & transfer to hotel. Lumbini – the birthplace of the Buddha, was located in 1890 after being untraced for 1,500 years. Evening sightseeing tour of Lumbini including a visit to the birth Place of Lord Buddha. Night stay in Lumbini.

24th May 2007 / Thu / Lumbini-Sravasti

After breakfast drive to Lucknow enroute 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. In Sravasti visit Saheth – Maheth & Jetvan. Night stay in Sravasti.

25th May 2007 / Fri / Sravasti -Lucknow-Delhi

After breakfast drive to Lucknow & transfer to railway station to board the air conditioned train for Delhi.On arrival in Delhi meet assist at railway station and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Delhi.

26th May 2007 / Sat / Delhi – Departure

Morning visit local market later transfer to airport to board the flight for your onwards journey.

Tour cost :
Moderate: ( 2 – 3 star )
USD 1332 per person subject to 02 persons traveling together.

Cost Includes:
11 Nights accommodation as per the itinerary + 01 nt. in overnight
train.
Daily Breakfast.
All meals ( breakfast, lunch, dinner ) at the time of staying in
Buddhist sector.
All transfers & sightseeing by exclusive air conditioned car.
Train tickets from Agra – Varanasi by 02 tier airconditioned sleeper class, Delhi – Agra, Lucknow – Delhi in airconditioned chair car.
Local English speaking Guides in Delhi, Agra, Varanasi & Bodhgaya.
All taxes, driver allowances, parking etc.

Cost does not Include :
Entrance fee to the Monuments.
Any airfare.
Beverages, Tips, Laundry etc.