11D9N FOOTSTEPS OF LORD BUDDHA & SPIRITUAL VARANASI

Swanminarayan Akshardham Temple - Listed in the 2009 edition of the Guinness World Records Book as the largest Hindu Temple in the world, Akshardham Temple is breathtakingly lavish. Included in the entrance is a boat ride through 10,000 years of Indian history with animatronics telling stories from the life of Lord Swaminarayan for which the temple is dedicated to.

Note: Closed on Monday / decent attire required / No cameras etc allowed. Boat ride subject to availability without replacement.

Accommodation: 3* Almondz or similar

- Catch a domestic flight to Varanasi -

Evening Aarti - This evening, witness a Hindu ritual in which light is offered to one or more deities is performed at the Dashashwamedh Ghat.

Note: Boat ride subject to availability with no replacement.

Accommodation: 3* City Inn or similar

River Ganges - Your boat excursion takes you past the many ghats. Watch the pilgrims cleansing their sins in the sacred waters, cremate their loved ones or simply to die here, hoping for liberation from the cycle of birth.

Return to your hotel for breakfast.

Deer Park, Archaeological Museum - The place where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. Beside is the Archaeological Museum.

Accommodation: 3* Hotel Sujata or similar

Mahabodhi Temple - The Temple is the focal point of Bodhgaya. It marks the spot where Lord Buddha gained enlightenment and set out on his life of preaching.

Various Monasteries, Great Buddha Statue - Most countries with a large Buddhist population have a temple or a monastery in Bodhgaya usually built in a representative architectural style.

Accommodation: 3* Hotel Sujata or similar

- Drive 3 hours to Rajgir -

Japanese World Peace Stupa - Take a chair lift up the hill to the Japanese World Peace Stupa.

Vulture Peak - Have a walk around Vulture Peak, the place where Lord Buddha mediated for couple of years.

Ancient University - The most renowned University in ancient India. It is also one of the greatest centre of learning in ancient times.

Accommodation: 3* Hotel Sujata or similar

Mahaparinirvana Temple - Located in the ruins which various ancient monasteries were found during the 5th century AD. The temple is famous for its 6.10m long statue of Lord Buddha.

Ramabhar Stupa - The Ramabhar Stupa marks the place where Lord Buddha received the Mahaparinirvana or the Final Enlightenment. The 15m high stupa is also the most important pilgrim spot for the Buddhists.

Accommodation: 3* Om Residency or similar

- Cross the border into Lumbini, Nepal -

Mayadevi Temple, Sacred Tank - It was in Lumbini, where Queen Mahamaya gave birth to Prince Siddhartha who later became Lord Buddha. It is the place where the Mayadevi Temple and the Sacred Tank exist. And it is here where the Prince had his first purification bath.

Accommodation: 3* Red Sun or similar

- Return to India -

Kapilavastu - According to Buddhist tradition, Kapilavastu is the name of the ancient city where Lord Buddha was raised and lived until the age of 29, when he renounced worldly life.

Jetavana Gardens - It is here at the Jetavana Gardens where Lord Buddha confounded his critics by making them witness a miraculous million fold self- manifestation seated on a thousand petal lotus, as fire and water emanated from his boy.

Accommodation: 3* Lotus Nikko or similar

Connaught Place or Sarojini Market - Do your last minute shopping.

Transfer to the airport.