Day 1 : Arrival / New Delhi

Late night arrival, meeting and assistance upon arrival as our representatives welcome you and escort you to your van. Welcome to India, or as we say 'atithi devo bhava' (the guest is an incarnation of God). Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you!

Day 2 : Delhi / Varanasi

After breakfast, we proceed on a guided tour of New Delhi, visiting popular places such as Bahai Temple, Humayun's Tomb and the Qutab Minar. Continue with a drive through Embassy area, the Government buildings and Connaught Place, the heart and main shopping district of the capital. We cross the city and into the walled gates of the Old Delhi, the capital of Muslim India between the 17th and 19th centuries. It draws one through congested roads and lanes, interesting mosques, monuments and forts relating to its chequered history. Our tour includes visits to the Jamma Mosque and drive through the fabled area of Chandni Chowk where the throngs of shoppers and vendors meet in the oldest area of Delhi, on to the Red Fort to view the inlaid and carved Royal Chambers, on to Raj Ghat and nearby ghats where the founder of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi and thereafter Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were cremated.

The highlight of this tour would be a ride on cycle rickshaws, 3-wheeled cycles with a sofa seat at the back. This is a remarkable way to explore and picture the hustle and bustle as well as the colour of the narrow winding streets bursting with people and pavement shops selling wares of all description - including a laughing set of dentures. Later in the evening drive to the Delhi Railway station to board an overnight train to Varanasi.

Day 3 : Arrival / Varanasi

Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to your Hotel Clarks. Varanasi is quite possibly the world's oldest living city. Religious artifacts link it to the sixth century BC Said to be founded by Shiva, Varanasi's Vedic affiliation goes back to the beginning of time. It is also a city of many names. Revered by Hindus, Buddhists and Jain alike, Varanasi is considered the holiest city in all of India.

After breakfast we proceed for the sightseeing tour. First stop would be the Bharat Mata Temple. Inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi, it features a huge marble map of India on the ground floor. Next up, the Durga Temple. Known for its bright red color and the playful, if sometimes aggressive, monkeys that run amok there, the Durga Temple is one of the most imposing architectural monuments in Varanasi.

The university, which occupies a large piece of land at the southern end of town, is also home to the New Vishwanatha Temple. The New Temple is modern in design and open to Hindus and non-Hindus alike. Surrounded by palm trees, it is a splendid white marble structure that shines in the afternoon sun against a pale blue sky. Inside, the temple is spacious and airy. The interior walls are covered with Vedic art above inscriptions from the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads. In the center of the first floor is the Shiva linga.

This evening we take a short trip to the Buddhist city of Sarnath .It is here that the Buddha preached his first sermons after attaining enlightenment. The highlight of this tour would be a participation in the evening prayer service (aarti) of the main Buddhist temple here - the synchronized chanting of hymns to the accompaniment of traditional temple music is a sole stirring experience.

Day 4 : Varanasi / Bodhgaya

At dawn we visit the sacred Ganges for a boat ride. Every morning at dawn hundreds of worshippers can be seen bathing in the sacred waters. The Ghats form an impressive part of the religious landscape of the city. Proceeding downstream at a leisurely pace, you would be pointed out the significant temples and buildings as well as the changing architectural style. Life and death go hand in hand in Varanasi. While young people seek prosperity and protection from harmful influences, the older generation comes to Varanasi to cleanse their souls in the forgiving waters in preparation for their ultimate dissolution.

Believing that anyone who dies in the river of life in Varanasi gains freedom from the cycle of birth and death, the City of Light has become a haven for the sick and aged waiting out their final days. The smoke that billows from the crematoriums on the edge of the river gives testimony to their final release from life's earthly confines. We would docked our boat at Manikarnika (Cremation) Ghat. On any given day, anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred corpses are cremated here, The ghat is assiduous with activity as the cremated bodies threw up smoke and fire. Later we drive to Bodhgaya. Upon arrival check into your Hotel Taj Darbur

Day 5 : Bodhgaya

Full day touring of Bodhgaya. One of the holiest of holy pilgrim places for the Buddhists of the world is Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya The Mahabodhi Temple built on the east of the sacred tree stands majestically 17 feet high on a base 5 feet square, and consists of a soaring pyramidal tower surmounted by a stupa. The Vajrasan or Diamond Throne lying between the Bodhi Tree and the temple marks the actual spot where Buddha sat in meditation and attained supreme knowledge. A gilded Buddha smiles upon the visitors from a niche in the wall of the temple, and his footsteps carved in stone hold flower offerings from the devout. Unbelievable peace pervades the atmosphere giving credence to legend. Besides the Mahabodhi temple, we would visit several Buddhist temples built by the followers of Buddhism from all over the world.

Day 6 : Bodhgaya /Rajgir / Nalanda / Patna / Patna / Delhi

Morning we drive to Patna en-route we visit Rajgir & Nalanda. Rajgir is a verdant valley surrounded by rocky hills. Here on Griddhakuta or Vultures Peak the Buddha set in motion his second Wheel of Law and for three months every year during the rainy season preached many inspiring sermons to his disciples. The Buddha Sangha of Japan have constructed a massive modern stupa, the Shanti (peace) stupa at the top of the hill in commemoration. The view from the top is breathtaking. One can climb up to the top along a bridle path. However, the aerial chairlift is far more exciting.

Twelve kilometres from Rajgir is Nalanda which was in Buddha's time a lovely resort of Saints and ascetics. Lord Buddha visited Nalanda several times and delivered some important sermons. It emerged as a university in the 5th century A.D. and remained the greatest seat of learning for 7 years. Great thinkers like Nagarjuna, the Mahayana Buddhist Philosopher. Dharmapala the Brahman scholar, Aryadeva, and Padmasambhava taught here.

After sightseeing we drive to Patna Train Station in time to board overnight train for Delhi.

Day 7 : Arrival / Delhi Delhi / Departure

Meeting and assistance on arrival in Delhi and transfer to the hotel, The Connaught where a day use room is booked for you. Rest of the day is at leisure for your independent activities Delhi today is truly the melting pot of India, and the main gateway to one of the most fascinating cities in the world. Your Hotel in Delhi is a Downtown Hotel - The Connaught Place is the heart and pulse of New Delhi. This Hotel will give you an opportunity to view the busy streets and bazaars of the capital of India. In other words, you will 'feel' India. Late night transfer to the International airport in time to board flight back home.

End of Service

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