Entwining architecture and religion and featuring some of the most marvelous structures filled with artistry and ambiance, this 12-day custom-tailored India tour will captivate you every step of the way along the Buddhist trail. Following in the footsteps of Siddhartha Gautama brings you more than just the spiritual essence of Buddha’s life but also the grand history of the time, the sensational landscape that persists, and the remarkable architecture.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Delhi – Taking the First Step
Welcome to the capital of India, Delhi, where the city rises from its old historic paths into new and promising futures, reborn every day in a new wash of light. You are met at the airport by a private transfer and taken into the city where you will soon visit the monuments that decorate the streets and add to the splendor. The Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in India with the ability to hold up to 25,000 people in its courtyard.
The atmosphere around the mosque is always filled with awe and joyful energy, people ready to step inside and devote themselves or simply witness the grandeur of the structure that was meant as a devotion of its own, built in the 15th century with 15 different domes that undulate across the skyline. A simple black-marble platform just south of the Red Fort brings you to the location where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. The area along the banks of the Yamuna River provokes thought and wonder and stretches the lengths of India’s modern history and beyond, filled with vibrant flowers often sprawling along the marble beneath the flickering flame that continues to billow no matter the weather.
What's Included:
Day 2
Agra – The Journey Begins
Day 3
Varanasi – A Holy City
Day 4
Bodhgaya – Smoke On the Water
Day 5
Bodhgaya – Underneath the Bodhi Tree
Day 6
Patna – Finding Council
Day 7
Kushinagar – A Gracious Breath
Day 8
Lumbini – In the Beginning
Day 9
Balrampur – Lotus Majesty
Day 10
Lucknow – Traveling In Luck
Day 11
Delhi – Following the Tracks
Day 12
Delhi – Stepping Off the Buddhist Trail
Trip Highlights
- Discover the true earthen locations of the Buddha, from his birthplace to the tranquil temples that stand where He once proselytized
- Marvel at the architectural pearl that is the Taj Mahal
- Drift through the remarkable world that exists along the River Ganges on a river cruise
- Experience the working dichotomy of both the old and the new in Delhi
- Enjoy the sacred bathing pool at the sight of Buddha’s birth in Lumbini
Detailed Description
Whether you are searching for enlightenment or wish to view in the place from which it was found, you will walk along the path of Buddha on this 12-day tour through India’s most sacred sites within the worlds of Buddhism and Hinduism. From ancient carved temples to holy rivers, bathing pools to British ruins, there are endless possibilities of the wonders that came before, during, and after Buddha made His way through India, each step bringing you a different, splendid experience.
Following the steps of Buddha begins in Delhi where the capital city of India brings a new kind of energy to light. Tour through the city to witness the mixtures of the old and new, from the colorful bazaar to the 16th century minaret known as the Qutub Minar. Find the morning alert and aromatic with spices, from green cardamom to fennel seed as you make your way to Agra to view Emperor Shah Jehan’s architectural masterpiece, the Taj Mahal. Then wind your way through Agra Fort and the various monuments that have brought the city to the forefront of architectural and historical elegance. On your third day you will come to Varanasi, home to the center of Hindu pilgrimage, where an inexpressible magic drapes over the River Ganges. The following morning you will immerse yourself in the culture, drifting along the river on a boat, finding the true life of the city. In the evening you will come to Bodhgaya, home to the Bodhi Tree where Buddha found enlightenment.
Continue en route to Patna and visit the celebrated ruins along Rajgir and Nalanda, one known for the first Buddhist Council, the other for the world’s greatest Buddhist universities. The majesty of Kushinagar is found in its uniqueness, and is where Buddha breathed his last breath, while in Lumbini, Nepal, you will find His birthplace and the sacred pool of Maya Devi within the Maya Devi Temple, where the goddess bathed before birthing Siddhartha. Back in India you will arrive in Balrampur before venturing onward to the diverse city of Lucknow, capital of the Uttar Pradesh state and home to elaborate calligraphy and the silver throne of Nawabs. On your final full day traversing the trail you will have a first-class train journey back to Delhi where the following day you will depart for home.
Zicasso offers a variety of tours of India. Be sure to browse the India tour package reviews for ideas and to see what travelers experienced while in India.
Starting Price
$3,000 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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