Footsteps of the Buddha

Welcome to incredible India! An Ekno representative will meet you and escort you to your hotel upon your arrival at the airport in Delhi. After checking into the hotel, spend the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the local area and soaking up the vibrant atmosphere. Our friendly guide and hotel staff will be on hand should you need recommendations or general provisions.

After breakfast at the hotel you be collected by your guide and taken on a tour taking in the many sights and sounds of Delhi, including a visit to the National Museum which houses the Sacred Relics of Buddha (5th-4th century BC) which were discovered in Uttar Pradesh. The relics are outstanding specimens of Buddhist Art and are illustrated through exhibits in a variety of materials and forms from the three principal Buddhist traditions – Hinayana, Mahayana & Vajrayana.

In the afternoon you will visit some of the famous monuments of Delhi – including India Gate, Rajpath and the Secretariat Buildings.

This morning you will take a flight to Varanasi, considered to be the spiritual gateway of India and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Upon arrival you will check into your hotel before taking a sightseeing trip to the Main Ghat area and the Vishwanath Temple. Varanasi is the holiest of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism and Jainism and played an important role in the development of Buddhism. This evening you will have the opportunity to participate in the breathtaking evening puja (prayer ceremony) which accompanies sunset on the Ganges.

After breakfast you will be driven to Sarnath, one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage sites in North India. On arrival in Sarnath, visit the Deer Park where the Buddha taught The Four Noble Truths (his first teachings) after attaining enlightenment. Afterwards you will visit Dhamekh Stupa and other important Buddhist ruins including Chaukhandi Stupa and Mulganda Kuti Vihar. The Dhamekh Stupa is said to mark the exact spot of the Buddha’s first teaching of the Four Noble Truths. In the late afternoon you will return to Varanasi. The evening is free to explore or rest at your leisure.

After breakfast you will be driven to Bodhgaya. Upon arrival you will check into your hotel before walking to the Mahabodhi Temple in the centre of town. This ancient temple is the holiest Buddhist temple in the world, and marks the location where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. Meditate under the sacred Bodhi tree, visit the Great Buddha Statue and view the holy relics of the Buddha. At sunset you will have the opportunity to watch the monks chanting their evening prayers.

After breakfast you will depart for a full day of sightseeing in Rajgir, an ancient town with archaeological relics dating back to 1000 BC. Take the chair lift to the top of Ratnagiri Hill to visit the Japanese Shanti Stupa, followed by a visit to Vultures Peak. In the afternoon you will visit Nalanda University, an acclaimed Buddhist monastery and the most renowned university in ancient India. Established in the 5th century BC, it remained a center of learning up until the 12^th century AD.

The tour concludes after breakfast. We will transfer you to the airport in time for your ongoing flight.

We look forward to seeing you on another Ekno Travels experience soon. If you wish this pilgrimage package can be combined with one of our other tours or India extensions.