Buddhist Tour with Patna

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Locations: Kolkata, Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Varanasi, Kushinagar, Vaishali, Patna, Delhi

Day 01: Arrival in Kolkata
Arrive at Kolkata airport. Reception and assistance. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at the Kolkata hotel.

Day 02: Kolkata / Bodhgaya (Overnight Train 12307)
Breakfast at the hotel. Visits in Kolkata:

Dakshineswar Kali Temple
Belur Math – Ramakrishna Mission
The Mother’s House (Mother Teresa’s Tomb)
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Victoria Memorial
Shaheed Minar
Writers Building
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Tour of B.B.D. Bagh, Raj Bhavan, Calcutta High Court, Vidhan Sabha, General Post Office (GPO), Akashvani Bhavan [All India Radio], Millennium Park, Eden Gardens, Prinsep Ghat, Race Course, Park Street.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Transfer to the train station to board the train to Bodhgaya. Overnight stay in the train.

Day 03: Arrival in Bodhgaya
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visits in Bodhgaya:

Mahabodhi Temple
Sujata Village
Niranjana River
Dinner and overnight stay at the Bodhgaya hotel.

Day 04: Bodhgaya – Rajgir – Nalanda – Bodhgaya
Breakfast at the hotel.
Excursion to Rajgir (65 km):

Gridhkutta Hill
Bimbisar Prison
Ajatashatru Fort
Lunch in Rajgir.
Transfer to Nalanda (12 km), site of the ancient University:
Ruins of Nalanda University
Return to Bodhgaya.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Bodhgaya hotel.

Day 05: Bodhgaya – Varanasi (250 km / 5 hours by car)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Varanasi.
Excursion to Sarnath (12 km from Varanasi):

Dhamekha Stupa
Deer Park Museum (closed on Fridays)
Dinner and overnight stay at the Varanasi hotel.

Day 06: Varanasi – Kushinagar (240 km / 5 hours by car)
Boat ride on the Ganges at sunrise.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Kushinagar (approximately 240 km / 5 hours by car).
Lunch at a motel en route.
Arrival and check-in at the Kushinagar hotel.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Kushinagar hotel.

Day 07: Kushinagar – Vaishali (250 km / 5 hours by car)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visits in Kushinagar:

Mahaparinirvana Temple (where Buddha gave his last breath)
Rambhar Stupa (Buddha’s cremation site)
Japanese Temple
Transfer to Vaishali (250 km / 5 hours by car):
Ashoka Pillar
Ruins of the Ananda Stupa
Dinner and overnight stay at the Vaishali hotel.

Day 08: Vaishali / Patna / Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Patna (50 km / 1 hour by car).
Visits in Patna:

Har Mandir Sahib (Patna Sahib), the birthplace of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.
Golghar, a dome-shaped structure with panoramic views of the Ganges River and the city.
Patna Museum, with a rich collection of Maurya and Buddhist sculptures, terracottas, and other artifacts.
Lunch in Patna.
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Delhi (Flight 9W728-1250/1430).
Arrival in Delhi.
Tour of Delhi:
Raj Ghat
India Gate
Drive past the Parliament and the President’s House
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Transfer to IGI airport for the return flight.