It’s about the journey

It’s about the journey

A Buddhist Pilgrimage
Every person has the Buddha nature, the enlightenment potential. The Buddha only shows the way.
We have to walk the Path of Liberation ourselves.

This journey retraces the steps of Siddhartha Gautama, The Buddha. These sites held sacred by millions
of Buddhists, are Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar. Included are places associated with his
life - Sravasti, Kapilavastu, Vaishali, Nalanda and Rajgir.

1 Arrive Delhi
You are met on arrival by your Guide cum Escort who will accompany you on this journey and
transferred to your hotel.
Your day is at leisure.
Overnight at the ITC Sheraton.

2 Delhi - Lucknow (train) - Sravasti (drive 4 hours)

On your way to the airport, visit the National Museum (closed on Monday) which houses a
portion of The Buddha’s’ relics.
Travel Delhi to Lucknow by 9W 7008 1320/1420 hrs.
Travel with a Packed Lunch to Sravasti.
Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Nikko.

3 Sravasti
The Jetvana Gardens was the annual retreat of The Buddha for twenty five years. In Sravasti he
expounded a major part of the Tripitakas, and performed the only miracle of his life. There are
various stupas and the ruins of ancient monasteries.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight at the Hotel Nikko.
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4 Sravasti - Kapilavastu - Lumbini (drive 7 hours)

Leave early this morning with a Packed Lunch for Lumbini, enroute visiting Kapilavastu where
Siddhartha Gautama spent the first twenty nine years of his life. The eastern Stupa in
Kapilavastu bears an inscription was which reads “ This is Devaputra Vihara of the Kapilavastu
bhikshu sangha.” A kilometre and a half away are two excavated mounds, the larger thicker
walled structure is believed to be Suddhodana’s palace.
Complete border formalities
(Nepal single entry visa. Indian visa must be for double entry, with permission to re-enter India
in less than 15 days)
Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Kasai.

5 Lumbini
This morning visit the birth place of Siddhartha Gautama. The Maya Devi Temple and the tank
nearby are part of the sacred complex. There are two beautiful panes in the temple, the older
one in stone and the other in marble. Both show Mayadevi holding the sal tree and the young
prince emerging from her side. The Emperor Ashoka erected a pillar here now know as the
Rummendei Pillar. The sacred site of the Buddha’s birth is at the southern end of the Lumbini
grove. Evacuations have revealed a series of rooms and a stone slab, which is now believed to
mark the exact location at which the Buddha was born.
In the afternoon you can visit Kapilavastu on the Nepal side or some of the many Monasteries or
have time at leisure.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight at the Hotel Kasai.

6 Lumbini - Kushinagar (drive 5 hours)

Leave early this morning for Kushinagar.
Complete border formalities.
In the afternoon visit Kushinagar where the Tathagata breathed his last. Visit the
Mahaparinirvana Temple enshrining a six metre statue of the Buddha in the Parinirvana posture
and the Rambhar Stupa that marks the site of cremation.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight at the Hotel Nikko.

7 Kushinagar - Vaishali - Patna (drive 10 hours)

Leave early this morning with a Packed Lunch for Patna enroute visiting Vaishali where the
Buddha delivered his last discourse and women were for the first time ordained into the Sangha.
Visit Kutagarshala Vihara. A kilometre away is Abhishek Pushkarini, the coronation tank and the
Relic Stupa.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight at the Hotel Chanakya.

8 Patna - Nalanda - Rajgir - Bodhgaya (drive 7 hours)

Leave early this morning for Bodhgaya enroute visiting Nalanda and Rajgir.
The Buddha came to Nalanda often. Nalanda was a renowned university in ancient India. At its
height it contained a library of nine million volumes and students from as far as Japan, Sumatra,
Java and Korea.
Lunch at the Indo Hokke Hotel.
The Buddha spent five rainy seasons at Rajgir. The hills and caves surround Rajagirha were
home to spiritual teachers ranging from the materialism of the early Charavaka school to the
metaphysics of the Upanishadic philosophers. Prince Siddhartha came here to seek the path to
salvation. Take the Ropeway up to the Shanti Stupa. If you wish you can quickly walk to
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Griddhakuta Hill where Buddha meditated. Visit Venuvana Vihara within which is the Karanda
Tank where The Buddha bathed.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight at the Hotel Royal Residency.

9 Bodhgaya
Bodh Gaya lies in fertile lands watered by the Nairanjana (Phalgu) river. Across the river more
than 2500 years ago, the young ascetic Siddhartha Gautama, gazed at the serene landscape of
the Uruvela village (modern Bodh Gaya). He spread kusha grass beneath the Bo (papal) tree,
and sat cross-legged facing east, vowing to get up only if he attained supreme enlightenment.
His quest finally ended at the dawn of Vaisakha Poornima, the full-moon day of April-May. He
attained Sammasambodhi and was henceforth known as Buddha (the Enlightened One).

Visit the Mahabodhi Temple surrounded by beautifully carved votive stupas and chaityas. Its
sanctum houses a gilded statue of the Buddha with one finger touching the earth, calling it to
witness his Awakening. Outside in the sunken courtyard stands the fifth generation Bodhi Tree.
Seven spots within the temple are considered sacred. The first is the Bodhi Tree where the
Vajrasana (diamond throne), a red sandstone slab is kept at the spot where the Buddha sat
meditating under the Bodhi tree. The second is the Animeshlochana Chaitya, where he gazed
at the Bodhi tree without blinking (animesha). The third is the Ratnachankrama (jewel walk).
The fourth is Ratnaghar Chaitya where he sat in Abhidharma Nyaya (reflection of the higher
modes of exposition and blue, yellow, red, white and orange rays emanated from his body. The
fifth is near the entrance in the east, where under a banyan tree in response to a Bhramins’
query, he expounded that good karma and not birth make a Brahmin. The sixth is the
Muchhalinda pond on the southern side of the temple. The seventh is at the southeast under
the Rajyatna tree.
Also visit the site where Sujatha, daughter of the tribal chief, offered a preparation of rice, milk
and honey to the starving Siddhartha Gautama.
In the afternoon take an excursion to the Dungeswari hills and caves where Siddhartha Gautama
led the life of a hermit for 6 years.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight at the Hotel Royal Residency.

10 Bodhgaya
This morning visit some of the monasteries in Bodhgaya. See the 64-foot high Great Buddha
Statue is the tallest Buddha statue in India. The Tibetan Monastery is the largest and oldest
monastery in Bodh Gaya. The golden roof Thai Monastery was built to commemorate 2,500
years of Buddhism. The Indosan Nippon Japanese Temple is designed along the lines of an
ancient Japanese wooden temple, and features paintings related to the important events in the
Buddha's life. The Chinese Temple has three golden statues of the Buddha. The Royal Bhutan
Monastery has clay carvings on its inner walls. The Vietnamese Temple has a serene statue of
Avalokiteswara, the peaceful Buddha.
The afternoon is at leisure.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight at the Hotel Royal Residency.

11 Bodhgaya - Varanasi (drive 5 hours)

Leave this morning for Varanasi.
In the afternoon visit the ruins of the vihara, at Sarnath where The Buddha founded the Sangha.
The thirty four meter tall Dhamekh Stupa marks the place from where he delivered his first
discourse, now called the Dharmacharkapavartana (Turning of the Wheel of Law) - the Journey
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to Enlightenment containing the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. At Sarnath stands
the famous Ashoka pillar of polished sandstone whose lion capital has been adopted by the
Republic of India as its state emblem. Visit the Sri Lankan temple with beautiful Japanese
Buddhist murals and stay back, if you wish, for the evening chanting.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight at the Hotel Radisson.

12 Varanasi - Delhi (fly)

Situated on the left bank of the river Ganga, Varanasi’s antiquity can be traced back to the first
millennium BC. It has served as a centre of spiritual enquiry and learning, which is why The
Buddha came here to begin his work. At sunrise enjoy a boat ride on the Ganga witnessing the
procession of life unchanged over millennia, as pilgrims perform their rituals amidst the ringing
of bells from countless temples.
After an early lunch, transfer to the airport in time to check-in for your flight to Delhi
Fly to Delhi on 9W 724 - 1540/1705 hrs
Either transit at the airport where a room can be arranged for five hours inside the airport
terminal to freshen-up, or transfer to a local guest-house to rest before being transferred back
to the airport to connect your onward flight.

Price (01 October 2012 through 30 April 2013)

Each of 2 persons Indigo car INR 113024
Each of 2 persons Innova car INR 120410
Each of 5 persons Tempo Traveller INR 86455
Each of 7 persons Tempo Traveller INR 79414
Each of 10 persons Mini Coach INR 77767
Each of 15 persons + 1 FOC Mini Coach INR 72066
Each of 20 persons + 1 FOC Large Coach INR 68173
Each of 25 persons + 1 FOC Large Coach INR 66316
Each of 30 persons + 1FOC Large Coach INR 64999

Single Room Supplement INR 35032

Air Fare Supplement Delhi/Lucknow & Varanasi/Delhi INR 8000 (subject to change)

Hotels
Delhi 1 night ITC Sheraton
Sravasti 2 nights Hotel Nikko
Lumbini 2 nights Hotel Kasai
Kushinagar 1 night Hotel Nikko
Patna 1 night Hotel Chanakya
Bodhgaya 3 nights Royal Residency
Varanasi 1 night The Radisson
Delhi Transit Airport Plaza Lounge

Included
An accompanying licensed English speaking Guide cum Escort
Breakfast on all days and Full Board from day 2 to day 11
All prevailing Entrance fees and Charges for Services mentioned in the itinerary
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Accommodation sharing a twin or double bedded room at the hotels mentioned in the itinerary or
similar
Transport by air-conditioned tourist vehicles mentioned in the price

Excluded
The air fare Delhi to Lucknow and Varanasi to Delhi (shown above at present price)
Supplement charges for peak periods, normally Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
Personal expenses like laundry, telephone calls, personal tipping, and the like
Any item or service not specifically mentioned as included
Any sudden major price hike on services and arrangements

Price Notes
Unless otherwise stated hotel check-in time is 14:00 hrs and check-out time is 11:00 hrs
Availability and price at the time of booking will apply
Full tour price including bank processing charges are required at the time booking.
We reserve the right to make any changes in the itinerary prior to departure and while on tour due to
force majeure and/or unforeseen circumstances and any additional expenses due to these changes will
need to be paid by the traveller at the time required.

Travel Insurance
Travel and cancellation insurance is highly recommended for all travellers.

Environment Policy
We wish to keep the environment and resources sustainable to benefit the locals, future generations
and us.

Fitness
Please verify with your doctor that you can make this journey. When booking your tour please inform
us about any medical conditions.

Restrictions
The government of India prohibits the use of a satellite phones. Firearms, stun guns, large knives as
well as any kind of fire crackers are not allowed. One carry-on bag is allowed on flights; inflammable
material and sharp objects are not permitted on board air-craft and railways.

To reserve this journey, we can be reached as follows.

Roli Jain 91 9716107609 roli@itsaboutthejourney.in

Vir Rawlley 91 9716107606 vir@itsaboutthejourney.in

It’s About the Journey

Tour Operators
Plot No. 28, Block B Pochanpur
Dwarka Sector 23,
New Delhi, India 110077

Tel 91 11 2805 2686

Online http://www.itsaboutthejourney.in