Buddha Calling

On arrival at Gaya airport, you will be greeted and warmly welcomed by Footloose Holidays representative who will assist you to transfer to your pre-booked hotel. Relax for a while and enjoy your lunch before you visit Mahabodhi Temple complex, a spiritual experience of a different level that will give a good beginning to your pilgrimage of all the destinations related to Lord Buddha. You will be back at the hotel after a busy day for a delicious dinner and a relaxed night stay.

Next day, after the breakfast, you will be very excited as it is time to spend the complete day in sightseeing of Bodhgaya, the international pilgrimage center of the world which holds a very important place in the hearts of a pilgrim who feels the lord’s divine presence in Mahabodhi Temple, Sujata Village, Niranjana River, Lord Buddha’s Statue & various international monasteries. Enjoy your meals and overnight stay at the hotel in Bodhgaya.

The following morning, post a hearty breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to Rajgir where you get to see other significant places like Gridhakutta, one of the greatest destinations in Buddhist Pilgrimage which is also known by the name of Vulture’s or Eagle’s peak. Other places to visit are Venuvanaram & Bimbisar jail. Bimbisar was one of the Kings of Magadha Empire, believed to be the protector of Lord Buddha. Come back to the hotel to have lunch at the hotel. Continue your drive to Nalanda where you get to witness the valuable and precious ruins of the world’s ancient as well as the most respected University of its time, where Buddhist studies attracted a lot of students all over the world. By the evening, come back to the hotel at Bodhgaya where dinner and overnight stay await you.

Post your breakfast at the hotel, the following morning, it is time to head for a destination called the national spiritual center of India. On arrival, check-in at the hotel and after lunch it is time to explore Sarnath (14 Kms), a place located at the confluence of two rivers and one of the four places of pilgrimage that Buddha suggested, his devout followers should visit. Here, you must visit Dhamekha Stupa, the peaceful and serene Deer Park and Museum (closed on Friday). After the visit, return to the hotel to enjoy delicious dinner and a comfortable overnight stay.

Early next morning make your morning more exciting with a boat ride on the Holy River Ganga with a soulfully enchanting view of magnificent sunrise. Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and get ready to check-out and drive towards Kushinagar, a pilgrimage town where Lord Buddha attained Parinirvana or salvation. Enjoy your lunch en route at a local restaurant. On arrival at Kushinagar, check-in at your pre-booked hotel. Have a relaxed evening at the hotel along with dinner and a peaceful overnight stay.

The following morning, after having your breakfast at the hotel, proceed to visit Mahaparinirvana Temple and Ramabhar Stupa which is built over a portion of Buddha’s ashes and thus hold a special place in the hearts of pilgrims. Come back to have lunch at the hotel and then you will be driven to Sharavasti, a district of Uttar Pradesh, a place equally enchanting for the Buddhists’ pilgrims. On arrival at Sharavasti, you will be checking- in at the pre-booked hotel; time to relax here with delicious dinner and a comfortable overnight stay.

Post a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, proceed to visit Jetvanaram & Angulimal caves, signifying another chapter of Lord Buddha’s life. Post an early lunch, you will be driven to Lumbini, located in Nepal, the neighbouring country where you need to obtain double entry visa for India & single entry visa for Nepal. On the way, visit Kapilvastu, a place where Lord Buddha’s childhood can be felt around the entire place. On arrival at Lumbini, you will be transferred to your pre-booked hotel. Enjoy your overnight stay at the hotel along with delicious dinner.

Early next morning, enjoy the early rays of the sunlight falling and blessing you at the Holy Birth place of Lord Buddha. Coming back will not be easy from such a mesmerising place. Nevertheless, enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, time to be driven to the airport to board the flight for Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital. On arrival at Kathmandu, you will be received by Footloose Holidays representative who will escort you for lunch at the local restaurant. Post lunch proceed to visit Swayambhunath Temple and Durbar Square, significant Buddhist pilgrimage destinations; overnight stay at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Following morning, after the breakfast at the hotel, proceed for the full day sightseeing of Kathmandu city, visit Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple, enriching you more with spiritual experience. Utilise some leisure time to explore the local market and shop anything you fancy. Enjoy your lunch and dinner at a local restaurant, tasting something from Nepali cuisine. Come back for the overnight stay at the hotel.

Post a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel you can enjoy rest of the time for leisure activities and as per your flight schedule, you will be transferred to airport to board your flight for onward journey /destination, taking along with you many sweet memories and an inspired heart.