Duration of Tour: 12th October - 5th
November
Destinations Covered: Delhi, Dharamshala, Agra, Jaipur, Pushkar,
Jodhpur, Orcha, Khajuraho, Varanasi, Somnath, Bodhgaya
Major features of the Buddhist Pilgrimage tour :
Oct 12th: Delhi
Arrive in Delhi, transfer to hotel, overnight in Delhi.
Oct 13th: Delhi To Pathankot
Half day sightseeing in Delhi before boarding the overnight train to
Pathankot.
Oct 14th - 19th: Dharamshala
Drive 3 hours to Dharamshala where the Tibetan community has made their
home since the Chinese occupation of their country. Over the next 5 days we
participate in daily Buddhist teaching and visit monasteries, the Tibetan
Children's Village, home to 2300 refugee children, the Aster and Medical
Institute preserving Tibetan medicine and enjoy a Cultural Show by the
Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts. Afternoon audience with His Holiness
The Karmapa.
On the evening of the 19th, drive to Pathankot for overnight train to Agra.
Oct 20th: Agra Arrive Agra in the early afternoon and
check in the hotel. Afternoon visit the Taj Mahal. The white marble changes
colour with different light conditions. O/N at Agra.
Oct 21st: Agra To Jaipur Via Fatehpur Sikri
Morning visit Agra Fort and the deserted city of Fatephur Sikri. Continue
onto Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, the desert state where camels abound
and ancient forts and palaces dot the skyline. Afternoon at leisure to
explore the markets within the old walled city. Jaipur is famous for its
block printed textiles and gem cutting. O/N at Jaipur.
Oct 22nd: Jaipur
Morning visit to the Jaipur Palace, the last home of one of India's
wealthiest Maharajas, Jai Singh's Astronomical Observatory and the Palace of
the Winds, built specially for the royal ladies to watch the annual
processions. Visit the Amber Fort a short distance from Jaipur. We make our
ascent to the palace on elephant back, as the Maharaja would have done. O/N
at Jaipur.
Oct
23rd: Jaipur To Pushkar
Morning free for personal activities and exploring the old city. After
lunch drive to Pushkar. O/N Pushkar (if you are taking the 12 day option
then you return to Delhi this afternoon to catch your evening flight home)
Oct 24th: Pushkar
Day exploring the temples and lakeside areas. Option for short Evening
camel ride at sunset. O/N at Pushkar.
Oct 25th: Jodhpur
Morning drive to Jodhpur. Afternoon free O/N Jodhpur.
Oct 26th: Jodhpur
Morning sightseeing of the Meherangarh Fort, the old city with its blue
houses and Maharajah's cenotaph. Afternoon excursion to the Jain Temples at
Osiyan. O/N at Jodhpur.
Oct 27th: Bishnoi Villages
Morning trip out to the Bishnoi villages who are a Jain sect whose main
philosophy and work is the protection of wildlife and trees. Afternoon
transfer to railway station for overnight train to Agra.
Oct 28th: Agra To Orchha
Arrive in Agra in the early morning and after breakfast drive to Orchha.
Afternoon sightseeing of the Temples and palaces of Orchha. O/N Orchha
Oct 29th: To Khajuraho
Morning free to relax and afternoon drive to Khajuraho. Evening sound and
light show at the Temples. O/N Khajuraho
Oct 30th: Khajuraho
Full day visiting the extensive Temple complexes spread throughout
Khajuraho. O/N at Khajuraho.
Oct 31st: To Varanasi
Morning visit to Panna National Park for Jungle safari and elephant ride.
Afternoon flight to Varanasi arriving at 2.30 PM. Evening boat ride on the
Ganges for sunset and Arati. O/N at Varanasi.
Nov 1st: Varanasi
Dawn boat ride on the Ganges past the Bathing Ghats and Cremation Sites.
Varanasi is the most sacred place for a Hindu to explore in order to prepare
for death and to die on the banks of the Ganges. City sightseeing of
Varanasi, markets etc. Afternoon visit to Sarnath, where Buddha gave the
first sermon to his initial four students.
Nov 2nd: Bodhgaya
Full day drive to Bodhgaya. O/N Bodhgaya
Nov
3rd: Bodhgaya
Today we visit the Mahabodhi Temple and Bodhi Tree, the place of Buddha's
enlightenment. Many Buddhist countries also have their own Temples here,
full of colour and devotion. We visit the Japanese, Chinese and Tibetan
Temples as well as the huge Buddha statue built by the Japanese. Overnight
in Bodhgaya.
Nov 4th: Bodhgaya
Morning at leisure exploring Bodhgaya. Afternoon transfer to Gaya station
for overnight train to Delhi.
Nov 5th: Bodhgaya
Arrive in New Delhi in the early morning. Transfer to hotel before evening
transfer to the airport for flights home.
Includes:
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