Arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport and transfer to hotel. Day free to explore at leisure.

After Breakfast this morning proceed for your sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. 

Visit the Jama Mosque one of the largest in India and constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sand stone and white marble.

Drive through the colourful shopping bazaar known as the Chandni Chowk. Next head over to the Red Fort built by builder of Taj Mahal – Shahjahan, and famous for its delicately carved inlaid and marbled royal chambers. We move forward now towards Raj Ghat where father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Lastly we stop over at the Gandhi Memorial Museum (closed on Mondays), which has fascinating items and documents related to Gandhi's life.

After lunch we head out again to complete our sightseeing of New Delhi.

We start with a visit of the Humayun's Tomb built in the mid - 16th century by Haji Begum, wife of Humayun, the `second’ Mughal Emperor and is an early example of Mughal architecture. Later drive pass by the Safdarjung’s Tomb built in 1753 AD by the Nawab of Oudh for his father Safdarjung.  Next we visit India Gate (1921) a 42 meters high stone arch of triumph stands at the eastern stand of the Rajpath and bears the name of 90,000 Indian army soldiers who died in the campaigns of WWI. 

The next stop on the tour is the Qutab Minar a soaring tower of victory which was started in 1193 immediately after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi and is 72 meters high and one of the most perfect towers in the world. Nearby stands the Iron Pillar which does not rust and has stood the vagaries of weather for 1500 years. 

After breakfast, drive to the airport to board the flight to Varanasi. At Varanasi, a chauffeur driven vehicle will await your arrival. Drive to Sarnath, located 10 km from Varanasi, for sightseeing.  Lord Buddha preached his first sermon in the Deer Park of Sarnath. Sarnath has remains of old stupas, temples and monasteries. Dharmarajika, Chaukhandi and Dhamekh stupas are outstanding. The beautifully polished Lion Capital of Ashoka is also a very fascinating to view. There is a rich library in Sarnath, along with a Mula Gandha Kutir Vihara, where you get to see excellent frescoes by Kosetsu Nosu. You will also visit the Sarnath museum that contains some of the fine specimens of Buddhist Sculpture.Later in the evening take an Aarti tour at the River Ganges, if time permits.

At the crack of dawn, we take you for a boat ride in Ganges to experience an amazing Sunrise. Return to Hotel, and after breakfast, take a city tour visiting the famous Banaras Hindu University and Bharat Mata Temple. Also, take a walking tour through the narrow streets of Varanasi, showing the spiritual bathing site of Dashashwamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat and Manikarnika Ghat, also known as “Mahashamshan”, where funeral continues throughout 24 Hrs. Then you will walk through the city of light, Kashi, the Lord Vishwanath Temple, which is first of the twelve Jyotirlingas of the Universe. The walk continues with a visit to the traditional Silk weavers, who have been hand weaving the beautiful and intricately designed Silk Saris and scarves since centuries. 

Later in the evening take an Aarti tour at River Ganges, once you reach the bank of the river, where the Mega spectacle of Ganga Aarti is performed, the Aarti ritual is best experienced by boat from the River Ganges. 

After Breakfast, drive to Gaya. Evening at Leisure.

After breakfast, your day of sightseeing begins with Bodhgaya – the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. Visit the Mahabodhi temple. This temple stands at the east of the Bodhi tree. The archaeological effect of this temple is superb. The height and top of the temple can draw anyone's attention as they signify the sovereignty of religion. The Bodhi tree is situated inside the temple premises under which Lord Buddha is known to have attained “illumination”. Also visit Buddha Archaeological Museum, and the Niranjan River. 

After breakfast, drive to Patna via Rajgir and Nalanda. Rajgir, the ancient capital of the Magadha kings is the centre of the oldest known university in the world, Nalanda University. The ruins of the university reveal that it was the first international university of the world, where over 2,000 teachers and 1,000 students lived together and studied. So, here you get a glimpse of the system of education and the efforts made for it in ancient days. This area is also notable in Jainismand Buddhism. It was the birthplace of the 20th Jain, Tirthankar Munisuvrata, and is closely associated with the arihant Mahavira and Gautam Buddha. Both Lord Mahavira and Lord Buddha taught their beliefs in Rajgir.

 

There is another important place for Jainism is Pawapuri. The Jal Mandir meaning Water Temple, is dedicated to Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara (religious preacher of Jainism), which marks the place of his cremation. Mahavira attained Nirvana (salvation) in Pawapuri in 527 BC.

We then continue our drive to Patna. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel.

After Breakfast, drive to Kushinagar en-route visiting Vaishali. Vaishali is the place where Lord Buddha delivered his last sermon and announced his implanting 'Nirvana'. This place is also famous for Ashoka Pillar. Continue drive to Kushinagar. on arrival at Kushinagar, check-in at the hotel and day at Leisure. If time permits, in evening, we take you for sightseeing tour of Mahaparinirvana temple and Ramabhar stupa. 

After Breakfast, drive to Lumbini. Upon arrival, Check - in at hotel. After a short rest proceed for sightseeing in Lumbini and spend some time there for performing sacred ceremonies. From here, visit the sacred garden of Mayadevi temple that depicts birth of Lord Buddha and also demonstrates the Ashok Pillar and Sakyan tank. Mayadevi, the mother of Buddha took bath in the Sakyan tank before giving birth to Lord Buddha.