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Optional Extension to India
In the Footsteps of Lord Buddha
A Cultural Exploration of the Sacred Sites of India
Past Tour
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Tour Leader Clinical Herbalist and Ayurvedic Practitioner, Todd
Caldecott has been in private practice for over a decade. Aside from his
medical training in Herbal Medicine and Ayurveda, his studies have been
diverse, including classical Indian (carnatic) music and Buddhist
meditation. Read more about Todd on our
About Your Tour Leader
page.
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Detailed Itinerary
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Day 11 Fri, Mar 13: Travel from Kathmandu to Lumbini, Guided City tour (B) |
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 Fly from Kathmandu to Lumbini. Meet and greet on arrival at
the airport and transfer to the hotel for check in. After settling into our
hotel we head out for a guided tour of sacred Lumbini, which means “the lovely”
in Sanskrit, a Buddhist pilgrimage site where pilgrims from across the globe
flock to. Lumbini is said to be the place where Queen Mayadevi gave birth
to Siddartha Gautama, the Lord Buddha, who in turn gave birth to Buddhism. The
holy site of Lumbini is a UNESCO World Heritage site, bordered by a large
monastic zone, in which no shops, hotels or restaurants can be built, only
monasteries. It is separated into an eastern and western monastic zone, the
eastern having the Theravadin monasteries, the western having Mahayana and
Vajrayana monasteries. The holy site of Lumbini also has ruins of ancient
monasteries, a sacred Bodhi tree, an ancient bathing pond, the Asokan pillar,
and the Mayadevi temple, the precise place of birth of the Buddha.
Overnight in Lumbini |
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12 Sat, Mar 14: Transfer from Lumbini to Kushinagar, India (B) |
After breakfast we bid our farewells to Nepal and drive from Lumbini to
Kushinagar, crossing the Indian border. Kushinagar, an important Buddhist
pilgrimage site, is the place where Lord Buddha preached his last sermon and
breathed his last breath. During this last sermon, Buddha proclaimed “All things
must pass. Decay is inherent in all things”. In ancient times Kushinagar was
known as Kushavati with many stupas and viharas dating back to the 3rd century
BC. Now Kushinagar welcomes tourists and pilgrims from across the world and is
home to many temples constructed by Indian, Chinese, Sri Lankan, Thai, Burmese,
South Korean, Tibetan and Japanese Buddhists, as well as ancient monasteries and
stupas. Here we will enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city and visit Rambhar
Stupa, the most important landmark in Kushinagar where Lord Buddha was
cremated.
Overnight in Kushinagar |
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Day 13
Sun, Mar 15: Travel to Patna; enroute visit Vaishali (B) |
 This morning we will continue on to Patna, stopping enroute in
the ancient city of Vaishali which received its name from King Vashal. At
the time of the Buddha, Vaishali was a very large, rich and prosperous city, but
is now a small village surrounded by banana and mango groves as well as rice
fields. Buddha first visited Vaishali in the fifth year after his Enlightenment
and continued to visit frequently to preach his sermons. On the outskirts of the
village lies the grand double-storied Buddhist Monastery where Buddha taught. Here he founded the Holy Order which admitted women and allowed them to attend
his sermons and teachings.
 One of the greatest legends of Buddha states that it
was here in Vaishali, when on one of his visits, several monkeys dug up a water
tank for Lord Buddha’s comfort and offered him a bowl of honey to eat.
After out visit we will continue on to the modern city of Patna, one of
the oldest continually inhabited places in the world. Upon arrival we will check
into our hotel and retire for the evening.
Overnight in Patna |
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Day 14 Mon, Mar 16: Travel to Bodhgaya; enroute visit Nalanda & Rajgir (B) |
Today we travel to Bodhgaya, famous for being the place
of Lord Buddha’s attainment of Nirvana, stopping enroute to visit Nalanda and
Rajgir.
 Nalanda was a great centre of Buddhist learning which flourished between
the 5th & 12th century and has been called “one of the first great universities
in recorded history”. The name Nalanda is a Sanskrit word that means “giver of
knowledge”. Huen Tsang, the famous Chinese traveller, has left glowing accounts
of the activities at Nalanda and the site has attracted students from all over
India, South East Asia and China.
Next we move on to Rajgir. Rajgir, which means “house of the king”, was
the ancient capital city of the Magadha kings until the 5th century BC when
Ajatashatru moved the capital to Pataliputra. In those days, it was called
Rajgrih, which translates as “the home of Royalty”.
 The rocky Rajgir hills are
known for a large number of Buddhist and Jain monuments. During Buddha’s
lifetime, the hills and caves were home to many spiritual teachers. Like many
others in search of truth, Lord Buddha renounced his royal heritage and came to
this city to seek the path of salvation. Rajgir is now home to the World
Peace Studio with its images of the Buddha, and the Nipponzan Myohoji
Temple, both built by the Japanese. The area is also a popular winter escape
due to the hot springs and pools which add to the charm of this holy place.
We continue on to Bodhgaya and check in to our hotel for our overnight stay.
Overnight in Bodhgaya |
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Day 15 Tue, Mar 17:
Bodhgaya Sightseeing (B) |
 After breakfast we begin our sightseeing tour of sacred
Bodhgaya. Historically, it was known as the Bodhimanda, ground around the
Bodhi-tree, where Gautama Siddartha sat in meditation to reach enlightenment.
Disciples of Gautama began to visit this sacred site during the full moon in the
month of Vaisakh (April-May) as per the Hindu calendar. Over time the site
became known as the Bodh Gaya, whereas the day of enlightenment became known as
Buddha Purnima, and the tree as the Bodhi Tree. Today Bodhgaya is an important
place of pilgrimage visited by many in search of wisdom and enlightenment.
Though it is not mentioned in the scriptures, the Buddha must have visited
Bodhgaya again in the course of his teaching career. About 250 years after the
Enlightenment, the Buddhist Emperor, Ashoka visited the site and founded the
Mahabodhi Temple and established a monastery.
 According to the tradition, Ashoka erected a diamond throne shrine at this spot with a canopy supported by
four pillars over a stone representation of the Vajrasana, the Seat of
Enlightenment. The temple's architecture is superb, but its history is shrouded
in obscurity. It was constructed with the main intention of making it a monument
and not a receptacle for the relics of the Buddha. Several shrines were
constructed which encased images as altars of worship. The basement of the
present temple is 15m square, 15m in length as well as in breadth, and its
height is 52m which rises in the form of a slender pyramid tapering off from a
square platform. On its four corners, four towers gracefully rise to some
height. The whole architectural plan gives pose and balance to the observers.
Inside the temple there is a colossal image of the Buddha in the “touching the
ground pose”, Bhumisparsha mudra. This image is said to be 1700 years old and is
facing east at exactly the place where the Buddha sat in meditation with his
back to the Bodhi tree and attained enlightenment.
Overnight in Bodhgaya |
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Day 16 Wed, Mar 18: Travel
to Varanasi (B) |
This morning we depart Bodhgaya and travel to Varanasi,
the spiritual heart of India. Our drive will take a better part of the day so we
will be able to sit back, relax, reflect and enjoy the surroundings as we
continue on our journey. Regarded as a holy place by Buddhists, Hindus and Jains
alike, Varanasi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world
and its culture is closely associated with the river Ganges and the river's
religious importance.
Upon arrival, we check into our hotel and settle in for the evening.
Overnight Varanasi |
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Day 17 Thu, Mar 19: Early Morning Boat Trip on River Ganges; Walking Tour of
Varanasi; Travel to Agra (B, D) |
 We awake in the early morning and revel in a relaxing boat
ride on the holy River Ganges to greet the dawn. Experience the early
morning life in the city, which revolves around the ghats, abuzz with activity.
Witness pilgrims, yogis and mystics who flock to the ghats which lie along the
banks of the Ganges, to take a cleansing dip in India's holiest river, practice
yoga, meditate, or to complete mundane earthly chores such as washing clothes
and vessels. We then return to our hotel to enjoy breakfast followed by some
independent time to enjoy the city.
 In the afternoon we begin our walking tour of Varanasi. Since Varanasi is
mainly associated with Hinduism, the temples will be the main attraction. Some
of the temples we may visit are the Durga Temple, the Vishwanath
Temple, the Sankat Mochan Temple, the Tulsi Manas Temple, and
the Bharat Mata Temple, which houses a huge relief map of the whole
Indian subcontinent and the Tibetan Plateau. We will also stroll by the Ganga
Ghats (river fronts) which are the main centre of religious activities and
rituals and also one of the main attractions of the city. We will stop to visit
the Alamgir Mosque, also known as Beni Madhav Ka Darera. The Mosque,
built by Aurangzeb, is a blend of the Hindu and Mughal styles of the
architecture. Alamgir stands on the site of another of Varanasi's most ancient
and sacred shrine, the Temple of Bindu Madhava, and overlooks the Panchganga
Ghat.
In the evening we gather together for dinner at the Ideal Tower and then
transfer to the railway station to board an overnight train for Agra.
Overnight on Train |
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Day 18 Fri,
Mar 20: Visit Agra Fort and Taj Mahal (B, L) |
 We arrive in Agra at approximately 7:15 am and transfer
to our hotel. We begin the day by enjoying breakfast at the hotel and then off
for a visit of Agra Fort. The fort, which lies on the bend of the River
Yamuna, was built by Emperor Akbar between 1565 and 1573, and reveals the Mughal
talent for combining defensive architecture with beauty and design. Construction
for this fort palace was initiated by Akbar as a purely defensive citadel. It
was subsequently completed by two successive generations that added the delicate
mosaic and magnificent marble palaces. The fort is the history of Mughal life in
Agra and offers a magical view of the Taj Mahal.
 After our visit of the Fort we
enjoy lunch at the Taj View Hotel.
Following lunch we visit the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal to admire its
splendour. Built by Sha Jahan in 1630 for his Queen, Mumatz Mahal to enshrine
her mortal remains, it is described as “a tear on the face of eternity” by the
poet laureate Tagore, and is an enduring monument to love. This architectural
marvel is a perfectly proportioned masterpiece fashioned from white marble that
stands testimony to the skill of 20,000 craftsmen brought together from Persia,
Turkey, France and Italy. The construction of this “Love Poem in Marble” took 17
years to complete.
Overnight in Agra |
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Day 19
Sat, Mar 21: Travel to Delhi, Farewell Dinner (B, D) |
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we check out. Today we
spend the day driving to Delhi, giving us another opportunity to relax and
regroup and share all our experiences and insights thus far.
Upon arrival in Delhi we will check into out hotel, settle in, and then gather
together to enjoy our Farewell Dinner.
Overnight in Delhi |
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Day 20
Sun, Mar 22: Full Day Sightseeing Tour; Depart Delhi (B) |
 After breakfast we head out for a full day of sightseeing in
New Delhi and Old Delhi. We begin the tour of New Delhi with a visit to
the Qutab Minar Complex, overshadowed by the 234 foot Victory Tower,
followed by the spectacular Rajpath, passing the triumphant House of
Parliament, Diplomatic Enclave, President’s House, and the
India Gate. We also stop to visit the famous Birla Mandir.
Enjoy lunch independently. In the afternoon we continue with the second part of
our tour through Old Delhi. We visit the great Red Fort, the
opulent residence of Sha Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal and the magnificent
Modu Masjid (Pearl Mosque), which dominates the skyline. We then visit the
Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, and later walk through
Chandi Chowk, the old marketplace of Shahajahanabad, now a picturesque
bazaar. Later in the day we explore some of the main shopping areas in Delhi to
pick up some last minute gifts and souvenirs.
A late evening transfer takes us to the Delhi international airport for our
return home. (Many international flights depart late in the evening. Please
advise us of your flight details.) |
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Tour Inclusions
& Price |
Tour Includes: |
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Airfare from Kathmandu to Lumbini |
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8 nights accommodation at 4 star hotels and 1
night accommodation in Sleeper Berth on Train |
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Arrival and Departure transfers |
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Daily Breakfast, 1 Lunch and 2 Dinners |
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Private Transportation throughout |
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Train Fare from Agra to Varanasi in 2nd Class
Sleeper Berth |
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Hotel taxes |
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India Service Tax of 3.09% on entire tour |
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Baggage handling at the hotels (1 bag per
person) |
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Admission to all sites as per itinerary |
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Services of local English speaking guides for
all sightseeing as per itinerary |
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Added Features:
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Travel with Clinical Herbalist and Ayurvedic
Practitioner Todd Caldecott |
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Boat Ride on River Ganges |
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Lunch at Taj View Hotel |
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Sacred Sites relating to Lord Buddha |
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Tour does not include:
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International Airfare |
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Cancellation & Medical Insurance (ask us for a
quote if you are Canadian) |
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Tips for Bellboys, Maids, Restaurant Waiters,
Local Guides and Bus Driver |
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Meals and drinks not included, as indicated in
the itinerary |
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Accommodation or Day Room for the night of
March 22 in Delhi |
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Cost to obtain valid Passport and Tourist Visa |
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Any items of a personal nature such as
laundry, drinks and telephone calls. Any item that is not specifically detailed
on our website or in the final trip itinerary |
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| Tour Price |
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| Tour Price Per Person (Land Only) |
Single Supplement |
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USD $1995.00 |
USD $530.00 |
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| Please call us for a quote on airfare from
your home city |
Note: The single supplement is ONLY for those who would like to secure
a private room throughout the tour, at the indicated additional price. If you
are not traveling with anyone you know and would like to share a room, we will
be happy to work to find you a suitable roommate. Per our Terms and Conditions,
registration for the tour will be held open until two weeks before the departure
date in order to try to match everyone with a roommate. If by that date we have
not been able to match you with a suitable roommate, you will be responsible to
pay for the single supplement. An early registration will facilitate this
process. |
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Photograph by
Alex Furr
Tour Photos by Peter
Langer |
© 2003 - 2010 Sacred
Earth Journeys.
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