Follow in the footsteps of one of the world's greatest religions as you visit the sacred sites of the Indian regions of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. This pilgrimage tour to discover the life of the Buddha will take you from the plains bordering the Himalayas to the peaceful waters of the Ganges. A truly life-size discovery of what many consider to be more of a philosophy than a religion. It will also be an opportunity to discover the charm and authenticity of the Bihar countryside, far removed from the fervour of India's big cities.
Itinerary: Delhi-Agra-Bhopal-Sanchi-Bhimbetka-Lucknow-Sravastri-Balrampur-Lumbini-Kushinagar-Vaishali
Patna-Nalanda-Rajgir-Bodh Gay-Varanasi
Day 1 France / Delhi
Flight from France to Delhi. Typical welcome with a flower necklace and, depending on your arrival time, transfer to the hotel. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 2 Delhi / Agra
After breakfast, departure for Agra. Lunch en route. Arrive in Agra and check into hotel. You will then visit the Red Fort. It is the largest in the whole of India. It was built in 1573 and took 8 years to complete. The end of the day is free to explore the city of Agra and its typical bustling markets. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 Agra / Bhopal
After breakfast and very early in the morning, visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise. The Taj Mahal is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. This white marble memorial was built by Cha Jahan for his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. It took 22 years to build. There is a lot to be said about the Taj Mahal, not least its perfectly symmetrical architecture. Transfer to the station to catch your train to Bhopal. Lunch depending on departure time. Arrival, welcome and check-in at the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, visit the city, the Central Museum and Ghandi Hall. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 Bhopal / Sanchi / Bhimbetka / Lucknow
After breakfast, departure for an excursion to Sanchi, one of India's most beautiful Buddhist sites, and home to an imposing stupa. Then an excursion to Bhimbetka, home to magnificent caves decorated with prehistoric paintings. Lunch during the visit. Return to Bhopal at the end of the day and transfer to the station in the evening to catch your night train to Lucknow. Picnic dinner and overnight on the train
Day 5 Lucknow / Sravastri
Arrival in Lucknow and breakfast before setting off for Sravastri. Lunch en route. It was in Sravastri that Buddha stayed after his enlightenment and performed several miracles. At the end of the day, visit the town and its significant sites, and discover the archaeological site. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 Sravastri / Balrampur / Lumbini
After breakfast, drive to Lumbini. On the way, visit Balrampur. Border crossing at Sonauli, then on to Lumbini. Lunch en route. Arrive and check into hotel. Lumbini is considered to be the traditional birthplace of the Buddha in ancient India, his mother having given birth on the way to Kapilavastu, the capital of the family clan. At the holy site of Lumbini, discover the ruins of the ancient monastery, the sacred Bodhi tree, the Ashoka pillar and the Mayadevi temple, which stands on the exact spot where the Buddha was born. From dawn to dusk, pilgrims from different countries chant and meditate on the site. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 7 Lumbini / Kushinagar
After breakfast, departure for Kushinagar, where Buddha ended his life at the age of 80. If also the place where Buddha attained nirvana. Visit the Mathakunwar shrine, which houses a blue shale statue of Buddha, and Ramabhar, a stupa erected on the site of the cremation. Lunch during the visits. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 8 Kushinagar / Vaishali / Patna
After breakfast, drive to Vaishali, a city intimately linked to the earthly life of Buddha, before and after his enlightenment. The site boasts a red sandstone Ashoka column, stupas, Bawan Khotar temple and Chaumuki Mahadeva. Continue to Patna and visit Vaishali. Lunch en route. Arrive in Patna, capital of the state of Bihar and check into hotel. You will then visit the city museum, which houses a fine collection of sculptures and thangkas. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 Patna / Nalanda / Rajgir / Bodh Gaya
After breakfast, departure for Nalanda, to visit one of the world's largest universities and an important Buddhist centre. Visit to the archaeological museum. Continue on to Rajgir, the ancient capital of Magadha. It was in Rajgir that Buddha lived for several years. Lunch during the visit. Arrive at Bodh Gaya at the end of the day and check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 Bodh Gaya
After breakfast, you will visit the place where Buddha attained enlightenment, at the foot of a fig tree. Today, a pyramid has been built there. You will also discover the Mahabodhi temple, surrounded by gardens where many pilgrims come to meditate and practise their religion. Return to the city and visit the most interesting Buddhist monasteries. Lunch during the visits. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 Bodh Gaya / Varanasi
After breakfast, this day's drive will take you to Varanasi, the oldest and most spiritual city in the world. Lunch en route. Arrive late afternoon and check into your hotel. End of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 Varanasi
Early morning boat trip on the Ganges, to admire the sunrise with music coming directly from the temples. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Later you will discover the Kashi Vishwanath temple, the famous temple dedicated to Shiva and situated on the banks of the Ganges. You will also discover other temples dedicated to other deities such as the temple of Durga, Bharat and Tulsi Manas. You will then discover the University of Banaras, the most famous in India, and enjoy the large gardens and monuments typical of Varanasi. Lunch in a typical restaurant during the visits. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 13 Varanasi / Sarnath/ Varanasi / Delhi(Night train)
After breakfast, the morning is free. Lunch on your own. Then off to visit Sarnath, the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon. Return to Varanasi and watch the magnificent sunset over the Ganges at the end of the day. Then, depending on the time of your train, transfer to the station to catch your train to Delhi. Picnic dinner and overnight on the train.
Day 14 Delhi / France
Welcome at the station and transfer to the hotel. After breakfast you will set off to explore Old and New Delhi. You will visit the most important and significant places in the Indian capital. During the day, you will admire the Gate of India, a monument to the soldiers who gave their lives in the First World War. You can also visit the Humanyo Tomb, a magnificent example of Mughal architecture. Lunch during the visit. You will then set off to discover the new Delhi, with the Raj Ghat housing the memorial to Gandhi, the father of the nation. You will be able to contemplate the Qutub Minar, also known as the Victory Tower, which remains the tallest tower in India and the third tallest in the world. Finally, you'll head to the Connaught district, which is characterised by its lively, modern feel. Here you can see the Presidential Palace, Parliament and the country's other institutions. At the end of the day, you'll have time to shop for souvenirs. Then, depending on your flight time, transfer to Delhi airport to catch your international flight to France. End of our services.
Day 15 France
Arrival in France.
