11D10n Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour

11D10N BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE TOUR

Day 1 Kuala Lumpur – Delhi Upon arrival at airport, you will meet with our representative and transfer to hotel. Overnight in hotel. Day 2 Delhi – Patna (By Domestic Flight (B) After breakfast, you will be transferred to airport for your domestic flight to Patna. Arrival, meet and transfer to hotel. Afternoon excursion to Vaishali (55kms) – known for Buddha Stupas, Ashoka Pillar and Bawan Pokhar Temple. This is the place where Buddha announced his Mahaparinirvana and happened to be the birthplace of Lord Mahavira. Day 3 Patna – Nalanda – Rajgir – Bodhgaya (B) (Distance 140kms) After breakfast, proceed for Bodhgaya (140kms / 4 hrs.). En-route visit Nalanda and Rajgir. Nalanda – a great center of Buddhist learning and one of the most famed university citadels of ancient times. Rajgir, it was once the ancient capital of the powerful Kingdom of Maghada. From the outskirt of Rajgir, a historic road leads to Gridhakuta or vultures peak where the Buddha preached. Here the first Buddhist Council was held after Lord’s Mahaparinirvana. Arrival, check in hotel. Day 4 Bodhgaya (B) Full day visit – Bodhgaya, in the state of Bihar, reckoned as the most important Buddhist pilgrimage center. It is the place where Lord Sakyamuni (Gautam Buddha) entered into meditation after being moved by the sufferings of mankind. The giant Bodhi Tree (Peepal) that we see today is believed to have grown from the original Bodhi Tree under which, sitting on the raised platform, Prince Siddharth meditated and finally attained Nirvana. Then there is Chaukramana, the Jewel Walk, where it is believed that the Buddha strolled while in deep thought. Also visit Shaivite Monastery and famous Jagganath Temple. Overnight in hotel. Day 5 Bodhgaya – Varanasi (B) (Distance 250 kms / 7 hrs). In morning drive to Varanasi Varanasi is famous for Hindus and Buddhists as its close proximity to Sarnath. On arrival, you will be transferred to hotel. Day 6 Varanasi (B) Early morning boat excursion on the river Ganges, a ferry pilgrimage from ghat to ghat. People bathe early in the morning to offer the prayers to the rising sun. Return back to hotel for breakfast. Later sightseeing tour of the city including the Bharat Mata Temple with a big relief map of India in marble, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Banaras Hindu University which has an Art Gallery and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb built on the site of an ancient Hindu Temple. This afternoon, excursion to Sarnath – where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. Visit the ruins, the stupa, the Buddhist Temple and the Museum (closed on Friday). Day 7 Varanasi – Kushinagar (B) (250kms / 8 hrs) Drive to Kushinagar. Upon arrival, check in hotel. Here is the place where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana in his 18th year. Overnight at hotel. Day 8 Kushinagar – Lumbini (B) In morning visit Kushinagar, one of the principal centers of Buddhist pilgrimage, is the place Mahaparinirvana. The monuments of Kushinagar are situated in three distinct comprising the main site of the Nirvana Temple, the central stupa and surrounding monasteries. Later you will be driven to Lumbini (Nepal – 170kms / 4 hrs), Arrival, check in to hotel. Day 9 Lumbani– Sravasti (B) In morning visit the village of Lumbini in Nepal, where the Queen Mahamaya gave birth to Prince Siddhartha who later became the Buddha. Over 2000 years ago the Emperor Ashoka set up a commemorative pillar here. The pillar carries the inscription – Here the Buddha was born. Another shrine preserves an ancient image depicting the nativity of the Lord. Later proceed to Sravasti (150kms / 4 hrs.) and check in to hotel. Day 10 Sravasti – Gonda – Delhi (B) Today your visit will include the sacred city for Buddhists. Buddha himself spent many summers here to deliver important sermons. Here Anathapindaka was built in the garden of Prince Jeta for the reception of the Buddha. Today, the remains unearthed testify to the flourishing condition of this sacred spot in the Gupta period. Drive straight to Gonda railway station (40kms) to connect train no 2553 Vaishali Express departing 1940hrs. Overnight in train.

Day 11 Delhi – Kuala Lumpur (B) Arrive Delhi at 0600hrs. Later proceed to wash & change with breakfast at hotel. Morning you will be taken for full day city tour of Old & New Delhi. Morning visit Qutub Minar built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibek in 1199, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate (War Memorial Arch) and Lakshminarayan Temple – a modern Hindu Temple. Drive pass President’s House, Parliament House, Government Secretariat Buildings and Connaught Place shopping centre. Afternoon visit Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana – the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, Jama Masjid, Red Fort and passing through Chandni Chowk. Special dinner before departure. Transfer to airport for the flight back to home.

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Ground Tour cost valid till 31 March 2019 HOTEL ENVISAGED: City 3 Star 4 Star 5 Star ITC Dwarka or similar Sohi Residency or similar UDMAN or similar Delhi www.itchotels.in/hotels/new- http://www.sohiresidency.com/ http://www.udmanhotels.com/ delhi/welcomhoteldwarka.html Ashoka or similar Chanakya or similar Chanakya or similar Patna http://ashokpatna.com/ http://chanakyapatna.com/new/ http://chanakyapatna.com/new/

Taj Darbar or similar Royal Residency or similar Royal Residency or similar Bodhgaya http://www.hoteltajdarbar.com/ http://www.theroyalresidency.co/ http://www.theroyalresidency.co/ Ramada or similar City Inn or similar Grapevine or similar wyndhamhotels.com/ramada/varanas Varanasi http://www.hotelcityinn.org/t http://hotelgrapevine.in/ i-india/ramada-plaza-jhv- ariff.html varanasi/overview COST PER PERSON IN MYR: Category Single 2pax 4 pax 6 pax 8 pax Child WB Child WOB 3 Star 5720 3892 3694 3545 3477 2609 1596

4 Star 6806 4263 3519 3308 3090 3115 2030

5 Star 7457 4745 4001 3790 3572 3405 2392 Inclusion: 1. Meeting and assistance on arrival and departure by our representative 2. Accommodation on twin sharing basis as per itinerary 3. Daily breakfast 4. Transportation as per itinerary 5. Aerial Ropeway to visit Shanti Stupa 6. Moring Boat ride over River Ganges in Varanasi 7. English speaking tour guide 8. Monument entrance fees 9. Domestic flight (Delhi – Patna) & Train (Gonda – Delhi) 10. Travel Insurance (Applicable for Malaysian Passport Holder only) Exclusion: 1. Return international flight ticket 2. Indian Visa MYR 400 per person : 4 months validity 3. Lunch and dinner 4. Camera fees etc. not specified 5. Personal expenses like phone calls, laundry, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages 6. Porterage & restaurant tips. 7. Optional tour and any other expenses or services not mentioned in inclusions 8. Any transport during the day at leisure / Tipping / Any additional rides Note: 1. Price valid till 31 March 2019 2. 15 Nov – 20 Dec 2018 – Peak + 10% 3. 21 Dec 2018 – 05 Jan 2019 & CNY 2019 – Super Peak + 15% 4. Rate and itinerary subject to change without prior notice