An Italian Summer

9D8N BUDDHIST CIRCUIT TOUR

Itinerary:- DAY 1 : ARRIVE DELHI On arrival with meeting and assistance at the airport, our representative will meet to welcome and escort you to the Hotel. While the room keys and check-in is organized, our representative will also hand over the “Welcome Folder” documents and brief you the tour Programmed.

Delhi – the capital city of India, and can be called as a major gateway to India. Delhi is one of the most important metropolitan in India, as it is the city of power. It has a very good combination of both modern, as well as ancient culture. In these 3000 years of its existence, there has been the origin of seven more cities, where the traditional Indian capital is. Strategic location, mixture of modern and Indian culture, rich history, medieval market, beside the modern ones etc are the main reasons for choosing it, Delhi is a city waiting to be explored. It is also known as the Headquarters of Indian politics, as most of the heads of the Indian government and other political parties; reside here, including the Prime Minister, and President of the country. Overnight Stay at hotel.

DAY 02: DELHI - LUCKNOW – SRAVASTI (174 KMS/03 HRS)

After breakfast transfer to the airport to board the flight for Lucknow. Upon arrival at Lucknow airport meet with our representative and drive to Sravasti, The capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, has the honour for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetavana Gardens. It is sacred to Buddhists because it is here that Lord Buddha performed the Tirthika heretics. Upon arrival check into the hotel, after fresh-n-up sightseeing tour around Sravasti.

Visiting Jetavana and Ananda Bodhi Tree: Jetavana was one of the most famous of the Buddhist monasteries or viharas in India. It was the second vihara donated to Gautama Buddha after the Veluvana in Rajgir. Jetavana is located just outside the old city of Savatthi. There was also an important vihara named Jetavana in Sri Lanka. Jetavana was the place where the Buddha gave the majority of his teachings and discourses, having passed at Jetavana nineteen out of 45 vassas, more than in any other monastery. It is said that after the Migāramātupāsāda, a second vihara erected at Pubbarama, close to Savatthi, came into being, the Buddha would dwell alternately in Jetavana and Migāramātupāsāda, often spending the day in one and the night in the other (SNA.i.336). Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Synergy Tours Sdn Bhd, Unit D-11-1A, Menara Suezcap 1, KL Gateway, No 2, Jalan Kerinchi, Gerbang Kerinchi Lestari, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Tel: +603 2770 3515 Fax: +603 2770 3516 Email: malaysia@synergy -tours.com

DAY 03: SRAVASTI - LUMBINI (NEPAL – 150 KMS/3 HRS)

Morning after an early breakfast we will leave for Lumbini- the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The birthplace of Lord Buddha where he known as Gautam in his childhood, Lumbini is situated in the southern Terai plains of Nepal; Lumbini is also a World Heritage Monument of UNESCO. Upon arrival at Lumbini transfer to the hotel, after fresh-n-up city we will visit the Ashoka Pillar. It was built in the year 259BC, by King Ashoka of India. When he constructed this pillar, the King exempted the villagers from paying tax and gave out 100 golden coins to the people. In the 07th century, the pillar was struck by lightning and split into two parts. The site was lost for six centuries and covered with dense forest before being re-found in 1895. In the evening have a walk through monasteries made by many nationals. Dinner and overnight stay hotel.

DAY 04: LUMBINI – KUSHINAGAR After breakfast we will visit Maya Devi Temple, dedicated to the mother of Lord Buddha, Maya Devi. The temple was built during the 02nd century. Maya Devi Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple situated at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lumbini, Nepal, It is the main temple at Lumbini, a site traditionally considered the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. Later drive to Kushinagar crossing Indo - Nepal border. Upon reaching transfer to the hotel, After fresh-n-up at the hotel we will set of for a visit to the monuments of Kushinagar visiting Nirvana Temple and Ramabhar Stupa, One of the sacred destinations for the Buddhist followers, Kushinagar is one of the ancient cities that are famous for its Stupas and temples. One of the most important monuments in Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh in India is the Ramabhar Stupa, Kushinagar. Indianholiday.com offers online information on Ramabhar Stupa, Kushinagar and other tourist attractions of Uttar Pradesh and other parts of India. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

DAY 05: KUSHINAGAR - VAISHALI - RAJGIR (312 KMS/07 HRS)

After a breakfast leave for Rajgir via Vaishali. Vaishali mentioned in the Ramayana and in the Buddhist literature, is reputed as the birthplace of Lord Mahavira and the capital of Lichchavis from early times. It was the scene of the Second Buddhist council held about a hundred years Lord Buddha's death. According to the historians, Vaishali is one of the first democratic republics of the world. A recent excavation has brought Vaishali in the limelight and the historical and archaeological importance of the area has resurfaced. In Vaishali we will be visiting Ashoka Pillar: The most celebrated capital (the fourlion one at Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh)) erected by Emperor Ashoka circa 250 BC. Also called the "Ashoka Column”. Four lions are seated back to back. Buddha Stupa And Shanti stupa also.

Later continue drive to Rajgir. En-route we will visit the ruins of Nalanda University. Founded in the 5th Century A.D., Nalanda is known as the ancient seat of learning. 2000 teachers and 10000 Students from all over the Buddhist world lived and studied at Nalanda, the first Residential International University of the World. A walk in the ruins of the university takes you to an era that saw India leading in imparting knowledge, to the world - the era when India was a coveted place for studies. The University flourished during the 5th and 12th century. Upon arrival at Rajgir check into the hotel, Dinner and Overnight stay in Rajgir.

DAY 06: RAJGIR – BODHGAYA (70 KMS/02 HRS) This morning we go for sightseeing around Rajgir. Lord Buddha spent many months of retreat during the rainy season here, and use to meditate and preach on Gridhakuta, the "Hill of the Vultures", Lord Mahavir spent 14 years of his life at Rajgir and nalanda. It was in Rajgir that Lord Buddha delivered some of his famous sermons and converted king Bimbisara of the Magadha Kingdom and countless others to his creed. Here we will visit the monastery of Venuvana Vihar built by King Bimbisara for Lord Buddha to reside. This was the King's first offering to Lord Buddha. Later in the afternoon drive to Bodhgaya, upon arrival check into the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at Bodhgaya.

DAY 07: BODHGAYA

Today we will have a full day excursion to Bodhgaya and Gaya. We will be visiting The Mahabodhi Temple: The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ancient, but much rebuilt and restored, Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, marking the location where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. Bodhi Tree, Great Buddha Statue, Niranjana River, and Sujata Temple and lots of other significant temples. The Mahabodhi temple built on the east of the sacred tree stands majestically 17 feet high on a base 5 feet square, and consists of a soaring pyramidal tower surmounted by a stupa. The Vajrasana or Diamond Throne lying between the Bodhi Tree and the temple marks the actual spot where Buddha sat in meditation and attained supreme knowledge. A gilded Buddha smiles upon the visitors from a niche in the wall of the temple, and his footsteps carved in stone hold flower offerings from the devout. Unbelievable peace pervades the atmosphere giving credence to legend Besides the Mahabodhi temple; we would visit several Buddhist temples built by the followers of Buddhism from all over the world. Dinner and overnight stay in Bodhgaya.

DAY 08: BODHGAYA – VARANASI (ROAD)

After an early breakfast we will leave for Varanasi. Before arriving to Varanasi. We will have a visit to Sarnath. It enjoys the extraordinary privilege of Lord Buddha delivering his first sermon after attaining enlightenment 2500 years ago. It is about 10 km from Varanasi and holds a number of Buddhist sites that include the famous Dhamekh Stupa, the seat of the holy 'Buddha'. You can also visit the ruins of Dharmarajika Stupa and Mulagandhakuti Temple, where Lord Buddha is said to have rested and meditated while in Sarnath. The Ashoka Pillar built by the emperor Ashoka is a must see in Sarnath. Later proceed to Varanasi. Upon reaching check into the hotel. In the evening transfer to the river ghat to have the glimpse of evening aarti. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 09: VARANASI - DELHI (BY FLGHT) & DEPART Early morning proceed on a boat tour on River Ganges visiting all the bathing Ghats. Return to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast transfer to the airport to board the flight for Delhi, Upon arrival meet with our representative and transfer to the international airport to board the flight for onward destination End of Tour~

HOTEL ENVISAGED: Inclusion:  08 Nights hotel accommodation on Full board basis (Breakfast, Lunch,  Dinner)  Traditional welcome – Garlanding on arrival.  Meeting and assistance on arrival and departure by office representative.  Transfers from airport to hotels & vice versa, along with the transfer of baggage by an Air- conditioned transport.  Services of English speaking local guides during the sightseeing tours  Check-in & checkout time is 12 noon.  Government Service tax as per prevailing rate. (If there is any increase in the Service tax, we would charge supplement as per the new rate).  English speaking tour guide during sightseeing.  All currently applicable taxes.  Monument entrance fees.

Exclusion:  Camera fees etc. not specified  Personal expenses like phone calls, laundry, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages  Porter age & restaurant Tips.  Optional tour and any other expenses or services not mentioned in inclusions  Any transport during the day at leisure  Tipping  Any rides  Return international flight ticket  Monument entrance fees.  Nepal Visa ( Multiple / Single )

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS Delhi – Lucknow Varanasi – Delhi