Buddhist Tour of India

13 days

Kolkata – Patna- Nalanda -  Rajgir – Bodhgaya - Bhubaneswar- Dhauli Giri - Pipili - Puri- Chilika Lake– Ratnagiri Lalitgiri – Udayagiri - Bhubaneswar

Day 01: Arrival at Kolkata

Arrival at Kolkata International Airport, meet & Greet, transfer to pre booked hotel. Overnight at Kolkata.

Day 02: Full day Kolkata Sightseeing

After breakfast Chk out from Hotel, visit sightseeing of Kolkata. It includes:

Drop and Visit: Prinsep Ghat, Tagore House, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Victoria Memorial Hall

Drive Pass: General Post Office, Shaheed Minar, Eden Gardens, Akashvaani Bhawan, Howrah Station, Writers’ Building, Governor’s House, Ghat of Ganges, High Court, Maidan, Town Hall, Fort William, Race Course, Lal Dighi.

Drive Over: Howrah Bridge and Vidyasagar Bridge. Overnight at Kolkata.

Day 03: Kolkata- Patna - Nalanda -  Rajgir

Morning chk out from hotel & transfer to Kolkata Airport toboard the flight for Patna, arrival at Patna Airport, meet & greet with ourrepresentative, transfer to Rajgir,enroute visit, Pawapuri famous for Jain Mandir ( Jal Mandir),  Visit Nalada University, Nalanda Museum Driveto Rajgir. Stay in Rajgir. Overnight stay at hotel in Rajgir. ( Total Km 170)

Nalanda was the most renowned university in ancient India. Itderived its name from Na-Alam-Da, meaning Insatiable in Giving, one of thenames by which the Lord Buddha was known. Established in the 5th century B.C.it remained a live center of learning till the 12th century A.D. when it wasdestroyed by the invader Bakhtiar Khilji. Lord Mahavira and the Buddha bothtaught here for years. Hsuan Tsang. The Chinese traveler studied here in the7th century A.D. and there is a monument in his memory. He was one amongst manyof those from East and Southeast Asia who came here to study logic,meta-physics, medicine, prose composition and rhetoric. The University ofNalanda offered free educational and residential facilities to as many as10,000 students and 2000 teachers, for it were supported by a number ofvillages. Its library, Ratna Sagar, is believed to have contained nine millionvolumes. It is not surprising, then, that the destruction of this universitydealt a crippling blow to Buddhist education in India.

The Archaeological Survey of India maintains the Nalanda Museum across the roadwhich houses some exquisite bronzes of the 9th and 10th centuries, Paladynasty, and other remains excavated at the site. The beautiful Thai Temple andthe Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, a center for research in Pali and Buddhiststudies, are 2 kms from the main site.

Day 04: Rajgir

After breakfast sightseeing of RajgirVishwa Shanti Stupa, Bimbisar  Jail,  Sone bhandar, Venu Van, Hot spring  etc, Overnight stay at hotel in Rajgir

The picturesque Rajgir, or Rajagriha as it was knownin the past (literally, the abode of kings) is surrounded by the meanderingriver Banganga and 5 hills. During the lifetime of the Buddha this was thecapital of the powerful Magadha kingdom, ruled by the virtuous King Bimbisara.The hills and caves surrounding Rajagriha were home to spiritual teachers,ranging from the materialism of the early Charavaka School to the metaphysicsof Upanishadic philosophers. 

Like many others in search of truth, Prince Siddhartha, after he renounced hisroyal heritage came to this city to seek the path of ovation. Siddharthaoverwhelmed the citizens of Rajagriha with his serenity and grace. Even theking went to meet the ascetic and was amazed to learn that he was a Kshatriyaof royal descent. Bimbisara offered half his kingdom to Siddhartha but all hereceived was an assurance that when Siddhartha achieved his goal he wouldreturn to Rajagriha. The first Buddhist structures at Rajgir were raisedwhen Ajatsatru built a monastery and a Stupa over his share of the Buddha'sashes. 

Day 05: Rajgir – Bodhgaya

Early morning after breakfast Transfer to Bodhgaya, chk in to hotel &after refreshment time to start the Buddhist journey… it includes: MahabodhiTemple, Bodhi Tree, Great Buddha Statue, Royal Bhutan Monastery.  Second Half transfer to Patna. Overnight stayat hotel in Bodhgaya.

Day 06: A Bodhgaya

Arrival at Gaya Railway Station, meet & Greet, transfer to Bodhgaya. Chk in to Hotel. Second half visit to Local sightseeing: Bodhi Tree, Great Buddha Statue, Royal Bhutan Monastery, Thai Monastery, meditation for few minutes & IndoAsan Nippon Japanese Temple. Evening back to Hotel. Over night at Bodhgaya.

Day 07: Bodhgaya Sightseeing ( Overnight Train Journey to Bhubaneswar)

After breakfast visit Royal Bhutan Monastery, Thai Monastery, meditation for few minutes. Then visit Indosan Nippon Japanese Temple. Second half back to Hotel. After Refreshment chk out from hotel & Transfer to Railway Station for onward journey to Bhubaneswar.

Day 08: Morning arrival at Bhubaneswar

Arrival at Bhubaneswar Railway station, meet & Greet, transfer to Hotel. Half day at leisure. Second half transfer to half day city sightseeing: Temples of Bhubaneswar: Lingaraj Temple (11th Century), Mukteswar Temple (9th Century), Parshurameswar Temple (7th Century), Rajarani Temple (11th Century). Overnight at Bhubaneswar.

Day 09: Bhubaneswar - Raghurajpur Heritage Village - Puri

After breakfast transfer to Puri, Enroute visit Dhauli (Buddhist Peach Pagoda), Ashoka’s Stone Encrypt ( 2nd Century BC), Pipili (Appliqué work village) local market, Raghurajpur Craft Village. Over night at Puri.

Raghurajpur Craft village, on the way also enjoy the Chita-paintings on the walls of the houses. Situated amidst groves of coconut, palm, mango and jack fruit, the main village has two streets with over 120 houses, most decorated with mural paintings, where the painters reside and practice their Pattachitra craft, besides many others that practices throughout the village, including traditional masks, stone idols, paper Mache, sculptures, and wooden toys.

And also you can witness Gotipua dance (Optional), is a traditional dance form in the state of Odisha, India, and the precursor of Odishi classical dance. It has been performed in Odisha for centuries by young boys, who dress as young women to praise Jagannath and Krishna. The dance is executed by a group of boys who perform acrobatic figures inspired by the life of Radha and Krishna. And this performance is a life time experience for visitors.

Day 10: Puri – Jagannath Temple - Chilika Lake - Sea beach - Puri

Morning Darshan to Lord Jangannath and after breakfast move to Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest estuarine water lagoon covers an area of 1100 sq Km with combination of salt and fresh water. The lake is separated from the Bay of Bengal by a narrow sandy ridge, called Ramsar Wetland. For it biodiversity, this lake attracts millions migratory bird in winter. It also home to a diverse range of aquatic life, including 225 species of fish and the playful Irrawaddy Dolphin. Boating to Mouth Of Chilika Lake: the point where see meets the lake. Evening at Puri Sea Beach, fishing village and explore the Traditional local market in Puri. Overnight at Puri. (Total 160 Kms)

Day 11: Puri - Konark - Ratnagiri

After breakfast visit to Unesco Heritage Konark Sun Temple, ASI Museum at Konark. Then visit Chandrabhaga Sea Beach. Also enroute visit Surfing Ranger Resorts (Optional), activities like SUP, Sea Surfing, River Surfing, ATV Ride can be planned here. Also if group like, we can take them to Jungle Adventure camping site (Optional). Then Transfer to Ratnagiri. Over night at Ratnagiri (Total 280 km)

Day 12: Ratnagiri – Lalitgiri – Udayagir – Ratnagiri

After breakfast visit Lalitgiri. Full day Excursion to Lalitigiri (Archeological site of a Buddhist Monastery from 4th to 8th Century AD) with Monastery parts and many votive Stupa, all different Buddhist sculptors with Chaita hall and a Huge stupa from where caskets of Budha's relic is available. Later visit Udayagiri, Another huge Buddhist monastery which still under excavation. Overnight at Ratnagiri. (Total 100 km)

Day 13: Ratnagiri - Bhubaneswar

After Breakfast transfer to Bhubneswar airport / Railway station for onward journey.

Tour Includes:

• Bodhgaya: 2 nights
• Kolkata: 2 nights
• Puri – 2 nights
• Bhubaneswar: 1 night
• Ratnagiri: 2 nights
• Rajgir: 2 nights
• Train Journey: 1 night ( 3rd A/c)
• Deluxe A/c Accommodation
• Plan: CPAI
• All major road transport A/c included in Itinerary 
• All parking, road tax etc
• Driver allowances
• One boat cruise at Chilika Lake

Excludes:

• Any Flight / Train Tickets ( other than mention in inclusions)
• All Entry Fee at Destinations
• Tour Guide
• Gotipua Dance at Raghurajpur Rs 8000
• Any personal expenses which is not mention in itinerary will carry additional cost 
• Personal services in hotel like Body Massage, Ayurveda Therapy etc
• Camera / video camera fee.
• GST 5%

Note:

• All price are net price, no commission included.
• 5 % of profit from this tour will goes to community development of Tribal villages.
• Package can be redesign according to the wish of our esteem visitors and partners.
• Rooms are not blocked, in case of unavailability; we will book in alternate hotels.
• Rates are valid till 31st March 2018, except New year ( Dec 20 to Jan 5) , Christmas & Major Local Festival.
• Price may Change with change of Our Vendor agreement.
• We believe in Good Authenticate Services
• 100 % payment to be deposited before arrival of Visitors.
• Being the Responsible Tour Operator of Odisha, we will dedicate 5% of our profit to Sustainable development initiatives.

Probable Hotels:

• Kolkata: Howard Jonhson / Similar
• Bodhgaya: Hotel Taj Darbar / Similar
• Bhubaneswar: La Franklin / Similar
• Puri: Bluelily Resort / Similar
• Ratnagiri: Toshali Ratnagiri / Similar
• Rajgir: Rajgir Residensy

For any more information, mail us at [email protected]