Spiritual Tour of Bodhgaya & Varanasi

Duration	Destination	Departure
5 days and 4 nights	India (Bodh Gaya, Varanasi)	India (Patna)

Description

This private tour will begin with pickup from Patna airport and will end with drop off at Varanasi airport. Explore the Buddhist sites of Nalanda, Rajgir and Bodhgaya where Buddha achieved enlightenment while sitting under a bodhi tree. After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya the Buddha went to Sarnath; and it was here he delivered his first sermon and set in motion the 'Wheel of the Dharma'. Varanasi the spiritual capital of India, and one of the oldest cities on earth, where you can see bathing and cremations by the sacred River Ganges.

---

Category
3 star hotels (Private Tour) Bed & Breakfast en
Price includes  Assistance on arrival at airport.  4 Nights accommodation in selected price category hotels.  Daily breakfast & meal as per day plan (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)  Private air conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.  English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.  Monuments entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.  Bottled drinking water in car.  Government taxes. Price does not include  Any flight tickets.  Camera charges at monuments.  Meals other than mentioned in day plan.  Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.  Gratuities & optional activities.  Anything not mentioned in inclusions.
4 star hotels (Private Tour) Bed & Breakfast en
Price includes  Assistance on arrival at airport.  4 Nights accommodation in selected price category hotels.  Daily breakfast & meal as per day plan (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)  Private air conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.  English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.  Monuments entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.  Bottled drinking water in car.  Government taxes. Price does not include  Any flight tickets.  Camera charges at monuments.  Meals other than mentioned in day plan.  Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.  Gratuities & optional activities.  Anything not mentioned in inclusions.
5 star hotels (Private Tour) Bed & Breakfast en
Price includes  Assistance on arrival at airport.  4 Nights accommodation in selected price category hotels.  Daily breakfast & meal as per day plan (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)  Private air conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.  English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.  Monuments entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.  Bottled drinking water in car.  Government taxes. Price does not include  Any flight tickets.  Camera charges at monuments.  Meals other than mentioned in day plan.  Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.  Gratuities & optional activities.  Anything not mentioned in inclusions.

Program

Day 1:
Patna - Bodhgaya (175kms)
On arrival at Patna airport assistance and drive to Bodhgaya via visiting Nalanda a hot seat of knowledge and learning established in the 5th century. And Vishwa Shanti Stupa built of marble on a 400m high hill at Rajgir. Arrive Bodhgaya check in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 2:
Bodhgaya
Visit Mahabodhi Temple an UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 54mts tall temple has been renovated over the years. It enshrines a large golden Buddha, and is encompassed by an ancient railing, dating back to 100 BC. Bodhi Tree: where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, and the Vajrasana or throne, where Buddha sat. Tibetan Monastery, housing the Maitreya Buddha (future Buddha). Also see the Burmese Temple, Chinese Temple and Monastery, Buddhist Monastery of Bhutan, Thai Temple and Monastery, and many more. Rest time to relax, evening attend temple aarti.
Overnight at hotel. Meal plan: Breakfast.

Day 3:
Bodhgaya - Varanasi (250kms)
Drive to Varanasi check in at hotel. Evening attend Holy Ganga Aarti, a magical ritual held every evening at sunset on the banks of the holy Ganges. The entire Ghat gets illuminated with a divine light that can be felt strongly. The magnificent ritual involves huge brass lamps lit with oil and the priests chant the holy mantras that reverberate in the entire location.
Overnight at hotel. Meal plan: Breakfast.

Day 4:
Varanasi
Early morning boat ride & Ghat visit. Later visit Banaras Hindu University, Bharat Mata Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple & Sarnath Temple complex including the Great Dhamekh Stupa. If time permit visit Ram Nagar Fort & Museum.
Overnight at hotel. Meal plan: Breakfast.

Day 5:
Varanasi - Departure
As per your flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.
Meal plan: Breakfast.

Price includes

 Assistance on arrival at airport.
 4 Nights accommodation in selected price category hotels.
 Daily breakfast & meal as per day plan (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)
 Private air conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.
 English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.
 Monuments entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.
 Bottled drinking water in car.
 Government taxes.

Price does not include

 Any flight tickets.
 Camera charges at monuments.
 Meals other than mentioned in day plan.
 Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.
 Gratuities & optional activities.
 Anything not mentioned in inclusions.

Itinerary

Day	Overnight	Itinerary highlights
1	4 StarsBodh Gaya	Patna - Patna Airport
2	4 StarsBodh Gaya
3	4 StarsVaranasi
4	4 StarsVaranasi
5		Varanasi - Varanasi Airport

Accommodations provided in each place

Place	3 star hotels	4 star hotels	5 star hotels
Bodh Gaya	Hotel Taj Darbar/ Hotel Mahamaya or similar	The Royal Residency/ Lotus Nikko Hotel or similar
Varanasi	Meraden Grand/ Amaya Hotel or similar	Rivatas by Ideal/ Palace On Ganges or similar	Ramada JHV/ Radisson Hotel or similar