STANDARD ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrival in New Delhi; catch connecting flight to Bodhgaya. Evening sightseeing of Mahabodhi Temple.
Upon arrival in Bodhgaya airport, meet our representative and get transferred to your hotel. Freshen up and take rest in your hotel. In the evening, your will be taken for a guided visit of Mahabodhi Temple. The temple is believed to have been built on the very spot where the Buddha attained enlightenment. Other attraction in the site is a Bodhi tree which is believed to be a descendant of the Bodhi tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. There are different ruins and structures dating back to the time of Emperor Ashoka. Then return to our hotel.
Day 2: Full Day Sightseeing and Race Briefing in the evening
Today, you will be taken on a tour of Dhugneshwari caves and Sujata village which lie on our marathon track. It is believed that Siddhartha Gautam meditated for six years inside a cave in Dhungeshwari hills before starting last leg of his meditation under a Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya. There is a statue of a frail Buddha in one of the caves. It is a perfect place for meditation. Next, you will be driven to Bakror for a tour of Sujata Stupa and Sujata Temple. It is believed that Sujata offered rice pudding to the frail Siddhartha Gautam and advised him to take middle path approach for meditation. Your will also visit Niranjana River where Buddha is believed to have taken a bath before starting last leg of his meditation and return to your hotel. In the evening, attend the race briefing session.
Day 3: Race Day
You will be driven to the race starting point. After the race is over, attend the closing ceremony and we will drive you back to your hotel. Remaining time is free for independent activities.
Day 4: Departure
Today is the departure day. You can shop for souvenirs for your friends and families back home in the morning. Or you can just take a stroll in the temple lane which is always calm and soothing. You will be driven to the airport some three hours before your flight so that you will not have to rush through customs and immigration formalities.
EXTENSION 1:
Day 4: Day Trip to Rajgir and Nalanda.
Today, you will be driven to Rajgir and Nalanda for sightseeing. The drive to Nalanda takes around two and half hours. Believed to have been built on a site where the Buddha often stayed, Nalanda used to be one of the three important learning centers of Asia together with Taxila and Vikramsheela. There are various ancient structures that depict classrooms and hostel etc of scholars. After lunch, you will be drive to Rajgir. Rajgir is derived from Raj Griha which means the royal palace. It is believed that two rock-cut caves of Rajgir were the famous retreats of the Buddha. It was on one of the hills surrounding Rajgir that the Buddha preached two of his most famous sermons. Vulture Peak, Ajatsatru Fort and Bimbasar Jail, among others, are the major attractions here. Then, we will drive to you to Bodhgaya. Evening is free for independent activities.
Day 4: Departure
Today is the departure day. You can shop for souvenirs for your friends and families back home in the morning. Or you can just take a stroll in the temple lane which is always calm and soothing. You will be driven to the airport some three hours before your flight so that you will not have to rush through customs and immigration formalities.
EXTENSION 2:
Day 4: Fly to Varanasi, visit Sarnath and ancient Kashi
Today, you will take a flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival, check into your hotel, get freshened up and drive to Sarnath for sightseeing. Sarnath is one of the four important sites in the life of Buddha as it was on this place that the Buddha delivered his first sermon post enlightenment. There is a magnificent Dhambek Stupa and remains of Ashokan pillar. The pillar was topped by a magnificent capital which is know kept in a Kolakata museum. Lion capital is also the emblem of the Indian government. Then return to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy the beautiful Aarti (worship) performed on the banks of the Ganges.
Then return to your hotel.
Day 5: Explore Kashi and Departure
Get up early in the morning to watch the sunrise over the Ganges from a boat. The boating offers you opportunities to observe activities, like open air cremation, performed by Hindus on the Ghat, or the river bank. After the boat ride, enjoy a stroll on the narrow lane of this ancient city. During the walk, you can also buy souvenirs for your friends and family. Then we return to your hotel.
Later, you will be driven to the airport for your return flight.
EXTENSION 3:
Day 4: Fly to New Delhi
Today is the departure day. You can shop for souvenirs for your friends and families back home in the morning. Or you can just take a stroll in the temple lane which is always calm and soothing. You will be driven to the airport some two hours before your flight to New Delhi. Upon arrival at the airport, meet your representatives and check into your hotel.
Day 5: Day Trip to Taj Mahal
Today, you will be visiting Taj Mahal – one of the 7th wonders of the modern world, a monument of love and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your guide will meet you at the hotel early in the morning and drive you toward Agra where the iconic monument is located. The drive to Taj Mahal takes three to four hours. After early lunch at a local restaurant, Visit Taj Mahal and nearby Agra Fort. You can also shop for souvenirs for your friends and family here. At around 5 in the evening, we will leave for New Delhi. Upon arrival, check into your hotel.
Day 6: Delhi sightseeing and Departure
You will enjoy full day sightseeing of New Delhi today. Check out of your hotel, meet your guide at the hotel lobby and start your tour. Today, you will visit monuments like Mahatma Gadhi Samadhi where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, Qutub Minar built during the Mughal era, and Red Fort which is locally known as Lal Qilla. You will also visit the markets of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi where you can try tasty street foods. After sightseeing is over, drive directly to the airport for your return flight.