For 2500 years the story of the Buddha's life has reverberated around
the world. Here, in the land of North India and Nepal, where he lived
and died, the story comes to life.

Born a Prince, the Buddha renounced his royal life to become a
wandering seeker. Years later, under a tree in the forest, he attained
enlightenment, and began to teach a new way of being. At the age of 80
he died, in the unknown town of Kushinagar. In his last moments the
Buddha invited his followers to find inspiration from a pilgrimage to
four sacred places - the sites of his birth, enlightenment, first
sermon, and death.

Your journey takes you to these four sacred sites, and to others
associated with early Buddhism. You will meet Buddhist pilgrims from
around the world, and truly know yourself to be following in the footsteps
of the Buddha.

You complement your encounter with Buddhism by exploring the great
Hindu cities of Lord Shiva - Varanasi in India, and Kathmandu in Nepal.

Day 1

Evening departure from Heathrow on direct British Airways
flight.

Day 2

Midday arrival in Delhi. Stay at Oberoi Maidens Hotel (4*).

Day 3

Fly to Patna, ancient Buddhist capital of Pataliputra. Stay at
Maurya Patna Hotel (4*).

Day 4

All day visit to Vaishali, where the Buddha preached his
last sermon.

Day 5

Drive to Rajgir, where the Buddha preached at the
"Vulture's Peak", and the First Buddhist Council was held
after his death. Ascend to the Peak by cable car. En route visit
Nalanda, one of the greatest universities of the ancient world.
Stay at Gautam Vihar, Rajgir.

Day 6

Afternoon drive to Bodhgaya, place of the Buddha's
enlightenment. Stay at the Japanese Guesthouse, or Mahayana
Guesthouse.

Days 7 & 8

Visit the Mahabodhi Temple and sit under the Bodhi tree of
enlightenment.

Day 9

Drive or train to Varanasi. Stay at Taj Ganges Hotel (5*).

Day 10

Dawn boat ride on the sacred river Ganges, where devotions are
performed towards the rising sun. See the funeral ghats, and some of
Varanasi's many temples. Afternoon visit to the great stupa at
Sarnath, where the Buddha preached his first sermon.

Day 11



Afternoon train to Kushinagar. Stay at Pathik Niwas
(2*).

Day 12

Visit ancient stupas and modern temples, commemorating the Buddha's
death and cremation, and see the spectacular reclining Buddha
statue.

Day 13

Drive across the border into Nepal to Lumbini, birthplace of
the Buddha. Stay at Hotel Lumbini (3*).

Day 14

Afternoon flight to Kathmandu. Stay at Himalaya Hotel (4*) or
Hotel Blue Star (4*).

Day 15

Visit the two ancient and magnificent stupas of Swayambunath and
Boudhanath. Time for shopping and exploring the city of
Kathmandu.

Day 16

Visit the village of Nagarkot, with stupendous views of the Himalaya
and Kathmandu Valley. Optional trek to the 4th century World Heritage
temple of Changu Narayan.

Day 17

Optional Everest flight (dependent on weather; for additional cost
see price schedule). Afternoon flight to Delhi to connect with late
evening flight British Airways flight.

Day 18

Early morning arrival at Heathrow.