Overview
The Buddhist Circuit Special Train is an exclusive air conditioned train, which covers the Buddhist circuit destinations. During this tour you will explore the places which were belongs to the life of Buddha. During this tour you with visit the major stupas, Buddhist temples as monasteries as well. During this tour you will feel the essence of Buddha every at places which was belonged to his life. The duration of the tour is 07 nights and 08 days. Apart from this you will also get the chance to explore the Taj Mahal renowned a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This train journey gives you the full comfort and safety.
Itinerary
Day 1: Delhi - Gaya (990 kms By Train) – Depart - 14:30 hrs at Safdurjung Railway Station
A Traditional Welcome by our Tour Representative on your arrival at New Delhi Airport/Railway Station. Then proceed to the Delhi Safdurjung Railway Station. Assemble at the railway station at 13:00 hours and receive the warm welcome. Then board to your respective coaches.
At 14:30 hours, the Buddhist Circuit Train departs for Gaya. Evening Tea & Dinner served on-board. Overnight stay on-board.
Day 2: Arrive Gaya - Bodhgaya (16 kms by Road)
Today arrive at Gaya Railway Station in the morning, followed by the breakfast on train. After freshen up, assemble for boarding the coaches and proceed for sightseeing of Bodhgaya including Mahabodhi Temple & Niranjana River.
Upon arrival at Bodhgaya in afternoon. Check-in at your pre-booked hotel. After freshen up, enjoy the delicious lunch. Take rest for a while then proceed for sightseeing of Thai Temple, Japanese Temple and Buddha Statue
Return to Hotel after sightseeing. Have dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Bodhgaya.
Day 3: Bodhgaya - Nalanda - Rajgir (85 Kms by Road)- Gaya – Varanasi(220 kms by Train) Departs at 2330 hours
Today early morning tea & breakfast at around 05:00 hours. Then checkout from the Hotel and proceed for Rajgir by bus, which is located at the distance of 85 Kilometres.
Arrive at Rajgirat around 10:30 hours, enjoy the Sightseeing at Rajgir of Bimbimsara Jail, Gridhakut hill, Venuvan.In the afternoon around 12:30 hours, proceed to a Restaurant in Rajgir for lunch. After lunch, proceed to Nalanda for sightseeing covering ruins of world famous Nalanda University & Nalanda Museum.
After sightseeing, return back to Gaya Railway Station around 1600hours. Arrival at Gaya Railway Station and board the train. Dinner on-board. Then Departure from Gaya at 2330 hrs to Varanasi by train.
Overnight stay on-board.
Day 4: Arrive Varanasi –Sarnath (10 Kms by Road)– Gorakhpur(224kms by Train) Departs at 23:00 hrs.
Enjoy the earlymorning tea on-board. Upon arrival at Varanasi in the early morning. Proceed to the hotel for freshen up(room given only for wash & change), after freshen up, have breakfast.
After breakfast, proceed to visit Sarnath, which is located at about 10 Kilometresfrom Vareanasi. Here visit Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath Museum, The Ashokan Pillar, Mulgandha Kuti Vihar.
After sightseeing enjoy the Lunch, followed by some free time. You may either opt for shopping or other activities. In the evening Visit to the river Ganges Ghat, Evening Arti.
After sightseeing return to the Return back to the Varanasi railway station at 20:00 hrs and board the train Dinner on board. Departure for Gorakhpur at 23:00 hrs.
Overnight stay on-board.
Day 5: Arrive Gorakhpur – Kushinagar (54 Kms by Road)
Enjoy the early morning tea on board. Arrive at Gorakhpur Railway Station. Then proceed to Kushinagar by coach. Upon arrival at Kushinagar and check-in at your pre booked hotel and have breakfast. After breakfast, visit Mahaparinirvan Temple, Rambhar Stupa and MataKutir Temple etc.
After sightseeing, enjoy the Lunch at the hotel. Rest day is free at leisure. You can either opt for shopping or other activities. In the evening participate in a chanting and meditation session. (Subject to availability of appropriate teachers/instructors). Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 6: Kushinagar - Lumbini(167 Kms by Road) – Gorakhpur–Gonda (173 Kms) Departs at 23:30 hrs
Enjoy the early morning tea and breakfast at the hotel.After breakfast, check-out of the Hotel and proceed to Lumbini. (Nepal) by bus. Tourists must obtain the Nepal visa from their respective countries. Otherwise, lot of time required at the border to process the visa.Arrive Lumbini and proceed to a hotel / restaurant and have Lunch. Post lunch Visit Lumbini including Maya Devi Temple, Ashokan Pillar and Pushkarnilake.
After sightseeing, drive to Gorakhpur Railway Station and board the train at around 20:30 hrs. Enjoy the Dinner on-board, Depart by train to Gonda at 23:30 hrs. Overnight stay on-board.
Day 7: Gonda - Sravasti(65kms by Road) - Gonda – Agra(450 kms By Train) Depart at 18:00 hrs
Early morning tea on-board and arrival at Gonda Railway Station. Then proceed for Sravastiby buswhich is located at the distance of about 65 kms from Gonda. Upon arrival at Sravasti, proceed to the hotel, wash & change (room given only for wash & change) and breakfast. After breakfast, visit Jetvana Vihara, Pakki Kuti & Sehat Mahet, Thai Temple. Enjoy Lunch at the Hotel and drive to back to Gonda railway station to board the train to Agra. Depart the train at 18:00 hrs. Evening Tea and dinner served on-board. Overnight stay on-board.
Day 8: Agra – New Delhi (220 kms) Depart at 14:15 hrs
Early morning tea, wash & fresh and breakfast on-board. After breakfast, proceed for Visit Taj Mahal, a renowned a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon proceed to the Agra Railway Station to board the train to New Delhi at 14:15 hrs. On-board lunch and evening tea. Arrival at the Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station at approximately 18:30 hrs.
Please note: Day-5 & Day-6 program may be interchanged as per the operational feasibility. In such case, Day-5 night stay would be in Lumbini & Kushinagar visit would be on Day-6. This would be communicated to the passengers before start of the trip.
The future scheduled departures dates of this train for the season 2015-16 are December 26, 2015; January 9, 2016; February 13, 2016; March 12, 2016.?