In the Footsteps of the Buddha
Day 1: Delhi: Arrive in Delhi. On arrival, you will be met by our Peirce & Leslie colleague who will escort you to your hotel and help you to check-in.
Day 2: Delhi – Varanasi: After breakfast, you will be escorted to the airport by our Peirce & Leslie colleague in time to check-in for your flight to Varanasi.
On arrival, you will be met by our colleague and escorted to your hotel.
In the evening, you will head to the banks of the Holy Ganges to board your boat for a sail on the river. You will sail upstream, arriving at Dashashwamedh Ghat in time for the evening “aarti” (worship) ceremony, when priests perform the rituals to put the river gods to sleep and to ward off evil.
Day 3: Varanasi: Early this morning, you will take a tour of the Ghats at sunrise, watching the activity from a boat as you drift down the river.
After the boat ride, you will visit the Old City where you will get a fascinating insight into the rituals of Hinduism.
You will then return to your hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, you will visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Durga Temple. Note: Non-Hindus are prohibited from entering the main sanctum of both the temples.
You will then walk to the majestic Panchganga Ghat through the narrow lanes of the city. This ghat marks the confluence of five rivers – Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Kirana and Dhutpapa.
In the afternoon you will visit Sarnath, the place where The Buddha in 500 BC, gave his first sermon after gaining enlightenment. Other than the Archaeological Park, which has the remains of the monastery that developed here, and the Sarnath Museum, the fairly new Buddhist temple is of interest.
You will also take our signature curated walk “In the Footsteps of the Buddha” that will end with you chanting with the monks.
You will then return to your hotel.
Day 4: Varanasi – Bodhgaya: After breakfast, you will drive to Gaya (approximately 5.5 hours, excluding stops), the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment.
On arrival, you will check-in to your hotel and the remainder of the day will be at leisure.
Day 5: Bodhgaya: After breakfast, you will explore the main sights of Bodhgaya beginning with a visit to Mahabodhi Temple (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), founded by Emperor Ashoka in around 300 BC. This complex also houses the Bodhi tree, under which the Buddha meditated and gained enlightenment.
You will then visit the Buddha statue near the Mahabodhi Temple. Known to be one of the tallest statues of Buddha in India, it was instated by the XIV Dalai Lama in 1989.
Afterwards, you will drive to Sujata Garh (approximately 15 minutes, excluding stops). This ancient stupa is believed to be the place where Gautama Siddhartha meditated following severe penance of fasting before he attained enlightenment.
Thereafter, you will visit Niranjana River which is considered sacred for Hindus and Buddhists. Several important Hindu temples, including the Vishnu temple, Gaya temple, and others are situated on the banks of the river at Gaya.
Day 6: Bodhgaya – Patna: After breakfast, you will drive to Patna (approximately 6 hours, excluding stops).
En route, you will visit the Vishwa Shanti Stupa in Rajgir, the erstwhile capital of the ancient Magadha kingdom. Symbolizing peace and love, the recesses in the stupa feature golden statues of Buddha in four stages of his life – birth, enlightenment, preaching and death.
You will also visit Nalanda, an important Buddhist centre of academic excellence. Established in the 5th century, it is also one of the oldest universities in the world. Here, you will have the opportunity to visit a few temples and monasteries that depict stunning Hindu and Buddhist stucco images.
You will then continue on your drive to Patna. On arrival, you will check-in to your hotel.
Day 7: Patna – Kushinagar: After breakfast, if you like, you can visit the Patna Museum. The museum houses a splendid collection of Mauryan and Gupta stone sculptures, some beautiful bronze Buddhist statues and a gallery of early 19th century landscape paintings by Thomas and William Daniell.
Afterwards, you will drive to Kushinagar (approximately 6 hours, excluding stops). En route, visit Vaishali, a pilgrimage site frequently visited by Buddha during his lifetime.
You will also visit Kolhua, a large, hemispherical brick stupa guarded by a lion crouching atop a 2300-year-old Ashoka pillar.
You will reach Kushinagar by the evening and check-in to your hotel.
Day 8: Kushinagar: One of the four main pilgrimage sites marking Buddha’s life, Kushinagar is where the Buddha breathed his last.
After breakfast, you will visit Ramabhar Stupa, where Buddha’s body is said to have been cremated. Monks and pilgrims can often be seen offering lotus flowers and meditating by the palm-tree-lined path that leads around the structure.
You will also visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple. The highlight of this temple is its serene 5th century reclining Buddha that depicts Buddha on his deathbed in the paranirvana (nirvana after death) position.
The remainder of the day will be at leisure.
Day 9: Kushinagar – Lumbini: Today you will drive to Sunauli (approximately 2.5 hours, excluding stops) where you will cross the Indo-Nepal border and enter Bhairawaha, a border town in Nepal.
In Bhairawaha, you will be met by our Peirce & Leslie colleague and together you will drive to Lumbini (approximately 1 hour, excluding stops).
On arrival in Lumbini, you will visit Mayadevi Temple. The temple marks the spot where, Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Prince Siddhartha (later known as Gautama Buddha).
You will also visit the Ashoka Pillar next to the Temple. The pillar was erected by Emperor Asoka in 249 BC to commemorate his visit to Lumbini and also bears the first epigraphic evidence that refers to the birthplace of Buddha.
Afterwards, you will check-in to your hotel.
Day 10: Lumbini: After breakfast, you will visit the World Peace Pagoda, one of the world's greatest stupas. The shining golden statue at the pagoda depicts the Buddha in the posture he assumed when he was born.
You will also visit the various monasteries of Lumbini.
In the afternoon, you will take an excursion to Tilaurakot or Kapilavastu (approximately 1.15 hours, excluding stops), home to the Buddha for the first 29 years of his life. It was here that the young prince (or Buddha) led a life of luxury – a way of life that he would ultimately reject to begin his spiritual journey.
You will then return to your hotel.
Day 11: Lumbini – Kathmandu: After breakfast, you will drive to Bhairawaha airport (approximately 1 hour, excluding stops) in time to check-in for your flight to Kathmandu.
On arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met by our Peirce & Leslie colleague and escorted to your waiting vehicle. You will then drive to the famous Buddhist Stupa of Boudhanath (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The 36-meter-high stupa is the largest in the Kathmandu Valley and one of the largest in South Asia.
If time permits, you will participate in a prayer ceremony with the resident monks (subject to their availability).
Afterwards, you will check-in to your hotel.
In the evening, you will visit a local workshop or art school to learn an age-old Tibetan art-form of Thangka painting. You will work closely with the artist and nurture your understanding of the iconography, techniques and materials involved in the process of creating this splendid work of art.
Day 12: Kathmandu – Delhi – Colombo: After breakfast, you will be met and escorted by our Peirce & Leslie colleague to Kathmandu airport in time to check-in for your flight to Delhi.
On arrival in Delhi, you will be met by our colleague and escorted to a hotel nearby where a day-use room will be reserved for you.
Early this evening, you will be met by our colleague who will escort you back to the airport and help you to check-in for your flight to Colombo.
On arrival in Colombo, you will be met by our colleague who will escort you to your hotel and help you to check-in.
Day 13: Colombo – Sigiriya: After a leisurely breakfast, you will drive to the Colombo airport to check-in for your flight to Sigiriya. Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide who will escort you to your hotel and help you to check-in.
In the afternoon, you will take a tour of Sigiriya Rock Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The large stone and ancient rock fortress and palace ruins were rediscovered during British rule in 1831. It is renowned for its ancient frescoes, which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India.
You will then return to your hotel and the evening will be at leisure.
Day 14: Sigiriya: After breakfast, you will take an excursion to Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (approximately 1.5 hours, excluding stops).
Anuradhapura consists of more than a dozen archaeological sites. The most significant of the sites are the 3 largest man-made stupas. Also of immense significance is the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree, which is a sacred fig tree, said to be the southern branch from the historical Bodhi Tree – Sri Maha Bodhi at Bodh Gaya in India (under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment).
You will then return to your hotel and the evening will be at leisure.
Day 15: Sigiriya – Kandy: After breakfast, you will drive to Kandy (approximately 3 hours, excluding stops).
On the way, you will stop at the magical cave temples of Dambulla (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) which were built by King Valagam Bahu in the 1st century BC in gratitude for the shelter he sought in the caves when fleeing from Indian invaders.
On arrival in Kandy, you will check-in to your hotel.
In the evening, you will visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. The temple houses one of the most sacred relics of Buddhism – a tooth of Buddha collected from his funeral pyre. You will watch the blessing ceremony with all the fanfare, drums, trumpets and brightly coloured monks performing their rituals.
Day 16: Kandy: This morning, you will visit a Bhikkuni monastery in the outskirts of Kandy. You will have the opportunity to learn about the history of Buddhist nuns beginning with the first nun – Mahapajapati Gotami.
Afterwards, you will meet and interact with a Bhikkuni (Buddhist nun) who will share her experiences and give you an insight into the ordained life.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Three Temple Loop – Embekke, Lankatilaka and Galadeniya. These temples serve as a living testimony to Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage, history and exceptional craftsmanship. Each temple holds a considerable amount of historical information of the ancient kingdom, carved mostly in stone.
You will then return to your hotel.
Day 17: Kandy - Colombo: After breakfast, you will be met by our Peirce & Leslie colleague in the lobby of your hotel and escorted to Colombo airport (approximately 4 hours, excluding stops) in time to check-in for your homeward bound flight.
Day 2: Delhi – Varanasi: After breakfast, you will be escorted to the airport by our Peirce & Leslie colleague in time to check-in for your flight to Varanasi.
On arrival, you will be met by our colleague and escorted to your hotel.
In the evening, you will head to the banks of the Holy Ganges to board your boat for a sail on the river. You will sail upstream, arriving at Dashashwamedh Ghat in time for the evening “aarti” (worship) ceremony, when priests perform the rituals to put the river gods to sleep and to ward off evil.
Day 3: Varanasi: Early this morning, you will take a tour of the Ghats at sunrise, watching the activity from a boat as you drift down the river.
After the boat ride, you will visit the Old City where you will get a fascinating insight into the rituals of Hinduism.
You will then return to your hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, you will visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Durga Temple. Note: Non-Hindus are prohibited from entering the main sanctum of both the temples.
You will then walk to the majestic Panchganga Ghat through the narrow lanes of the city. This ghat marks the confluence of five rivers – Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Kirana and Dhutpapa.
In the afternoon you will visit Sarnath, the place where The Buddha in 500 BC, gave his first sermon after gaining enlightenment. Other than the Archaeological Park, which has the remains of the monastery that developed here, and the Sarnath Museum, the fairly new Buddhist temple is of interest.
You will also take our signature curated walk “In the Footsteps of the Buddha” that will end with you chanting with the monks.
You will then return to your hotel.
Day 4: Varanasi – Bodhgaya: After breakfast, you will drive to Gaya (approximately 5.5 hours, excluding stops), the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment.
On arrival, you will check-in to your hotel and the remainder of the day will be at leisure.
Day 5: Bodhgaya: After breakfast, you will explore the main sights of Bodhgaya beginning with a visit to Mahabodhi Temple (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), founded by Emperor Ashoka in around 300 BC. This complex also houses the Bodhi tree, under which the Buddha meditated and gained enlightenment.
You will then visit the Buddha statue near the Mahabodhi Temple. Known to be one of the tallest statues of Buddha in India, it was instated by the XIV Dalai Lama in 1989.
Afterwards, you will drive to Sujata Garh (approximately 15 minutes, excluding stops). This ancient stupa is believed to be the place where Gautama Siddhartha meditated following severe penance of fasting before he attained enlightenment.
Thereafter, you will visit Niranjana River which is considered sacred for Hindus and Buddhists. Several important Hindu temples, including the Vishnu temple, Gaya temple, and others are situated on the banks of the river at Gaya.
Day 6: Bodhgaya – Patna: After breakfast, you will drive to Patna (approximately 6 hours, excluding stops).
En route, you will visit the Vishwa Shanti Stupa in Rajgir, the erstwhile capital of the ancient Magadha kingdom. Symbolizing peace and love, the recesses in the stupa feature golden statues of Buddha in four stages of his life – birth, enlightenment, preaching and death.
You will also visit Nalanda, an important Buddhist centre of academic excellence. Established in the 5th century, it is also one of the oldest universities in the world. Here, you will have the opportunity to visit a few temples and monasteries that depict stunning Hindu and Buddhist stucco images.
You will then continue on your drive to Patna. On arrival, you will check-in to your hotel.
Day 7: Patna – Kushinagar: After breakfast, if you like, you can visit the Patna Museum. The museum houses a splendid collection of Mauryan and Gupta stone sculptures, some beautiful bronze Buddhist statues and a gallery of early 19th century landscape paintings by Thomas and William Daniell.
Afterwards, you will drive to Kushinagar (approximately 6 hours, excluding stops). En route, visit Vaishali, a pilgrimage site frequently visited by Buddha during his lifetime.
You will also visit Kolhua, a large, hemispherical brick stupa guarded by a lion crouching atop a 2300-year-old Ashoka pillar.
You will reach Kushinagar by the evening and check-in to your hotel.
Day 8: Kushinagar: One of the four main pilgrimage sites marking Buddha’s life, Kushinagar is where the Buddha breathed his last.
After breakfast, you will visit Ramabhar Stupa, where Buddha’s body is said to have been cremated. Monks and pilgrims can often be seen offering lotus flowers and meditating by the palm-tree-lined path that leads around the structure.
You will also visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple. The highlight of this temple is its serene 5th century reclining Buddha that depicts Buddha on his deathbed in the paranirvana (nirvana after death) position.
The remainder of the day will be at leisure.
Day 9: Kushinagar – Lumbini: Today you will drive to Sunauli (approximately 2.5 hours, excluding stops) where you will cross the Indo-Nepal border and enter Bhairawaha, a border town in Nepal.
In Bhairawaha, you will be met by our Peirce & Leslie colleague and together you will drive to Lumbini (approximately 1 hour, excluding stops).
On arrival in Lumbini, you will visit Mayadevi Temple. The temple marks the spot where, Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Prince Siddhartha (later known as Gautama Buddha).
You will also visit the Ashoka Pillar next to the Temple. The pillar was erected by Emperor Asoka in 249 BC to commemorate his visit to Lumbini and also bears the first epigraphic evidence that refers to the birthplace of Buddha.
Afterwards, you will check-in to your hotel.
Day 10: Lumbini: After breakfast, you will visit the World Peace Pagoda, one of the world's greatest stupas. The shining golden statue at the pagoda depicts the Buddha in the posture he assumed when he was born.
You will also visit the various monasteries of Lumbini.
In the afternoon, you will take an excursion to Tilaurakot or Kapilavastu (approximately 1.15 hours, excluding stops), home to the Buddha for the first 29 years of his life. It was here that the young prince (or Buddha) led a life of luxury – a way of life that he would ultimately reject to begin his spiritual journey.
You will then return to your hotel.
Day 11: Lumbini – Kathmandu: After breakfast, you will drive to Bhairawaha airport (approximately 1 hour, excluding stops) in time to check-in for your flight to Kathmandu.
On arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met by our Peirce & Leslie colleague and escorted to your waiting vehicle. You will then drive to the famous Buddhist Stupa of Boudhanath (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The 36-meter-high stupa is the largest in the Kathmandu Valley and one of the largest in South Asia.
If time permits, you will participate in a prayer ceremony with the resident monks (subject to their availability).
Afterwards, you will check-in to your hotel.
In the evening, you will visit a local workshop or art school to learn an age-old Tibetan art-form of Thangka painting. You will work closely with the artist and nurture your understanding of the iconography, techniques and materials involved in the process of creating this splendid work of art.
Day 12: Kathmandu – Delhi – Colombo: After breakfast, you will be met and escorted by our Peirce & Leslie colleague to Kathmandu airport in time to check-in for your flight to Delhi.
On arrival in Delhi, you will be met by our colleague and escorted to a hotel nearby where a day-use room will be reserved for you.
Early this evening, you will be met by our colleague who will escort you back to the airport and help you to check-in for your flight to Colombo.
On arrival in Colombo, you will be met by our colleague who will escort you to your hotel and help you to check-in.
Day 13: Colombo – Sigiriya: After a leisurely breakfast, you will drive to the Colombo airport to check-in for your flight to Sigiriya. Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide who will escort you to your hotel and help you to check-in.
In the afternoon, you will take a tour of Sigiriya Rock Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The large stone and ancient rock fortress and palace ruins were rediscovered during British rule in 1831. It is renowned for its ancient frescoes, which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India.
You will then return to your hotel and the evening will be at leisure.
Day 14: Sigiriya: After breakfast, you will take an excursion to Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (approximately 1.5 hours, excluding stops).
Anuradhapura consists of more than a dozen archaeological sites. The most significant of the sites are the 3 largest man-made stupas. Also of immense significance is the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree, which is a sacred fig tree, said to be the southern branch from the historical Bodhi Tree – Sri Maha Bodhi at Bodh Gaya in India (under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment).
You will then return to your hotel and the evening will be at leisure.
Day 15: Sigiriya – Kandy: After breakfast, you will drive to Kandy (approximately 3 hours, excluding stops).
On the way, you will stop at the magical cave temples of Dambulla (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) which were built by King Valagam Bahu in the 1st century BC in gratitude for the shelter he sought in the caves when fleeing from Indian invaders.
On arrival in Kandy, you will check-in to your hotel.
In the evening, you will visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. The temple houses one of the most sacred relics of Buddhism – a tooth of Buddha collected from his funeral pyre. You will watch the blessing ceremony with all the fanfare, drums, trumpets and brightly coloured monks performing their rituals.
Day 16: Kandy: This morning, you will visit a Bhikkuni monastery in the outskirts of Kandy. You will have the opportunity to learn about the history of Buddhist nuns beginning with the first nun – Mahapajapati Gotami.
Afterwards, you will meet and interact with a Bhikkuni (Buddhist nun) who will share her experiences and give you an insight into the ordained life.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Three Temple Loop – Embekke, Lankatilaka and Galadeniya. These temples serve as a living testimony to Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage, history and exceptional craftsmanship. Each temple holds a considerable amount of historical information of the ancient kingdom, carved mostly in stone.
You will then return to your hotel.
Day 17: Kandy - Colombo: After breakfast, you will be met by our Peirce & Leslie colleague in the lobby of your hotel and escorted to Colombo airport (approximately 4 hours, excluding stops) in time to check-in for your homeward bound flight.
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