Explore the glorious North East India along with remarkable and highly spiritual Buddhist pilgrimage sites with our soul enriching and tranquil package of 16 days and 15 nights. Visit some of the most highly revered pilgrimage destinations along with beautiful destinations in eastern India. Discover what gems this part of India holds in a wholesome trip with us. If you are looking for an offbeat getaway with a hint of spirituality then this package has everything you could ask for and more. From Delhi and Varansi to Kolkata and Gangtok, this package has everything you need for having a wonderful vacation time.
Tour Name | Buddhist Pilgrimage with North East India tour |
Tour Duration | 16 Days / 15 Nights |
Destinations Covered | Delhi – Varanasi – Bodhgaya – Patna – Kolkata – Darjeeling – Kalimpong – Gangtok |
Tour Price | On Request/- Enquire Now |
Day 1: Arrival in Delhi
Upon your arrival at Delhi, you will immediately be checked in to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 2: Delhi sightseeing
Early in the morning after having breakfast you will be taken on a sightseeing tour of old and new Delhi. You will be made to visit some of the iconic landmarks of the capital starting with Red Fort – a red sandstone structure which also houses numerous museum inside; Jama Masjid – one of the prime centres of worship for people preaching Islam; you will also be made to take a brief glimpse of Parliament house before heading out to Birla mandir – which was built in 1939 and one of the major tourist attractions in Delhi. Later on you will be made to visit some ancient structures like the famous Qutab complex – which is home to Qutab minar (the tallest brick tower in the world); Humayun’s tomb and many more.
After a day of sightseeing you will be taken back to your hotel an overnight stay.
Day 3: Delhi – Varanasi
Early in the morning you will be made to board the flight heading towards Varanasi – one of the oldest living cities in the world. Upon your arrival at Varanasi you will be checked in to your allotted hotel for an overnight stay. In the afternoon you will be escorted on an excursion of Sarnath – the place where Lord Buddha had preached his very first sermon after attaining his enlightenment. After the completion of your excursion you will be guided back to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 4: Varanasi local sightseeing
Your morning will commence at holy and glorious note by taking a boat ride on top of the holy River Ganga. After witnessing the majestic sunrise you will be taken for breakfast, post which you will be made to proceed on a full day of sightseeing. You will be taken to the famous and unique Bharat Mata mandir – which houses a life like map of an undivided India; Durga temple – which is a red colored temple consisting of Durga kund; Tulsi manas mandir – the place where the Hindu epic Ramcharitmanas was originally written by Goswami Tulsidas during the 16th century.
After a wholesome sightseeing tour of Varanasi you will be made to head on back to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 5: Varanasi – Bodhgaya
You will be made to proceed towards Bodhgaya by road which will be a 7 hours drive. This is the exact place where Lord Buddha had attained his enlightenment. Upon arrival to this holy land you will be duly checked in to your hotel for spending the night. During afternoon you will be made to visit the sacred site of Mahabodhi temple – which also houses a descendant of the Bodhi tree under which Buddha became enlightened after years of meditation.
Day 6: Bodhgaya – Patna
Early in the morning you will be made to depart for Rajgir which will be a 2 hours journey. Upon arriving here you will be made to visit Gridhakuta (vulture hill) – Lord Buddha’s favourite retreat place and it is from here that he gave numerous discourses and teachings on Buddhism to his devotees. Your next local attraction at Rajgir will be the famous world peace pagoda and bamboo’s garden.
You will then be driven to one of the oldest universities in the world – Nalanda which is located at a distance of 14 km from Rajgir. Lord Buddha is said to have taught Buddhism here to numerous students from india and abroad.
Your drive to Patna will continue, which will be a 4 hours drive. Upon arrival you will be made to check in to your allotted hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 7: Patna – Kolkata
Early in the morning you will be taken on a brief sightseeing tour of Patna including tourist attractions like- Takht Sri Patna Sahib, the place where the 10th guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh was born on December 1666; you will then be escorted to – Patna museum which was established in the year 1917 and displays ancient historical artifacts like terracotta sculptures and images, Yakshi statue, tree fossils dating back to 200 million years old and much more.
Later you will be transferred to the Patna airport from where you will be transferred to Kolkata. After covering an hour of the journey, upon arriving at Patna, you will be transferred to your allotted hotel where the remainder of your day is free for your leisure activities.
Day 8: Kolkata – Darjeeling
Ealry in the morning you will be taken to the colorfully vibrant flower market that lines the banks of River Howrah. You will then be escorted for a boat ride on the majestic Hoogly River. After a fun boat ride you will be taken on brief sightseeing tour of the city including a visit to Victoria memorial – a large gleaming white marble building dedicated to Queen Victoria, and is now a museum with numerous visitors on a daily basis. You will then be escorted to St. Paul’s cathedral as well as Indian museum which is home to a wonderful collection of Indian art.
In the evening you will be escorted to the railway station in Kolkata, where you will be spending an overnight journey heading towards Darjeeling.
Day 9: Arrival in Darjeeling
You will be arriving at Darjeeling early in the morning. Upon arrival out tour representative there will escort you to the famous ‘toy train’ for a soothing journey up the hill among the lush green giant trees. This will be a 5-6 hours of journey you will be reaching Darjeeling where you will be duly checked in to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 10: Darjeeling sightseeing
Early in the morning you will be taken to the famous Tiger hill (9000 feet above sea level) from where you will be witnessing the glorious sun rise over Mt. Everest and Kanchenjunga. Upon returning from this wonderful sunrise point you will be escorted to Ghoom monastery which is one of the prime centres of attraction among Buddhists from all over. Later you will then be made to visit the famous Himalayan mountaineering institute – which offers mountaineering courses. You will also be made to visit a local tea garden from where you will be able to get yourself some locally grown famous Darjeeling tea.
You will then be transferred back to your hotel for staying the night.
Day 11: Darjeeling – Kalimpong
Early in the morning you will be escorted to Kalimpong which is located at a distance of 1.5 hours. Upon arriving at this hilly hamlet you will be checked in to your hotel for an overnight stay. The evening is free for you to pay visit to some of the local monasteries like – phodong monastery, Tharpa Choling and Zang Dhok Palri monastery. You can also indulge in some delicious local cuisines here like – rai saag, thukpa, momos and curpee among a host of others.
Day 12: Kalimpong – Gangtok
Your morning will commence with a refreshing visit to Dello Hills – the highest point of Kalimpong; you will also be taken to Dr. Graham’s home which is a beautiful place to visit if you want to look for some peace and serenity. After visiting a colorful nursery you will be driven to Gangtok, which is located at a distance of 3 hours. Upon arriving at Gangtok you will be duly checked in to your hotel for staying the night.
Day 13: Gangtok sightseeing
Your Gangtok sightseeing tour will kick start in the morning which will begin on a holy note by paying a visit to Rumtek Monastery. Your next destinations will be deer park; drul chorthen – which is a beautil massive stupa; research institute of Tibetology; you will also be taken to the directorate of handicraft and handloom finally ending your sightseeing tour by paying a visit to Enchey monastery. The afternoon and evening time is free for you to try out some famous local Gangtok cuisines like – gyathuk (noodle soup), thenthuk (Tibetan noodle soup), momos and much more.
Day 14: Gangtok sightseeing
Today your spiritual sightseeing of Darjeeling will commence like, Tshangu Lake, where you can spend the entire day by the lake among colorfully dotted flowers and quiet lush greenery. The lake remains frozen for a majority part of the year and comes to life during the months of May to August.
The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free for you to spend some leisurely time before heading back to your hotel for staying the night.
Day 15: Gangtok – Bagdora – Kolkata
Early in the morning you will be made to head towards Bagdora which is located at a distance of 4.5 hours and board on the flight heading towards Kolkata. Upon arriving at Kolkata you will be made to immediately check in to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 16: Kolkata departure
Your Buddhist temple travel with North East India tour will conclude today once you are checked out of the hotel and boarded on to your allotted flight heading on to your desired destination.