Compare Rajasthan Cycle by World Expeditions vs Buddhist Tour from the Birth to Death by Varanasi Excursion

Day 1 Arrive Delhi.

Upon arrival at Delhi airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel and your leader will brief the group on the trip. The rest of the day is free to adjust to the sights, sounds and smells of India.

meals : Array

Day 2 Train to Jaipur.

We transfer to New Delhi station to board the early morning Express train to Jaipur. The train takes five hours, reaching Jaipur by lunchtime, giving us the afternoon to wander the city. The famed "Pink City" of Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan, and was founded in the early 18th century by Maharajah Jai Singh, who moved from Amber to this new site on the plains.

meals : B

Day 3 In Jaipur

Today is a full day to explore further the city of Jaipur. We visit the City Palace and the Jantar Mantar - the remarkable observatory reflecting Jai Singh's passion for astronomy. There is also the Old City with its bazaars and the Hawa Mahal - the Palace of the Winds, originally built as part of the City Palace complex to allow the ladies of the Royal household to watch the everyday life in the city without themselves being observed. Overnight: Mandawa Haveli

meals : B

Day 4 Cycle Jaipur to Jaisinghpura (cycling distance: 65km)

Departing from the outskirts of Jaipur we commence the bike section of our trip. Instruction and bike adjustment will take place this morning. We follow the old road that was once a merchant route between the princely state of Alwar and Jaipur. We continue along the Ramgargh road passing small farm settlements and providing endless entertainment to the villagers who are intrigued at the notion of westerners cycling through India. After 17km of cycling we stop at Ramgarh Dam, once the main water source for Jaipur, before continuing to an ancient brick factory, long since abandoned where we stop for a box lunch. After lunch we continue cycling past small towns until late afternoon where stop near Jaisinghpura and travel by vehicle to Sariska Tiger Resort where we will spend two nights. Overnight: Sariska Tiger Resort Cycling distance: 65km

meals : B,L,D

Day 5 Cycle to Siliserh Lake and Sariska National Park (cycling distance: 41km)

We continue riding through timeless India, with lush flowering mustard plantations flanked by overhanging willow trees, and ancient ruins standing as witness to the glorious past of this region. Cycle 10 km to beautiful Siliserh Lake and enjoy lunch at a historical property built by Maharaja Vinay Singh in 1845. We continue our ride to Sariska National Park where our cycling ends for today. Sariska National Park was once home to a significant population of tigers, until a few seasons ago, when poaching reduced numbers. However there are many other animals in the park, and the atmosphere and natural surrounds make the visit very much worthwhile. Return to our hotel the Sariska Tiger Resort. Cycling distance: 41km Note: Sariska National Park is closed 1 July to 30 September and alternative sightseeing is a visit to Alwar Fort and our overnight accommodation will be in Sariska Tiger Camp Resort.

meals : B,L,D

Day 6 Cycle to Rajgarh. Drive to Bharatpur (cycling distance : 38km)

We ride through a number of small villages to Rajgarh where we stop for a packed lunch. After lunch we continue cycling another 15km before boarding the bus for the journey to Bharatpur via Mahua. Overnight: Kadam Kunj Resort. Cycling distance: 38km

meals : B,L,D

Day 7 Bharatpur to Fatehpur Sikri and Agra (cycling distance: 28km)

Today we begin cycling early to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Our bikes provide a wonderful mode of transport to move around and explore the park, where swamplands provide habitats for hundreds of bird species. We will then travel with our vehicle to Fatehpur Sikri, to explore Akbar's deserted capital, before continuing on to Agra. Overnight: Man Singh Palace Cycling distance: 28km

meals : B,L

Day 8 In Agra, then drive to Delhi, trip concludes

In the early morning we have a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan's mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. We continue to Agra Fort, a fitting testimony to the Great Moghuls – Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan – during the era when Agra was the capital of the Moghul empire. From the Red Fort we'll have more views of the Taj Mahal before driving back to Delhi that afternoon where our trip concludes.

meals : B

Day 1: New Delhi - Varanasi (By flight)

Arrive at Varanasi and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon proceed on a half day temple tour of Varanasi visiting Bharat Mata (Mother India) Mandir, Durga, Tulsi Manas, Sankat Mochan Temple and the new Vishwanath Temple. Followed by Ganga Aarti at Dasaswamedh Ghat and overnight at hotel.

Start point arrival gate, Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Babatpur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Day 2: Varanasi

In morning after breakfast half day city tour of Sarnath, 10 km from Varanasi, where the Buddha preached his first sermon in the Deer Park, contains the most impressive remains, as well as a modem temple. The Dharmarajika, Chaukhandi and Dhamek stupas are outstanding. There are also the remains of a monastery, and the beautifully polished Lion Capital of Ashoka. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 3: Varanasi - Bodhgaya

Morning proceed for Bodhgaya which is about 247 kms / 6-7 hrs drive. Bodhgaya is the place where Gautama Buddha attained unsurpassed, supreme Enlightenment. On arrival check into hotel and the rest of the day is free. You can leave for attending evening prayer at Mahabodhi temple. Later, return to the hotel and have a comfortable stay at night.

Day 4: Bodh Gaya - Rajgir

After breakfast, depart for Rajgir, 70 km, 2 hrs by road. Arrive in Rajgir and check into hotel. Rajgir was the capital of the Magadha kingdom and is a pilgrimage for Jains and Hindus as well. The Japanese Buddhists have built the massive Vishwashanti Stupa on the Ratnagiri Hill which can be accessed by a chairlift. The stupa has statues of Buddha at the four stages of his life - birth, enlightenment, teaching and death. From the hill top, the Jain shrines can also be viewed scattered across 26 distant hills. Griddhakuta, located on Ratnagiri Hill is another site where Budhha stopped by to preach. Return to hotel for night stay.

Day 5: Rajgir - Patna

After breakfast, proceed to Patna by road, 80 km. Arrive in Patna and check into hotel. Patna is Bihar’s capital city and can be used as a base to visit the Buddhist sites of Vaishali and Kesariya. After lunch, take a local sightseeing tour of Patna. This would include: Golghar (built as a granary), Gandhi Museum, Patna Museum, Har Mandir Takht, Qila House or Jalan Museum with some really rare relics like Napolean’s bed and Marie Antoinette’s porcelain; and the ruins of Pataliputra. Return to hotel for night stay.

Day 6: Patna- Vaishali - Kushinagar

Morning proceed to Kushinagar (approx. 256 kms and 07 hrs drive) enroute visiting Vaishali - place where Buddha announced the approaching of his Mahaparinirvana. After that continue drive to Kushinagar (place where Lord Buddha had left the world behind him after offering an invaluable contribution to humanity, the great religion known as Buddhism). On arrival Kushinagar, transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit Mahaparinirvana Temple (where Buddha took his last breathe) and Rambhar Stupa (cremation site of Lord Buddha). Overnight stay at Kushinagar hotel.

Day 7: Kushinagar - Lumbini

Morning after Breakfast drive to Lumbini - the birth place of Lord Buddha (180 kms and 05 hrs drive). On arrival, transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit the birth place of Buddha - Mayadevi Temple. This place is a blessed one for its serenity and the natural beauty, purely coinciding to the perception of a place where the legend was born. Overnight stay at Lumbini hotel.

Maha Parinirvana Day: Parinirvana Day, or Nirvana Day is a Mahayana Buddhist holiday celebrated in East Asia in death place of lord Buddha (Kushinagar). By some it is celebrated on 8 February, but by most on the 15 February. It celebrates the day when the Buddha is said to have achieved Parinirvana, or complete Nirvana, upon the death of his physical body.

Day 8: Lumbini - Kapilavastu

Morning leave for Kapilavastu - the childhood home of Gautam Buddha. & also visit ruins of the Palaces Overnight stay at Kapilavastu hotel

Day 9: Kapilavastu - Sravasti

In the morning after Breakfast proceed to Sravasti where the Buddha preached most of his sermons. Here he is said to have performed many miracles, and levitated. During the monsoon, he used to stay at the Jetavana monastery on the outskirts of this town. Visit various tourist spots such as Anand Bodhi tree, ruins of the Jetavana monastery, age-old stupas Visit Sahet Mahet and Angulimal caves. Overnight stay in Sravasti.

Day 10: Sravasti - Lucknow - (By flight) Delhi

Morning breakfast at hotel & drive (190 kms / approx. 5.5 hrs drive) to Lucknow airport for onward journey to board flight for New Delhi. Arrive at Delhi Airport and transfer to pre- book hotel. Representative will assist you till hotel check in. Evening at leisure, overnight stay at Hotel in Delhi.

Day 11: Delhi Sightseeing

Morning relish breakfast visit city tour of exciting capital of India is awash with sights. Start to Delhi sightseeing visit Jama Masjid - largest Mosque in India Chandni Chowk oldest, biggest street super market of Old Delhi. Later, walk up to Fatehpuri Masjid and try out a rickshaw ride for Red Fort, Rajghat would be our next stoppage where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated Humayun Tomb - first garden-style tomb of India inspired by Persian architecture. Drive past Rashtrapati Bhawan - residence of the President of India and India Gate - subjected in respect to honor the soldiers who in World War I. Visit Qutub Minar built by Qutabud- din Aibak. Return to hotel. Retire for the night at hotel in Delhi.

Day 12: Departure from Delhi

Breakfast at hotel. Carry out activities, get an transfer assistance for the Airport to board your flight back home.

Tour ends here with sweet memories.