Buddha's Footsteps, Towards Awakening

DAY 1: NEW DELHI
Arrival in New Delhi. Reception by the local representative and transfer to the hotel for accommodation for 2 nights, with breakfast. Upon arrival, guests receive a non-alcoholic beverage and a silk scarf as a welcome gift.

Delhi, or New Delhi, is the capital of India and an important gateway to the country. It is a metropolis that combines the old and the modern.


DAY 2: NEW DELHI
Breakfast at the hotel and private full-day tour, with guide in Spanish. Visit fascinating Old Delhi for a cultural immersion in this beautiful historic city. Rickshaw ride, passing through the narrow streets discovering the fusion of current traditions and the heritage that were built there. Trip to the Gandhi Smriti museum (closed on Mondays), dedicated to the Indian activist Mahatma Gandhi, and to the main temple of Sikhism in Delhi: Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, which was originally a palace and has a peculiar golden dome. During the temple visit, opportunity to participate in food preparation in the community kitchen run by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.

Visit to the Humayun Tomb, which is part of a complex of buildings considered by UNESCO as one of India's World Heritage Sites, one of the first examples of Mughal architectural art.

Shopping stop at Khan Market, with a variety of stores. Free time at one of the restaurants or coffee shops.

Return to the hotel via Rajpath Avenue, where the India Gate monument, the Parliament and the embassy area are located.


DAY 3: NEW DELHI/DHARAMSHALA
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out at the hotel. Transfer to New Delhi airport to board a flight to Dharamshala. Arrival and visit to the Norbulingka Institute, renowned for its work in the preservation of Tibetan culture and arts, named after the Norbulingka Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.

Then transfer to the hotel. Accommodation for 2 nights, with breakfast.

Dharamshala is a mountain retreat in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Nestled on the Himalayan slopes, the city impacts visitors with its natural beauty. Additionally, known for having become the temporary headquarters of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, Dharamshala breathes an aura of peace and harmony.


DAY 4: DHARAMSHALA
Breakfast at the hotel and departure for a full-day tour with an English-speaking guide.

Start of the tour in Mcleod Ganj, a Dharamshala suburb known for being the seat of the Tibetan government in exile, led by the Dalai Lama, including a visit to the Tsuglagkhang Complex, which houses the Dalai Lama's residence, the Namgyal Monastery, a museum, a library and a bookstore. It is a place of worship and pilgrimage for Tibetan Buddhists.

Next, visit the Bhagsunath Temple, dedicated to God Shiva, and St. John in the Wilderness Church, an Anglican church built in 1852, renowned for its Neo-Gothic architecture and stained glass windows.


DAY 5: DHARAMSHALA - AMRISTSAR
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Travel of about 5 hours to Amristar for accommodation for 2 nights, including breakfast.

Amritsar, located in northwestern India, in the state of Punjab, is widely recognized for its profound historical and spiritual importance.

In the afternoon, visit the Golden Temple, or Harmandir Sahib, one of the most important and visited temples of the Sikh religion. The site houses Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs, and Akal Takht, the throne of the highest Sikh religious authority.

During the tour, an opportunity to attend the Palki Sahib ceremony, which provides a unique view of Sikh religious practices, as well as evidencing the deep respect and devotion that Sikhs have for their sacred scriptures.


DAY 6: AMRISTSAR
Breakfast at the hotel and departure for a full-day tour with an English-speaking guide.

Visit the historic Jalianwala Bagh garden, a memorial that pays homage to the victims of 1919 in the struggle for Indian independence, and the Durgiana Devi Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Durga, with an architecture that recalls that of the Golden Temple.

In the afternoon, a live changing of the guard ceremony at Wagha Borded, the border between India and Pakistan.


DAY 7: AMRISTSAR/NEW DELHI - BODHGAYA
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for flight to Bodhgaya via New Delhi. Accommodation for 3 nights, with breakfast.

Bodhgaya is one of the holiest places in Buddhism, where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree.

Considered the holiest place for Buddhists, Bodhgaya is one of the four main pilgrimage sites related to the Buddha's life, the others being Lumbini (his birthplace), Sarnath (where he delivered his first sermon) and Kushinagar (where he died).


DAY 8: BODHGAYA
Breakfast at the hotel and departure for a full-day tour with an English-speaking guide.

Expected places to visit:

• Mahabodhi Temple Complex: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the main attraction in Bodhgaya. The Mahabodhi Temple, built adjacent to the Bodhi Tree, is an architectural wonder and an important pilgrimage site. The temple complex includes:
  • The Mahabodhi Stupa: An imposing structure adorned with sculptures and reliefs, symbolizing the path to enlightenment.
  • The Bodhi Tree: Descendant of the original tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. Devotees meditate and pray under its sacred canopy.
  • The Vajrasana (Diamond Throne): The stone seat where the Buddha is believed to have meditated.
• Great Buddha Statue: an 80-foot tall Buddha statue in meditative pose, inaugurated by the 14th Dalai Lama in 1989. It is surrounded by smaller statues of Buddha's disciples.
• Tibetan Monastery (Tergar Monastery): Built in the traditional Tibetan style, it is a center for Tibetan Buddhist studies and meditation.
• Royal Monastery of Bhutan: founded by the King of Bhutan, it has murals and a temple with a large statue of Buddha.
• Thai Monastery: renowned for its unique architecture and serene environment, it is built in the traditional Thai style, with a garden and a meditation hall.
• Chinese Temple: combines Chinese architectural elements with Buddhist symbolism, offering a peaceful retreat for meditation and prayer.
• Japanese Temple (Indosan Nipponji): built by Japanese Buddhists, with a large Buddha statue and a meditation garden.

DAY 9: BODHGAYA - RAJGIR - NALANDA -
BODHGAYA Breakfast at the hotel. Rajgir and Nalanda full-day tour, with English-speaking guide.

Rajgir, located in Bihar, India, is renowned for its historic role in Buddhism and Jainism. Major attractions include the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Griddhakuta Hill, and Rajgir hot springs.

Nalanda is renowned for its former university, one of the world's first residential learning centers. Site visits include the Archaeological Site and the Nalanda Museum.

Return to the hotel.


DAY 10: BODHGAYA - VARANASI
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Travel of about 5 hours to Varanasi for accommodation for 2 nights, including breakfast.

Varanasi, India's sacred city also known as Kashi and Benaras, is famous for its high-quality silks, 'paan' and the Hindu University of Benares. Considered one of the oldest cities in the world, Varanasi attracts visitors seeking a spiritual experience. It is one of the holiest destinations for Hindus, reflecting the essence of Hinduism with its temples, shrines, and rituals.

In the evening, an opportunity to attend a traditional Aarti offering ceremony on the banks of the Ganges River. In this ritual, lamps are offered to the gods, accompanied by hymns, drums, and bells.


DAY 11: VARANASI
Early in the morning, departure for a boat ride along the Ganges River, with a guide in Spanish, where Hindu pilgrims perform rituals along the steps. At sunrise, the faithful bathe in the river to wash away their sins. Then, visit the main attractions of the historic city of Varanasi, to visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, also known as the Golden Temple, and the Bharat Mata Mandir, opened by Gandhi and known for his marble carved map of India.

Return to the hotel for breakfast.

In the afternoon, visit the great Sarnate Buddhist Center, where Buddha delivered his first sermon. The Sarnath museum houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculptures.

Rest of the day free.

Suggested optional activities (not included):

• After returning to the hotel in the morning, yoga classes with a professional instructor;
• Banaras Gharana traditional musical encounter session;
• Visit the Hindu University of Benares, to visit the city's scientific and political knowledge center, with an accompanying historian.

DAY 12: VARANASI - LUCKNOW
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Travel of about 5 hours to Lucknow for accommodation for 2 nights, including breakfast.

Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, is renowned for its rich history, cultural heritage, and culinary delights. It is often called the “City of the Nawabs” because of its association with the Awadh Nawabs, who were great patrons of the arts and culture. Lucknow has a remarkable past, with significant contributions from the Mughal and British eras. The city was an important center of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Its historic legacy is evident in its grand monuments, palaces, and gardens.

In the evening, free time to explore the local market and try the region's delicacies.


DAY 13: LUCKNOW
Breakfast at the hotel. Lucknow full-day tour, with English-speaking guide.

The visit includes the Bara Imambara, a historic complex with a remarkable labyrinth; the Chota Imambara, known for its chandeliers and glass work; the Rumi Darwaza, an iconic Mughal gate; the British Residency, a landmark of the First Indian War of Independence; and La Martiniere College, a building with European and Mughal architecture.


DAY 14: LUCKNOW - AGRA
After breakfast and check-out. Travel of approximately 5 hours to Agra for accommodation for 1 night, with breakfast.

Visit the famous Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays), one of the seven wonders of the world, located in a protected area. The monument was built by Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his beloved queen. Its construction began in 1631 and is believed to have taken 22 years to complete, employing the labor of more than 20,000 artisans. During the visit, stop for a photo in front of the Taj Mahal, wearing Indian costumes.


DAY 15: AGRA - NEW DELHI
After breakfast, check out at the hotel, visit the Agra Fort in Agra, India. It is a red sandstone fortress built in the late 16th century by Akbar. A notable example of Mughal architecture, the fort includes courtyards, mosques, and palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Moti Masjid Mosque. Originally a military and administrative center, today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering a glimpse of Mughal grandeur.

Then, transfer to New Delhi for 3 to 4 hours.