Journey to Himalayas

Trip Overview

From the stillness and mystique of an early morning boat ride along the Ganges in Varanasi, to Bodhgaya where the awakening of the Buddha is a joyous living force, the wisdom of these sacred places becomes an indelible imprint in each pilgrim’s heart and mind. Places of significance on this journey include Lumbini where the Buddha was born, Shravasti where he spent many years in retreat and gave many teachings, and Kushinigar where he passed away. The trip also visits excavated ruins of Nalanda University, once a rich resource of spiritual knowledge and fertile ground of higher learning. The main trip will end with a visit to Taj Mahal at Agra, a monument of love, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The Add-On to this trip, will take you to Golden Temple at Amritsar, the holiest shrine for the Sikhs all over the world. After Amritsar, you will visit Dharsmahala, home of His Holiness Dalai Lama, the 14th Dalai Lama. Here, you will celebrate the first three days of Losar (Feb 28-Mar 02, 2025), Tibetan New Year, a powerful time for practice, reflection, and generating good karma.

FEATURES

• Small Group (max of 15 people) – ensures a container of safety and care for your journey
• Experienced local guides – fluent in English and Hindi
• Exciting and safe travel – taking the “hassle” out of being in India so you can relax and soak up the experience
• High Quality Amenities – top class accommodation, outstanding food, every effort made to accommodate dietary and personal needs
• Unique Cultural Experience – Connections with local people open doors to remarkable experiences and encounters
• Support and Understanding of what makes a pilgrimage not just an ordinary journey

ROUTE MAP

PLACES ON MAIN TRIP

VARANASI: One of the oldest continually inhabited city in the World.
Ghats along river Ganga, Sarnath.

LUMBINI: Birthplace of Gautama Buddha.
UNESCO World Hertiage Site.

BODHGAYA: Where Buddha attained Enlightenment.
Mahabodhi Temple. Kalachakra Ground

SARNATH: Where Buddha gave his first Sermon
Dhamekh Stupa, Deer Park, Museum.

GRIDHAKUTA: Where Buddha set in motion, the second Dharmachakra.
Gridhakuta (Vulture Peak)

NALANDA:Ruins of Nalanda Mahavira (university)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Sariputta Stupa, Archaeological Museum.

SHRAVASTI: Where Buddha spent most of his life (24 monsoons).
Jetavana Monastery, Anathapindika’s Monastery, Gandhakuti,

VAISHALI: Where Buddha gave his last sermon.
Ashoka Pillar. Archaeological Museum. Ruins of Kolhua. Budha Relic Stupa. Peace Pagoda.

KUSHINAGAR: Where Buddha passed away.
Mahaparinarivana Temple.

AGRA: Town famous of Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal, Agra Fort.

ADD ON

AMRITSAR One of the oldest continually inhabited city in the World.
Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh

DHARAMSHALA: Home town of HH Dalai Lama.
Temple of Dalai Lama, Offices of Tibetan Government in Exile, Masrur Temple.
You will be here to celebrate Losar, Tibetan New Year.

WHY GO ON PILGRIMAGE?

A pilgrimage is a conscious journey with your own feet, heart and mind, to sacred places that carry the power of all the spiritual seekers who have gone before, with the intention of awakening and deeply nourishing our own human potential, right here in this time on earth.

In the history of humanity, there have been remarkable yet ordinary human beings that have walked before us, questioning deeply, never giving up until they had discovered a deep, incontrovertible truth within themselves. The Buddha was one such being, and the reverberations of that one life are still resounding on our planet today. Journey to Himalayas Buddhist Pilgrimage is deeply inspired by his quest, with the wish that all beings discover the power of their one unique and precious life.

Mother India and the holy sites that we will visit carry a palpable charge. The truth and vibrancy of ancient teachings is totally alive in these places, and simply by being there it becomes part of you. Opening to their living wisdom, these places imprint themselves in your heart and mind, and you will be forever changed. Experiencing this with a travelling community (Sangha) is an immense support for the profound and personal inner journey each pilgrim makes.

– words of Chani Grieve (Facilitator, 2018 Buddhist Pilgrimage)

Delhi – Varanasi/Sarnath – Bodhgaya – Nalanda/Rajgir – Vaishali – Kushinagar – Lumbini – Shravasti – Lucknow – Agra – Delhi (18 Days)

Add On: Amritsar & Dharamshala (7 Days)

PLEASE NOTE This is a tentative itinerary. The exact route of the journey will be finalized closer to the trip date and it might differ from this itinerary. Weather and road conditions permitting, this trip will include visit to all these places. Pick-up and drop-off place and date will not change. Please read the TOS for more details

ROUTE MAP

Day 1: Pick up at New Delhi*

Please make sure that you reach New Delhi in the evening/night of Day 1.

Day 2: Delhi – Varanasi (Flight)

Morning flight from Delhi to Varanasi. Check-in to a hotel. Witness Ganga Aarti in the evening. Stay in Varanasi for 2 nights.

Day 3: Varanasi

Early morning boat cruise on the Ganges, followed by an excursion to Sarnath. This is where Buddha gave his first sermon.

Day 4: Varanasi – Bodhgaya

After leisurely breakfast, drive to Bodhgaya. Buddha got enlightenment under Bodhitree here. Stay in Bodhgaya for 3 nights.

Day 5: Bodhgaya

After Breakfast, visit Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi tree which marks the site where the Buddha overcame the forces of Evil and Temptation and attained enlightenment. Continue to visit different Buddhist temples in the afternoon.

Day 6: Bodhgaya – Rajgir – Nalanda – Bodhgaya

After breakfast, drive to Rajgir. Visit Gridhakuta Hill – the seat from where Buddha delivered many of his sermons. It was here that the teachings of Buddha were recorded in writing for the first time. Many sites of the historical and archaeological significance surround the holy city of Rajgir. Also visit Bamboo grove. After lunch, visit the ruins of Nalanda University. Return back to Gaya for overnight stay.

Day 7: Bodhgaya – Patna

After breakfast, continue further sightseeing of Bodhgaya. Visit Sujata Temple and Niranjana river. Drive to Patna for an overnight stay.

Day 8: Patna – Vaisali – Kushinagar

After breakfast, drive to Vaishali. Visit Ananda stupa, Ashoka Pillar and Buddha’s Relic. After Lunch drive to Kushinagar via Kesaria for an overnight stay. (Stay in Kushinagar for 2 nights)

Day 9: Kushinagar

After breakfast, local sightseeing at Kushinagar. Here in 483 BC, Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. Visit Rambhar Stupa & Mahaparinirvana Temple.

Day 10: Kushinagar – Lumbini

Drive to Lumbini. Do immigration formalities at India–Nepal border. Lumbini is a small town in the southern Terai plains of Nepal. Stay in Lumbini for 3 nights.
This is the day that you will be entering Nepal. For a quick pass through the border, please make sure that you have the visa for Nepal or proper documentation to get the visa at the border.

Day 11: Lumbini

After breakfast, visit the Birth place of Lord Buddha. Shakyamuni Buddha was born in Lumbini, in southern Nepal, two thousand five hundred years ago. Since his time, Nepal has been a sacred ground for Buddhist as the birth place of Buddha.

Day 12: Lumbini

Visit Kapilavastu in the first half of the day. Explore Lumbini on your own at leisure for rest of the day.

Day 13: Lumbini – Shravasti

After breakfast, drive to Shravasti. Stay in Shravasti for 2 nights.

Day 14: Shravasti

After breakfast, visit Jetavana Garden, Shubuti stupa and Angulimal stupa.

Day 15: Shravasti – Lucknow

Drive to Lucknow for overnight stay at Hotel

Day 16: Lucknow – Agra

Fly from Lucknow to Agra. Visit Taj Mahal

DAY 17*: Agra – Delhi (Train)

In the afternoon, board the train from Agra to Delhi.
*Dinner for this day is not included in the package cost.

Day 18

Package of the main trip covers your stay till the morning of Day 18 (Feb 26, 2025)

Au Revoir!!

Add On

Day 18: Amritsar

Morning Flight from Delhi to Amritsar: 1 hr
Visit Golden Temple & Jallianwala Bagh in the evening.

Day 19: Amritsar – Dharsmshala

Amritsar to Dharmshala by road, 200 km, 5 hours.
You will drive through the plains of Punjab, and finally reached Dharamshala, nestled up at an altitude of 1700 meters in the Himalayas.

Day 20-23: Dharamshala (Losar)

You will spend four full days at Dharamshala, during which you will celebrate Losar, Tibetan New Year. You will also familiarize yourself with the local mountain culture of the Gaddis, the shepherds that have been living here for nearly two millennia. HH Dalai Lama moved here in 1960 only.

At Dharamshala, you will visit:
– The temple of His Honliness the 14th Dalai Lama.
– Offices Tibetan government in exile.
– Norbulingka, an initiative by Tibetan refugees to preserve their arts and culture.

– DGL, a nunnery headed by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo.
– Masrur, a complex of rock-cut Hindu temples from the 8th century.
– Kangra Art Gallery.
– Day hike to Triund.

Day 24: Delhi

Flight from Dharamshala to Delhi, (1.5 hours).
Check into a hotel and get ready for your international flight back home.

Day 25

Package of the trip with Add On covers your stay till the morning of Day 25 (Mar 05, 2025)

DATES

Main Tour: 18 Days
With Add On: 25 Days

Pick Up: Day 1 (Feb 09, 2025) after 3 PM.
Drop Off: Morning of Day 18 (Feb 26, 2025) for the Main Tour, or Day 25 (Mar 05,2025) with Add On.
Pick Up and Drop Off: New Delhi International Airport (DEL)
Please note that the cost of the package covers your stay from afternoon of Day 1 till the morning of Day 18 (Main Tour), or till the morning of Day 25 (Tour with Add On).

COST

TWIN SHARE: Two people sharing the same room. Separate beds if needed
SINGLE OCCUPANCY: Each person has an individual room

To register/book (confirm your spot) for this trip, you are requested to make a deposit of the booking amount for trip package.

PLEASE NOTE: This will be a non-refundable deposit.

Price inclusive of:

• Accommodation while in India and Nepal
• Cost of all meals, except where otherwise specified (Alcohol Exclusive)
  Please check itinerary for details.
• All Transportation costs within India (Air Travel, Trains & Cars/Taxi)
• Entrance Fee for Museums and Monuments
• Permits and other fees incurred while traveling in India
• Cost of special events like Cooking Evening or a Culture Show

Price exclusive of:

• International flight to/from India
• Visa Fees for India and Nepal
• Room Charges at hotels for snacks and drinks
• Pay Pal (Transactional) charges, for people not able to deposit the money directly into the bank in Canada.

BOOKING & PAYMENT

To book your spot on this trip, please deposit the booking amount (non-refundable) or the full amount, into the bank account of “Journey to Himalayas”. You will be required to deposit the full amount 90 days before the trip starts (Nov 10, 2024). For the Buddhist Pilgrimage 2025, only 2/3rd of the deposit will be refunded in case of cancellation by the client before Jun 30, 2024. After that, there will be no refund. Please read TOS for details.