Varanasi Tour Packages

Rajasthan Travels Offer Varanasi Tour Packages Varanasi has had many names through history, one being the abode of gods, and is one of the holy cities for Hindus.Temples may be found in every nook and corner, some with exquisite architecture. Pilgrims from across the globe visit Varanasi and take a dip in the holy water of the River Ganga.You may visit the city with your entire family in early summer, when there are several religious festivals and local art is displayed. However, there are no direct flights to Varanasi. The nearest major airport is in Delhi. Cleartrip offers packages for you to fly to Delhi and then stay in Varanasi at unbelievable rates. Get spoilt for choice when you browse our range of flights and hotels;pick one that fits in perfectly with your requirements.

Book your Varanasi Tour Packages with Rajasthan Travels!

India Buddhist Tour
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Lucknow - Sravasti - Lumbini - Kushinagar - Varanasi - Bodhgaya - Patna
Tour Package Duration: 06 Nights/ 07 Days

Day 1: Delhi
Arrival at Delhi follows reception and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 2: Delhi- Lucknow- Sravasti
Leave Delhi by flight or train for Lucknow in the morning. Upon arrival at Lucknow you will be driven to Sravasti (170 km). Sravasti was the capital of Kosala Mahajanapada in ancient times. Sravasti is also known as Sahet-Mahet. Sravasti is renowned for the supernatural feats showed by Lord Buddha, sitting on a lotus, and for other stories that are linked with Buddha. It is said that Lord Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons at Sravasti. On reaching Sravasti you will be transferred to hotel. Overnight stay will be in Sravasti.

Day 3: Sravasti- Lumbini
After breakfast at the hotel you will be taken for a sightseeing tour of Sahet Mahet (once the capital of ancient Kingdom of Kosala), Jetvana Vihar and Buddhist temples. From Sravasti you will be driven to Lumbini (in Nepal, 225 km). Upon arrival at Lumbini you will be transferred to hotel. Overnight stay will be in hotel at Lumbini. Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Lumbini is also one of the UNESCO world heritage sites.

Day 4: Lumbini- Kushinagar
After breakfast you will be taken for a sightseeing tour of Lumbini. Sightseeing covers Mayadevi temple, Ashokan Pillar, Buddhist temples, Pushkarni (the sacred pool), sanctum sanctorum of Buddha's birthplace and stupas. After Lumbini you will head for another sacred Buddhist place, Kushinagar (161km). On reaching Kushinagar you will be transferred to hotel. Overnight stay will be at hotel in Kushinagar. Kushinagar is the place of Buddha's Mahaparinirvana (the final bowing out).

Day 5: Kushinagar- Varanasi
In the morning you will visit the Mahaparinirvana temple and the Ramabhar Stupa (the cremation place of Lord Buddha). Breakfast follows a drive to Varanasi (260 km). On arrival at Varanasi you will be transferred to hotel. Overnight stay will be at hotel in Varanasi.

Day 6: Varanasi- Bodhgaya
Early in the morning you will be taken to Ganga Ghats for a boat ride on the Ganges to see bathing and cremation rituals. Morning city tour of Varanasi follows after breakfast. Sightseeing tour covers the Bharat Mata temple, the Banaras Hindu University, Vishwanath temple etc. You will leave Varanasi for Bodhgaya (242 km) via Sarnath. Sarnath is the place where Lord Buddha gave his first Sermon. Attractions at Sarnath include the Buddhist temple, Stupas, Archaeological museum and ancient ruins. On arrival at Bodhgaya, you will be transferred to hotel. Overnight stay will be at hotel in Bodhgaya. It was at Bodhgaya where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the sacred Bodhi Tree.

Day 7: Bodhgaya- Patna
Breakfast at hotel follows a visit to the Mahabodhi temple and other monuments and edifices associated with Buddhism. From Bodhgaya you will be driven to Patna via Rajgir and Nalanda.

Rajgir is a place of great significance for Buddhists and Jains. Lord Buddha spent 12 years at Rajgir and the first Buddhist council was held here. Sightseeing at Rajgir covers the Gridhakuta Hill, Bimbisara Jail and other Jain and Buddha monuments. From Rajgir you will be driven to Nalanda (14 km).

Nalanda was a great center of learning in ancient times. Nalanda was one of the greatest monastic universities of the ancient world. At Nalanda you will visit the ruins of the Nalanda University, temples and stupas. From Nalanda you will head for Patna (90km). On arrival at Patna you will be transferred to railway station/airport to connect train/flight for Delhi.

Day 8: Delhi
Upon arrival at Delhi you will be transferred to the international airport for onward destination.

History of Varanasi :- Ghats of Ganges, VaranasiThe land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Often referred to as Benares, Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world. These few lines by Mark Twain say it all: "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together". Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the origins of Varanasi are yet unknown. Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals.

Ganges is said to have its origins in the tresses of Lord Shiva and in Varanasi, it expands to the mighty river that we know of. The city is a center of learning and civilization for over 3000 years. With Sarnath, the place where Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment, just 10 km away, Varanasi has been a symbol of Hindu renaissance. Knowledge, philosophy, culture, devotion to Gods, Indian arts and crafts have all flourished here for centuries. Also a pilgrimage place for Jains, Varanasi is believed to be the birthplace of Parsvanath, the twenty-third Tirthankar.

Vaishnavism and Shaivism have co-existed in Varanasi harmoniously. With a number of temples, Mrs. Annie Besant chose Varanasi as the home for her 'Theosophical Society' and Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, to institute 'Benares Hindu University, the biggest University in Asia. Ayurveda is said to be originated at Varanasi and is believed to be the basis of modern medical sciences such as Plastic surgery, Cataract and Calculus operations. Maharshi Patanjali, the preceptor of Ayurveda and Yoga, was also affiliated with Varanasi, the holy city. Varanasi is also famous for its trade and commerce, especially for the finest silks and gold and silver brocades, since the early days.