India's Mahaparinirvan Express special Train Tour

Itinerary Details Expand All [+]

• Day 01 – Delhi - Gaya

  The starting point of the tour is Delhi. You will assemble at around 3 p.m. at the Safdarjung Railway Station to board the Mahaparinirvana Express train. As soon as you get into the train you will be welcomed traditionally. Complete all the check-in formalities and settle down at your allotted seat. AT 4 p.m., the train will depart for Gaya. In the evening scrumptious dinner and tea will be served on-board. Have an overnight stay on the train.

• Day 02 – Gaya – Bodhgaya

  The train will arrive at Gaya early in the morning. You will disembark at the Gaya Railway Station and enjoy a scenic drive to Bodhgaya in a car. It will take around one hour to reach Bodhgaya from Gaya. After arriving at Bodhgaya you will be escorted to your pre-reserved hotel and you will complete all the check-in formalities. Savor the morning breakfast at your hotel and then embark on a sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya. You will visit the Niranjana River and Mahabodhi Temple. In the afternoon you will visit other popular attractions such as the Thai Temple, Buddha Statue, and Japanese Temple. Standing on the Mahabodhi Temple Complex’s premises, the Great Buddha Statue symbolizes compassion, peace, and enlightenment. It is known to be one of the largest statues of Buddha in the entire world. In the evening you will return to your hotel and have an overnight stay.

• Day 03 – Bodhgaya – Nalanda – Rajgir – Gaya – Varanasi

  Relish morning breakfast and tea at your hotel and then pack your bags as you will depart Nalanda. You will arrive in Rajgir at around 10:30 am and visit the popular attractions such as the Gridhakut Hill, Venuvan, and Bimbimsara Jail. Venuvana is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Rajgir where Gautam Buddha spent a significant period of his life teaching his disciples. It is a peaceful place with a serene lake and lush bamboo groves. It houses several Buddhist monuments, such as the Buddha’s footprints and the Buddha’s seat. Bimbisara’s Jail is situated on Ratnagiri hill. King Ajatshatru used the jail to imprison King Bimbisara, in the sixth century BC. The cave is one of the most famous pilgrimage sites for Jains as they believe that Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara once lived here.

  After the sightseeing tour, you’ll savor a lip-smacking lunch in one of the best restaurants in the city. Thereafter you will embark on a journey to Nalanda. After reaching Nalanda you’ll explore the ruins of the Nalanda Museum and Nalanda University. You’ll embark on a journey to Gaya Railway Station in the evening to catch the train for Varanasi. The departing time of the train is around 11:30 pm. Have a delightful overnight stay on board and relish a tasty dinner.

• Day 04 – Varanasi – Sarnath – Gorakhpur

  Enjoy a steaming cup of tea and then head to Varanasi. Once you arrive at Varanasi you’ll check in to your hotel and savor a tasty morning breakfast. After getting fresh you’ll visit Sarnath which is around ten kilometers away from Varanasi. You’ll visit famous attractions such as the Mulgandha Kuti Vihar, Dhamekh Stupa, The Ashokan Pillar, and the Sarnath Museum. Dhamekh Stupa is the place where Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples. Mulagandha Kuti Vihar is a Buddhist monastery renowned for its murals and frescoes. This monastery is known for its splendid architecture and exotic gardens surrounding it. Sarnath Museum exhibits the cultural wealth of Buddhism. It comprises a verandah, monastic cells, a main chapel, and galleries. The Ashokan Pillar is a world heritage site immensely popular amongst the Buddhists. The fifty-meter-long pillar has four lions on the top and it marks the visit of Ashoka to Sarnath.

  You’ll have a tasty lunch in the afternoon and then you’re free to spend the day as you like. In the evening you’ll enjoy a boat ride on the Ganga River. Witness the evening Aarti that will uplift your soul and help you have a unique spiritual experience. After the leisure activities, you will be transferred to the Varanasi Railway Station. From the railway station, you will catch a train to Gorakhpur. Have a delightful overnight stay on board and relish a yummy dinner.

• Day 05 – Gorakhpur – Kushinagar

  Enjoy your morning tea on the train and then disembark at Gorakhpur Railway Station. You’ll head to Kushinagar and check in at your pre-booked hotel. Savor a yummy breakfast and then visit popular attractions such as the Mahaparinirvan Temple, Mata Kutir Temple, and Rambhar Stupa. Mahaparinirvan Temple is one of the most sacred Buddhist shrines where you can see the idol of Lord Buddha in a reclining position. Inscriptions on the platform of this temple attribute its construction to Swami Haribala, a Buddhist monk who lived in the 5th century A.D. Mata Kutir Temple testifies to the generosity and compassion that are the main principles of Buddhism. Rambhar Stupa is Buddha’s cremation site. It is situated close to the Parinirvana Temple and the stupa rises to fifteen meters in height. In the afternoon you’ll have a mouthwatering lunch and then you can spend the day as you like. In the evening you’ll go for a chanting and meditation session. This activity will be undertaken based on the instructor's availability. Have a tasty dinner at your hotel and head to your room for a soothing sleep.

• Day 06 – Kushinagar – Lumbini – Gorakhpur

  Start your day with a delicious breakfast and a steaming cup of tea at your hotel. At around 6 am you’ll check out from your hotel and catch the bus Lumbini. Lumbini is in Nepal so you’ll need a few documents to enter this destination. We will take care of all the documents and paperwork required for a seamless journey. After arriving at Lumbini you will check in to your pre-reserved hotel and have a yummy breakfast. Post breakfast you’ll rest for some time and then get ready to visit Pushkarni Lake, Ashokan Pillar, and Maya Devi Temple. Maya Devi Temple is the exact place where Siddhartha who later came to be known as Gautam Buddha was born. This temple is dedicated to his mother who was the Queen of Lumbini in the ancient era. Ashokan Pillar is situated just outside the Maya Devi Temple and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The pillar commemorates to visit of King Ashoka to Kushinagar. Pushkarni Lake is a sacred lake in Kushinagar. It is believed that on Kartik Poornima if you bathe in the waters of this lake it will cure all your skin diseases and nullify sins. At around 4 pm you’ll head to Gorakhpur to board the train to Gonda. At around 8:30 pm, you’ll catch the train. Have a soothing sleep onboard and relish a scrumptious dinner.

• Day 07 – Gonda – Sravasti – Gonda – Agra

  Early morning you’ll arrive at Gonda Railway Station. After having your tea you’ll catch the train to Sravasti which is around sixty-five kilometers away from Gonda. After arriving at Sravasti you will check in to your pre-booked hotel. Have the morning breakfast and relax for some time in your hotel room. After a few hours, you will leave for a sightseeing tour of Sravasti and visit famous attractions such as the Jetavana Vihara, Thai Temple, and Pakki Kuti & Sehat Mahet. You’ll return to your hotel in the afternoon and have a delicious lunch. After lunch, you will check out from your hotel and head to Gonda railway station. From Gonda Railway Station you’ll catch the train to Agra. The train will leave at 6 pm for Agra and will cover around four hundred and fifty kilometers. At night you’ll have dinner and tea and then you’ll have a restful sleep on board.

• Day 08 – Agra – Delhi

  Relish morning breakfast and tea on board the train. After arriving at Agra you will visit the Taj Mahal, one of the most famous Mughal monuments and Seven Wonders of the World. Head back to Agra Railway Station in the afternoon to catch a train to New Delhi. The train will leave at around 2:15 p.m. You will savor your evening tea and lunch on board. You’ll arrive at the Safdarjung Railway Station in Delhi around 6:30 p.m. With this, the trip comes to an end and you’ll continue your journey forward.