BUDDHA TRAIL Awakening Mind Tour

* Itinerary dates & content may be subject to change.

2 Nov. Day 1.  Departure, Thai Airways (Auckland or Sydney)
Departs Auckland 3.30pm. Arrive Bangkok 9.30pm. Overnight in Bangkok.

3 Nov. Day 2
Depart Bangkok 7.50pm Arrive Delhi 10.45pm. Transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

4 Nov. Day 3. Delhi
Full day excursion of old and New Delhi, Spice Market, Mahatma Gandhi memorial, India gate, Akhsahrdham temple. Overnight at City Park.

5 Nov. Day 4. Delhi / Varanasi
After early morning breakfast, transfer to domestic airport for Flight to the ancient city of Varanasi. On arrival check in and relax. In the evening we visit the Ghat for Ganga Aarti (Fire ceremony by the Ganges River) and Vishwanath temple. overnight stay at The Raddison Hotel.

6 Nov. Day 5. Varanasi
Early morning take a boat ride and enjoy the sun rise over the Ganges. Return to hotel for breakfast. Drive to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha gave his first teaching. Overnight at Raddison.

VARANASI – According to legend, the city was founded by the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva, around 5,000 years ago, thus making it one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the country. It is one of the seven most sacred cities of India. Many Hindu scriptures, including the Rigveda, Skanda Purana, Ramayana, and the Mahabharata mention this city. It is located on the western banks of the Ganges River and is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities still in existence today and you do get an ancient sacred feeling in its’ narrow, winding stone streets filled with sights, sounds and smells of eternal time.

Varanasi was a commercial and industrial center famous for its muslin and silk fabrics, perfumes, ivory works, and sculpture. During the time of Gautama Buddha (born circa 567 BCE), Varanasi was the capital of the Kingdom of Kashi. The celebrated Chinese traveler, Xuanzang, attested that the city was a center of religious, educational, and artistic activities and he helped Buddhism to be adopted almost universally in China.

SARNATH – Buddhists wordwide look upon India as the land of the Buddha and a visit to this country means a pilgrimage to those places sacred to the memory of the Enlightened One. After the Buddha attanined enlightenment in Bodh Gaya he came to Sarnath. Here in the Deer Park, he delivered his first sermon on the 4 noble truths and set in motion the wheel of Law (Maha- Dharmachakra Pravartan) On the day before his death, Buddha included Sarnath along with Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar as the four places he thought to be sacred to his followers.

The Emperor Ashoka, who spread the Buddha’s message of love and compassion throughout his vast empire, visited Sarnath around 234BC, and erected a stupa here. Several Buddhist structures were raised at Sarnath between the 3^rd century BC and the 11^th century AD, and today it presents the most expansive ruins amongst places on the Buddhist trail. Sarnath is 10 km from the holy city of Varanasi, and is an exceedingly tranquil place. The ruins, the museum and temple are all within walking distance.

The Four Noble truths – It is our intention to incorporate these basic teachings of Buddha into the itinerary of the trip, so that you get to experience firsthand, the effects of your choices while travelling.
1.    There is suffering in the world.
2.    The cause of suffering is craving and aversion.
3.    The truth of the cessation of suffering.
4.    The truth of the 8 fold path.

7 Nov. Day 6. Varanasi / Bodhgaya, 240 Km 5 hrs drive
After an early breakfast we drive to BodhGaya where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. Overnight at The Royal Residency.

BODH GAYA – According to Buddhist traditions, circa 500 BC, Prince Gautama Siddhartha, wandering as an ascetic, reached the sylvan banks of Falgu River, near the city of Gaya. There he sat in meditation under a Bodhi tree (Ficus religiosa). After three days and three nights of meditation, Siddharta attained enlightenment and insight, and the answers that he had sought. He then spent seven weeks at seven different spots in the vicinity meditating and considering his experience. After seven weeks, he travelled to Sarnath, where he began teaching Buddhism.

Disciples of Gautama Siddhartha began to visit the place where he had gained enlightenment during the full moon in the month of Vaisakh (April-May), as per the Hindu calendar. Over time, the place became known as Bodh Gaya, the day of enlightenment as Buddha Purnima, and the tree as the Bodhi Tree.

The history of Bodh Gaya is documented by many inscriptions and pilgrimage accounts. Foremost among these are the accounts of the Chinese pilgrims Faxian in the 5th century and Xuanzang in the 7th century. The area was at the heart of a Buddhist civilization for centuries, until it was conquered by Turkish armies in the 13th century.

8 Nov. Day 7. Bodhgaya/ Varanasi/ Delhi
After early breakfast we drive back to Varanasi airport for flight to Delhi. Overnight back to the City Park Hotel.

9 Nov. Day 8. Delhi/ Parwanoo. 265 Km 5 hrs drive
After breakfast we drive to Parwanoo and the Timber Trail Resort at this hill Station. Relax and enjoy!

Timber Trail Resort, Parwanoo and Timber Trail Heights, Banasar.Nestling cozily on the lap of the Shivalik range, atop two adjacent hills and joined together with a cable car, Timber Trail is an idyllic holiday destination. The hustle and bustle of the city is forgotten as soon as one enters the gates of this wonderful resort. Surrounded by wooded hills, the Kaushalya River meanders its way between the two hills,where the clouds pause to rest and time stands still.

10 Nov. Day 9. Parwanoo/ Dharamshala 247 Km 5.5 hrs drive
After breakfast we drive to Dharamshala for overnight at Welcome Heritage Hotel (or similar).

11 Nov. Day 10. Dharamshala
Explore the surrounding places, visit local monastery and maybe even get to see HH The Dalia Lama if you are lucky! Back to the Welcome Heritage Hotel.

12 Nov. Day 11. Dharamsala
A day to explore some more and to experience a group meditation at the top of the hill. Amazing view over the mountains and valleys from this high vantage point.

Dharamsala is a city in the upper reaches of the Kangra Valley and is surrounded by dense coniferous forest consisting mainly of stately Deodars. The town is divided into three parts—Upper Dharamsala called McLeod Ganj, the middle Kotwali Bazar and the lower Kaccheri area.The town of McLeod Ganj in Upper Dharamshala is known worldwide for the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama that take place here every year. Dharamsala houses the headquarters of the Tibetan Government in exile about two kilometers below the town of MCLeod Ganj, led by the Prime Minister, Samdhong Rinpoche. McLeodGanj is also referred to as ‘Upper Dharamsala. This is the closest one can get to Tibet while in India. This quaint hill station is home to His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and political head of the Tibetan Buddhists. Once a British hill station, Dharamsala received an influx of Tibetan refugees after the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959.

13 Nov. Day 12. Dharamshala / Manali 235 Km 5 hrs drive
Overnight at Span Resort.

Manali (alt. 1,950 m or 6,398 ft), in the Vyas River valley, is an important hill station in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, India, near the northern end of the Kullu Valley.

Manali is administratively a part of the Kullu district, with population of approx. 30,000. The small town was the beginning of an ancient trade route to Ladakh and, from there, over the Karakoram Pass on to Yarkand and Khotan in the Tarim Basin.

Manali and the surrounding area is of great significance to Indian culture and heritage as it is said to be the home of the Saptarshi, or Seven Sages

14 Nov. Day 13. Manali
Explore the town, have a walk around this beautiful hill station with its forests and mountain back drop and see the temples. A very relaxing and peaceful town. Overnight back at Span Resort.

15 Nov. Day 14. Manali / Nalagarh fort 220 Km 4.5 hrs drive
After breakfast drive to NalgarhFort. This fort and the palace have a series of structures that are mostly built in the Mughal style of architecture. The retreat is an ideal place to unwind from the heat and dust enjoy your royal stay for the night.

16 Nov. Day 15. Nalagarh/ Delhi 291 Km 5 .5 hrs drive
After breakfast, we drive back to Delhi. Spend time at Janpath market before dinner.

17 Nov. Day 16.
Depart Delhi 11.55am. Arrive Bangkok 5.25pm. Departs Bangkok 7.50pm. Arrives Auckland 1.20pm on 18th November.

HIGHLIGHTS of BUDDHA TRAIL
Awakening Mind Tour

1. Price includes domestic flights into and out of Varanassi
2. Bodh Gaya and Sarnath sacred to all Buddhists. It is where Buddha became enlightened under the Bodhi tree and where he gave his first teaching, whereupon one of his first students instantly became enlightened.
3. Visit to Dharamsala where Tibetan Govt in exile located.
4. Dalai Lama to give teaching in Dharamsala while we there.
5. Ancient city of Varanassi with the incredible fire ceremony on the banks of Ganges River and haunting burning Ghats.
6. Manali beautiful alpine town with huge fir forests.
7. Top flight 4 star resorts and ancient forts and palaces for accommodation

TOTAL PRICE, NZD $3,995 + airfares

Cost includes:

• All hotels (4/5 star) on a twin share basis.
• All guides.
• All land transport and domestic flights
• All breakfasts & dinners.
• All Government taxes.

Cost excludes:

• Alcohol, mineral water or soft drinks.
• Tipping. (tipping is expected in India, can be handled as a group)
• Telephone, laundry or any personal expenses.
• Camera and video fees at certain monuments and tourist areas.
• Lunches (allow approx $13 US per day, based on buffet style)
• Spending money and food in Bangkok.