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Treading the Buddha’s Trail
Embark the Ganga Vilas and set out to explore some historical sites associated with the life of Buddha along with a journey through Magadha, (modern day Bihar), which was the centre of politico-cultural power and a haven of learning since ancient times. Combined with a land tour of Nalanda, Bodhgaya, and Varanasi.
Itinerary Details
Board a morning train in Kolkata for Farakka. Upon arrival at the Farakka train station, transfer to embark the ship followed by lunch. Farakka is known for the historic Lock Gate which connects the Hooghly to the main Ganges river.
Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas
Today we sail full day towards Sahibganj enjoying breakfast and lunch. You will be fascinated by the passing landscape and the lively life on the river. Sahibganj is a scenic town and a port city on the banks of Ganges. Literally meaning a place (ganj) of masters (sahebs or sahibs) as several English and other European people lived and worked in and around the railway station during the British Raj.
Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas
Enjoy a Village Walk in the morning.
Return to ship and sail towards Bateshwarsthan enjoying lunch onboard. We will arrive in Bateshwarsthan by evening. Time permitting, enjoy a walk on the Ghats (embankments).
Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas
After breakfast drive in cars to the 8-9th century excavation site of the Vikramshila University. Spend the day walk around the archaeological ruins. Vikramshila University was an important Buddhist centre of learning under the rule of the Pala Dynasty. Subjects like theology, philosophy, grammar, metaphysics, and logic were taught here.
Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas.
This morning, we sail to Sultanganj while enjoying breakfast onboard. Thereafter excursion to Sultanganj, which is notable for two prominent granite rock islands in the river connected to the mainland by a causeway. On one island is a mosque and on the other larger one, is the Ajgaibinath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. We will visit the Shiva temple.
Return to the ship and sail towards Munger while enjoying lunch onboard. We arrive by the evening. Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas
After breakfast visit the Chandika Sthan Temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Shakti. It is one of the fifty-one Shakti Peethas, associated with the legend of Lord Vishnu who to save the world from Lord Shiva’s wrath, cut into pieces the corpse of Devi Sati that Shiva was carrying.
Return to ship for lunch. Thereafter visit the Munger Fort and enjoy a walking tour and the local market popular for fruits, vegetables, textiles, and readymade garments.
Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas
Enjoying our breakfast and lunch onboard, we continue our journey further upstream to arrive at Barh, a historic town located on the southern banks of the Ganges.
We arrive by late afternoon. In the evening walk in the riverside village of Barh to see the daily activities of the local people.
Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas
After breakfast, embark on a full day excursion to archaeological ruins of Nalanda (approx. one-hour’s drive). A World Heritage Site Nalanda was a renowned Mahavihara (Buddhist monastic university) in ancient Magadha. It is considered by historians to be the world’s first residential university and among the greatest centers of learning in the ancient world. Operating from 427 until 1197 CE, it played a vital role in promoting the patronage of arts and academics. It taught six major Buddhist schools and philosophies as well as subjects such as Vedas, grammar, medicine, logic and mathematics.
We continue to nearby Rajgir for lunch at a local restaurant. Return to the ship by evening. Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas
Today we sail full day through wonderful countryside to Patna, enjoying breakfast and lunch. Patna is the capital of the State of Bihar and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world founded in 490 BCE as Pataliputra.
Dinner & Overnight onboard MV Ganga Vilas
After an early breakfast, disembark the ship and drive to Bodhgaya (approx. 3-hrs drive)., which for Buddhists, is the most important of the main four pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha, the other three being Kushinagar, Lumbini and Sarnath.
Upon arrival in Bodhgaya proceed to visit the Mahabodhi Temple. Declared a World Heritage Site, it is said to be the place where Gautama Buddha attained Enlightenment under a banyan tree that became known as the Bodhi Tree. Since antiquity, Bodh Gaya has remained the object of pilgrimage and veneration both for Hindus and Buddhists. Buddhist chanting and prayers can be witnessed in the temple premises.
Transfer to hotel for check-in and lunch.
The day can be spent exploring the several Buddhist temples and monasteries that have been built by the people of various countries like Bhutan, Mongolia, China, Japan, Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet and Vietnam in a wide area around the Mahabodhi Temple.
These buildings reflect the architectural style, exterior and interior decoration of their respective countries. The statue of The Buddha in the Chinese temple is 200 years old and was brought from China. The Japanese Nippon temple is shaped like a pagoda. The Myanmar (Burmese) temple is also pagoda shaped and is reminiscent of Bagan. The Thai temple has a typical sloping, curved roof covered with golden tiles. Inside, the temple holds a massive bronze statue of Buddha. Next to the Thai temple is a 25-metre statue of The Buddha, located within a garden which has existed there for over 100 years.
Lunch, Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
After early breakfast we drive to Varanasi (248-kms/approx. 5-hrs), the holiest town for the Hindus. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and have lunch. Varanasi, known variously as Banaras and Kashi, is a major religious hub in India, and is considered the holiest city in Hinduism and Jainism and also played an important role in the development of Buddhism. The city is known worldwide for its many Ghats, which are embankments made in steps of stone slabs along the river bank where pilgrims perform ritual ablutions.
Enjoy a walk on these ghats and arrive at the Dashashwamedh Ghat to see the “Ganga Aarti” ritual, performed by a group of priests lined up on the riverbank chanting mantras and performing the prayer ritual with lamps, incense, bells and traditional Hindu instruments to honour the river. Thousands of devotees throng the riverbank to participate in the ceremony every evening.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
At early dawn enjoy a Sunrise Boat Tour to witness the incredible scenes along the Holy River. Return to hotel for breakfast.
Thereafter visit Sarnath where, circa 528 BCE, at 35 years of age, Gautama Buddha taught his first sermon after attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya. The Dhamek Stupa here marks the precise location where Buddha preached his first discourse to his first five disciples, and where all five eventually became fully liberated. It is also where the Buddhist Sangha first came into existence as a result of the enlightenment of his first five disciples. It is also one of the eight stupas where Buddha’s ashes after his cremation were divided and buried.
The Archaeological Museum at Sarnath contains a large collection of sculptures that stand testimony to the fervent artistic and religious activity for more than a thousand years.
Thereafter transfer to the airport for onward journey.
Important Note
- The itinerary may be readjusted due to local conditions and days of the week, to avoid closure of monuments/museums. Last-minute sailing adjustments may also occur. The onboard tour staff will
announce or post the exact time for each activity. - The letters in parentheses indicate the included meal of the day B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner.
- As per government restrictions, from Farakka to Patna, no liquor will be served on board.
- Satellite Devices: phone, pager and all satellite communication devices are banned in India due to security reasons. Please do not carry any such device to India.