Treading the Buddha’s Trail
Kolkata / Farakka – Samtaghat – Bateshwarsthan – Sultanganj –
Munger – Simaria – Patna – Nalanda – Bodhgaya – Varanasi
10 nights / 11 days
13 to 23 Oct 2024 | 10 to 20 Dec 2025
Board an early morning train in Kolkata to arrive at Farakka by midday. Transfer from the train station to the jetty for embarkation. Lunch onboard while the ship sails on the main Ganges River towards Samtaghat.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Today we sail full day towards Bateshwarsthan enjoying breakfast and lunch. You will be fascinated by the passing landscape and the lively life on the river. We will arrive in Bateshwarsthan by evening.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast drive in cars to the 8-9th century excavation site of the Vikramshila University and walk around the 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. We return to the ship and sail towards Sultanganj while enjoying lunch onboard.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
After breakfast excursion to Sultanganj, which is notable for two prominent granite rock islands in the river connected to the mainland by a causeway. On one of the islands is a mosque; 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.
Dinner & overnight onboard 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 the local market popular for fruits, vegetables, textiles, and readymade garments.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Enjoying our breakfast and lunch onboard, we continue our journey further upstream sailing under the great bridge at Mokameh Ghat. We will arrive in Simaria by late afternoon. In the evening walk in the riverside village of Simaria to see the daily activities of the local people.
Dinner & overnight onboard 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 Ganga Vilas
Disembark early morning with packed breakfast and drive to the World Heritage Site of Nalanda which was a renowned Mahavihara (Buddhist monastic university) in ancient Magadha operating from 427 until 1197 CE. Continue to Rajgir, which was one of Buddha's most important preaching locations. Lunch at a restaurant here before we continue to Bodhgaya, which is one of the four pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha.
Dinner & overnight at a hotel in Bodhgaya
After breakfast at hotel visit the World Heritage Mahabodhi Temple, which was the place where Gautama Buddha attained Enlightenment under the “Bodhi Tree.” Return to hotel for lunch Thereafter spend the day 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. These buildings reflect the architectural style exterior and interior decoration of their respective countries.
Dinner & overnight at a hotel in Bodhgaya
After early breakfast at the hotel drive to Varanasi, the holiest town for the Hindus. It also played an important role in the development of Buddhism. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and have lunch. In the evening visit the ghats to experience the activities and hustle-bustle in the by-lanes. Continue to the riverside and witness the evening “Ganga Aarti” ritual.
Dinner & overnight at a hotel in Varanasi.
At early dawn enjoy a sunrise boat tour to witness the incredible scenes along the holy Ganges River. Return to hotel for breakfast. Thereafter visit the archaeological site of Sarnath, where Buddha after attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya, preached his first discourse to his first five disciples. The Dhamek Stupa here is one of the eight stupas where Buddha’s ashes after his cremation were divided and buried.
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. The restaurants and hotels in Rajgir and Bodhgaya will not serve liquor as it is prohibited in the region.
- Satellite phones & drone cameras are not allowed in Varanasi, please ensure the same, while traveling to Varanasi.