In the Footsteps of the Buddha-Bodhi Pilgrimage
I
n the Footsteps of the Buddha-A pilgrimage retreat led by the Monastics Brothers of Plum Village (Thay Phap Xa, Thay Phap Khoi, Thay Phap Tri and Thay Phap Luu) and Dharmacharya Shantum Seth:

April 19, 2022 - April 30, 2022

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Delhi, Rajgir, Nalanda, Bodh Gaya, Varanasi and Sarnath
Retreat and receive teachings while on pilgrimage In the Footsteps of the Buddha in the early summer of India with Plum Village Monastics. This is a special pilgrimage for Deer Park, EIAB (European Institute of Applied Buddhism) and Plum Village practitioners all over the world.

Being cautious about the ongoing COVID pandemic, at present we plan to restrict the number of pilgrims to 28 paying participants on a first come, first served basis. We shall be taking precautions to avoid unnecessary exposure where possible. There are Governmental regulations that change from time to time. We will keep you informed of the relevant changes as we go along.

Sponsorship: For every 7 people who sign up for the pilgrimage, one monastic is sponsored free on the pilgrimage, You are also welcome to independently sponsor a monastic to come on the pilgrimage.

There are options to visit the other Buddhist sacred sites of Kushinagar, Kapilavastu and Sravasti, after the main pilgrimage, and the Taj Mahal, and the Exquisite Caves of Ajanta & Ellora at the conclusion of the trip.

 

In the Footsteps of the Buddha - Delhi, Rajgir, Nalanda, Bodh Gaya, Varanasi and Sarnath. A pilgrimage retreat led by the Monastics of Plum Village (Brothers Thay Phap Xa, Thay Phap Khong, Thay Phap Tri and Thay Phap Luu) and Dharmacharya Shantum Seth (April 19-30, 2022) - Euro 3400 / US$ 3900, based on double occupancy.  The single room supplement is an additional Euro 1360 /US$ 1560. 
The tour price includes teachings, meditation and Dharma talks from the Plum Village tradition monastics and Shantum, guide services, transportation, meals, monument entrance fees, bottled water and lodging arrangements for the duration of the pilgrimage.

Post Pilgrimage Extension to Sravasti, Kapilavastu, Kushinagar, Kesariya and Vaishali (April 30- May 4, 2022) - Euro 1460 / US$ 1675 based on double occupancy.  The single room supplement is an additional Euro 585/US$ 670  
The tour price includes guide services, transportation, meals, monument entrance fees, bottled water and lodging arrangements for the duration of this option.

Agra – Building Love, the Taj Mahal extension (April 30-May 1, 2022 or May 4-May 5, 2022) - Euro 295* / US$ 335 based on double occupancy.  The single room supplement is an additional Euro 120 / US$ 135
The tour price includes guide services, transportation, meals, monument entrance fees, bottled water and lodging arrangements for the duration of the Agra option.

The Exquisite Caves of Ajanta & Ellora extension (May 1-May 4, 2022) or ( May 5-May 8, 2022)- Euro 1305 / US$ 1495* based on double occupancy.  The single room supplement is an additional Euro 520 / US$ 595
The tour price includes guide services, transportation, meals, monument entrance fees, bottled water and lodging arrangements for the duration of the Caves option.   

 

For futher information & registration please contact us at info@buddhapath.com

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Buddhapath (Eleven Directions) is 3rd in this august global list (including Plum village and Spirit Rock) of inner journeys in outer spaces. Rating has been done by CNN. Read more...
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• ITINERARY

• PLACES TO VISIT

• TEACHER BIOGRAPHY

• COSTS

• REGISTRATION

• IMPORTANT TO DOs after registration

• TRAVEL FACTS

 

 

ITINERARY

ITINERARY WITH OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS TO AGRA AND CAVES April-May 2022:


No.

Date

Week Day

Travel

Night Stay

1

19-Apr-22

Wednesday

Pilgrimage begins in Delhi

Delhi

2

20-Apr-22

Wednesday

Fly Delhi-Patna. To Rajgir by road

Rajgir

3

21-Apr-22

Thursday

Rajgir

Rajgir

4

22-Apr-22

Friday

Rajgir

Rajgir

5

23-Apr-22

Saturday

Rajgir-Bodhgaya by road

Bodh Gaya

6

24-Apr-22

Sunday

Bodhgaya

Bodh Gaya

7

25-Apr-22

Monday

Bodhgaya

Bodh Gaya

8

26-Apr-22

Tuesday

Bodhgaya

Bodh Gaya

9

27-Apr-22

Wednesday

Bodhgaya-Varanasi/Sarnath by road

Varanasi

10

28-Apr-22

Thursday

Varanasi/Sarnath

Varanasi

11

29-Apr-22

Friday

Varanasi/Sarnath

Varanasi

12

30-Apr-22

Saturday

Fly to Delhi. To Agra by road

Departure/Agra

2

01-May-22

Sunday

Visit the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Agra-Delhi in the evening by road

Departure/Delhi for Caves

1

02-May-22

Sunday

Delhi-Aurangabad for the Caves Extension

Aurangabad

2

03-May-22

Monday

Aurangabad

Aurangabad

3

04-May-22

Tuesday

Fly Aurangabad-Delhi

Departure

*There could be minor changes in the itinerary based on a number of variable factors

 

ITINERARY WITH OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO OTHER PILGRIMAGE SITES, AGRA AND CAVES:


No.

Date

Week Day

Travel

Night Stay

1

19-Apr-22

Wednesday

Pilgrimage begins in Delhi

Delhi

2

20-Apr-22

Wednesday

Fly Delhi-Patna. To Rajgir by road

Rajgir

3

21-Apr-22

Thursday

Rajgir

Rajgir

4

22-Apr-22

Friday

Rajgir

Rajgir

5

23-Apr-22

Saturday

Rajgir-Bodhgaya by road

Bodh Gaya

6

24-Apr-22

Sunday

Bodhgaya

Bodh Gaya

7

25-Apr-22

Monday

Bodhgaya

Bodh Gaya

8

26-Apr-22

Tuesday

Bodhgaya

Bodh Gaya

9

27-Apr-22

Wednesday

Bodhgaya-Varanasi/Sarnath by road

Varanasi

10

28-Apr-22

Thursday

Varanasi/Sarnath

Varanasi

11

29-Apr-22

Friday

Varanasi/Sarnath

Varanasi

12

30-Apr-22

Saturday

Fly to Delhi. To Agra by road

Departure/Agra

1

30-Apr-22

Saturday

Varanasi-Kushinagar by road

Kushinagar

2

01-May-22

Sunday

Kushinagar

Kushinagar

3

02-May-22

Monday

Kushinagar-Kapilavastu-Sravasti

Sravasti

4

03-May-22

Tuesday

Sravasti

Sravasti

5

04-May-22

Wednesday

Sravasti- Lucknow Departure/Agra

Departure/Agra

2

05-May-22

Thursday

Visit the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Drive Agra-Delhi in the evening

Departure/Delhi for Caves

1

06-May-22

Friday

Delhi-Aurangabad for the Caves Extension

Aurangabad

2

07-May-22

Saturday

Aurangabad

Aurangabad

3

08-May-22

Sunday

Fly Aurangabad-Delhi

Departure

*There could be minor changes in the itinerary based on a number of variable factors

 


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PLACES TO VISIT

Shakyamuni Buddha discovered the truth of overcoming suffering and bringing happiness to the individual, family and society. Before he died, the Buddha suggested that it would be of great benefit to those who are interested in his teachings to make a pilgrimage to the places associated with his life.

mahabodhi templeThis 12-day journey will begin at noon in Delhi on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. The next day, we will fly to Patna and thereafter travel by our own private coach to Rajgir/Nalanda, Bodh Gaya and Varanasi/Sarnath. From Varanasi we take our return flight to Delhi. We will be back in Delhi by the evening of Saturday, April 30, 2022. You should book your departure flight late night (after 11 pm) on April 30, 2022 or early morning of May 1, 2022.  

In Delhi, we will visit the place where Mahatma Gandhi, the father of India, lived and died. This is a wonderful place to begin the pilgrimage as Gandhiji reminds us of the Buddha in our time. He personified a unique way of living, faith and politics where it became a practice of applied ethics.   Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya

The Buddha lived and traveled along the plains of the Ganges.  We shall visit two states of northern India, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. We shall walk on the same paths the Buddha did. Shantum has been researching some of these paths, as part of a program he has been doing for the Government of India and the World Bank.

From Delhi, we will fly to Patna, the modern-day capital of the state of Bihar as also the capital of the great Buddhist Emperor, Ashoka of the 3rd Century BCE. We will board our coach to journey to Rajgir, the capital of the Magadha kingdom at the time of the Buddha. We will visit Jethian, where the Buddha met with King Bimbisara, walk to the Bamboo Grove, the first land donated to the sangha, climb to his favorite meditation place, Vulture Peak and walk to the Saptaparni Caves, where the first Buddhist council was held, via the Hot Springs that he bathed at. We shall visit Nalanda the site of the famous university from the 5th to 12th centuries CE where a lot of Mahayana teachings were developed, including being the source of the Manifestation school lineage of the Order of Inter-being. Thereafter we shall move to Bodh Gaya where Siddhartha Gautama awakened to become the Buddha. We shall visit the Mahabodhi Temple, sit under the Bodhi Tree and visit the seven sites he visited after his enlightenment.  We shall also walk across the countryside to the caves where the Buddha practiced austerities and to the village of Sujata, the young girl who offered him rice and milk when he was starving to death. We shall then journey to Varanasi, the ‘City of Light’ and visit the banks of the Ganges River where the Hindu faithful come to wash away their bad karma. We shall walk on the Panchkosi pilgrim path and visit the Deer Park in Sarnath where the Buddha met his first five disciples and offered his teachings on the Four Noble Truths, the Eight-Fold Path and Non-Self, thereby ‘turning the wheel of the Dharma’, that continues to turn, 2,600 years later. Thereafter we shall fly back to Delhi after our closing ceremony.

Apart from visiting the places where the Buddha lived, we shall visit monasteries, temples and shrines of different faiths, take a boat ride at sunrise along the Ganges at Varanasi and walk in the alleyways, have discussions with locals, visit the homes of the poor and the privileged and get a deep understanding of historical and contemporary India. We would discuss this within the context of the Buddha's teachings, so we can examine what we are witnessing and experiencing both from an external and internal perspective.meditation

India’s cities stand in contrast to her villages and have their own interesting (if seemingly chaotic) lifestyle.  Varanasi/Sarnath and Bodh Gaya are both significant pilgrimage sites, having their own distinct character and personality.  In these places we get a closer view of how modern and traditional India co-exist. Rajgir and Nalanda are smaller towns and relatively quiet, giving the pilgrims the opportunity to absorb the nuances of the local culture and society. We shall take many opportunities to take extended walks so as to be more grounded and touch the earth and life unfolding around us more deeply.


After a teaching at Nalanda
Join us on this journey through a fascinating and mysterious India – as we walk 'In the Footsteps of the Buddha'. The pilgrimage is an unforgettable opportunity to explore areas that few tourists visit and to see and experience aspects of Indian life that, in many ways, that have not changed since the time of the Buddha.  We invite you to journey with other practitioners on a transformative journey that will allow you to touch an ancient culture and civilization, and experience the life of the Buddha through the places he lived and taught.

We have optional extensions:
Post Pilgrimage extension to Kushinagar, Kapilavastu and Sravasti, April 30-<=May 4, 2022


We have an opportunity to visit some of the other sites associated with the Buddha, before the main pilgrimage for those who want. We shall drive from Varanasi to Kushinagar, where the Buddha passed away, and visit the stupas and temples to mark the spots of his last teachings, death and cremation. We will proceed to Sravasti, where the Buddha spent 24 of his rain retreats. We shall visit the famous Jeta Grove where the Buddha offered many teachings, including the Anapanasati Sutra, on the Full Awareness of Breathing, and the old city where he converted the dreaded terrorist, Angulimala to the path of peacefulness.   Enroute, we shall visit Kapilavastu, where Siddhartha the Prince spent the first 29 years of his life. These places are very moving and allow us to experience what the Buddha did and internalize his teachings.

 

Building Love - Agra, the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort April 30-May 1 or May 5-6, 2022
Agra was the capital of the great Mughals.  Emperor Akbar, was the sponsor of the phenomenal Agra Fort. His grandson Shah Jahan built the beautiful monument to love, the Taj Mahal, as a mausoleum for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Both these monuments are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

tajmahal

The Exquisite Caves– Ajanta & Ellora (beginning and ending in Delhi) May 1-4 or May 5-8, 2022
Ajanta
Ajanta is situated near Aurangabad. Beginning in the 2nd century BCE and continuing for 900 years, twenty-six monumental caves were chipped out of a horseshoe shaped cliff by hammer and chisel.  The early followers of the Buddha created an isolated haven, shrouded in the darkness of the caves where they could meditate in peace.   The exquisite Buddhist paintings and sculptures created by using simple tools in the glow of lamps rank among the world's most important cultural treasures and the area has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Although the Jataka Tales form the main theme of the paintings, also depicted are scenes from contemporary courtly life all demonstrating a startling degree of sophistication.   In the Ajanta paintings we see the brilliant union between sacred and secular art.

Ellora
Ellora Caves: Nearby is Maharashtra state's most phenomenal ancient monument, the Ellora caves which carried on the legacy of Ajanta from the 7th century CE and was subjected to Buddhist, Jain and Hindu influences.   The sculptures at Ellora are massive in form and the entire spectrum of carvings pulsates with life and energy. The incredible Hindu temple of Kailash which is carved out of a hillside is the world's largest rock cut monolith. Ellora too, is a World Heritage site declared by UNESCO.

For those who take the optional journey to the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, (both UNESCO World Heritage sites) we fly from Delhi to Aurangabad on May 2, or May 6 2022 (depending which option you choose). We will spend two nights in Aurangabad visiting Ajanta and Ellora and will return to Delhi on May 4, or May 8 2022 respectively.
You should book your departure flight for either late night of May 4 or early morning of May 5, 2022, or late night of May 8 or early morning of May 9, 2022 (again depending on which option you choose.

 

DAILY SCHEDULE & SPECIAL EXCURSIONS
Our retreat schedule will include daily sitting and walking meditation, often starting with a morning meditation at one of the Buddhist sites.  This will be followed by breakfast at the hotel, after which we’ll visit one of the Buddhist sites listed below in the itinerary.  Shantum will offer a detailed talk on that site in the context of the Buddha’s life and teachings, and what was happening in the area many centuries ago.  Pilgrims will have some time at the site itself, after which we will have lunch.  We’ll rest after lunch, after which we may visit another site associated with the Buddha or go to a village, school, home and meet with interesting people etc. We return to the hotel by evening in time for dinner. The monastics will lead us in many of the practices.
On the days we travel, the itinerary will vary slightly, and there will be some flexibility depending on the size, needs, and interest of the group.

 


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TEACHER BIOGRAPHY:

Monastics of Plum Village

The pilgrimage will be led by the monastics of Plum Village and Dharmacharya Shantum Seth 

Thay Phap Xa was ordained in the year 2003 and is a Dharma Teacher in the European Institute of Applied Buddhism (EIAB) in Germany, where he has been living since the year 2010. Every year he leads a variety of courses, like mindful hiking in nature, tea meditation and Buddhist psychology. He is of Dutch origin.

 

 

 

Thay Phap Tri was ordained in the year 2006 and is Dharma Teacher in the European Institute of Applied Buddhism (EIAB) in Germany, where he has been living since the year 2008. Every year he leads a variety of courses, like mindful hiking in nature, sitting meditation and courses on the practice of silence. He is of Vietnamese origin

 

 

 

Thay Pháp Lưu (Brother Stream) was ordained as a novice monk in 2003 and received the Lamp Transmission to become a Dharma Teacher in 2011. A graduate of Dartmouth College in the United States, he taught English before ordaining. He has been working with the Wake Up Schools initiative, been active in the Wake Up movement for young people and is involved in the Happy Farm combining organic farming, community living and mindfulness practice. Brother Pháp Lưu offers Dharma Talks in English, French, and Spanish. While at home in Deer Park Monastery he finds many ways to be with his younger brothers: hiking, mentoring, teaching the Sutras and the Vinaya, and baking bread. He also loves to chop wood, sleep in a hammock, and make guacamole for Lunar New Year.

 

Thay Phap Khoi a monk and Dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition born in Vietnam and raised in the US, was a chemical engineer with Intel in Arizona, before ordaining as a monk in 2007. He likes mindful walking in nature, nursing plants and wounded animals, and is always ready to enjoy a cup of coffee.

 

 

 

Dharmacharya Shantum Seth, is a teacher who was Transmitted the Lamp by Thich Nhat Hanh in 2001. He is the foremost expert on sites associated with the Buddha and has been leading pilgrimages since 1988. He worked with the United Nations on volunteering, peace, and social development for more than 15 years, and has been a Senior Advisor to the World Bank and the Government of India on pilgrimage tourism. He has co-authored books such as Walking with the Buddha, Volunteers against Conflict and been a consultant for films like BBC-Discovery’s Life of the Buddha and BBC-PBS’s The Story of India.


At each pilgrimage site along the way, Shantum will tell stories of the Buddha’s life and offer teachings to help us understand the Buddha as a human being, the drama of his life and the significance of what he taught.  We will schedule time for daily sitting and walking meditation, regular discussions, and contemplative time for ourselves.  The creation of a traveling sangha will be an important aspect of this trip, giving the journey a greater cohesiveness and building a sense of support for those seeking to deepen their practice.

 

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COSTS

In the Footsteps of the Buddha - Delhi, Rajgir, Nalanda, Bodh Gaya, Varanasi and Sarnath. A pilgrimage retreat led by the Monastics of Plum Village (Brothers Thay Phap Xa, Thay Phap Khong, Thay Phap Tri and Thay Phap Luu) and Dharmacharya Shantum Seth (April 19-30, 2022) - Euro 3400 / US$ 3900, based on double occupancy.  The single room supplement is an additional Euro 1360 /US$ 1560. 
The tour price includes teachings, meditation and Dharma talks from the Plum Village tradition monastics and Shantum, guide services, transportation, meals, monument entrance fees, bottled water and lodging arrangements for the duration of the pilgrimage.

Post Pilgrimage Extension to Sravasti, Kapilavastu, Kushinagar, Kesariya and Vaishali (April 30- May 4, 2022) - Euro 1460 / US$ 1675 based on double occupancy.  The single room supplement is an additional Euro 585/US$ 670  
The tour price includes guide services, transportation, meals, monument entrance fees, bottled water and lodging arrangements for the duration of this option.

Agra – Building Love, the Taj Mahal extension (April 30-May 1, 2022 or May 4-May 5, 2022) - Euro 295* / US$ 335 based on double occupancy.  The single room supplement is an additional Euro 120 / US$ 135
The tour price includes guide services, transportation, meals, monument entrance fees, bottled water and lodging arrangements for the duration of the Agra option.

The Exquisite Caves of Ajanta & Ellora extension (May 1-May 4, 2022) or ( May 5-May 8, 2022)- Euro 1305 / US$ 1495* based on double occupancy.  The single room supplement is an additional Euro 520 / US$ 595

The tour price includes guide services, transportation, meals, monument entrance fees, bottled water and lodging arrangements for the duration of the Caves option.   

The pilgrimage price includes: airport transfers and escort services in New Delhi, teaching and guide services, transportation inside India, monument entrance fees, all meals, bottled water and lodging arrangements for the duration of the pilgrimage.  All registration fees are payable in U.S. dollars, Euros or the equivalent in another currency.

Please note that the cost does not cover: International airfare to and from New Delhi, visas and other international arrangements, any extra days spent in India beyond the dates of the pilgrimage, excess baggage fees on the flights, laundry and medical and other insurance coverage.  It is advisable that participants purchase travel insurance.

*As the good hotels are limited at the Buddhist sites, and sometimes a few groups arrive on the same day, it may be difficult for hotels to provide a single room, and in some places we may even have triple-sharing for rooms.  We ask for your understanding if this circumstance should arise.

 

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REGISTRATION

A non-refundable deposit of Euro 440 / US$ 500 per person is required at the time of booking.  The remainder of the cost of the pilgrimage is due by April 1, 2022. 
To register, you may complete the form at the end of this document and email it and send your deposit.

A non-refundable deposit of US$ 500 (Rs.15,000) per person is required at the time of booking.  The remainder of the cost of the pilgrimage is due by August 1, 2021

CANCELLATION

For cancellations received up to four weeks before the commencement of the journey, only the deposit amount will be forfeited.  The cancellation fee within four weeks of the beginning of the journey will be 100% of the total cost.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is advisable for registrants to purchase travel insurance.  The range of coverage can vary significantly from policy to policy, and travelers are encouraged to identify a policy that suits their needs.  Things to consider are travel delays, trip cancellation or interruption, medical coverage, and baggage loss or delay.  Before purchasing insurance, you may wish to check with your health insurance carrier to see if your policy includes medical care overseas.  Please note that many insurance carriers require that insurance be purchased at the time a deposit or final payment is made.  We can provide the names of recommended Travel Insurance providers.

ARRIVAL
Arrival and departure are to and from New Delhi (Delhi), India.  Participants are responsible for making their own round-trip flight arrangements from their point of origin to New Delhi, India and back.  For international flights, tickets could be booked as early as possible as prices keep increasing as you get closer to the date of departure. 
Most international flights arrive at night or early morning. We can help you with bookings. You may check with us before you confirm your flight bookings.

The pilgrimage will begin at 12:00 pm (noon) on April 19, 2022 in New Delhi.

DEPARTURE
The pilgrimage will end in the evening of April 30, 2022 in New Delhi. You should book your departure flight after 11 pm on April 30 or early morning of May 1, 2022.
For those who take the Agra option, the tour will end late evening on May 1, 2022. You should book your departure flight after 11.00 pm on May 1 or early morning on May 2, 2022.
For those who take the Caves option, the tour will end late evening on May 4, 2022. You should book your departure flight after 11.00 pm on May 4 or early morning on May 5, 2022.

If you take the Post pilgrimage extension to other Buddhist sites, the tour will end on May 4, 2022 in New Delhi. You should book your departure flight after 11 pm on May 4 or early morning of May 5, 2022.
If you thereafter take the Agra option, the tour will end late evening on May 5, 2022. You should book your departure flight after 11.00 pm on May 5 or early morning on May 6, 2022.
If you thereafter take the Caves option, the tour will end late evening on May 8, 2022. You should book your departure flight after 11.00 pm on May 8 or early morning on May 9, 2022.

 

EXTRA NIGHTS
For those wishing an extra day or two to recover from air travel before the pilgrimage begins, or who wish to stay longer after the pilgrimage ends, we would be happy to book for you, or provide a list of hotels in Delhi. Please make your hotel bookings for New Delhi in advance.
If you would like to make any additional excursions within India or Asia, we would be happy to help.  

 

DISCLAIMER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY
Seth Consultants Pvt. Ltd. (Buddhapath) and Shantum Seth while undertaking tours, transportation, hotel accommodation and other services only act on the clear understanding that they shall not be in any way responsible or liable for any accident, damage, loss, delay or inconvenience caused in connection with travel and other facilities arranged by the company, their employees or agents. All bookings are accepted and executed with utmost care, yet no responsibility is taken for any change or deviation on account of factors beyond their control.

By making a deposit for the tour, participants acknowledge that they have read and understood this document in its entirety, and have consented to all conditions herein, including the Disclaimer and Release of Liability.  For participants under 18 years of age, their parent or legal guardian shall sign on their behalf and the same Disclaimer and Release shall apply.

 

REGISTRATION FORM
Each pilgrim must complete the form below in full, and send (email is fine) with a non-refundable deposit of US$ 500/Euro 440 (or equivalent) per person to:
Ms Bina Aranha
Buddhapath
309-B, Sector 15A
Noida 201 301, India
Tel: +91-120-4334284   Email: info@buddhapath.com

 

*Forced single room supplement (in case we are not able to room you with anyone else) will be 50% of the single supplement)

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION AFTER YOU HAVE REGISTERED 

Important information to be submitted:
Each participant must provide the following details in order to reserve train, air and hotels:  Name, gender, date of birth, passport number, date of issue of passport, date of expiry of passport, place of issue of passport, and emergency contact information.  In addition, registrants must provide the visa number, date of issue, date of expiry and place of issue as soon as the visa for travel to India has been issued. It would be helpful if you could scan the page with your visa and the page in your passport with your photograph and send it to us. 

 

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TRAVEL FACTS

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR THIS TRIP
You will need a valid passport and visa for India.

The visa for India should be obtained before travel and can be a Single Entry (Double/Multiple Entry if available). The visa should be obtained before travel. Please make sure that the visa covers the dates of your travel.

An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) as e-Tourist Visa on Arrival (eTVA) is available for
The Link for e-Tourist Visa
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html 
Home Page
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/

You may need to submit the following information about the tour company:
Company Name: Seth Consultants Pvt. Ltd. (Government-Approved Tour Operators)
Registered Address: 50/8 First Floor, Tolstoy Lane, Janpath, New Delhi 110001, INDIA
Tel: +91-120-4334284
Email: info@buddhapath.com
PLEASE CARRY A COPY OF YOUR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT RETURN TICKET AS YOUR TICKET IS CHECKED BEFORE YOU ARE ALLOWED TO ENTER INDIAN AIRPORTS

Important information to be submitted:
Each participant must provide the following details in order to reserve train, air and hotels:  Name, gender, date of birth, passport number, date of issue of passport, date of expiry of passport, place of issue of passport, and emergency contact information.  In addition, registrants must provide the visa number, date of issue, date of expiry and place of issue as soon as the visa for travel to India has been issued. It would be helpful if you could scan the page with your visa and the page in your passport with your photograph and send it to us. 

CURRENCY EXCHANGE, ACCEPTANCE OF CREDIT CARDS & TIPPING
As stated above, hotels, food, transportation in India and guide service are all covered by the tour fees.  It is suggested that travelers carry cash for expenses like gifts or souvenirs.  Travelers will also need money if they are planning to extend their stay in India before or after the pilgrimage.  Credit cards such as VISA or American Express
are accepted in some of the hotels and large shops in Delhi or Varanasi, but not in some of the other places we visit.  There are ATM machines in many places where one can access cash, but their presence is not universal as it is in USA and some of them may be out of order.  As of February, 2022, one US$ approximates 75 Indian Rupees and one Euro is 85 Indian Rupees.  We recommend that you convert some cash at the airport when you arrive in New Delhi.  There is no need to exchange it in your country — it is best to do so in India.  There are a couple of banks with a standard exchange rate at the airport both before and after you clear customs.  ATM machines are also an easy method of exchanging currency into rupees. However, they are not easily available in the smaller places. 

Travelers often have questions about tipping.  In the last few years, we have developed a system where a kitty is collected at the beginning, and the tips are distributed from it (contributing is optional). Thus far, this has worked well. We estimate tips come to about US$ 5 to $10 (Euros 4 to 9) per person per day.

If you arrive before the start of the pilgrimage or stay after it concludes, the general rule is as follows: tipping someone who has carried your luggage is common and we would suggest Rs.100.  In restaurants, one normally leaves a tip of 5% to 10% of the entire bill, unless a service charge has already been levied.  If you have hired a car for the day and you are happy with the driver, a tip of Rs. 1000 is fine.

HOTELS/HOUSING
We choose accommodations in the vicinity of the sites based on shared twin-bedded rooms with a private bath or shower and toilet.  The accommodations are clean and comfortable — in some cases monastic-style, and in some cases rather luxurious.  If you prefer a single room (where available), there is a price supplement.

ELECTRICITY
220 to 240 volts, 50 cycles AC. Plugs/sockets are usually an issue, so please make sure you travel with a universal plug adaptor. The plug sockets have round holes, so ensure your adaptor plug has round stems.

WEATHER & CLOTHING NEEDS
It is rather warm at this time of year, and there can be a high variation between the daytime and evening temperatures (the general range is from 22 degrees to 39 degrees Celsius/ 71 degrees to 103 degrees Fahrenheit).  It’s important to be comfortable and modestly dressed.  Light cottons are fine. There is no need to bring formal clothing.  The weather is dry.  Please bring comfortable sneakers or sandals as we will be doing some walking.  We also visit a number of temples where you will need to remove your shoes, so it is helpful to bring a pair of socks (the airline slip-ons are very convenient).  It is always useful to have a hat or cap to protect you from the sun.  It is handy to have an umbrella that can be used as a sunshade if it gets too sunny or even be used as a walking stick.  We are allowed 15 kilos (33 lbs) checked in baggage and 7 kilos (15 lbs) as cabin baggage on Indian airplanes, so we recommend that you travel light.  However, you can carry more baggage with extra payment (approx US$ 7 per kg extra) to the airlines. Laundry facilities are available at nearly all the places we stay, and laundry is returned within 24 hours.

HEALTH CONCERNS

We are cognizant of the ongoing COVID pandemic and will be taking precautions to avoid unnecessary exposure where possible. There are Governmental regulations that change from time to time. We will keep you informed of the relevant changes as we go along.

Being cautious about Covid, at present we plan to restrict the number of pilgrims to 28 paying participants on a first come, first served basis.

We stay in clean, safe places, and the food in the places we stay will be clean, fresh and prepared to suit a delicate digestive system.  You will be provided bottled mineral water for drinking.

If you are coming from Africa or some parts of Latin America, a certificate of yellow fever inoculation is required by the Indian authorities.  There is no other medical restriction upon your entry into India.  We normally recommend a Hepatitis-A shot and a Tetanus shot.  If you prefer to be more careful, then please speak to your physician. 
We do carry a first-aid kit with us, but many people prefer to bring their own supply of medicines. 

We would recommend you get a bug spray and a mosquito repellent cream.
Also stomach medicine for both diarrhea and constipation as one’s stomach has its own way of adjusting to different foods.

SIM CARD, MOBILES ETC
It is quite easy and inexpensive to get a local SIM card for your mobile phone at Delhi airport. You need one photograph and a copy of your India visa and passport. If you have a ‘locked’ phone, you may need to ‘unlock’ it before you come to India. Mobile telephony in India is inexpensive.

ADDITIONAL TRAVEL SERVICES (e.g. shuttle buses, taxis)
We provide airport transfers both ways and all the transport services during the pilgrimage, including having you met on arrival in New Delhi.  There is no extra charge for meeting you at the airport.  For those who want to make your own arrangements, the Delhi Airport has cabs lined up and you can register with them.

 

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