Buddhist Study Tour

Man's quest for peace and eternal bliss has been linked invariably with penance and self-inflicted suffering. Buddha claimed to have attained "nirvana" this way. His disciples, clad in saffron robes, sought to find their peace, likewise, under the ancient trees at Taxila; young devouts assimilated his teachings eagerly; master-craftsmen immortalized their homage to this man of peace in exquisitely-carved statues and figures, which they preserved in bell shaped mounds, called "stupas".

These relics remain preserved in their original form to this day. And they are fascinating, both to scholars of Buddhism and casual students of history. On this tour, you will visit:

The great centre of Buddhist learning at Taxila with its unique combination of Hellenistic and Oriental religious art... innumerable specimens of Buddhist art and sculpture including the famed Dharmarajika stupa which contained a relic of Buddha; and Gandhara, the ancient site in Peshawar Valley where Buddhism flourished for 900 years.

The Peshawar museum also contains the famous gold vessel with the holy relics of Buddha. Not faraway, at Charsadda, you will visit the ancient city of Pushkalawati.

The peace and serenity associated with Buddhist monks still pervades Takht-e-Bahi, an amazingly well-preserved Buddhist monastery, dating back to the 2nd-5th century AD, which is situated atop a 500-foot-high hill.

The tour also includes visits to the picturesque mountain region of Swat and Gilgit. Apart from their breath-taking natural beauty, they will hold you spellbound with their rich archaeological treasures.

Facts

Duration:		14 Days
Nature of Trip:		Cultural Experience
Age Group:		3 Years onwards
Accommodation:		Hotels
Transportation:		Air-conditioned
Best Time:		April to October
Max Altitude:		2200m
Language Guide:		Available on Request

I T I N E R A R Y
Day 1	Arrival Islamabad, transfer to hotel, overnight at Hotel.
Day 2	Rawalpindi/Islamabad Visit the twin cities of Rawalpindi/lslamabad Afternoon Drive to Peshawar. Enroute visit Taxila Museum and the excavated sites of the Buddhist Universities at Sirkap and Jaulian. Overnight in Peshawar
Day 3	Morning Visit Peshawar Museum for a glimpse at the largest collection of Graeco-Buddhist Gandhara sculpture and the casket that carried the remains of Lord Buddha . Fly to Lahore, the garden city of, the grand Mughals which also retains the old grandeur of the British Raj period.
Day 4	Drive to Swat visit the magnificent monastery of Takht Bhai enroute. Also visit Jamal Garhi inscriptions on arrival check in at hotel overnight at hotel.
Day 5	Full day Buddhist history tour of Swat visit Butkara 1 & Butkara2 later visit the Museum of Swat and continue to Upper Swat Tour overnight at hotel
Day 6	Drive to Besham via Shangla pass overnight at hotel.
Day 7	Drive to Gilgit on Karakorum Highway enroute visit the Shatia Rock inscriptions or petroglyphs these were the messages left by Buddhist pilgrims who went from China to Swat bringing Buddhism to China. On the way also look at some breath taking views of Nanga Parbat 9th highest mountain in the world. Overnight at hotel.
Day 8	Morning visit the Kargah Buddha a statue carved in a rock in the posture of protection, later visit the Gilgit bazaar and drive to Hunza overnight at hotel.
Day 9	Full day in Hunza valley overnight at hotel
Day 10	Drive to Naran via Babusar pass overnight at hotel.
Day 11	Drive to Lahore via GT road on arrival check in at hotel overnight at hotel.
Day 12	Visit Lahore Museum to see the fasting Buddha, the greatest masterpiece of Gandhara sculpture, along with some rare Mughal miniatures. Overnight, Hotel
Day 13	Visit the 3-terraced, walled Shalimar Gardens, laid out in a charmingly typical Persian style of his age by Emperor Shah Jahan in the year 1642 with royal pavilions, a white marble waterfall, 3 lakes, over 400 fountains and sunken tanks amid a variety of trees arid roses and trimmed lawns. Hotel
Day 14	Visit Lahore Fort, built by the greatest of the Mughals, Emperor Akbar, with additional edifices by his three successors, Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb, specially the Shish Mahal - the palace of Mirrors, whose walls and ceilings are adorned with intricate patterns of multi-coloured concave mirror chips, the Badshahi Mosque  one of the most majestic, and largest mosques of white marble domes and red-stone structure. Free for shopping. Late evening transfer to airport for flight to home.