Overview of the Buddhist Circuit Tour
Day 1: Arrive in New Delhi, transfer to hotel, explore Buddhist sites if time permits.
Day 2: Fly/train to Bodh Gaya, visit Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree, Great Buddha Statue, and monasteries.
Day 3: Travel to Rajgir & Nalanda, visit Vulture’s Peak, Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Nalanda Mahavihara ruins. Overnight in Rajgir.
Day 4: Drive to Vaishali, visit Ashokan Pillar, Ananda Stupa; continue to Kushinagar, visit Mahaparinirvana Temple, Ramabhar Stupa.
Day 5: Travel to Lumbini (Nepal), visit Maya Devi Temple, Ashokan Pillar, and monastic zone.
Day 6: Drive to Kapilvastu, explore Tilaurakot Palace ruins, continue to Sravasti, visit Jetavana Monastery and Anathapindika Stupa.
Day 7: Travel to Varanasi, visit Sarnath (Dhamek Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, Sarnath Museum), evening Ganga Aarti at the Ganges.
Day 8: Sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, explore Varanasi’s spiritual sites, free time for reflection.
Day 9: Fly/train back to Delhi, visit Buddha Jayanti Park, Ladakh Buddhist Vihara.
Day 10: Departure from Delhi, optional visit to Lotus Temple.
Day 1
Arrive in Delhi
Your journey begins in Delhi, India’s bustling capital, where ancient history meets modern vibrance. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and, if time permits, explore a few Buddhist sites like the National Museum, which houses relics of Lord Buddha, or the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, which has valuable Buddhist manuscripts. Rest overnight in Delhi, preparing for the pilgrimage ahead.
Day 2
Delhi – Bodh Gaya
(Flight / Train)
Take an early morning flight or train to Bodh Gaya, the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage site where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. Upon arrival, visit the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Bodhi Tree, believed to be a direct descendant of the tree under which Buddha meditated. Explore the Great Buddha Statue, the Thai and Japanese Monasteries, and the Dungeshwari Caves, where Buddha practiced severe austerities before choosing the Middle Path. Overnight stay in Bodh Gaya.
Day 3
Bodh Gaya – Rajgir – Nalanda
(80 km)
After breakfast, drive to Rajgir, a city where Buddha meditated and delivered important teachings. Visit Griddhakuta Hill (Vulture’s Peak), where he preached the Lotus Sutra, and the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, a stunning peace pagoda built by Japanese monks. Continue to Nalanda, one of the world’s oldest universities, which flourished as a great Buddhist learning center. Walk through the Nalanda Mahavihara ruins, imagining the intellectual debates that once took place here. Return to Rajgir for an overnight stay.
Day 4
Rajgir – Vaishali – Kushinagar
(350 km)
Post breakfast, drive towards Vaishali, where Buddha delivered his last sermon and where the first Buddhist council was held. Visit the Ashokan Pillar, erected by Emperor Ashoka, and the Ananda Stupa, an ancient relic site. Later, continue the journey to Kushinagar, the sacred place where Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana (final enlightenment and passing away). Upon arrival, visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple, which houses a reclining Buddha statue, and the Ramabhar Stupa, believed to be his cremation site. Overnight stay in Kushinagar.
Day 5
Kushinagar – Lumbini (Nepal)
(180 km)
After breakfast, depart for Lumbini, crossing the border into Nepal. This is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, where Queen Maya Devi gave birth under a sal tree. Visit the Maya Devi Temple, which marks the exact birthplace, and explore the Ashokan Pillar, an inscription left by Emperor Ashoka during his pilgrimage. Walk through the Lumbini Monastic Zone, where Buddhist communities from across the world have built monasteries in different architectural styles. Rest overnight in Lumbini.
Day 6
Lumbini – Kapilvastu – Sravasti
(225 km)
In the morning, visit Kapilvastu, the ancient Shakya kingdom where Prince Siddhartha spent his early years before renouncing the world. Explore the Tilaurakot Palace ruins, believed to be his childhood home. Continue to Sravasti, where Buddha performed miracles and spent 24 rainy seasons teaching. Visit Jetavana Monastery, where he resided and preached, and explore the Anathapindika Stupa, built by a wealthy disciple who supported the monks. Overnight stay in Sravasti.
Day 7
Sravasti – Varanasi – Sarnath
(265 km)
After breakfast, drive towards Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest cities and a major spiritual hub in India. Upon arrival, proceed to Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Explore the Dhamek Stupa, marking the sermon site, the Chaukhandi Stupa, and the Sarnath Museum, home to the famous Ashokan Lion Capital, India’s national emblem. In the evening, witness the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, a breathtaking ritual performed with fire lamps and chants along the Ganges River. Overnight stay in Varanasi.
Day 8
Varanasi – Exploring Buddhist & Hindu Tradition
Begin your day with a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, an ethereal experience as the morning light glistens on the holy river. Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, an important Hindu pilgrimage site, to understand the blend of Buddhist and Hindu traditions in this sacred city. Later, explore Tulsi Manas Temple, the Bharat Mata Temple, and the vibrant lanes of Varanasi. Rest for the night in Varanasi.
Day 9
Varanasi – Delhi
(Flight / Train)
After breakfast, board a flight or train back to Delhi. Upon arrival, spend your final evening exploring Buddhist sites in Delhi, such as the Buddha Jayanti Park, where a sapling of the original Bodhi Tree is planted. If time permits, visit the Ladakh Buddhist Vihara, a peaceful monastery in the heart of the city. Enjoy your last night in Delhi.
Day 10
Departure from Delhi
On the final day of your journey, depending on your flight schedule, you can visit Lotus Temple, a Bahá’í House of Worship known for its spiritual ambiance. Bid farewell to this enriching pilgrimage as you depart for your onward journey, carrying the wisdom and peace of Buddha’s teachings in your heart.
Sample Tours
We offer you a totally flexible and custom service so you can see India your own way. Here are some sample tours for inspiration. All of our tours can be customised to suit your preferences.
Golden Triangle
6 Days / 5 Nights Delhi – Agra – Abhaneri – Jaipur
Agra & Rajasthan
11 Days / 10 Nights Delhi – Mandawa – Bikaner – Jodhpur – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Abhaneri – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra – Delhi
North India
13 Days / 12 Nights Delhi – Agra – Abhaneri – Jaipur – Pushkar – Udaipur – Kumbhalgarh – Jodhpur – Jaisalmer – Bikaner – Mandawa – Delhi
North India with Khajuraho
11 Days / 10 Nights Delhi – Varanasi – Khajuraho – Orchha – Agra – Jaipur – Jodhpur – Ranakpur – Udaipur
Varanasi, Agra & Rajasthan
14 Days / 15 Nights Delhi – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Jaisalmer – Bikaner – Jaipur – Agra – Varanasi
Indian Himalayas
11 Days / 10 Nights Delhi – Himachal Pradesh (Himalaya Region) – Amritsar – Dalhousie – Khajjar – Dharamsala – Manali – Naggar – Shimla
Kerala
9 Days / 8 Nights Trivandrum – Varkala – Alleppey – Kumarakom – Periyar – Munnar – Cochin
Same Day Agra
Same Day Agra Delhi – Agra – Taj Mahal – Agra fort – Delhi
Rural India Villages
15 Days / 14 Nights Delhi – Mandawa – Gajner – Jaisalmer – Manwar – Rohit Garh – Narlai – Dev Garh – Udaipur – Bijapur – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Agra – Delhi
Best spiritual & heritage travel activities in India
16 Days / 15 Nights Delhi – Agra - Lucknow - Ayodhya - Varanasi – Khajuraho – Orchha – Ranthambhore – Jaipur – Delhi
Gujarat
12 Days / 11 Nights Tour Package Mumbai – Ahmedabad – Poshina – Patan – Modhera – Dasada – Bhuj – Banni
Tamil Nadu & Kerala
11 Days / 10 Nights Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry – Chidambaram – Tanjore – Trichy – Madurai – Periyar – Kumarakom – Alleppey – Cochin
Yoga & Meditation
15 Days / 14 Nights Delhi – Haridwar – Rishikesh – Vrindavan – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Delhi
The Gems of South India
14 Days / 13 Nights Chennai – Kanchipuram – Bangalore – Mysore – Ooty – Cochin – Alleppey – Periyar – Madurai – Tanjore – Chidambaram – Pondicherry – Mahabalipuram
Ultimate Indian Wildlife
14 Days / 13 Nights Delhi – Sawai Madhopur – Ranthambore – Jabalpur – Bandhavgarh – Kanha – Pench – Nagpur
Holi Festival Tour
6 Days / 5 Nights Delhi – Mathura – Vrindavan – Agra – Jaipur
North & Central India
An Exclusive Journey Through India’s Timeless Wonders
Delhi – Varanasi – Khajuraho – Orchha – Agra – Jaipur – Udaipur – Delhi
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