
Grand Buddhist Pilgrimage
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Embark on the "Grand Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour: Path to Enlightenment" spanning 12 enriching days. Commencing in Varanasi, the spiritual heart of India, you'll explore the sacred Sarnath, Banaras Hindu University, and the vibrant Ganga Aarti. Journey to Bodhgaya, where Buddha attained enlightenment, and visit the Mahabodhi Temple. Explore Rajgir's vulture Hill and hot springs, then discover Nalanda's ancient ruins. Continue to Kushinagar, the site of Buddha's last breath, before crossing into Lumbini, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama. Witness the serene beauty of Sravasti, marvel at the cultural richness of Lucknow, and visit Sankasiya en route to Agra. Explore the iconic Taj Mahal and Agra Fort before concluding the pilgrimage in Delhi, visiting historical landmarks like Qutub Minar and Humayun Tomb. This transformative journey promises spiritual immersion amidst historical wonders.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Overview
Duration
12 daysHotel Rating
3, 4 or 5 star hotelsStarts
VaranasiEnds
New DelhiMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in India that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
YesTour Guide
Yes - for included sightseeing.Country
IndiaPassengers
€2,505.00
€1,388.00
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 1 / Max Private Tour
Trip Type
Private Tours
Range
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Yes - for included sightseeing.Group Size
Min 1 / Max Private TourRange
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Private ToursPlaces You'll See

Varanasi

Bodhgaya

Bodh Gaya

Rajgir

Nalanda

Patna

Vaishali

Gorakhpur Division

Lumbini

Gorakhpur

Butwal

Shravasti

Sravasti

Lucknow

Agra

Delhi

New Delhi
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Included
Not Included
Accommodation Standard
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Itinerary
Day 1 - Varanasi
Arrive - Varanasi (Flight) On arrival at Varanasi airport assistance and transfer to hotel. Later visit Sarnath - Buddha came to Sarnath to preach his message of the middle way to nirvana after he achieved enlightenment at Bodhgaya, and gave his famous first sermon at the deer park here in Isipatana. In the 3rd century BC, Emperor Ashoka erected magnificent stupas and monasteries here, as well as an engraved pillar. When Chinese traveller Xuan Zang dropped by in AD 640, Sarnath boasted a 100m-high stupa and 1500 monks living in large monasteries. However, soon after, Buddhism went into decline, and when Muslim invaders sacked the city in the late 12th century, Sarnath disappeared altogether. It was only ‘rediscovered’ by British archaeologists in 1835. Also visit Sarnath Museum (closed on Friday) and Stupa. Banaras Hindu University - established in 1916 with over 30,000 students residing in campus, it is the largest residential university in Asia. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2 - Varanasi - Bodhgaya - Bodh Gaya
Varanasi - Bodhgaya (255kms/ 5hrs) Early morning boat ride on river Ganges and walking tour of bathing Ghats. Varanasi is a city dating to the 11th century B.C. Regarded as the spiritual capital of India, the city draws Hindu pilgrims who bathe in the Ganges River’s sacred waters and perform funeral rites. Along the city's winding streets are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the “Golden Temple,” dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Breakfast at Hotel, drive to Bodhgaya check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3 - Bodhgaya - Bodh Gaya
Bodhgaya Breakfast at hotel. Bodhgaya - considered one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, it's dominated by the ancient brick Mahabodhi Temple Complex, built to mark the site where the Buddha attained enlightenment beneath a sacred Bodhi Tree. A direct descendant of the tree sits within the complex today, along with six other sacred sites, including a lotus pond. Visit Mahabodhi Temple for SIL & Bodhi Tree, Great Buddha Statue, Niranjana River, Sujata Temple - which is across the Niranjana river & it's 30 minutes walk. Visit other Budhist Bodhgaya. Rest time free and easy to relax. Overnight at hotel.Visit Mahabodhi Temple for SIL & Bodhi Tree, Great Buddha Statue, Niranjana River, Sujata Temple - which is across the Niranjana river & it's 30 minutes walk. Visit other Budhist Bodhgaya. Rest time free and easy to relax. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4 - Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Nalanda - Patna
Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Nalanda - Patna (170kms/ 6hrs) Breakfast at hotel, drive to Patna enroute visit Rajgir - the vulture Hill, hot spring in Rajgir, world peace Stupa, Bamboo's Garden. After that visit Nalanda to the ruins of world oldest University.Continue drive to Patna, check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5 - Patna - Vaishali - Gorakhpur Division
Patna - Vaishali - Kushinagar (225Kms/ 6hrs) Breakfast at hotel, drive to Kushinagar enroute visit Vaishali stupa and Ashoka Pillar. Continue drive to Kushinagar check in at hotel. Later visit Maha Parinirwana Temple (where Buddha took his last breath) and Rambhar Stupa (cremation site of Lord Buddha) & Japan Temple. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6 - Lumbini - Gorakhpur - Butwal
Kushinagar - Lumbini (180Kms/ 5hrs) Breakfast at hotel, drive till Sonauli border from here our Nepal vehicle will take you to Lumbini. Arrive Lumbini check in at hotel. Lumbinī is the place where, Queen Mahamayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama in 563 BCE. Gautama, who achieved Enlightenment some time around 528 BCE, became the Buddha and founded Buddhism. Visit Maya Devi Temple, Ashokan Pillar, Chinese Maitreya Temple, Myanmar Golden Temple, Shanti stupa & Great Drigung Kagyud lotus Stupa. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7 - Shravasti
Lumbini - Sravasti (225Kms/ 6hrs) Breakfast at hotel, drive till Sonauli border from here your Indian driver will take you to Sravasti. On arrival check in at hotel rest time free and easy to relax. Overnight at hotel.
Day 8 - Sravasti - Lucknow - Shravasti
Sravasti - Lucknow (170Kms/ 4hrs) Breakfast at hotel, visit Sravasti, where Buddha spent his 24 monsoons. Visit Jetavana Monastery, Shobhnath Temple, Balrampur, Saheth and Ananda Bodhi Tree. Afternoon drive to Lucknow check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 9 - Lucknow - Agra
Lucknow - Sankasiya - Agra (350Kms/ 7hrs) Breakfast at hotel, drive to Agra. Enroute visit Sankasiya Stupa and Pillar. Arrive Agra check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 - Agra - Delhi - New Delhi
Agra - Delhi (210Kms/ 4hrs) Breakfast at hotel, visit world famous Taj Mahal (closed on friday), Agra Fort and Baby Taj. Afternoon drive to Delhi check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 - Delhi - New Delhi
Delhi Breakfast at hotel visit National Museum (Monday closed), drive Past India Gate, parliament house and President House. Visit Qutab Minar & Humayun Tomb. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 - Delhi - New Delhi
Delhi – Departure (Flight) Breakfast at Hotel, as per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.
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Tour Reviews
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Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
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Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.


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Prices & Dates
The prices you see below are a guide, with final prices per person being determined by the number of travellers in your booking party, desired hotel standard and the rooming arrangements required. To see an accurate price, please click "Book Dates" and enter the details for your booking party.
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