Sacred Buddhist Pilgrimage Route
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Kick off in Varanasi and wrap up in Bodhgaya on this seven day spiritual journey across India’s Buddhist heartland. In Varanasi you’ll wander the ghats, cruise the Ganges at sunrise and sunset, and witness the spellbinding Ganga Aarti. You’ll visit Sarnath’s stupas and museum, then trace the Buddha’s footsteps through Shravasti’s Jetavana and Kushinagar’s Mahaparinirvana sites. En route to Patna, expect to see the towering Kesariya Stupa and Vaishali’s Ashokan Pillar, before browsing Patna Museum’s treasures. Continue to the scholarly ruins of Nalanda and the hills of Rajgir. Conclude in Bodhgaya at the UNESCO listed Mahabodhi Temple and international monasteries – a serene finale.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Overview
Duration
7 daysHotel Rating
3, 4 or 5 star hotelsStarts
VaranasiEnds
BodhgayaMinimum 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
£2,490.00
£1,245.00
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
Varanasi Division
Shravasti
Devipatan Division
Kushinagar
Kesariya
Vaishali
Patna
Nalanda
Rajgir
Bodhgaya
Bodh Gaya
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Included
Not Included
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Itinerary
Day 1 - Varanasi
Arrive in Varanasi, where our representative meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel. Later, we take a guided walk along the ghats – the stepped riverfront on the Ganges – to observe the daily rituals and ceremonies along the riverbanks. As dusk falls, we witness the Ganga Aarti, a coordinated offering of lamps and chants dedicated to the river. We then board a boat for a sunset ride on the Ganges to view the city from the water. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 - Varanasi
We begin before dawn with a boat ride on the Ganges to witness sunrise and the morning rituals along the ghats. After breakfast, we drive to Sarnath – where the Buddha delivered his first sermon – to visit Dhamek Stupa, Mulagandha Kuti Vihar and the Sarnath Archaeological Museum. Returning to Varanasi, we visit the BHU Kashi Vishwanath Temple, then the Durga Temple, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple and Tulsi Manas Temple. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3 - Varanasi - Shravasti
We drive 310 km – around 6 hours – from Varanasi to Shravasti. On arrival, we visit the Buddhist complexes at Saheth and Maheth, including Angulimala’s stupa and Anathapindika’s stupa, key sites in the region’s early Buddhist history. We then explore Jetavana, the monastery where the Buddha spent a significant part of his monastic life. In the evening we attend the sound and light show at Saheth–Maheth, which presents Shravasti’s past through narration and lighting. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 - Kushinagar
We drive from Shravasti to Kushinagar – 160 km, around 4 hours – where the Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. On arrival, we visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple, Ramabhar Stupa and the Kushinagar Museum to deepen our understanding of the site’s Buddhist heritage. We also pause at the Japanese Peace Pagoda. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 - Kushinagar - Kesariya - Vaishali - Patna - Kundalpur
We depart Kushinagar for Patna by road – approximately 260 km, 5 hours – stopping en route at the Kesariya Stupa. We continue to Vaishali to visit the Ashokan Pillar, Kundalpur and the Buddha Stupa. On arrival in Patna, we explore the Patna Museum to view its extensive collection of ancient artefacts that reflect the region’s history and heritage. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6 - Patna - Nalanda - Rajgir - Bodhgaya
From Patna we drive to Bodhgaya via Nalanda and Rajgir — around 180 km, taking approximately four hours — and check in on arrival. En route we explore the ruins of Nalanda University, a renowned centre of learning that flourished during the Gupta period. In Rajgir we visit Gridhakuta Hill, Venuvana Vihara and the Japanese Peace Pagoda, with time for quiet reflection. We then continue to Bodhgaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7 - Bodhgaya
Today we explore Bodh Gaya’s sacred landmarks, beginning at the Mahabodhi Temple complex – a UNESCO World Heritage Site marking the place of the Buddha’s enlightenment. We then visit the Tibetan Monastery, the Burmese Temple, the Chinese Temple and Monastery, and the Thai Temple – each offering a distinct perspective on Buddhist traditions and architecture.After the sightseeing tour, we transfer to the airport for your onward flight – bringing your journey to a close.
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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.
Accommodation Standard
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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.
Accommodation Standard
Prices
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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