Day 01: Arrival in Delhi – Half-Day City Tour
Upon your arrival in Delhi, our representative will warmly receive you at the airport or railway station and assist you with the transfer to your hotel. After check-in and some relaxation, begin your exploration of India’s capital city with a half-day sightseeing tour.
Visit the peaceful Raj Ghat, the memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, followed by a visit to the historic Red Fort and the grand Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. Later, enjoy a drive past some of Delhi’s iconic landmarks including India Gate, Parliament House, and the President’s House.
Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay in Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi – Agra | Taj Mahal & Agra Fort (220 KM / 4 Hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Agra, the city famous for Mughal architecture and timeless heritage. On arrival, check in to the hotel and relax for a while.
Later, visit the magnificent Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a symbol of eternal love built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. (Please note: Taj Mahal remains closed on Fridays.)
Continue your tour with a visit to the majestic Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its splendid palaces, royal chambers, Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience), Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), and beautifully designed courtyards.
Enjoy dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Agra.
Day 03: Agra – Sankasya – Lucknow (450 KM / Approx. 9 Hrs)
After breakfast, depart for Lucknow with an important stop at Sankasya, a revered Buddhist pilgrimage site where Lord Buddha is believed to have descended from heaven after preaching Abhidhamma to his mother.
Explore the sacred Buddha Temple, Ashokan Elephant Pillar, Maya Devi Temple, and the Sri Lankan Buddhist School. The elephant pillar symbolizes Queen Maya’s divine dream before the birth of Buddha.
After lunch, continue your drive to Lucknow. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel, followed by dinner and overnight stay.
Day 04: Lucknow – Shravasti – Lumbini (Approx. 450 KM / 9 Hrs)
After breakfast, proceed to Shravasti, one of the most significant Buddhist destinations where Lord Buddha spent many monsoon seasons and performed several miracles.
Visit the sacred sites of Saheth (Jetavana Monastery) and Maheth, along with attractions such as Ananda Bodhi Tree, Jetavana Vihara, Buddhist monasteries, Angulimala Stupa, and Anathapindika Stupa.
Later, drive towards Lumbini in Nepal, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. (Kindly carry a double-entry Indian visa and a single-entry Nepal visa.) Upon arrival, check in to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 05: Lumbini – Birthplace of Buddha – Kushinagar (180 KM / 4 Hrs)
After breakfast, begin your sightseeing tour of Lumbini, the sacred birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama.
Visit the Maya Devi Temple, Eternal Peace Flame, Lumbini Museum, Thai Buddhist Monastery, Myanmar Golden Temple, and other important monastic zones.
Later, drive to Kushinagar, the place where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. On arrival, check in to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Kushinagar.
Day 06: Kushinagar – Kesariya – Vaishali – Patna
After breakfast, explore the important Buddhist attractions of Kushinagar including the Mahaparinirvana Temple, where Lord Buddha took his final breath, Rambhar Stupa (cremation site of Buddha), and the Japanese Temple.
Later, proceed towards Patna with en-route visits to Kesariya Stupa, one of the largest and tallest ancient Buddhist stupas in the world, and Vaishali, where Lord Buddha delivered his last sermon.
In Vaishali, visit Ashokan Pillar, Ananda Stupa, Abhishek Pushkaran (Coronation Tank), Buddha Stupas, and Kutagarshala Vihara.
Continue to Patna and check in to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 07: Patna – Nalanda – Rajgir – Bodhgaya
After breakfast, drive to Nalanda to visit the famous Nalanda University Ruins, one of the world’s oldest residential universities where thousands of monks and scholars once studied Buddhism and philosophy.
Also visit the Xuan Zang Memorial Hall, a beautiful Chinese-style pagoda dedicated to the renowned Chinese traveler and scholar.
Later continue to Rajgir, the ancient capital of the Magadha Empire. Visit the Vishwa Shanti Stupa situated atop Ratnagiri Hill, Griddhakuta (Vulture’s Peak), Venuvanaram, and Bimbisar Prison.
After sightseeing, drive to Bodhgaya. Check in to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 08: Bodhgaya – Mahabodhi Temple – Dungeshwari Caves
After breakfast, visit the sacred Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built at the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment beneath the holy Bodhi Tree.
Explore nearby Buddhist monasteries and meditation centers representing different Buddhist countries.
Later, drive to the famous Dungeshwari Cave Temples (Mahakala Caves), where Buddha practiced severe penance before attaining enlightenment. Also visit Sujata Village, where Sujata offered kheer to Lord Buddha before his enlightenment journey.
Return to Bodhgaya for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 09: Bodhgaya – Varanasi | Evening Ganga Aarti (300 KM / 6 Hrs)
After breakfast, drive to the spiritual city of Varanasi. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and relax.
In the evening, witness the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Experience the spiritual atmosphere as priests perform synchronized rituals with lamps, chants, and devotional music on the banks of the holy River Ganga.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Varanasi.
Day 10: Varanasi – Sunrise Boat Ride – Sarnath Excursion
Early in the morning, enjoy the magical experience of Subah-e-Banaras with a peaceful boat ride on the River Ganga during sunrise. Witness the spiritual life unfolding along the ghats of Varanasi.
After breakfast, proceed for an excursion to Sarnath, the sacred site where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at Deer Park (Rishipattana).
Visit the Dhamek Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, Mulagandha Kuti Vihara, Archaeological Museum, and several Buddhist temples and monasteries.
In the evening, optional visit to the Sri Lankan Buddhist Temple for evening prayers and rituals.
Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Varanasi.
Day 11: Varanasi – Khajuraho | Temple Tour
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Khajuraho. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and freshen up.
Later, begin sightseeing of the famous Khajuraho Temples, renowned for their exquisite carvings and architectural brilliance built by the Chandela dynasty.
Explore the Western Group of Temples including Lakshmana Temple, Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Chitragupta Temple, Vishwanath Temple, Varaha Mandap, and Chaunsath Yogini Temple.
Continue to the Eastern Group of Temples featuring Brahma Temple, Vamana Temple, and Javari Temple. Also visit the Jain Temples including Parsvanath Temple, Adinath Temple, and Ghantai Temple.
In the evening, you may enjoy the captivating Light and Sound Show at Khajuraho.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Khajuraho.
Day 12: Khajuraho – Departure
After breakfast, enjoy some leisure time before being transferred to Khajuraho Airport or Railway Station for your onward journey.
Return home with unforgettable memories of your spiritual and cultural Buddhist pilgrimage across India and Nepal.
