12 Days Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour commences from Kathmandu. The tour spans over several tourist destinations related with Buddhism spanning over two countries, India & Nepal. The highlight of the tour to Buddhist pilgrimages is that it essentially covers four most revered places related to Buddha – Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath & Kushinagar. Lumbi holds immense importance being the birth place of Siddhartha in Shakya dynasty. That’s why, Gautam Buddha is also known as Shakyamuni. Bodhgaya is considered holy for being the place where Siddhartha attained ‘enlightenment’ and became Buddha. Sarnath, near Varanasi, garners tremendous esteem among the Budhist pilgrims, secular historians and archaeologists. It was in Sarnath where Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon and propelled the wheel of Dhamma (Dharmachakrapravartana). Buddha took his last breathe in Kushinagar (ancient Kushavati) and attained ‘Mahaparinirvana’. In addition to these four pilgrimages, Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour itinerary comprises several destinations associated with Lord Buddha, like Shravasti, Nalanda, Vaishali & Rajgir. During the course of twelve days travel, one also visits major attractions of Kathmandu, Varanasi, Agra & New Delhi. The tour involves intercity travel by flight (Kathmandu to Lumbini), car and train (Varanasi to Agra).
Day 1 :
Arrival at Kathmandu
India Nepal Buddhism Tour will commence upon your arrival at Kathmandu airport. You will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Post-lunch, visit Swoyambhunath Temple and Durbar Square. Overnight stay is scheduled in Kathmandu hotel.
Day 2 :
Kathmandu
After breakfast in the hotel, proceed on a full day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu city that comprises visit to Boudnath Stupa & Pashupatinath temple too. Overnight stay is scheduled in Kathmandu hotel.
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Day 3 :
Kathmandu - Lumbini
After breakfast, you will be in-time transferred to Kathmandu airport to fly for Lumbini. Lumbini is is connected with regular flights from the capital city of Nepal. On arrival at Bhairahwa Airport / Gautam Buddha Airport in Lumbini, you will be received by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Afternoon, visit birth place of Lord Buddha. Overnight stay is scheduled in Lumbini hotel.
Day 4 :
Lumbini - Shravasti
After breakfast in Lumbini hotel, depart for Shravasti. Shravasti, closely associated with Gautam Buddha, is one of the prominent Buddhist tourist destinations. Gautam Buddha had spent twenty four ‘chaaturmas’ in Shravasti. The town is studded with remnants of several ancient stupas, monasteries, viharas, temples etc. In Buddhist literature, the place mentioned as Sahet Mahet is identified by the historians as Shravasti. The Vedic literature suggests that king Shravast had founded the city. Upon arrival at Shravasti, you will be transferred to hotel. After lunch, visit Jetvan and Angulimal Caves. Overnight stay is scheduled in Shravasti hotel.
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Day 5 :
Saravasti – Kushinagar
After breakfast, depart for Kushinagar. In ancient scriptures, Kushinagar was known as Kushavati, the city of Kush, son of Lord Rama. Later, the city got prominence being associated with Mahaparinivana of Gautam Buddha. During the reign of Emperor Ashok, several stupas, viharas and monasteries were constructed here. Kushinagar is one of the four pilgrimages in Buddhism. On arrival at Kushinagar, you will be transferred to the hotel. After lunch, proceed to visit Mahaparinirvana Temple and Ramabha Stupa (cremation centre). Overnight stay is scheduled in Kushinagar hotel.
Day 6 :
Kushinagar – Vaishali – Patna
Have early breakfast in Kushinagar hotel and depart for Patna , an ancient city and presently capital of Bihar. On the way to Patna, have a stop-over at Vaishali, a historical town having reminisces of Buddhist era. Visit Ashokan Pillar, two ancient stupas containing ashes of Gautam Buddha, Vishwa Shanti Stupa & Abhishek Pushkarni. After sightseeing of Vaishali, continue your drive to Patna. On arrival at Patna, check-in at the hotel to have overnight stay.
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Day 7 :
Patna – Rajgir – Nalanda – Bodhgaya
After breakfast, depart for Bodhgaya, the most sacrosanct Buddhist pilgrimage. On the way to Bodhgaya, have stop-over at two historically & religiously important places – Rajgir & Nalanda. Nalanda is 85 km from Patna. In Nalanda, visit ruins & remnants of ancient university. The huge and world-renowned Nalanda University was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji, an intolerant & barbaric Muslim invader. Post lunch, continue your drive to Rajgir which is merely 15 km from Nalanda. In Rajgir, visit Gridhakuta Peak, Venuvanaram and Bimbisara Jail. Hereinafter, you will be driven to Bodhgaya. On arrival, you will be transferred to Bodhgaya hotel for overnight stay.
Day 8 :
Bodhgaya
The whole day is reserved for exploring Bodhgaya & visiting various Buddhist monuments. Bodhgaya is one of the four most sacred pilgrimages – Lumbini (birthplace of Gautam Buddha), Bodhgaya (Siddhartha attained Enlightenment), Sarnath (the site of ‘dharmachakrapravartan’) & Kushinagar (the place where Buddha got ‘mahaparinirvana’). The full day sightseeing will include Mahabodhi Temple, Mahabodhi Tree, Sujata village and Niranjana river. Overnight stay is scheduled in Bodhgaya hotel.
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Day 9 :
Bodhgaya – Varanasi
After breakfast, depart for Varanasi. On arrival at Varanasi , check in at the hotel. Post lunch, proceed to Sarnath to visit Dhamekha Stupa, Dharmarajika Atupa, dilapidated remnants of Buddhist monastery, Ashokan Pillar, Sarnath Museum, several Buddhist temples of different nationalities and Deer Park (Mrig Dav). In the evening, return to Varanasi hotel for overnight stay.
Day 10 :
Varanasi - Agra
The day will commence with early morning boat ride on the holy river Ganga along the ghats of Varanasi. It will be a unique experience as you will happen to see numerous exotic facets of Kashi, one of the most sought after pilgrimages. After boat cruise, return to hotel to refresh & have breakfast. Now, proceed on for visiting famous Hindu temples like
Kashi Vishwanath ,
Annapurna Devi Temple ,
Sankat Mochan Temple ,
Durga Temple etc and exploring narrow alleys and markets. Late afternoon, you will be in-time transferred to Varanasi railway station to board Agra-bound train.
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Day 11 :
Arrival Agra
After overnight train journey, arrive early in the morning at Agra,
located on the banks of River Yamuna. You will be received by our representative and transferred to the hotel. After getting refreshed and having breakfast, proceed on for visiting famous Mughal monuments that comprise
Taj Mahal ,
Agra Fort and
Mehtab Bagh . Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Built of white marble, Taj Mahal is the most beautiful mausoleum of Mughal era. Thereafter, explore local market famous for handicrafts, marble work, jewelry, carpets, leather products etc. After lunch, visit mammoth fort of Agra. Built by Akbar, Agra Fort is one of the three UNESCO World Heritage sites in the erstwhile Mughal capital. Located in the center of the town, Agra Fort displays various styles of the architecture in the form of various beautiful monuments within the ramparts. Late afternoon, you will be taken to Mehtab Bagh to behold Taj Mahal at the time of sunset. Evening is free for shopping. Return to hotel to spend evening in leisure and have overnight stay.
Above rates are based on current exchange rate, fuel price, entrance fee, hotel rates and tax structure as applicable on the date of mailing the package proposal, however any change in these components beyond our control shall affect the cost accordingly.
Our Above all cost is based on good combination of Heritage & star hotels. All the hotels are neat and clean, tastefully decorated air-conditioned rooms and of international standards with all modern facilities. We have been using these hotels regularly for our various overseas clients with excellent report in respective categories.
In case you are particular to stay with any preferred hotels, please do let us know and we will revise our cost accordingly.
If a particular hotel is stated in this travel proposal is not available, we will book you at an alternative hotel in the same category as the one stated with your consent and agreement.
We shall not be responsible for any delays & alterations in the programme or expenses incurred – directly or indirectly – due to natural hazards, flight cancellations, accident, breakdown of machinery or equipments, breakdown of transport, weather, sickness, landslides, political closures or any untoward incidents.
We do not have any insurance policy covering the expenses for accident, sickness, loss due to theft, or any other reasons. Visitors are advised to seek such insurance arrangements in their home country.
Please contact your health department or the nearest Indian consulate for more information on recommended vaccinations and medical precautions.
You will need a tourist visa to visit India . Please contact the nearest Indian consulate in your country of residence for more information.
In India, hotel check in time is 14:00 hrs & hotel check out time is 10:00 hrs, until specified otherwise.
Our cost doesn’t have any hidden taxes/charges.
Payment Terms:
We would require 50% advance payment to secure your bookings and process the file. We accept bank transfers and payment by credit cards through PAYPAL international payment gateway only. Balance amount needs to be paid on arrival in India by cash, Traveller’s Cheques or credit cards. All credit card payments are subject to 4.88% bank fees.
Cancellation Terms:
50% cancellation if cancelled within 45 days.
75% cancellation if cancelled within 30 days.
100% cancellation if cancelled 15 day or less.