Buddhist Holy Places Tour

You will be received by our representative at Gaya airport / railway junction. You will be transferred to Bodh Gaya hotel to spend evening in leisure and have overnight stay.

Bodh Gaya is the holiest pilgrimage in Buddhism. In search of truth and secrets of human life, Siddhartha entered on a course of contemplation at the end of which he claimed to have attained supreme ' enlightenment and thus achieved the stage of Buddhahood. It was the holy land of Bodh Gaya where he became Buddha. After breakfast, proceed on a full-day sightseeing tour of Bodh Gaya. Visit Mahabodhi Temple, Sujata village, Niranjana River, eighty feet high statue of Lord Buddha & several temples / monasteries of different Buddhist countries. Overnight stay is scheduled in Bodh Gaya hotel.

After enjoying delicious breakfast in Bodh Gaya hotel, depart for Patna, erstwhile known as Patalipura and presently the capital city of the state of Bihar. On the way to Patna, visit Rajgir & Nalanda. You will first reach Rajgir to visit Griddhakuta (Vulture's Peak), World Peace Stupa, Venuvanaram & Bimbisar’s Prison. Have lunch in Rajgir and continue your drive to Nalanda (12 km from Rajgrir) to visit the ruins of the ancient Nalanda University Archaeological Complex, it was one of the oldest universities of the world. Nalanda was an internationally renowned centre for Buddhist learning. Thereafter, drive to Patna. On arrival, check in at Patna hotel to spend evening in leisure and have overnight stay.

Having enjoyed scrumptious breakfast in Patna hotel, depart early morning for Kushinagar. En route, stop at Vaishali and Kesariya to explore rich Buddhist heritage. Vaishali, famous for the earliest successful experiments with democracy in world history, is also the site of the Last Sermon Place of Lord Buddha. Additionally visit Ashokan Pillar, Ananda Stupa , Abhishek Pushkarni , Buddha stupas, Kutagar Shala Vihara etc. Hereinafter, proceed for Kesaria to visit Biggest Ancient Buddhist Stupa – Kesaria Stupa.

Continue drive to Kushinagar. On arrival, check-in at the hotel to have overnight stay.

Kushinagar, one of the four most sacred Buddhist pilgrimages, is the place where Gautam Buddha spent his last days and took the last breath. Kushinagar is a pilgrimage town in eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. Have salubrious breakfast, proceed on for sightseeing of Kushinagar comprising visit to Mahaparinirvana Temple (where Buddha breathed his last) and Rambhar Stupa (where the Buddha was cremated) and Japan Temple. Mahaparinirvan Temple is the death site and Rambhar Stupa is the cremation site of the Buddha. After visiting famous shrines and attractions, return to hotel to have lunch, collect the baggage and drive to Lumbini in Nepal. Kindly obtain double entry visa for India & single-entry visa for Nepal. On arrival, check in at Lumbini hotel for overnight stay.

Siddhartha was born in the Lumbini Garden (modern Rummindei) in Nepal. This event has been assigned by scholars to the year 557 / 623 B. C. He is known by various other names like Shakyamuni, Sarvarthasiddha, Gautam Buddha and Tathagat. After breakfast, visit holy birth place of Lord Buddha. Maya Devi Temple, World Peace Pagoda, Lumbini Monastic site & several Buddhist temples of different nationalities are major attractions in Lumbini. Thereafter, depart for Shravasti. En route, have a stop-over at Kapilvastu to visit attractions related to Buddhism. On arrival, check in at Shravasti hotel for overnight stay.

Shravasti, a prestigious center of Buddhism even during the Buddha’s lifetime, was capital city of the ancient Kosala kingdom. Shravasti has been mentioned as Saheth Maheth in Buddhist scriptures. Located on the banks of Rapti river, Shravasti is the place where Gautam Buddha spent several summers and delivered significant sermons. To confound Tirthika heretics, the Buddha performed several miracles by creating multiple images of himself. These images became the source of inspiration for Buddhist art forms. After breakfast, proceed to visit Saheth (Jetvanaram) & Maheth (Angulimal Caves). Post-lunch, depart for Varanasi. On arrival at Varanasi, check in at the pre-booked hotel to have overnight stay.

Early in the morning, you will be taken to Dashashwamedh Ghat to enjoy a boat ride in the holy Ganga and a closer look of daily activities of the people of Varanasi. It will also let you know the significance of Ganga in the life of a general Hindu. After breakfast and proceed to Sarnath (14 kms). Gautam Buddha, by delivering his first sermon, turned the 12 wheels of Dhamma at Sarnath. It is known as Dharmachakrapravartana in Buddhist scripture. The serene ambience in Sarnath is spiritually laden. Even the fierce noonday sun does not dilute the distilled peace that pervades Sarnath today. From historical perspective, Sarnath is a testimony to flourishing sophisticated civilization during Buddha’s times and in later centuries. Archaeological remains here have been dated to as early as 260 BC, and the sense of history is palpable. The remnants of razed monastery are still found there. Many scenic landscaping of Sarnath’s undulating terrain gives pride of place to the Chaukhandi Stupa & Dhamekh Stupa. A large number of sculptures, coins, artefacts, and terracotta etc, unearthed from here have been preserved in Sarnath Museum. The Tibetan Temple nearby is another quiet sanctuary. The Thai Temple was built in 1976 to meet the needs of Thai pilgrims to the region.

After exploring Sarnath, return to hotel, collect your baggage to be transferred timely to airport to board the flight for onwards destination.

The final morning dawns quietly as you are transferred to Maharshi Valmiki International Airport, carrying with you not just memories, but an enduring impression of an India that is eternal, evolving and deeply sacred.