Golden Triangle of Buddhist Tour

Itinerary Details Expand All [+]

• Day 01 – Arrive at Bodhgaya

  Once you arrive in Bodhgaya one of our representatives will welcome you gladly and escort you to your hotel. After arriving at your hotel you’ll check in and take a short nap destressing yourself from the stress of the long journey. Freshen up and get ready for a tour of the Mahabodhi Temple which holds great significance for the Buddhists. You’ll also visit the Thai Temple and spend some time appreciating the sacredness of the Mahabodhi tree. Bodhgaya is one of the most famous Buddhist destinations where Buddha got enlightenment around 2500 years ago. Devotees from all around the world visit Bodhgaya to seek the blessings of Buddha. Mahabodhi Temple has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main temple is a huge one hundred and eighty feet pyramid structure with various beautiful motifs engraved on it. The temple gives an insight into the traditions, customs, and teachings of Buddhism. The temple also houses a magnanimous statue of Buddha that has been constructed from yellow sandstone. The followers of Buddhism have built many shrines inside the temple representing their faith and belief. The temple also houses the Diamond Throne of Vajrasana and the Mahabodhi Stupa.

  Located near the Mahabodhi Temple is the Bodhi Tree that has stood here for hundreds of years and holds great spiritual significance. As per the Buddhist scriptures, the tree is a descendant under which Buddha meditated and got enlightenment.

  You will also visit the Thai Temple that was built by the Monarch to strengthen the bond between Thailand and India. It has a brightly colored wat with manicured gardens and gold leaf shimmering from its rooftop. You can attend here meditation sessions in the evening and morning. In the evening you’ll return to your hotel and have an overnight stay.

• Day 02 – Bodhgaya – Rajgir – Nalanda – Patna

  Have a delicious breakfast in the morning and then you’ll enjoy a scenic drive to Patna. Our driver will pick you up outside your hotel. On the way to Patna, you’ll stop by Rajgir and visit the prominent attractions. Rajgir was the first capital of the Magadha kingdom renowned for its scenic beauty and historical attractions. The city houses many ancient temples and religious sites, including the Vishwa Shanti Stupa. It symbolizes harmony and peace. Other popular attractions include the Buddhist monastery, Venuvana Vihara, and the Ajatshatru Stupa. The prime attraction of Rajgir is the Ajatshatru Fort which was constructed by Ajatshatru, the powerful Magadh King in the sixth century. The palatial fort features a stupa. Rajgir also houses hot springs, which have healing properties.

  After the tour of Rajgir, you will make your way to Nalanda which houses Nalanda University. Nalanda University is one of the oldest universities around the globe dating back to the third century. This university has been referred to many times in the Chinese and Tibetan cultures as the center of advanced Vedic learning. In the twelfth century, Bakhtiyar Khilji ransacked it. Nalanda was visited by Lord Buddha many times, but the university gained prominence in the later years when Hiuen Tsang, a Buddhist monk stayed here in the seventh century AD and described the monastic life and education system of this place. After a tour of Nalanda University, you’ll proceed to Patna and check in at your pre-booked hotel. Have a delightful stay at your hotel.

• Day 03 – Patna – Vaishali – Kushinagar

  Give a delightful start to your day by savoring a hearty breakfast in the morning at your hotel. After breakfast, you will pack your bags and head to Kushinagar covering a distance of around 518 kilometers. En route, you’ll stop by to visit Vaishali which is known to have a connection with Ramayana. After reaching Kushinagar you’ll check in to your pre-reserved hotel and relax and unwind for the night. Kushinagar is one of the four holy Buddhist sites that hold great prominence in Buddhism. It is the place where Buddha attained Parinirvana. The Mahaparinirvana Temple is one of the most famous Buddhist sites where you can see the reclining statue of Buddha. The statue symbolizes the 'dying Buddha.' Makutabandhara Vihara and Mahaparinirvana Vihara are the most popular attractions of Mahaparinirvana Temple. Some of the must-visit attractions in Kushinagar include the Japanese Temple, Buddha Museum, Ramabhar Stupa, Matha Kuar Shrine, Wat Thai Temple, and Kushinagar Museum. You’ll then visit Vaishali which stands on the Gandak River’s bank. This city is associated with Jainism and Buddhism. The main attraction of Vaishali is the Ashoka Pillar. Unlike the other Ashoka Pillars, this pillar has only a single lion on the top.

  Lord Mahavir was born in Vaishali. It is the place where Buddha gave his last sermon. It is surrounded by banana and mango groves and extensive rice fields. The city is a part of Bihar’s Tirhut division and attracts tourists from all around the year. After the tour of Vaishali, you’ll continue your drive to Kushinagar. After reaching Kushinagar, you’ll check in to your pre-booked hotel and have a pleasing overnight stay.

• Day 04 – Kushinagar – Varanasi

  Your fourth day will be dedicated to the sightseeing tour of Kushinagar. You will visit the popular attractions of Kushinagar such as the Wat Thai Temple and the Mahaparinirvana Temple. The Wat Thai Temple exudes the perfect blend of Thai and Indian architecture. Its golden spires look very beautiful and seem to touch the heavens. As you visit this place you will experience a unique kind of tranquility and bliss. It also stands as a testament to the camaraderie between Thailand and India. Mahaparinirvana Temple is the holiest Buddhist site in the world. You can see here a tall statue of Gautam Buddha in the position he was in when he attained nirvana and departed his body. This statue was unearthed in 1876 and it is approximately six meters long.

  After a tour of these famous Buddhist sites, you will head to Varanasi. Post arrival at Varanasi you’ll be transferred to your hotel and you will complete your check-in formalities. Have an overnight stay at your Varanasi hotel thinking about all that is in store for the next day.

• Day 05 – Varanasi

  Early morning you will get ready for an enthralling boat ride on the River Ganga. After that, you will return to your hotel and relish a tasty breakfast fueling yourself for the happenings of the day. After breakfast, you’ll visit Sarnath which is immensely popular amongst the Buddhists. Sarnath is a holy town dotted with many museums, Buddhist stupas, beautiful temples, and excavated ancient sites that amaze tourists due to their serene and mystical setting. It is also the place where Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. This small town houses the Dhamek Stupa and many other famous Buddhist structures belonging to the ancient era.

  After the tour of Sarnath, you’ll go on a sightseeing tour of Varanasi. You will visit famous attractions like the Banaras Hindu University, Durga Temple, and Kashi Viswanath Temple. Varanasi is the oldest Indian city that gives an insight into the rich culture of the country. It has numerous temples that you can visit to satiate your cravings for spiritual bliss. Banaras Hindu University is one of the most famous universities in the world that has become a part of Varanasi’s identity. It is the largest residential university in Asia having thirteen hundred acre campus. The university also has an on-campus museum known as the Bharat Kala Bhavan. This institution features a collection of over one lakh artifacts of artistic and archeological importance. Kashi Viswanath Temple is another famous attraction situated on the holy river Ganga’s western bank. On its tower, you can see eight hundred kilograms of gold plating. The main deity of this temple is Lord Shiva who is known to be 'the ruler of the universe'. In the evening you will return to your hotel and have an overnight stay.

• Day 06 – Departure from Varanasi

  After a tasty breakfast, you will check out from your hotel as you will be transferred to the Varanasi airport where you’ll catch your flight for your onward journey. With this, the Golden Triangle India Buddhist tour comes to an end and you’ll return to your hometown with new ideologies about life.