9 Days Buddhist Pilgrimage Tours India

Itinerary Details Expand All [+]

• Day 01 – Arrive at Delhi

  On the first day of the tour, you will arrive at Delhi International Airport where our representative will be waiting eagerly for you. He will welcome you warmly and transfer you to your pre-booked hotel. Complete the check-in formalities and enjoy some time peacefully in your room. If some time is left you will go for half-day sightseeing in Delhi. You’ll visit the famous attractions and shop for your favorite items from the local markets. After the sightseeing tour, you will return to your Delhi hotel and have an overnight stay in your room.

• Day 02 – Delhi - Lucknow - Sravasti

  Post a delicious breakfast you’ll be transferred by our representative to Delhi Airport from where you’ll catch your flight to Lucknow. Our representative will meet you outside your hotel and transfer you to the airport in a fuss-free way. After arriving at Lucknow Airport our representative will meet you gladly and drive you to Sravasti, a prime pilgrimage site for the Buddhists. It is located along the banks of the Rapti River and was once the capital of the Kosala kingdom. The most famous attraction in this city is Miracle Stupa, where Gautam Buddha spent a considerable amount of time after attaining enlightenment. Because of his teachings and sermons, Sravasti became an important site for Buddhist learning. Other popular tourist attractions in Sravasti include Angulimala's Stupa, Anathapindika's Stupa, and the Jain Tirthankara temple. After arriving in Sravasti you’ll be taken to your pre-reserved hotel. You will check in to your hotel and after some time get ready for a sightseeing tour. Visit the Ananda Bodhi Tree that was planted near the Jetvana’s entrance at the request of Anasthapitaka. This tree is known to be the descendant of the Bodhi Tree under which Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. You’ll also visit Jetavana, the remains of a small hut in which Gautam Buddha lived around twenty monsoon seasons. As the day comes to an end return to your hotel and have a luscious dinner. Have an overnight stay at your hotel.

• Day 03 – Sravasti – Lumbini

  Get up early in the morning and relish your morning breakfast. Post breakfast you will proceed to Lumbini, which is also known to be the birthplace of Buddha. Lumbini is the most popular heritage site in Nepal frequently visited by Buddhists and people from all around the world. Today Lumbini houses more than twenty-five international Buddhist meditation centers and monasteries. Mayadevi Temple is the most popular site in Lumbini where Buddha was born. In Maya Devi temple the newly born Buddha gave a meaningful message to humanity. Different countries have constructed monasteries in Lumbini making it a prominent attraction. After arriving in Lumbini our representative will transfer you to your hotel where you can relax and rejuvenate. After a short nap, you’ll visit the Ashoka Pillar constructed by King Ashoka in the year 259 BC. Emperor Ashoka erected this pillar after deciding to accept Buddhism. Have a leisurely walk in the evening through the famous monasteries. Return to your hotel as the day ends and have a mouth-watering dinner. After dinner, you’ll have a restful sleep.

• Day 04 – Lumbini – Kushinagar

  Post a yummy breakfast you’ll get ready to visit the Maya Devi Temple, where Maya Devi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama. You can go inside the temple and see the original temple platform that dates back to the third century BC. There is a sacred garden surrounding the temple where you can witness remnants of the sacred pool and ancient stupas. You can also see monks congregating under a Bodhi tree. Later you’ll head to Kushinagar after crossing the Indo-Nepal border. After reaching Kushinagar you will be transferred to your hotel. Relax for a while and then you’ll visit Ramabhar Stupa and Nirvana Temple. Ramabhar Stupa is the place where Gautam Buddha attained Parinirvana. This stupa is constructed over a portion of the Buddha’s ashes, at the exact spot where he was cremated. Because of this Kushinagar is known to be the holiest Buddhist site in the world. Nirvana Temple is also a sacred site for Buddhists with a beautiful backdrop and blissful environment. After the excursion, you’ll return to your hotel and have a tasty dinner. Post dinner you’ll have a soothing sleep.

• Day 05 – Kushinagar - Vaishali – Rajgir

  Post a delicious breakfast you’ll head to Rajgir via Vaishali. Vaishali is one of the most ancient Indian cities steeped in tradition and history. It gives an insight into India’s rich cultural past through its monasteries, stupas, temples, and historic museums. It is known to be the place where Lord Mahavira was born. Vaishali is also the place where the last sermon was delivered by Gautam Buddha. Surrounded by rice fields and groves of bananas and mangoes, Vaishali is a part of Bihar’s Tirhut division. Vaishali is also known to be the land of Amrapali, a talented and beautiful courtesan, who followed the path of the Buddha at a later stage in her life. In Vaishali, you’ll visit the Buddha stupa, Ashoka Pillar, and Shanti stupa. After visiting the famous sites of Vaishali you’ll head to Rajgir. You will stop by on the way to see the ruins of Nalanda University. Nalanda University was one of the oldest learning centers in ancient India. It was a seat of learning and attracted students and scholars from all around the world. The ruins showcase the advanced educational and architectural practices of ancient India and recite the story of intellectual brilliance and the power of knowledge that flourished from the fifth to the twelfth century. Nalanda University is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can explore its archaeological wonders, such as meditation halls, classrooms, and libraries. After having an enchanting experience you will head to Rajgir and check into your pre-booked hotel. Have a yummy dinner and then have a soothing sleep in your room.

• Day 06 – Rajgir – Bodhgaya

  Wake up early in the morning and get ready for sightseeing around Rajgir. Rajgir is surrounded by rocky hills and dense forests. It is known to be the place where Lord Buddha delivered many of his sermons and converted King Bimbisara who ruled the Magadha Kingdom to his creed. Both Lord Mahavir and Lord Buddha have spent a considerable time here making it extremely popular amongst the Buddhists and Jains. Rajgir served as the capital of the Magadha empire in the ancient era. Now it is known all over the world for its historical and religious importance. In Rajgir, you’ll visit the Venuvana Vihar monastery that King Bimbisara built so that Gautam Buddha could peacefully reside here. It has now been converted into a park with a large pond, flowers, bamboo, and Buddha's image in the center. In the afternoon you will proceed to Bodhgaya. After arriving in Bodhgaya you’ll be dropped at your hotel. Have a tasty dinner and then have an overnight stay at your hotel.

• Day 07 – Bodhgaya

  Your seventh day will be dedicated to the excursion of Gaya and Bodhgaya. Bodhgaya is the place where Buddha got enlightenment. It is located by the bank of the Neranjana River in Bihar. Bodh Gaya is a sacred destination for Buddhists. This small town has many temples and monasteries built by many Buddhist countries. You’ll first visit The Mahabodhi temple, a restored Buddhist temple and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many believe that before the destruction of the universe, Mahabodhi Temple will be the last one to go down and on a new beginning it will be the first one to reappear. The Diamond Throne lies between the temple and Bodhi Tree marking the place where Gautam Buddha sat in meditation and got enlightenment. The Bodhi Tree is surrounded by steel railings to prevent any kind of damage. You’ll also visit the Niranjana River, a holy site where the last rites are performed. The next destination covered in the package will be the Sujata Temple, dedicated to a poor rural woman named Sujata who gave kheer to Gautam Buddha. Return to your hotel in the evening and have a scrumptious dinner. Post dinner you will have a restful sleep in your room.

• Day 08 – Bodhgaya – Varanasi

  Have a yummy breakfast and then proceed to Varanasi. En route, you’ll stop by Sarnath which is home to numerous monasteries and Buddhist temples. It is one of the holiest destinations for Buddhists. In Buddhist literature, it has been mentioned as Rishipatana since it is believed that five hundred sages and saints fell here after attaining Nirvana. Sarnath is the place where Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon. In Sarnath, you will visit the ruins of Mulagandhakuti Temple and Dharmarajika Stupa, where Buddha meditated and stayed for some time. You’ll then visit The Ashoka Pillar, an impressive structure that has been crafted out of stone. You can see the monks chanting mantras and meditating around the pillar. After the tour of Sarnath, you’ll head to Varanasi. After reaching Varanasi you’ll check into your hotel. Destress yourself by taking a small nap. In the evening you will be transferred to the Har Ki Pauri river ghat to participate in the evening aarti and soak in the blissful atmosphere. After the aarti, you will get back to your hotel for dinner. Post dinner have a restful sleep in your room.

• Day 09 – Varanasi – Delhi

  Wake up early in the morning and enjoy a boat tour on the River Ganga. You’ll also visit all the bathing ghats. After the boat tour, you will get back to your hotel and have a yummy breakfast. Post breakfast you’ll check out from your hotel and you will be transferred to the airport. From the airport, you will catch a flight to Delhi. With this, the tour comes to an end and you’ll return to your hometown thinking about the experiences you had during the trip.