Buddha's Trail Pilgrimage Tour Package

Itinerary Details Expand All [+]

• Day 01 – Arrive at Aurangabad

  On the first day of the tour, you will arrive at Aurangabad and meet our representative who will explain the itinerary and transfer you to your pre-reserved hotel. Rest for some time and then visit the Daulatabad Fort, a historic fortified citadel dating back to the twelfth century. This fortress has over eight hundred years of legacy and is known for its three-layer defense system and architectural splendor. Next, you will visit Bibi-Ka-Muqbara built as a memorial of Aurangzeb’s wife Rabia-Ul-Daurani alias Dilras Banu Begum. It has a beautiful garden with a fountain and water channels. You will then head to the Aurangabad Caves located between Sihyachal and Satara mountain ranges. The caves are home to various temples constructed between the 6th and 8th centuries. You can also see here a shrine based on the Sutosama Jataka. Return to your hotel in the evening and have a soothing sleep.

• Day 02 – Aurangabad - Ellora Caves – Aurangabad

  Get up early in the morning and have a delicious breakfast. You’ll then go on a drive to Ellora Caves situated at a distance of around thirty kilometers from Aurangabad. Ellora cave temples are Unesco World Heritage Sites. They have been carved top down with the help of three different types of hammers and chisels. It was carved out by Jain, Buddhist, and Hindu monks over five centuries. The main highlight of the Ellora Caves is the Kailasa temple, the largest monolithic sculpture in the world carved out by seven thousand laborers over one hundred and fifty years. Several beautifully carved panels in the complex of the temple depict scenes from the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and the adventures of Krishna. After exploring the Ellora Caves you will get back to your hotel and have a delightful overnight stay.

• Day 03 – Aurangabad - Ajanta Cave - Jalgaon – Bhopal

  Savor a yummy breakfast in your hotel and then get ready to visit the Ajanta Caves. Ajanta Caves are around a hundred kilometers away from Aurangabad and it takes around two and a half hours to cover this distance by car. These rock-cut caves date back to the second and seventh century AD. Ajanta caves have the most beautiful ancient paintings and are known to be the finest example of antiquity Indian art. These caves were built in different phases with the support of people from different religions. The caves exhibit a splendid style that you can easily see in their stupas, roofs, carvings, pillars, assembly halls, etc. It comprises twenty-nine caves with the most common ones being Chaityas and Viharas. Viharas are where you can learn and study about Buddhism and Chaityas are where you’ll find the stupas. After exploring the Ajanta Cave you will head to Jalgaon railway station. From the Jalgaon railway station, you’ll catch a train to Bhopal.

• Day 04 – Bhopal - Sanchi - Bhopal – Agra

  Relish a yummy breakfast in the morning and then prepare yourself to visit Sanchi Stupa. Commissioned by King Ashoka in the third century BCE, the Sanchi Stupa is a rounded hill topped with the oldest Buddhist structures. The Great Stupa at Sanchi is considered to be one of the most prominent Buddhist monuments that symbolize Buddhist architecture and art. Located in Sanchi Town, this Stupa is the oldest in India constructed during the Mauryan period. In the afternoon, you will get back to your hotel in Bhopal. Rest for some time and in the evening you will be transferred to the Bhopal Railway Station from where you will board a train to Agra.

• Day 05 – Arrive in Agra

  After arriving at Agra Railway Station you will be welcomed by our tour representative. He will greet you and make all the arrangements to transfer you to your pre-booked hotel. Dedicate your afternoon to visiting the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in fond memory of his wife Mumtaj Mahal. The entire complex and mausoleum of the Taj Mahal are classic examples of the Mughal architectural style. There is a combination of Indian, Persian, and Islamic architectural styles in the construction of this monument. It spans around forty-two acres with two complexes around its sides. There is a mosque on the complex’s western side used for the purpose of prayers. Next, you’ll visit the Agra Fort, one of the most popular Mughal forts. It reflects the splendor and strength of the Mughal dynasty and is one of the finest places to visit in Agra. In the evening you will return to your hotel in Agra and have a luscious dinner. After the dinner, you will have a restful sleep in your room.

• Day 06 – Agra - Delhi - Patna (By Air)

  Post a delicious breakfast at your hotel you’ll check out from your hotel and you’ll be transferred to Delhi Airport where you will catch a flight to Patna, the capital of Bihar. Patna holds immense spiritual and religious importance and houses many historic attractions. It is situated on the mighty Ganges river’s southern bank and offers the perfect combination of contemporary and ancient worlds. It has many famous monuments including the Patna Sahib Gurudwara, the High Court, the Patna Planetarium, the Secretariat Building, Golghar, and Padri ki Haveli. After arriving at Patna you will be transferred to your hotel and you’ll have an overnight stay.

• Day 07 – Patna - Nalanda - Rajgir – Bodhgaya

  Wake up early in the morning and savor a delicious breakfast. Post breakfast you will drive to Bodhgaya, one of the most popular Buddhist sites. En route, you will stop by to visit Nalanda, one of the best examples of the cultural beauty and intellectual richness of ancient India. The city attracts travelers to take an insight into its centuries-old wisdom. The archeological ruins of the city make it a must-visit for tourists. It houses the world's first residential university founded in the fifth century B.C. You will also visit a historic museum that showcases the sculptures, seals, and other remains of Nalanda University. Next, you will visit Griddhkuta's "Hill of Vultures." It is believed that Gautam Buddha delivered his famous sermons here. Next, you will visit Saptparni caves which are known to be the site where the first Buddha Council was conducted. Post the sightseeing tour you’ll be transferred to your pre-booked hotel in Bodh Gaya. Have an overnight stay at your hotel.

• Day 08 – Bodhgaya – Varanasi

  Relish a scrumptious breakfast in the morning and then go on a sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya. Bodhgaya is known to be the place where Siddhartha who later became Gautam Buddha got enlightenment. You’ll visit the Mahabodhi Temple which houses a fig tree under which Gautam Buddha got enlightenment. Pilgrims like to spend lots of time at Bodh Gaya, engaging in various religious practices like making offerings, chanting, and praying. After the tour of the temple, you’ll enjoy a scenic drive to Varanasi. After reaching Varanasi you’ll be escorted to your pre-booked hotel and you’ll have a lip-smacking dinner. Post dinner you will check out from your hotel and head to Varanasi. Once you reach Varanasi you will be transferred to your hotel and have a delightful overnight stay.

• Day 09 – Varanasi

  Start your day with a luscious breakfast and then you will for a boat ride on the Ganges River. In the first half of the day, you will visit popular attractions like the Vishwanath Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, and Bharat Mata Temple. Vishwanath Temple is one of the Dwadash Jyotirlingas and sacred sites in the world. Take blessings from Lord Vishnu, Shiva, all nine forms of Goddess Adishakti, Kaal Bhairav, and many other deities. Tulsi Manas Temple is another popular spiritual site in Varanasi dedicated to Lord Rama. It is made of white marble and is renowned for its magnificent architecture. Inside the temple, you can see the idols of Lord Rama, Lakshman, and Sita. You can also see Lord Hanuman’s image inside the temple. In the second half of the day, you’ll visit Sarnath. It is believed to be the place where Buddha gave his first sermon. In the evening you’ll head to Har Ki Pauri to witness the Ganga Aarti. After the aarti, you’ll return to your hotel and have an overnight stay.

• Day 10 – Varanasi – Kushinagar

  Have a tasty breakfast at your hotel and then enjoy a scenic drive to Kushinagar. Kushinagar is known to be the destination where Buddha got Parinirvana after his death. This sacred place is also intertwined with the Mallas Kingdom’s historical roots. The prime attraction of Kushinagar is the Parinirvana Temple which is surrounded by a lush green forest and has been crafted from bricks of all shapes and sizes. This architectural marvel signifies the site of Buddha's Parinirvana. After arriving in Kushinagar you’ll be escorted to your hotel. Complete your check-in formalities and then embark on a sightseeing tour of the city. Return back to your hotel in the evening and relish a scrumptious dinner. Post dinner you will have an overnight stay at your hotel.

• Day 11 – Kushinagar - Lumbini - Shravasti

  Post a yummy breakfast at your hotel you’ll embark on a drive to Shravasti. En route, you will visit Lumbini which holds great significance for the Buddhists as it is known to be the place where Buddha was born. You will visit the Mayadevi Temple dedicated to Siddhartha Gautama’s mother. It marks the spot where Siddhartha was born. The temple is located adjacent to the Puskarini pool, where Queen Mayadevi took a ritual dip before giving birth to Siddhartha Gautam. You will also visit China Temple, a pagoda-style temple dotted with meditation cells and prayer rooms. After this, you will continue your drive to Sravasti. After arriving in Sravasti you’ll be escorted to your hotel where you’ll have an overnight stay.

• Day 12 – Shravasti - Lucknow Shravasti, Departs

  On the twelfth day of the tour, you’ll go on a city tour of Sravasti and visit the popular attractions. Sravasti is the place where Gautam Buddha spent a major part of his monastic life after enlightenment. Stay in awe as you see the Ananda Bodhi tree that is considered to be the site where Buddha meditated for a day before performing miracles at Jetavan. You will drive back to Lucknow in the afternoon to catch a train or flight. This also marks the end of the tour.