11 Day Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour India & Nepal – Varanasi to Lumbini

Flight Options (Delhi → Varanasi)
IX 1225 | 06:25 → 08:00
6E 2334 | 11:05 → 12:30
6E 2235 | 16:10 → 17:30
On arrival in Varanasi, transfer to your hotel and relax.
In the evening, witness the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat—a mesmerizing Vedic ritual with lamps, chants, bells, and devotion on the sacred River Ganges.

4★ Hotels – Varanasi (Any One)
Hotel Rivatas | Hotel Amaya | Hotel Pristine | Hotel Costa Riviera | Hotel Hindustan International

Overnight in Varanasi

Early Morning: Sunrise boat ride on River Ganges, observing life at the ghats.
Temple Visits:
Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva)
Bharat Mata Mandir
Durga Temple & Durga Kund
Tulsi Manas Temple
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)

Drive to Sarnath (12 km | 30 min)
Dhamek Stupa – First Sermon of Buddha
Mulagandha Kuti Vihar
Ashoka Pillar Ruins
Sainath Museum
Overnight in Varanasi

Vande Bharat Express (1AC)
Train No. 22500
Departure: 06:00 Varanasi
Arrival: 09:15 Gaya
Transfer to Bodhgaya (12 km | 30 min)
Visit Mahabodhi Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site)—the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree.
4★ Hotels – Bodhgaya
Hotel Imperial | The Oaks | Hotel Regency | Anand International
Overnight in Bodhgaya

Great Buddha Statue (80 ft)

Sacred Bodhi Tree & Lotus Pond

International Monasteries (Japanese, Thai, Tibetan, Bhutanese, Chinese)

Sujata Village – offering of milk-rice to Buddha
Optional: Dungeshwari Hills (Mahakala Caves)

Overnight in Bodhgaya

Bodhgaya → Nalanda (75 km | 2 hrs)

Nalanda University Ruins (UNESCO)

Archaeological Museum

Hiuen Tsang Memorial

Nalanda → Rajgir (15 km | 30 min)

Vishwa Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda)

Ropeway / Cable Car Ride

Venu Van (Bamboo Grove)

Ghora Katora Lake

4★ Hotel – Rajgir
Indo Hokke Hotel

Overnight in Rajgir

Rajgir → Vaishali (150 km | 4–5 hrs)

Vaishali is where Buddha delivered his last sermon.
Visit:

Ashoka Pillar

Relic Stupa

Ancient Assembly Ruins

4★ Hotel – Vaishali
Vaishali Residency / Similar

Overnight in Vaishali

Distance: 190 km | 5–6 hrs

Kushinagar is where Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana.
Visit:

Nirvana Temple (Reclining Buddha)

Ramabhar Stupa

Kushinagar Museum

4★ Hotel – Kushinagar
Royal Residency / Lotus Nikko / Similar

Overnight in Kushinagar

Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
Visit:

Maya Devi Temple

Sacred Pond

Ashoka Pillar

4★ Hotel – Lumbini
Hokke Hotel Lumbini | Buddha Maya Garden | Kasai Hotel

Overnight in Lumbini

Distance: 170 km | 5–6 hrs

Sravasti is where Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons.
Visit:

Jetavana Monastery (Saheth)

Maheth Ruins

Sobhanath Jain Temple

4★ Hotel – Sravasti
Platinum Shravasti / Similar

Overnight in Sravasti

Distance: 180 km | 5 hrs

Arrive in Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh.
Free time for rest, shopping, or optional heritage walk.

4★ Hotel – Lucknow
Hotel Piccadilly | Golden Tulip | Saraca Hotel

Overnight in Lucknow

✈ Flight Options

AI 2500 | 08:00 → 09:25

6E 6737 | 10:05 → 11:15

Transfer to airport.