Embark on a sacred 10 Nights / 11 Days Buddhist pilgrimage tracing the historic journey of Gautama Buddha from his Enlightenment to Mahaparinirvana, alongside Northern India's imperial wonders. This circuit covers the foundational sites of Buddhist heritage across India and Nepal, paired with the historical treasures of Delhi and the Taj Mahal in Agra.
Commence with classical sightseeing across Old and New Delhi before flying to Varanasi for evening Ganga Aarti and Sarnath, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. Pay homage beneath the sacred Bodhi Tree at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, explore the ancient Buddhist centers of Rajgir and Nalanda University, observe the monumental Ashokan Pillar in Vaishali, visit the final resting place of Buddha in Kushinagar, discover his birthplace in Lumbini (Nepal), and tour Jetavana Vihar in Sravasti before concluding in Agra and Delhi.
Welcome to Delhi, the capital of India.
You will be met & greeted by our representative at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
The remaining part of the day is at leisure to relax and prepare for the journey ahead.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.
After breakfast, embark on a full-day guided sightseeing tour of Delhi.
Old Delhi: Explore the 17th-century walled city with its historic gates, narrow alleys, and lively bazaars; visit the grand Jama Masjid and Raj Ghat (memorial to Mahatma Gandhi).
New Delhi: Drive through wide tree-lined boulevards, landscaped parks, and administrative landmarks; visit Humayun’s Tomb, Qutab Minar, India Gate, and enjoy a drive-past of the President House (Rashtrapati Bhavan).
Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.
After breakfast, meet our representative and transfer to Delhi Airport to board your flight to Varanasi.
Upon arrival in Varanasi, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel.
In the evening, meet your guide at the hotel lobby and proceed to the banks of the River Ganges to witness the sacred evening Ganga Aarti ceremony.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Varanasi.
After breakfast, visit Sarnath, the sacred Deer Park where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon in 590 BC setting the Wheel of Law in motion.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Varanasi, visiting the bathing ghats along the Ganges, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Durga Temple, and Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
Overnight stay at the hotel in Varanasi.
Early morning sunrise boat excursion on the River Ganges to witness sacred bathing rituals and morning prayers along the ghats.
Return to the hotel for breakfast.
Leave Varanasi by road for Bodhgaya, the premier Buddhist pilgrimage centre in Bihar where Prince Gautama attained supreme enlightenment and became the Buddha beneath the Bodhi tree.
Arrive in Bodhgaya and check in to your hotel.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Bodhgaya.
Morning temple visits in Bodhgaya: the UNESCO World Heritage Mahabodhi Temple, Animesh Lochan Chaitya, Mohanta's Monastery, the Thai Temple, and the Burmese Temple.
Later, explore the international monastic heritage: the Tibetan Monastery, International Buddhist House, Buddhist Monastery of Bhutan, and the Chinese Temple & Monastery.
Spend tranquil time in meditation around the sacred Bodhi Tree.
Visit the Bodhgaya Archaeological Museum before returning to your hotel.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Bodhgaya.
After breakfast, drive towards Patna, en-route exploring Rajgir and Nalanda.
Rajgir: The ancient capital of the 6th-century Magadha Empire and a revered site of Buddha's sermons where he spent many monsoon retreats.
Nalanda: Tour the excavated brick ruins of the world's oldest residential university, founded in the 5th century AD.
Continue drive to Patna, the 2,500-year-old historic capital city of Bihar.
Upon arrival, check into your hotel for relaxation.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Patna.
After breakfast, drive from Patna to Kushinagar with an en-route stop at Vaishali (located 55 km from Patna).
Vaishali: A site of deep reverence where Buddha delivered his last sermon and announced his approaching Mahaparinirvana.
Visit the 18.3-meter-high Ashokan Pillar, carved from a single piece of red sandstone and topped by a bell-shaped capital with a life-size lion figure.
Arrive in Kushinagar, the sacred ground where Buddha passed into Maha-Parinirvana.
In the afternoon, visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple and surrounding stupas.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Kushinagar.
After breakfast, drive from Kushinagar across the international border into Nepal to Lumbini.
Sightseeing tour of sacred Lumbini, the hallowed birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama.
Cross back into India and continue by road to Sravasti.
Upon arrival in Sravasti, transfer to your hotel for check-in.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Sravasti.
After breakfast, tour Sahet & Mahet (15 km from Balrampur), the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Kosala.
Explore Jetavana Vihar, where Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons and performed miracles, and view the Anand Bodhi Tree, ancient stupas, and monastery ruins.
Later, embark on the overland drive via Lucknow to Agra.
Arrive in Agra and check into your hotel.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Agra.
Early morning sunrise visit to the iconic Taj Mahal.
Return to the hotel for breakfast, followed by check-out.
Tour the massive red sandstone Agra Fort, built by Emperor Akbar and embellished by Shah Jahan.
Drive back to Delhi via expressway (approx. 205 km / 4 hrs).
Arrive in Delhi and transfer directly to the International Airport to connect with your flight for onward destination.
Tour concludes with sacred enlightenment blessings and cherished memories.
