11-Day India – Buddha Circuit Tour

Welcome to India! Upon arrival at Delhi International Airport, enjoy a traditional swagat (welcome) and transfer to your pre-booked hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from your journey.

Overnight stay and dinner in Delhi.

Fly to Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities. Upon arrival, check in and prepare for an afternoon excursion to Sarnath, the sacred site where Buddha delivered his first sermon.
Visit:

Mulagandha Kuti Vihar

Dhamekh Stupa

Ruins of Dharmarajika Stupa

Chaukhandi Stupa

Japanese and Chinese Buddhist Temples

Thai Monastery & Nyingmapa Monastery

Garden of Spiritual Wisdom

Overnight stay and dinner in Varanasi.

Begin your day with a serene boat ride on the Ganges, witnessing the morning rituals along its ghats. After breakfast, check out and proceed to Bodhgaya—the place of Buddha’s enlightenment. En route, enjoy a packed lunch.

Dinner and overnight stay in Bodhgaya.

Explore the sacred sites of Bodhgaya including:

Mahabodhi Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Bodhi Tree

Great Buddha Statue

Bodhgaya Park

After lunch, drive to Rajgir, another important Buddhist pilgrimage town.
Dinner and overnight in Rajgir.

In the morning, visit:

Gridhakuta Hill (Vulture’s Peak)

Bimbisara’s Jail (associated with King Bimbisara)

After lunch, proceed toward Kushinagar with a brief halt at Vaishali, a significant site in Buddhist history.
Dinner and overnight stay in Kushinagar.

After breakfast, explore Kushinagar, the site of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana. Visit:

Mahaparinirvana Temple

Rambhar Stupa

Later, cross into Nepal via the Sonauli border and head to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha.
Dinner and overnight stay in Lumbini.

After breakfast, begin your Lumbini sightseeing tour. Key attractions include:

Maya Devi Temple

Ashokan Pillar

Myanmar Golden Temple

World Peace Pagoda

China Temple

Later in the day, return to India and drive to Balrampur in Uttar Pradesh.
Dinner and overnight in Balrampur.

Travel to Lucknow, stopping en route at the historic sites of Saheth and Maheth—ancient Buddhist settlements associated with Shravasti.

Dinner and overnight in Lucknow.

Head towards Agra, visiting Sankasia en route. This lesser-known but sacred site is believed to be where Buddha descended from heaven. See the Ashokan Pillar and nearby stupa.

Dinner and overnight in Agra.

Explore Agra’s rich Mughal heritage:

Taj Mahal (World Wonder & UNESCO Site)

Agra Fort

Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj)

In the afternoon, drive back to Delhi.
Dinner and overnight in Delhi.

After breakfast, enjoy a combined tour of Old and New Delhi:

Old Delhi: Raj Ghat, Red Fort (outside view), Jama Masjid

New Delhi: India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar

Later, transfer to the airport for your onward journey, carrying with you memories of a soulful spiritual exploration.