Cover the Buddhist Trail with Nepal on a 14-Day Journey from Delhi
Highlights
Delhi, Lumbini, Patna, Bodh Gaya, Varanasi, Sarnath, Kapilwastu, Rajgir, Nalanda
Locations Covered
Delhi, Lumbini, Patna, Bodh Gaya, Varanasi, Sarnath, Kapilwastu, Rajgir, Nalanda
religious, cultural, historical
Private Tour
14 Days
Easy
English
Description
Uncover the legacy of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, on this journey that starts from Delhi. Visit important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India and Nepal. Travel to Nalanda, Bodhgaya, Lumbini and several other holy cities.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Pick up From Delhi Airport
- Receive a warm welcome on arrival from our representatives and transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.
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Day 2: Delhi To Patna (Vaishali)
- Transfer to the airport after breakfast to board the flight to Patna. Enjoy assistance on arrival and check-in at the hotel.
- Visit major attractions around Vaishali, like the Ashoka Pillar, Bawan Pokhar Temple, and three Buddha Stupas. It is said that the Buddha visited this place thrice and spent quite a long time there.
Overnight stay at Patna Hotel.
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Day 3: Patna To Rajgir (95 KM/2 Hrs) En route see the Nalanda
- Leave Patna after breakfast and head to Rajgir.
- See the Nalanda on the way. Nalanda was an acclaimed Mahavihara, a large Buddhist monastery in the ancient kingdom of Magadha (modern-day Bihar) in India.
- Get to Rajgir, just 15 km from Nalanda. Explore the complex of temple and monasteries.
Overnight stay at Rajgir Hotel.
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Day 4: Rajgir To Bodhgaya (70 KM/2 Hrs) Enroute See Mahakala Caves
- Proceed to Bodhgaya after breakfast via Mahakala Caves.
- Drive about 12 km northeast of Bodh Gaya to reach the ancient Dungeshwari Cave Temples, also known as Mahakala Caves. It is believed that Lord Buddha meditated in the three caves here before continuing his journey to Bodhgaya. The caves here also feature Buddhist shrines called Sujata Sthan by the natives.
- Arrive in Bodhgaya and check in at the hotel. Enjoy free time for leisure or shopping.
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Day 5: Sightseeing in Bodhgaya
- Visit the place where Prince Siddhartha reached the Buddha state. A magnificent Mahabodhi Temple and the Tree from the original sapling still stand on the temple premises. The temple is an architectural amalgamation of many centuries, cultures and heritages.
Overnight stay at Bodhgaya Hotel.
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Day 6: Bodhgaya To Varanasi (260 KM/5 Hrs)
- Leave Bodhgaya for Varanasi after breakfast.
- Visit Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple. This impressive structure, dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva, has earned the nickname "The Golden Temple" for its striking spire — plated in 800 kilograms of pure gold. The distinctive design of this temple has gone on to inspire the architecture of hundreds of other temples across India.
- Then go head to Manikarnika Ghat, and see the perpetual cremations that happen on this ghat. Hindus believe Manikarnika Ghat is one of the most auspicious places for the departed to reach moksha (emancipation from the cycle of spiritual rebirth). The funeral pyre at this ghat burns 24/7, and around 100 cremations occur daily.
Overnight stay at Varanasi Hotel.
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Day 7: Sarnath
- Visit the Sarnath after breakfast. Sarnath is located 10 kilometres northeast of Varanasi near the confluence of the Ganges and the Varuna rivers in Uttar Pradesh, India. The deer park in Sarnath is where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dhamma and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna.
- See Dhamek Stupa, situated 12 kilometres away in the village of Sarnath. Here, find the Dhamek Stupa, a massive stone and brick structure 43.6 meters tall and 28 meters in diameter. The stupa was built more than 1,500 years ago to replace a structure that dates back to 249 BCE.
- Return to Varanasi in the evening—free time for leisure.
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Day 8: Varanasi To Kushinagar (240 KM/5 Hrs)
- Leave Varanasi for Kushinagar after breakfast. It is one of the four sacred places related to the Lord Buddha. Buddha delivered his last sermon, attained Mahaparinirvana (salvation) in 483 BC and was cremated at Rambhar Stupa. The reclining nirvana statue of Lord Buddha inside the temple is 6.10 mt. Long and is made of 5th-century red sandstone.
- See other popular attractions like the Indo-Japanese Temple, Burmese Temple, Chinese Temple, Thai Temple, Korean, Sri Lankan, and Tibetan temples, 15 Acres Meditation Park, and Museum.
Overnight stay at Kushinagar Hotel.
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Day 9: Kushinagar To Shravasti (240 KM/ 5 Hrs)
- Leave Kushinagar after breakfast for Shravasti. Its most important religious place was the Jetavana Monastery, erected in a garden outside the city's walls and presented to the Buddha by a wealthy banker, Anathapindaka. Other important Buddhist monasteries were the Rajakarama and the Purvarama.
Overnight stay at Shravasti Hotel.
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Day 10: Shravasti To Lumbini in Nepal ( 215 KM/ 5 Hrs)
- Cross the border towards Nepal for Lumbini. Lumbinī is the place where, according to Buddhist tradition, Queen Mahamayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama at around 563 BCE. The site is now being developed as a Buddhist pilgrimage centre, where the archaeological remains associated with the birth of the Lord Buddha form a central feature.
Overnight stay at Lumbini Hotel.
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Day 11: Kapilavastu Tour
- Visit Kapilavastu (Nepal). Kapilavastu (“Place of Kapila”) is the name of the city where Siddhartha Gautama grew up and lived for the first 29 years of his life before leaving to pursue the spiritual path which led to his enlightenment. The Ashoka Pillar situated at Kapilavastu marks the latter references about the place.
- Return to Lumbini. Evening time is free for leisure or shopping on your own.
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Day 12: Lumbini - Gorakhpur - Delhi (Lumbini to Gorakhpur) 145 KM
- Transfer to Gorakhpur Airport to board a flight to Delhi.
- Transfer to a Delhi hotel later in the evening. The rest of the time is free for leisure or shopping in Delhi markets on your own.
Overnight stay in Delhi Hotel.
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Day 13: Delhi Sightseeing
- Visit the Red Fort. Shah Jahan constructed Red Fort in 1939. It was the main residence of the Mughal Dynasty and is located in the city centre.
- Head to the Qutub Minar. It is a five-story tapering tower with a height of 73 meters. The spiral staircase in this minaret has 379 staircases.
- Go to Lotus Temple, which is famous for its flower-like shape, and Lotus Temple is a house of worship open to all.
- Continue to Connaught Place. It is a frenetic business, and financial hub centred on a ring of collonaded Georgian-style buildings with global chain stores, vintage cinemas, bars, and Indian restaurants.
Overnight stay at Delhi Hotel.
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Day 14 : Check Out From Delhi Hotel
- Check out from the Delhi hotel after breakfast.
- Go to India Gate. It is a war memorial located near the Rajpath.
- Stop by Raj Ghat, a memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. It is a great place to learn more about the country's history.
- Stroll in the streets of Chandni Chowk or take a cycle rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market. It is a busy shopping area with markets full of spices, dried fruit, silver jewellery, and vivid saris. In contrast, the narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery, and traditional Indian sweets.
- Get dropped off at the airport to board your flight back home.
What's Included
What's Excluded
Know Before You Go
What To Bring
Meeting Point
Cancellation Policy
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For cancellations within 24 hours before the tour -
Refund of 50% of the tour price.
Price
Adult | |
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1 to 1 | USD 1903 /person |
2 to 4 | USD 833 /person |
5 to 6 | USD 714 /person |
6 to 12 | USD 595 /person |
13 to 20 | USD 535 /person |
Child | |
1 to 10 | USD 595 /person |
This is a private tour |