BUDDHIST CIRCUIT TOUR
Day 01: ARRIVE NEW DELHI
Arrive Indira Gandhi International airport at late night. Met and transfer to the hotel to relax from jetlag.
Day 02: NEW DELHI
After breakfast day free to relax and acclimatize. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU
After breakfast on time transfer to New Delhi international airport to board flight to Kathmandu. Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport. Transfer to hotel & tour briefing
Day 04: KATHMANDU – FULL DAY BUDDHIST HERITAGE TOUR
Visit Bouddhanath Stupa, the holiest Tibetan Buddhist site outside Tibet. Drive back to Kathmandu. Visit Pashupatinath Temple – Nepal’s holiest Hindu shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva on the sacred banks of the Bagmati River. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a powerful center of spirituality, rituals, and devotion.
Afternoon visit to Patan: Hiranya Varna Mahavihar (Golden Temple) & Mahabouddha Temple, famed for its thousands of Buddha images and terracotta art. Overnight in Kathmandu
Day 05: VISIT NAMOBUDDHA
Drive to Namobuddha (approx.. 02 hours drive). Namo Buddha – A sacred hilltop pilgrimage site where Buddha, in a past life, offered himself to a starving tigress. Known for its peaceful stupa, monastery, and tranquil mountain views. Evening visit Swayambhunath Stupa, the iconic Monkey Temple, sits atop a hill overlooking Kathmandu, offering ancient Buddhist heritage, panoramic views, and a serene spiritual atmosphere. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 06: KATHMANDU TO POKHARA
Drive to Pokhara – a serene lakeside city where the Himalayas reflect on Phewa Lake, blending natural beauty, adventure, and peace. (approx. 07 hours drive). Evening one can go for boating at Phewa lake and free time around lakeside.
Day 07: POKHARA SIGHTSEEING
Early morning visit Sarangkot a scenic hilltop viewpoint famous for breathtaking sunrise views over the Annapurna range and Pokhara Valley. World Peace Stupa is a tranquil hilltop Buddhist monument offering panoramic views of Pokhara, Phewa Lake, and the Annapurna range.
Day 08: POKHARA
Morning Visit Devi’s Fall – a powerful waterfall in Pokhara where the Pardi Khola dramatically disappears into an underground gorge. Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave is a sacred limestone cave in Pokhara, home to a revered Shiva lingam and known for its dramatic underground passages near Devi’s Fall.
Day 09: POKHARA TO LUMBINI
Drive to Lumbini – birthplace of Lord Buddha. (approx. 07-08 hours drive) En route visit Ramgram Stupa, the only intact relic stupa containing Buddha’s ashes. Overnight in Lumbini.
Day 10: LUMBINI – LUMBINI GARDEN, MONASTIC ZONE & KAPILVASTU
Visit Lumbini Garden, Mayadevi Temple & Sacred Pond. Explore Ashoka Pillar and Marker Stone (exact birthplace of Buddha). Visit to the East & West Monastic Zone (Thai, Chinese, Korean, German, and other monasteries). Afternoon drive to Kapilvastu (Tilaurakot) – ruins of the ancient Shakya Kingdom where Buddha spent his early life. Visit Kapilvastu Museum & archaeological sites. Overnight in Lumbini
Day 11: LUMBINI – SONAULI BORDER – SRAVASTI (211 kms)
After breakfast, drop at Sonauli Border. Here the Indian Car and driver will pick you up and head towards Sravasti. Evening at relax, Overnight at hotel.
Day 12: SRAVASTI
After breakfast sightseeing of Sravasti visiting Angulimala Stupa or Pakki Kuti, Anathapindika’s Stupa or Kachchi Kuti, Shobnath Temple, Jetavana Monastery, Daen Mahamongkol Chai Temple and Orajhar Buddhist site, the ruins of Sahet-Mahet. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13: SRAVASTI – KUSHINAGAR (240 Kms)
Today we will start with a drive to Kushinagar – the place where Lord Buddha gave ‘Buddhism’ to the world. Upon arriving in Kushinagar, relax at the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 14: KUSHINAGAR
After breakfast visit the ‘Mahaparinirvana Temple’ (the site where Buddha breathed his last) along with the ‘Ramabhar Stupa’ (the place where Lord Buddha was cremated). Spend the night in Kushinagar hotel.
Day 15: KUSHINAGAR – PATNA (220 Kms)
After breakfast drive to Patna. On arrival check-into the hotel and evening at relax. Overnight at hotel.
Day 16: PATNA – VAISHALI – NALANDA – RAJGIR
After breakfast visit Vaishali where Lord Buddha made an announcement for the ‘Mahaparinirvana’. Later drive to reach Nalanda University which is the International Centre for Buddhist Studies and among the oldest universities that the world has seen. Later drive another 14 kms to Rajgir. Rjgir happens to hold great significance among the Buddhist followers and is a prime religious site as Buddha had spent 12 years of his life in this place. Later you can visit the Bimbisara jail and the Gridhakuta Hill. Overnight at hotel.
Day 17: RAJGIR
After breakfast day free to explore Nalanda and Rajgir. Overnight at hotel.
Day 18: RAJGIR – BODHGAYA (72 kms)
After breakfast drive to Bodhgaya where Buddha received ‘Enlightenment’ it acts as the spiritual dwelling place for Buddhists, attracting several believers from the entire world. This place is located close to river Niranjana and is counted among the Holiest pilgrimage site for Buddhists, ranking second among all four Buddhist pilgrimage locations.
In the afternoon you will be taken for Bodhgaya sightseeing tour that will include visiting the Mahabodhi Temple. This temple is named after Lord Buddha and is considered sacred by Buddhists. The Maha-Bodhi tree is also thought to be very holy as Lord Buddha is claimed to have attained ‘Enlightenment’ here under this tree. Spend the night at the hotel in Bodhgaya.
Day 19: BODHGAYA
After breakfast visit Great Buddha Stupa, Royal Bhutan Monastery, Muchalinda lake, Cankamana, Vishnupad temple and other attractions. Overnight at hotel.
Day 20: BODHGAYA – VARANASI (260 Kms)
After breakfast drive to Varanasi. On arrival check-into the hotel. Evening boat ride up to Manikarnika Ghat, IF OPERATIONAL. Overnight at hotel.
Day 21: VARANASI
Early morning proceed for a boat ride on river Ganga. Return back to hotel for breakfast and then proceed for an excursion to Sarnath. Lord Buddha had his first sermon preached at Sarnath to five of his disciples having attained enlightenment. Dhamek Stupa is frequently visited here in Sarnath and so is the Sarnath Museum Return to Varanasi and later visit Bharat Mata Mandir, and Benaras Hindu University. Overnight at hotel.
Day 22: VARANASI – NEW DELHI – Departure
After breakfast on time transfer to Varanasi airport to board flight to New Delhi. On arrival get internal transfer to International airport to board homebound flight.