9 Days In the Footsteps of the Buddha

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive Gaya → Transfer to Bodhgaya
1 stop
1
Mahabodhi Temple
Visit the UNESCO-listed Mahabodhi Temple, marking the place where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. Explore the temple complex and spend time at the sacred Bodhi Tree, with an opportunity for prayer, meditation and quiet reflection.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Bodhgaya Sightseeing
3 stops
2
Visit the Dungeshwari Caves, where Siddhartha Gautama practised severe austerities during his search for enlightenment. Explore the simple caves and shrines while learning how this period helped lead him toward the Middle Way.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
3
Sujata Kuti
Visit Sujata Stupa, dedicated to Sujata, who offered milk-rice to Siddhartha after years of severe fasting. Her offering helped him regain his strength and marked an important turning point toward the Middle Way and enlightenment.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
4
Great Buddha Statue
Visit the Great Buddha Statue, one of Bodhgaya’s most recognisable landmarks. The impressive 80-foot statue depicts the Buddha in meditation and is surrounded by smaller statues of his disciples.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Bodhgaya → Rajgir → Nalanda
5 stops
5
Griddhakuta Peak
Visit Gridhakuta Hill, also known as Vulture’s Peak, one of the Buddha’s important teaching and meditation places in Rajgir. Walk up the sacred hill and enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding valleys while learning about the teachings delivered here.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
6
Venu Van
Visit Venuvan, the Bamboo Grove donated to the Buddha by King Bimbisara. Walk through its peaceful gardens and pond while learning about one of the earliest monasteries connected with the Buddha.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
7
Saptaparni Cave
Visit Saptaparni Cave, traditionally associated with the First Buddhist Council held after the Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana. The quiet cave on Vaibhava Hill is an important site in early Buddhist history.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
8
Nalanda University Ruins
Explore the ancient ruins of Nalanda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the great centres of learning in ancient Asia. Walk through the remains of monasteries, temples and study areas that once welcomed Buddhist scholars from across Asia.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Bimbisar Jail (Pass by)
Visit the ruins traditionally associated with the imprisonment of King Bimbisara by his son Ajatashatru. From here, the king is said to have looked toward Vulture’s Peak, where the Buddha often stayed and taught.
Day 4
Rajgir → Vaishali → Kushinagar
3 stops
9
Buddha's Relic Stupa
Visit the Buddha Relic Stupa at Vaishali, an important early Buddhist site associated with relics of the Buddha following his Mahaparinirvana. Explore the peaceful archaeological surroundings and learn about Vaishali’s place in Buddhist history.
20 minutes • Admission ticket included
10
Ananda Stupa
Visit the Ananda Stupa and historic Ashoka Pillar in Vaishali, an important place connected with the Buddha’s final journey. The well-preserved pillar, crowned by a single lion capital, stands beside ancient Buddhist remains associated with his final teachings in Vaishali.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
11
Kesariya Stupa
Visit Kesariya Stupa, an important Buddhist monument associated with the Buddha’s final journey toward Kushinagar. According to tradition, this is where he gave his alms bowl to the Licchavis before continuing his journey.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Kushinagar → Lumbini
3 stops
12
Visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple in Kushinagar, marking the place associated with the Buddha’s passing into Mahaparinirvana. Inside is the famous reclining Buddha statue, representing his final moments and liberation.
40 minutes • Admission ticket free
13
Ramabhar Stupa
Visit Ramabhar Stupa, traditionally recognised as the cremation site of the Buddha. Surrounded by peaceful gardens, this important pilgrimage place marks the final stage of the Buddha’s earthly journey.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
(Pass by)
Visit Matha Kuar Shrine, home to an ancient stone statue of the Buddha and associated with the final period of his life in Kushinagar. (Optional)
Day 6
Lumbini Sightseeing
2 stops
14
Maya Devi Temple
Visit Maya Devi Temple, marking the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama. Explore the sacred birthplace area, including the ancient Ashoka Pillar and Pushkarini Sacred Pond, important landmarks associated with the Buddha’s birth.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
15
Explore the archaeological remains of Kapilavastu, associated with the ancient Shakya kingdom where Prince Siddhartha spent his early life before leaving the royal palace in search of truth.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Lumbini → Shravasti
2 stops
16
Jetavana
Explore Jetavana Monastery, one of the Buddha’s most important residences. Walk through the peaceful archaeological grounds where he spent many rainy seasons teaching his disciples.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
17
Angulimala Stupa
Visit Angulimala Stupa, associated with the famous story of Angulimala, who changed from a feared bandit into a devoted follower of the Buddha. Also visit the stupa associated with Anathapindika, one of the Buddha’s most devoted lay followers and the benefactor who donated Jetavana Monastery.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
Day 8
Shravasti → Varanasi
3 stops
18
Chaukhandi Stupa
Visit Chaukhandi Stupa, traditionally marking the place where the Buddha met his five former companions after arriving at Sarnath following his enlightenment.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
19
Dhamek Stupa
Visit Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath, marking the place where the Buddha delivered his first teaching after enlightenment and set the Wheel of Dharma in motion.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
20
Ganga Boat Ride & Cruise
Enjoy an evening boat ride on the Ganges and watch the famous Ganga Aarti ceremony from the river. See the ghats illuminated with lamps as priests perform traditional rituals with fire, incense and chanting.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 9
Varanasi - Departure
1 stop
21
Mulagandha Kuti Vihar
Visit Mulagandha Kuti Vihara at Sarnath, known for its beautiful murals depicting scenes from the Buddha’s life and for housing sacred Buddhist relics.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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