7 Days Buddhist Trail Tour of Sacred Discovery

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Delhi – Lucknow – Sravasti (180 Km, 4 Hours)
3 stops
1
begin your journey on the Buddhist Trail Tour. Drive to Sravasti, a key Buddhist pilgrimage site where Buddha delivered many significant sermons. Here, Buddha famously manifested a thousand-fold expression of himself, seated on a thousand-petaled lotus, with fire and water emerging from his body. Check in at the hotel in Sravasti for an overnight stay.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
2
After lunch, we’ll explore Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his First Sermon at Deer Park (Rishipattana). Visit key sites including the Buddha Temple, Dhamekha Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, Mulagandh Kuti Vihara, and the Archaeological Museum, which showcases artifacts from the Sarnath site.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
3
Ganga Aarti
In the evening, experience the Ganga Arti at the Ghats or a Buddhist ritual ceremony at the Sri Lankan Buddhist Temple, built with contributions from the AIK World Buddhist Cultural Association Japan and the Sri Lanka Buddhist Foundation. The temple features a domed shrine with a Buddha portrait and ceremonial items, framed by ink paintings on the wall.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Sravasti – Lumbini (190 Km, 5 Hours)
2 stops
4
Morning: Visit Saheth in Sravasti, known for its Buddhist stupas and monasteries. Key sites include Gandhakuti, the sacred chamber used by Buddha, and Kosambakuti. Gandhakuti, or the "fragrant chamber," is significant as Buddha's personal retreat, where devotees offer flowers.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
5
Afterward: Drive to Kapilvastu, an important pilgrimage site where Buddha spent his childhood and youth. Once the capital of the Shakya kingdom, the area is rich in Buddhist history and features stupas built by Ashoka and Gupta kings. Finally: Proceed to Lumbini, renowned worldwide as the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel for an overnight stay.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Lumbini – Kushinagar (140 Km, 4 Hours)
2 stops
6
Maya Devi Temple
Morning: Visit the Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini, believed to be the birthplace of Siddhartha in 563 BC. The temple is surrounded by the remains of ancient monasteries and temples, including ruins from the 3rd century BC. Explore the sacred garden, Ashoka's ancient pillar, and the old stupas. Traditional robed monks can be seen under a Bodhi (pipal) tree adorned with prayer flags. Adjacent to the temple is a sacred pond where Maya Devi is said to have bathed before Buddha’s birth.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
7
Kushinagar
Later: Travel to Kushinagar, an essential pilgrimage site where Buddha delivered his last sermon. Once the center of the Mallas dynasty, few ruins from that era remain. Ashoka the Great also constructed many structures at this site where Buddha attained Nirvana. Arrive and check in at the hotel.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Kushinagar-Varanasi (250 Km, 7 Hours)
1 stop
8
Varanasi
In the morning leave for Varanasi, the oldest living city of the world and is famous as the city of temples. Varanasi or Kashi as it is popularly known is the most important place of pilgrimage for Hindus and the sight of devout praying standing water deep in Ganges. Upon arrival check in at hotel. Later in the afternoon we go to witness Ganga Aarti at Dashasumedh ghat which is performed daily by a group of priests there. It is a unique and unforgettable experience as the ceremony will enchant you with spiritual thoughts and positivity. Overnight stay.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Varanasi – Sarnath – Bodhgaya (260 Km, 7 Hours)
3 stops
9
Ganga Aarti
Early in the morning, we go for a boat tour on the holy Ganges. This is an experience for which so many visitors from all over the world come to Varanasi. Sailing on the holy waters of Ganga, you will witness thousands of pilgrims worshipping and having a bath in the holy water.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
10
Later, we leave for Sarnath, one of the four most important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in India. Visit Dhamekh Stupa which is the most wonderful and massive structure at Sarnath. Built partly in brick and partly in stone, the Dhamekh Stupa is 28 meter in diameter at the base and 43.6 meter in height.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
11
Later, we leave for Sarnath, one of the four most important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in India. Visit Dhamekh Stupa which is the most wonderful and massive structure at Sarnath. Built partly in brick and partly in stone, the Dhamekh Stupa is 28 meter in diameter at the base and 43.6 meter in height. We finally depart for Bodhgaya and upon arrival check in at hotel for overnight stay.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Bodhgaya Sightseen
1 stop
12
Bodh Gaya
Full day is dedicated to visit of Bodhgaya. Visit Mahabodhi Temple which is believed to be built by Great Ashoka who visited this site 250 year after the enlightenment of Buddha. The Temple was rebuilt in 7th century A.D. and it has a long history that has seen periods of invasions and destruction. Muslim invaders destroyed the temple in the 12th century but the Burmese kings restored the temple in the 14th century. However, the temple complex was severely flooded and remained buried under silt till 1811. The temple finally received its last and massive restoration and conservation work after it was excavated in 1861.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Departure
1 stop
13
Gaya
In the morning, transfer to Gaya airport to catch flight for onward destination.
2 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

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

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