8 Days / 7 Nights
10 Pax (Private Pilgrimage)
Bangkok
Thailand · India · Nepal
per person | group of 10 pax
“Walk the same earth the Enlightened One walked.”
8 Days / 7 Nights
10 Pax (Private Pilgrimage)
Bangkok, Thailand (BKK)
Thailand · India · Nepal
8 Major Buddhist Holy Sites
Private AC Vehicle + Flights
3–5Star Pilgrim-Friendly Hotels
Daily Breakfast + Selected Dinners
Buddhist-Specialist Expert Guide
October to March
The Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour India and Nepal is an 8-day sacred journey tracing the most important holy sites of Lord Gautama Buddha’s life across India and Nepal—departing from Bangkok (BKK). Moreover, this meticulously crafted private circuit for 10 pilgrims visits all the major sacred places: the Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, the ancient wisdom of Rajgir and Nalanda, the First Buddhist Council at Vaishali, the Parinirvana at Kushinagar, the birthplace at Lumbini, the Twin Miracles at Sravasti, and the first sermon at Sarnath/Varanasi. Therefore, our Buddhist Pilgrimage India tour delivers the complete Chaturdhama experience, guided by expert Buddhist-specialist guides and trusted and approved by the Ministry of Tourism Govt. of India and highly trusted by Thai pilgrim groups since 1999. Short tour for same itinerary.
All ground transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle. Buddhist-specialist English-speaking guide throughout India & Nepal.
Meals: Dinner | Accommodation: Bodhgaya Regency / Royal Residency, Bodhgaya
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Accommodation: Hotel Patliputra Ashok / Chanakya Hotel, Patna
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Accommodation: Lotus Nikko Hotel / Hotel Lilavatee, Kushinagar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Accommodation: Hotel Kasara Lumbini / Buddha Maya Garden Hotel, Lumbini
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Accommodation: Hotel Lotus Sravasti / Gautam Buddha Hotel, Sravasti
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Accommodation: Hotel Clarks Varanasi / Ramada Plaza, Varanasi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Accommodation: Bodhgaya Regency / Royal Residency, Bodhgaya
Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: — (Departure Day)
| Included in Your Package | Not Included |
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| Category | Details |
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| Dress Code | Conservative and modest clothing is advised; loose cotton is ideal. White or saffron attire is welcomed. Shoes must be removed before entering temples, stupas, and monastery halls. A small cloth bag for shoes is recommended. |
| Visa | Indian e-Tourist Visa (e-TV) should be applied for online at indianvisaonline.gov.in at least 4 days before departure. Nepal visa-on-arrival is available at Sonauli border for most nationalities (USD 30 / 15 days). Thai passport holders have visa-free entry to Nepal. |
| Health & Safety | Consult a travel doctor 4–6 weeks before travel. Recommended vaccinations: Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus. Bottled water is advised. Carry personal medications, a basic first-aid kit, and insect repellent. |
| Climate | Ideal travel time: October to March (pleasant temperatures: 18–28°C afternoons, 5–15°C mornings). April–June is very hot (40°C+), and July–September is monsoon season. A light jacket and shawl are recommended for early morning temple visits. |
| Currency | Indian Rupee (INR) in India; Nepalese Rupee (NPR) in Nepal (1 INR ≈ 1.6 NPR). Thai Baht can be exchanged at airports. ATMs are available in major cities; carry sufficient INR cash for Sravasti, Kushinagar, and rural areas with limited ATM access. |
| Sacred Conduct | Respectful silence and mindfulness are required. Clockwise pradakshina (circumambulation) at stupas is customary. No leather items inside some temples. Mobile phones should be on silent. Photography is restricted inside main shrines; consult guides. |
| Connectivity | Indian SIM cards can be purchased at Gaya Airport (Airtel or Jio — 4G data). Nepal SIMs are available at Sonauli border or Lumbini. Most 3–4 star hotels offer Wi-Fi. Prime Value Tours WhatsApp group helps keep pilgrims connected. |
| Merit-Making | Flowers, incense, candles, butter lamps are available at major sites (INR 20–100). Pre-arranged group merit-making ceremonies, puja rituals, and dhamma talks with resident monks can be organized by Prime Value Tours on request. |
| Booking Steps | Payment & Cancellation |
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Q1. How many days are required for the Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour of India and Nepal?
The ideal Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour of India and Nepal requires 8 days and 7 nights to peacefully cover all major sacred sites of Lord Gautama Buddha’s life. The Prime Value Tours 8-day circuit visits Bodhgaya (Enlightenment), Rajgir and Nalanda (ancient teachings), Vaishali (First Buddhist Council), Kushinagar (Parinirvana), Lumbini in Nepal (birthplace), Sravasti (Twin Miracles), and Sarnath-Varanasi (First Sermon). Shorter 4-day or 6-day packages exist but rush through sites, leaving little time for proper darshan, meditation, and merit-making. Our 8-day Buddhist Circuit Tour gives ample time for sunrise prayers at Mahabodhi Temple, group meditation at Vulture’s Peak, and the deeply moving border crossing into Nepal for Lumbini.
Q2. What is the cost of the Buddhist pilgrimage tour from Bangkok?
Our Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour from Bangkok starts at just USD 365 per person for a private group of 10 pilgrims sharing twin rooms. This price includes return airfare from Bangkok (BKK) to Gaya (GAY), 7 nights’ accommodation in pilgrim-friendly 3-4 star hotels, daily breakfast plus seven dinners, a private AC vehicle for all transfers, an expert Buddhist-specialist guide, all monument entry fees, Rajgir ropeway tickets, a Ganga Aarti boat ride, India-Nepal border crossing assistance, and Nepal tourist visa-on-arrival facilitation. Premium 4-star and 5-star luxury upgrades are available on request. Indian e-Tourist Visa fees, personal travel insurance, lunches, tips, and personal expenses are additional. Group bookings of 15-20 pax receive special discounted rates.
Q3. Do I need separate visas for India and Nepal on this Buddhist tour?
Yes, separate visas are required for both India and Nepal on the Buddhist pilgrimage tour. For India, apply online for the Indian e-Tourist Visa (e-TV) at indianvisaonline.gov.in at least 4 to 5 days before departure. Cost ranges from USD 25 to USD 80 depending on nationality. The e-TV is valid for 30 days, single entry, and supports entry through Gaya, Varanasi, and other major airports. For Nepal, most nationalities receive visa-on-arrival at the Sonauli land border crossing for USD 30 (15 days validity). Thai passport holders enjoy visa-free entry to Nepal — a great advantage for Thai Buddhist pilgrim groups. Prime Value Tours staff provide full documentation assistance at the border crossing, including currency exchange and customs clearance.
Q4. What is the best time for the Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour in India and Nepal?
The best time for the Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour of India and Nepal is October to March when the weather is pleasant and ideal for outdoor temple visits. During these months, afternoon temperatures stay between 18 and 28 degrees Celsius, with cool 5 to 15 degree mornings perfect for sunrise meditation at Mahabodhi Temple. November to February offers the most comfortable conditions with clear skies for the Rajgir ropeway and Vulture Peak. The peak Buddha Jayanti and Vesak season (April to May) is spiritually powerful but extremely hot at 40 degrees and up. Monsoon months (July to September) can disrupt road travel between sites. We do not recommend Buddhist tours during June heat or August rains. Thai pilgrim groups especially favour the November-January window for maximum comfort and merit-making opportunities.
Q5. Is vegetarian food available throughout the Buddhist pilgrimage tour?
Yes, pure vegetarian and Thai-friendly food is available throughout the entire Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour of India and Nepal. All hotels selected by Prime Value Tours offer dedicated vegetarian menus suitable for Buddhist pilgrims, including Indian vegetarian thali, Thai-style mild preparations on request, Chinese vegetarian dishes, and continental options. Near sacred Buddhist sites like Bodhgaya and Sarnath, only pure vegetarian food is served (no onion or garlic available on request for strict pilgrims). Thai-style restaurants and noodle houses are available in Bodhgaya, catering to Thai Buddhist groups. Pure Jain meals and gluten-free options can be arranged with 48 hours’ notice. Bottled mineral water is provided daily. All pilgrimage sites are dry zones — no alcohol is served, in line with Buddhist precepts.
Q6. What is the dress code for Buddhist temples and stupas in India and Nepal?
Modest and respectful clothing is mandatory at all Buddhist temples, stupas, and monastery halls during the pilgrimage. Loose-fitting cotton garments work best in the climate. White or saffron attire is especially welcomed and considered most auspicious. Shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women. Shoes, socks, and leather items (belts and wallets) must be removed before entering temple sanctuaries—carry a cloth bag for your footwear. At Mahabodhi Temple, Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini, and Parinirvana Temple, monks wear traditional robes; lay pilgrims should match this respectful tone. Photography is restricted inside main shrines. Mobile phones must be on silent. Clockwise pradakshina (circumambulation) is customary at all stupas. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for the Rajgir Vulture’s Peak ropeway and Sravasti ruins.
Q7. Is the Buddhist pilgrimage tour suitable for elderly pilgrims?
Yes, the Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour India and Nepal is well-suited for elderly pilgrims aged 60 and above, with several thoughtful arrangements by Prime Value Tours. Our private AC vehicles offer comfortable seating with frequent rest stops. All major sites have wheelchair access or assistance—Mahabodhi Temple, Sarnath Deer Park, and Lumbini Sacred Garden are mostly flat walking. The Rajgir Vulture’s Peak features a modern ropeway (no climbing required). Hotels are pilgrim-friendly with lift access, Western-style toilets, and 24-hour medical assistance available. Our Buddhist-specialist guides slow the pace for senior pilgrims and arrange chairs at darshan locations. Long driving days (Vaishali to Kushinagar, Sravasti to Varanasi) are broken with comfortable lunch stops. Senior pilgrims should carry personal medications, consult a travel doctor 4-6 weeks before departure, and obtain comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation.