- Govt. of India Approved
- IATO Member
- Trusted Since 1999
Bodhgaya · Rajgir · Nalanda · Varanasi · Sarnath · Kushinagar · Lumbini · Shravasti · Lucknow
8 Days / 7 Nights
From $395/person (25 pax) · $425/person (20 pax) · $470/person (15 pax) · $520/person (10 pax)
Bodhgaya (2N) · Varanasi/Sarnath (1N) · Kushinagar (1N) · Lumbini Nepal (2N) · Shravasti (1N) → Lucknow Departure
Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya (2002) · Nalanda University (2016) · Lumbini Nepal (1997)
Private AC coach (Toyota Innova / Tempo Traveller / Volvo for 20+ pax)
4-Star throughout | Double occupancy | Vegetarian dining available at all properties
Daily Breakfast + Dinner | Pure vegetarian / Buddhist-vegan on request
Licensed heritage guide (English / Thai / Hindi) — full 8 days
October – March (peak: Dec 15 – Feb 15, Bodhgaya Monlam Festival)
Quick Answers
The tour is 8 days and 7 nights. It starts in Bodhgaya with a day trip to Rajgir and Nalanda, then visits Varanasi and Sarnath, Kushinagar, Lumbini in Nepal for 2 nights, and Shravasti. The tour ends with departure from Lucknow.
The land cost is USD 395 per person for 25 pilgrims, USD 425 for 20, USD 470 for 15 and USD 520 for 10, sharing double rooms. International flights and the Nepal visa fee are not included. Message us on WhatsApp or LINE for a quote for your group.
Yes. Breakfast and dinner are included every day, and all included meals are pure vegetarian for the full 8 days. Vegan and Jain-vegetarian meals are available with 7 days’ notice. We work only with hotels and restaurants that understand Buddhist food needs.
October to March is the best time. The weather is dry and cool, and it is the main pilgrimage season. December and January are special in Bodhgaya, when large prayer festivals often take place. Avoid June to September because of the monsoon rains.
There are journeys that take you to new places. And then there are journeys that take you home — not to a place on a map, but to something deep within yourself that had been waiting, quietly, for exactly this. The 8-Day Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour through India and Nepal is one of the rarest and most meaningful journeys a human being can make. It traces the actual footsteps of the Lord Buddha — from his birthplace in Lumbini to the tree beneath which he awakened, from the deer park where he first taught to the sal grove where he finally rested. This is not tourism. This is a return to the source of the Dharma.
The tour begins in Bodhgaya, Bihar — the most sacred place in all of Buddhism. Here, beneath the Sacred Bodhi Tree that is a living descendant of the very tree under which Prince Siddhartha sat 2,600 years ago, you will understand why Buddhists from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Japan, Korea, and Tibet travel thousands of kilometres to reach this one spot on earth. The Mahabodhi Temple — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — rises above the Diamond Throne in golden, spired magnificence. Sitting here, watching the monks chant, watching the butter lamps flicker in the evening air, you will feel something shift in you that no words can adequately describe.
From Bodhgaya, a full-day excursion takes you to Rajgir, where the Buddha taught from Vulture Peak (Griddhakuta) — the holy mountain sacred to Mahayana Buddhists worldwide as the site of the Prajnaparamita teachings. Nearby, the extraordinary ruins of Nalanda University — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — tell the story of 7 centuries of Buddhist scholarship, a flame extinguished but never forgotten.
The journey continues to Varanasi and its jewel: Sarnath, the Deer Park of Isipatana, where the Buddha turned the Wheel of the Dharma for the first time, teaching the Four Noble Truths to his five first disciples. The Dhamek Stupa, the Ashoka Lion Capital in the museum, the evening Ganga Aarti — these are experiences that stay with a person for life.
After a deeply moving visit to Kushinagar — where the great Reclining Buddha marks the site of the Parinirvana — the tour crosses into Nepal to reach Lumbini: the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama. Two full days in this serene garden allow time to explore the Maya Devi Temple, the Ashokan Pillar, and the extraordinary international monastic zone — 40+ temples built by Buddhist nations from across the world. The journey concludes at Shravasti, where the Buddha spent 25 monsoon retreats in the Jetavana Monastery — the most intimate and perhaps most quietly moving site of the entire circuit.
Prime Value Tours has been guiding Buddhist pilgrims on this sacred circuit for over 25 years. Every hotel is chosen for its proximity to the sites, its vegetarian kitchen, and its experience with international Buddhist groups. Every guide is licensed by the Ministry of Tourism and deeply familiar with Buddhist scripture and history. This is not a tour package. It is a pilgrimage — and we would be honoured to walk it with you.
Day
Bodhgaya is the axis of the Buddhist world — the one place on earth where the transformation of a prince into the Fully Enlightened One occurred. The moment you step beneath the branches of the Sacred Bodhi Tree, you are standing in the most sacred spot in all of Buddhism. The Mahabodhi Temple, rising 55 metres above the diamond throne, has drawn pilgrims from across Asia for 2,500 years. This is not a visit. This is a homecoming.
* ARRIVAL TIP: Gaya airport receives flights from Delhi, Kolkata, and direct charter flights from Bangkok and Colombo during peak season (Oct–Mar). Book airport transfer with Prime Value Tours in advance.
Day
Rajgir’s Vulture Peak (Griddhakuta) stands as one of Mahayana Buddhism’s holiest mountains — here the Lord Buddha expounded the Heart Sutra, the Diamond Sutra, and the Lotus Sutra. Millions of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Tibetan Buddhists make this journey as their most sacred pilgrimage. Nalanda, just 15 km away, was for 700 years the living heart of Buddhist scholarship — a city of 10,000 monks and scholars from China to Java, reduced to ruins in 1193 CE but never erased from the memory of the Buddhist world.
* PRACTICAL TIP: The Rajgir ropeway operates 8 AM – 5 PM. Arrive before 10 AM to avoid queues. Bring a light shawl for the hilltop — it can be breezy even in winter.
Day
Sarnath — the ancient Deer Park of Isipatana — is where the Buddha, having attained Enlightenment in Bodhgaya, delivered his very first teaching: the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. This event, the First Turning of the Wheel of the Dharma, marks the birth of the Buddhist Sangha. The Dhamek Stupa rises above this hallowed ground — a silent witness to the most consequential discourse in human spiritual history. Then, as night falls over the ancient city of Varanasi, the Ganga Aarti — a river of fire and devotion on the banks of the Ganges — offers a profoundly moving end to one of the tour’s most significant days.
* GANGA AARTI TIP: The evening Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat begins at 6:00 PM (winter) or 7:00 PM (summer). Arrive 30 minutes early for a good viewing position. Boat rides offer the finest view.
Day
Kushinagar — ancient Kushinara of the Malla Republic — is where the Tathagata breathed his last, lying peacefully between two Sal trees in the grove of Upavattana, aged eighty. His last words were: ‘All conditioned things are impermanent. Work out your salvation with diligence.’ The great Reclining Buddha in the Mahaparinirvana Temple — 6 metres of gilded serenity — embodies the Buddha’s final, peaceful rest. Thai pilgrims, Sri Lankan monks, Tibetan nuns — many weep here. That is entirely appropriate.
* SPIRITUAL TIP: Sunset at the Ramabhar Stupa (cremation site) is an extraordinary experience. Bring flowers and incense. Allow at least 45 minutes in silence at this most sacred site.
Day
Lumbini is the Alpha of Buddhism — the starting point of the entire sacred story. It was here, in these gardens, in 563 BCE, that Queen Maya Devi gave birth to Prince Siddhartha Gautama beneath a sal tree. The child who would become the Buddha took seven steps, a lotus bloomed under each foot, and he declared: ‘I am born for Enlightenment, for the good of the world.’ To stand at the Maya Devi Temple — the precise spot marked by that ancient marker stone — is to stand at the very genesis of one of humanity’s greatest spiritual traditions.
* NEPAL VISA TIP: Indian nationals need no visa for Nepal. Most other nationalities get Nepal visa-on-arrival at the border (USD 30 for 15 days). Carry passport photos and USD cash.
Day
Lumbini’s Monastic Zone is one of the most remarkable places on earth — more than 40 monasteries built by Buddhist nations from Thailand to Germany, each expressing their tradition’s unique architectural language on the same sacred ground. Walking from the Thai temple to the Tibetan shrine to the Chinese monastery is to witness the living, breathing global unity of the Dharma. The afternoon meditation session in the Sacred Garden — beneath the ancient trees, beside the Sacred Pond, within sight of the Maya Devi Temple — is among the most profound experiences available on any Buddhist pilgrimage.
* CULTURAL TIP: Visit the Thai Temple (Wat Thai Lumbini) and request to meet the resident monks. Our guide can arrange a brief blessing ceremony for Thai Buddhist groups.
Day
Shravasti is the most overlooked of all the major Buddhist sites — yet for Theravada Buddhists it holds a place of extraordinary intimacy. This is where the Buddha spent 25 rainy season retreats (more than anywhere else in his life), where he taught the majority of his recorded discourses, and where he performed the magnificent Twin Miracle (Yamaka Patihariya) to defeat rival teachers. The Jetavana Monastery — where you can still see the ruins of the Buddha’s own Gandhakuti — radiates a peace that stops time. Many pilgrims find Shravasti the most unexpectedly moving site of the entire circuit.
* SPIRITUAL TIP: The Jetavana Complex is best visited at dawn and at dusk. The ancient fig trees (descendants of the Ananda Bodhi Tree) create a forest of living history. Sit quietly. Listen.
Day
As your 8-day Buddhist pilgrimage draws to its close, you carry with you something far more valuable than photographs or souvenirs. You have sat beneath the Sacred Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya where Enlightenment occurred. You have stood at the Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath where the Dharma was first proclaimed. You have placed flowers at the feet of the great Reclining Buddha in Kushinagar. You have walked the sacred gardens of Lumbini where the Buddha was born. And you have breathed the ancient air of Shravasti where he lived and taught for a quarter of a century. These are places that change a person. Quietly, permanently.
* DEPARTURE TIP: Lucknow Airport (LKO) offers flights to Delhi (1 hr), Mumbai, Kolkata, and direct charter flights to Bangkok during peak Buddhist pilgrimage season. Allow 2.5 hours before your flight.
All properties selected for (1) proximity to Buddhist sites, (2) vegetarian dining capability, (3) experience with international Buddhist pilgrim groups, and (4) consistent 4-star guest ratings. All on double-occupancy basis (twin or double bed rooms available).
| City | Nights | Hotel Name & Category | Why Ideal for Pilgrims | Guest Rating | Room Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bodhgaya | 2 Nights | Ramada by Wyndham, Bodhgaya ★★★★ | International brand hotel minutes from the Mahabodhi Temple. All-day dining with vegetarian menu, well-appointed rooms, reliable Wi-Fi and group booking facilities. Ideal for international Buddhist pilgrim groups. | 4.5 / 5 | ₹7,000–11,000 |
| Varanasi | 1 Night | Pinnacle Inn, Varanasi ★★★★ | Centrally located between Sarnath and the Ganges ghats. Comfortable, well-maintained rooms, all-day vegetarian dining, efficient group check-in/check-out. Ganga Aarti arrangements available through hotel concierge. | 4.4 / 5 | ₹6,500–10,000 |
| Kushinagar | 1 Night | Royal Residency Hotel, Kushinagar ★★★★ | One of the finest hotels in Kushinagar, close to the Mahaparinirvana Temple. Spacious rooms, dedicated vegetarian restaurant, peaceful garden, experienced in handling international Buddhist pilgrim groups. | 4.4 / 5 | ₹5,000–8,000 |
| Lumbini | 2 Nights | Hotel Landmark, Lumbini ★★★★ | Well-positioned 4-star property within the Lumbini development zone. Comfortable rooms, Nepali and Continental vegetarian cuisine, conference facilities for group briefings, warm and attentive hospitality. | 4.3 / 5 | NPR 8,500–13,000 |
| Shravasti | 1 Night | Hotel Tulip Inn, Shravasti ★★★★ | Modern 4-star hotel catering specifically to Buddhist pilgrims visiting Jetavana Monastery. Clean, well-furnished rooms, vegetarian restaurant, tranquil surroundings, and proximity to the main pilgrimage sites. | 4.2 / 5 | ₹4,500–7,000 |
* Rates are per room per night, approximate for 2026-27 season. Peak season (Dec 15 – Feb 15) surcharge: +12–15%. Subject to availability at booking. All hotels offer early check-in / late check-out subject to availability.
All prices in US Dollars (USD). Land cost only — international airfare not included. Based on double-occupancy rooms and shared private AC vehicle. India GST applicable as per Government of India rates. Peak season (Dec 15 – Feb 15): +12–15% surcharge.
| Group Size | Price / Person (USD) | Single Supplement | Peak Season Surcharge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Pax | $520 | +$200 | +12–15% | Minimum group — full service maintained |
| 15 Pax | $470 | +$190 | +12–15% | Most popular pilgrim group size |
| 20 Pax | $425 | +$185 | +12–15% | Excellent value — optimal coach size |
| 25 Pax | $395 | +$180 | +12–15% | Lowest per-person rate — 1 full coach |
* Prices start at $395/person for groups of 25 pax (double occupancy). This is a LAND ONLY cost — international flights are NOT included. Nepal visa fee (~$30 USD) payable at border — not included.
| WHAT'S INCLUDED | WHAT'S EXCLUDED |
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FAQ
Quick answers about our 8-day Buddhist pilgrimage of India and Nepal from Bodh Gaya to Lucknow: route, group prices, hotels, visas and who it suits.
It starts in Bodh Gaya (2 nights, with a day trip to Rajgir and Nalanda), then Varanasi and Sarnath (1 night), Kushinagar (1 night), Lumbini in Nepal (2 nights) and Sravasti (1 night), ending with departure from Lucknow.
Prices per person (twin sharing): USD 520 for 10 pilgrims, USD 470 for 15, USD 425 for 20 and USD 395 for 25. International airfare (to Gaya and from Lucknow) is not included.
7 nights in 4-star hotels, a private AC coach for all 8 days, a licensed English or Thai-speaking guide, daily pure vegetarian breakfast and dinner, all monument entrance fees, help at the Nepal border, the Lumbini Sacred Garden entry with electric cart, a Ganga Aarti boat ride in Varanasi, and all Indian taxes.
Three: the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, the ruins of Nalanda University, and Lumbini in Nepal, the birthplace of the Buddha.
October to March is ideal — dry, cool and the main pilgrimage season. December and January are special, as large prayer festivals often take place in Bodh Gaya. Avoid June to September (monsoon).
Yes. Walking at each site is gentle (about 2–4 km a day on paved paths). We use comfortable AC vehicles and 4-star hotels with lifts, and our guides set the pace for your group.
Yes. A licensed English or Thai-speaking guide stays with your group for all 8 days.
Yes. All meals are pure vegetarian, and Buddhist-vegan meals are available on request.
No. The Nepal visa is paid on arrival at the border (for most nationalities). Indian nationals do not need a visa for Nepal. Our team helps your group with the border formalities.
Yes. Apply online for an Indian e-Tourist Visa at indianvisaonline.gov.in before you travel.
Send us your group size and travel dates by WhatsApp (+91-9794122849), LINE or email. We send your itinerary and quotation within 24 hours.
Still have a question? WhatsApp us at +91-9794122849 or chat with us on LINE.
If reading this itinerary has stirred something in your heart — perhaps the time is simply right. At Prime Value Tours, we have been walking alongside Buddhist pilgrims for over 25 years, from the Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya to the serene gardens of Lumbini, from Vulture Peak in Rajgir to the Jetavana Monastery in Shravasti. We would be deeply honoured to plan your pilgrimage.
