For travelers from the USA
In short: A Buddhist pilgrimage to India and Nepal planned for travelers from the United States. You fly nonstop to Delhi, connect to Varanasi or Gaya, and visit the four holy places of the Buddha’s life: Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar. Prime Value Tours offers 8-day group tours from US$669, private tours from US$1,349 and 5-star private tours from US$1,699 per person, with vegetarian meals, English-speaking Buddhist guides and 24/7 support.
At a glance
| Gateway airport | Delhi (DEL), then a short domestic flight to Varanasi (VNS) or Gaya (GAY) |
|---|---|
| Flight time | About 14 to 16 hours nonstop to Delhi |
| Time difference | India is 10.5 hours ahead of New York in the US winter (9.5 in summer) and 13.5 hours ahead of California (12.5 in summer). India does not use daylight saving time. |
| Visa | Indian e-Tourist Visa (apply online); Nepal visa on arrival for Lumbini |
| Best season | October to March |
| Group tour (3-star) | From US$669 per person (8 days) |
| Private tour (4-star) | From US$1,349 per person (8 days) |
| 5-star private tour | From US$1,699 per person (8 days) |
| Currency | US dollars (USD) |
| Meals | Pure vegetarian |
The holy places you will visit
- Lumbini, Nepal – birthplace of the Buddha (Maya Devi Temple guide)
- Bodh Gaya – place of Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Mahabodhi Temple guide)
- Sarnath – where the Buddha gave his first sermon (Sarnath guide)
- Kushinagar – place of the Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana (Kushinagar guide)
Most tours also include Rajgir (Vulture’s Peak), the ruins of Nalanda University, Vaishali and Sravasti. See the complete Buddhist pilgrimage guide to India and Nepal.
Recommended pilgrimage tours
Prices are per person in US dollars, twin sharing, land only.
| Tour | Length | Route | Group (3-star) | Private (4-star) | 5-star private |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buddhist Circuit with Delhi & Taj Mahal | 12 days | Delhi → Varanasi → Bodh Gaya → Rajgir → Vaishali → Kushinagar → Lumbini → Sravasti → Agra | US$1,069 | US$2,139 | US$2,699 |
| Complete Buddhist Circuit India & Nepal | 10 days | Varanasi → Bodh Gaya → Rajgir → Vaishali → Kushinagar → Lumbini → Sravasti | US$839 | US$1,689 | US$2,089 |
| India–Nepal Extended Circuit (premium) | 12 days | Delhi → Varanasi → Bodh Gaya → Rajgir → Vaishali → Kushinagar → Lumbini → Kathmandu | US$1,199 | US$2,359 | US$2,639 |
| Buddhist Pilgrimage India | 8 days | Varanasi → Bodh Gaya → Rajgir → Vaishali → Kushinagar | US$669 | US$1,349 | US$1,699 |
| Buddhist Monastery & Meditation Tour | 8 days | Varanasi → Bodh Gaya → Rajgir → Nalanda | US$669 | US$1,369 | US$1,749 |
| Buddhist Circuit for Senior Citizens | 10 days | Varanasi → Bodh Gaya → Rajgir → Patna → Kushinagar | US$929 | US$1,869 | US$2,339 |
See all Buddhist circuit tours or pilgrimage tours.
5-star Buddhist pilgrimage: hotels and prices
Our 5-star private tours use the top hotels in each city, a private air-conditioned car, a personal Buddhist guide and pure-vegetarian meals. 5-star tours start from US$819 per person (4 days) and US$1,699 per person (8 days), twin sharing.
| City | Hotels used on 5-star tours (or similar) |
|---|---|
| Delhi | 5-star hotel |
| Agra | 5-star hotel |
| Varanasi | Radisson (top hotel in our list) |
| Bodh Gaya | Hyatt / ITC |
| Patna | Taj |
| Gorakhpur | Marriott / Radisson |
| Lumbini, Nepal | Hyatt |
| Kathmandu, Nepal | 5-star hotel |
| Rajgir | Residency / Ashok (best available – no 5-star hotel) |
| Vaishali | White Lotus (best available – no 5-star hotel) |
| Kushinagar | Royal Residency (best available – no 5-star hotel) |
| Sravasti | Tulip / Pride / Metta (best available – no 5-star hotel) |
Rajgir, Vaishali, Kushinagar and Sravasti are small pilgrimage towns without 5-star hotels; there we use the best available. Group tours use 3-star hotels.
Flights to India
Nonstop flights to Delhi currently operate from New York (JFK and Newark), Chicago (O’Hare), San Francisco and Washington Dulles, with Air India, United Airlines and American Airlines on different routes. From other US cities, one-stop routes via Europe or the Middle East are easy to book. Schedules change each season, so check current flights before you book.
From Delhi, domestic flights reach Varanasi in about 1 hour 20 minutes. Our 12-day tour with Delhi and the Taj Mahal starts and ends at Delhi, which suits a round-trip ticket from the USA.
Visa and entry
US citizens can apply online for an Indian e-Tourist Visa. Apply only on the Government of India’s official e-Visa website. If your tour includes Lumbini and returns to India, choose a visa with at least two entries. A Nepal visa is available on arrival at the land border.
Before you travel
- Best time to go: October to March. Thanksgiving, the Christmas holidays and spring break all fall in the best season; avoid April to June, when temperatures reach 45°C (113°F).
- Time difference: India is 10.5 hours ahead of New York in the US winter (9.5 in summer) and 13.5 hours ahead of California (12.5 in summer). India does not use daylight saving time.
- Travel advice and health: Check the US State Department travel advisory for India and Nepal, and consider enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). For vaccinations, see the CDC Travelers’ Health pages or a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before departure.
- Power plugs: India uses 230-volt power with Type C, D and M sockets. US plugs need an adapter, and devices that are not dual-voltage need a converter.
- Money: the currency is the Indian rupee (INR). Cards are accepted at hotels and larger shops; carry some cash for temple offerings and small purchases. Nepal uses the Nepalese rupee (NPR).
- Language: English is widely spoken in hotels, and all our guides speak English.
- Insurance: take travel insurance that covers medical treatment and evacuation.
Group, private or 5-star?
| Group | Private | 5-star private | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotels | 3-star hotel | 4-star (best available) | 5-star (best available in small towns) |
| Transport | Shared AC coach | Private AC car | Private premium car |
| Guide | Shared Buddhist guide | Personal guide | Personal senior guide |
| Dates | Fixed group dates | Any date | Any date |
| 8-day price from | US$669 | US$1,349 | US$1,699 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Buddhist pilgrimage to India cost from the USA?
Land-only prices start from US$319 per person for a 4-day group tour. An 8-day tour costs from US$669 (group, 3-star), US$1,349 (private, 4-star) or US$1,699 (private, 5-star) per person, twin sharing. International flights are extra.
Do Americans need a visa for India?
Yes. US citizens need a visa for India. Most travelers apply online for the Indian e-Tourist Visa on the Government of India’s official website before travel.
How long is the flight from the USA to India?
Nonstop flights from New York, Newark, Chicago, San Francisco and Washington Dulles to Delhi take about 14 to 16 hours. One-stop routes take about 18 to 24 hours.
Which tour is best for a first visit from the USA?
The 12-day Buddhist Circuit with Delhi and the Taj Mahal starts and ends in Delhi, matches a round-trip flight from the USA, and covers all four holy places plus the Taj Mahal.
What does a 5-star Buddhist pilgrimage include?
A private car and personal Buddhist guide, the top hotels in each city (5-star where available), vegetarian meals, airport transfers and entrance fees. Rajgir, Vaishali, Kushinagar and Sravasti have no 5-star hotels, so we use the best available there.
Are meals vegetarian?
Yes. All meals on our pilgrimage tours are pure vegetarian. Vegan, gluten-free, Jain and no onion-garlic meals can be arranged with advance notice.
Is India safe for a Buddhist pilgrimage?
Thousands of international pilgrims visit these sites every year. You travel with our driver and guide throughout, with a 24/7 support line. Check your government’s travel advice before you go.
Related pages
- Buddhist Pilgrimage India & Nepal from the UK
- Buddhist Pilgrimage India & Nepal from Australia
- Buddhist pilgrimage guide to India and Nepal
- Why travel with Prime Value Tours
Plan your pilgrimage with us. Tell us your dates, group size and hotel preference, and we will send a detailed quotation within 24 hours.
Plan My Pilgrimage WhatsApp +91-9794122849Prepared by the Prime Value Tours pilgrimage team in Varanasi, Govt. of India approved and an IATO member, organising Buddhist pilgrimages since 1999. Flight and visa details checked November 2026; airline schedules change, so confirm before booking.