For travellers from the UK
In short: A Buddhist pilgrimage to India and Nepal planned for travellers from the United Kingdom. Direct flights take about 9 hours from London to Delhi, and from there our tours visit Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar, the four holy places of the Buddha’s life. 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 and English-speaking Buddhist guides.
At a glance
| Gateway airport | Delhi (DEL), then a short domestic flight to Varanasi (VNS) or Gaya (GAY) |
|---|---|
| Flight time | About 9 to 10 hours nonstop to Delhi |
| Time difference | India is 5.5 hours ahead of the UK in winter (GMT) and 4.5 hours ahead in summer (BST). |
| 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); invoices in pounds sterling (GBP) on request |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Bodh Gaya, Rajgir & Nalanda | 4 days | Bodh Gaya → Rajgir → Nalanda | US$319 | US$649 | US$819 |
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 London Heathrow with Air India, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and IndiGo, and from Birmingham with Air India. From Manchester, Edinburgh and other airports, one-stop routes via the Gulf or Europe are common. Schedules change each season, so check current flights before you book.
From Delhi, domestic flights reach Varanasi in about 1 hour 20 minutes, and Gaya for Bodh Gaya in about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Visa and entry
British 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. February half-term and the Christmas holidays are ideal; October half-term is warm but pleasant. Avoid April to June, when temperatures reach 45°C.
- Time difference: India is 5.5 hours ahead of the UK in winter (GMT) and 4.5 hours ahead in summer (BST).
- Travel advice and health: Check the FCDO foreign travel advice for India and Nepal. For vaccinations, see NHS Fit for Travel or TravelHealthPro, or ask your GP surgery or a travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before departure. We sell land arrangements only; if you buy flights through a UK travel company, ask whether they are ATOL protected.
- Power plugs: India uses 230-volt power, the same voltage as the UK, but with Type C, D and M sockets, so you need a plug adapter.
- 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 UK?
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 UK citizens need a visa for India?
Yes. British citizens need a visa for India. Most travellers apply online for the Indian e-Tourist Visa on the Government of India’s official website before travel.
Is there a direct flight from the UK to India for the Buddhist circuit?
Yes. Nonstop flights run from London Heathrow and Birmingham to Delhi, taking about 9 to 10 hours. From Delhi, a short domestic flight takes you to Varanasi or Gaya to start the pilgrimage.
Can I pay in pounds sterling?
Our prices are published in US dollars. We can quote and invoice in pounds sterling on request at the exchange rate on the day.
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
- India Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour for American Travelers
- 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.