Luxury pilgrimage train
In short: The Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train (also called the Mahaparinirvan Express) is an 8-day, 7-night luxury rail pilgrimage run by IRCTC, the tourism arm of Indian Railways. It leaves Delhi Safdarjung on a Saturday and visits Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Sarnath, Lumbini (Nepal), Kushinagar, Sravasti and the Taj Mahal. For 2026-27 it departs on 19 December 2026, 2 January, 20 February and 20 March 2027. Fares start at US$1,160 per person (AC Second Class), US$1,400 (AC First Class) and US$1,550 (First Class coupe), with meals, hotels and sightseeing included. Prime Value Tours books the train and arranges your arrival in Delhi.
Inside the Buddhist train: coaches and facilities
Photos: Daniel Romanson, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Coach layout and livery may vary by departure.
Train tour at a glance
| Duration | 8 days / 7 nights (5 nights on the train, 2 in hotels) |
|---|---|
| Starts / ends | Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station (round trip) |
| Route | Delhi → Gaya / Bodh Gaya → Rajgir & Nalanda → Varanasi & Sarnath → Lumbini (Nepal) → Kushinagar → Sravasti → Agra → Delhi |
| Operator | IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) |
| Departure day | Saturday |
| Classes | AC First Class coupe (2 berths), AC First Class (2 or 4 berths), AC Second Class (4 berths) |
| On board | Two restaurant cars, a lounge, showers, lockers in First Class, and security staff in each coach |
| Fare from | US$1,160 per person (foreign nationals); ₹95,000 (Indian nationals) |
| Best for | Pilgrims who want all four holy places in one week without changing hotels every night |
Days of operation: 2026-27 departures
| Departs Delhi (Saturday) | Returns to Delhi (Saturday) |
|---|---|
| 19 December 2026 | 26 December 2026 |
| 2 January 2027 | 9 January 2027 |
| 20 February 2027 | 27 February 2027 |
| 20 March 2027 | 27 March 2027 |
The train runs in the October-to-March pilgrimage season. Departures are set by IRCTC and need a minimum number of passengers; IRCTC can add, change or cancel dates. We confirm the latest schedule and seat availability when you enquire.
Rates 2026-27 (per person, full tour)
| Class | Cabin | Foreign nationals (USD) | Indian nationals (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC First Class coupe | Private 2-berth cabin | US$1,550 | ₹1,27,600 |
| AC First Class | Lockable cabin, 2 or 4 berths | US$1,400 | ₹1,15,000 |
| AC Second Class | 4-berth bays with curtains | US$1,160 | ₹95,000 |
₹95,000 for Indian nationals
₹1,15,000 for Indian nationals
₹1,27,600 for Indian nationals
Supplements: single hotel room for the whole tour US$200 (₹16,800); unshared First Class berth (the other berth kept empty) US$669 (₹56,200). Fares are per person on twin sharing in hotels. IRCTC sometimes offers promotional discounts on selected departures for Indian nationals (including NRI, PIO and OCI holders); ask us for the current offer. Part journeys of at least 3 nights / 4 days are possible on a pro-rata basis.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Delhi – board the train
Assemble at Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station around 1:00 pm for a traditional welcome and briefing, then board. The train departs at about 2:30 pm for Gaya; dinner on board.
Day 2: Gaya – Bodh Gaya: Mahabodhi Temple
Arrive at Gaya and transfer by coach to Bodh Gaya. Visit the Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi Tree, where the Buddha attained Enlightenment, then the Thai and Japanese temples, the Great Buddha Statue and the Niranjana River. Time for prayer and meditation under the Bodhi Tree. Read our Mahabodhi Temple guide.
Day 3: Rajgir and Nalanda – train to Varanasi
Coach to Rajgir for Vulture's Peak (Gridhakuta), where the Buddha gave many sermons, the Bamboo Grove (Venuvana) and Bimbisara's Jail. After lunch, visit the ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara (UNESCO) and its museum, then return to Gaya to board the train. Rajgir guide · Nalanda guide.
Day 4: Varanasi – Sarnath and Ganga aarti
Arrive in Varanasi and drive to Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon: Dhamek Stupa, the Ashokan Pillar, Mulagandhakuti Vihara and the Sarnath Museum. Rest at a hotel, then watch the evening Ganga aarti on the ghats before returning to the train. Sarnath guide.
Day 5: Nautanwa – Lumbini, Nepal
Arrive at Nautanwa and cross the border by coach to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha (UNESCO). Visit the Maya Devi Temple, the marker stone, the Ashoka Pillar and the Sacred Pond. Keep your passport and Nepal visa (or visa fee and photos) ready. Maya Devi Temple guide.
Day 6: Kushinagar – train to Balrampur
Coach to Kushinagar, where the Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. Visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple with its reclining Buddha, Ramabhar Stupa (cremation site) and Mathakuar Shrine, then board the train at Gorakhpur. Kushinagar guide.
Day 7: Sravasti – train to Agra
From Balrampur, coach to Sravasti, where the Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons. Visit Jetavana Monastery, the Anandabodhi Tree, Angulimala's Stupa (Pakki Kuti) and Sahet-Mahet. Afternoon at leisure, then board the train for Agra. Sravasti guide.
Day 8: Agra – Taj Mahal – return to Delhi
Arrive in Agra and visit the Taj Mahal, then board the train back to Delhi Safdarjung, arriving in the late afternoon.
Timings follow IRCTC's guide schedule; actual times depend on rail and road conditions.
Prayer and meditation time
The longest session is at the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya on Day 2. There is also time for chanting at Vulture's Peak, the Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath, the Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini and the reclining Buddha in Kushinagar. Because the train keeps to a fixed timetable, sessions are shorter than on our private Buddhist circuit tours; choose a private tour if your group wants long daily meditation.
Inclusions and exclusions
Included
- 7 nights: 5 on the train in your chosen class and 2 in hotels (Bodh Gaya and Lumbini), plus a day-use hotel in Varanasi
- All meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner on board and at hotels, with vegetarian options
- Sightseeing by air-conditioned coach
- English-speaking tour escort and local guides
- Entrance fees to monuments in the itinerary
- Travel insurance arranged by IRCTC
- Security staff on the train
- With Prime Value Tours: help with Indian e-Visa and Nepal visa paperwork, and 24/7 WhatsApp support
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Indian and Nepal visa fees
- Airport transfers and hotels in Delhi before or after the train (we can arrange them)
- Camera fees, tips, laundry, drinks and personal expenses
- Offerings, robes and donations at temples
- Anything not listed under inclusions
Delhi arrival and departure
- Before the train: we meet you at Delhi Airport (DEL) at any hour and book a hotel for the night before departure, so you reach Safdarjung station by 1:00 pm without stress.
- After the train: the train returns to Safdarjung in the late afternoon of Day 8. Book onward flights after 11:00 pm, or stay one more night; we can drop you at the airport or a hotel.
- Delhi sightseeing: add our New Delhi Heritage Tour before or after the train.
- 24/7 support: phone and WhatsApp +91-9794122849.
Train or private tour: which is better?
| Buddhist Circuit Train | Private tour by road | |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | Fixed Saturdays, December to March | Any date, all year |
| Sleeping | 5 nights on the train, 2 in hotels | Every night in a hotel |
| Pace | Fixed timetable | Your pace, longer meditation time |
| Taj Mahal | Included | Optional add-on |
| Price | From US$1,160 per person | From US$669 per person (8-day group tour) |
Good to know
- Visas: choose a double- or multiple-entry Indian e-Visa, because you enter Nepal and come back. A Nepal visa is available at the border for most nationalities.
- Luggage: one medium suitcase and a day bag per person fit best in the cabins.
- Dress code: shoulders and knees covered at temples; shoes removed at shrines.
- Weekly closures: the Taj Mahal and the Sarnath Museum close on Fridays; the IRCTC schedule avoids them.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Buddhist Circuit luxury train cost?
For the 2026-27 season, the full 7-night, 8-day tour costs US$1,160 per person in AC Second Class, US$1,400 in AC First Class and US$1,550 in a private AC First Class coupe, on twin sharing, for foreign passport holders. Indian nationals pay ₹95,000, ₹1,15,000 and ₹1,27,600.
What are the departure dates for 2026-27?
Departures from Delhi Safdarjung are on Saturday 19 December 2026, 2 January 2027, 20 February 2027 and 20 March 2027. IRCTC can add or change dates, so we confirm availability when you enquire.
Which places does the Buddhist train visit?
Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Varanasi and Sarnath, Lumbini in Nepal, Kushinagar, Sravasti and the Taj Mahal in Agra, starting and ending in Delhi.
Who operates the Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train?
IRCTC, the tourism arm of Indian Railways. The train, also known as the Mahaparinirvan Express, has run since 2007 and won India’s National Tourism Award of Excellence.
Do I need a Nepal visa for the train tour?
Yes, for Lumbini. Most nationalities can get a Nepal visa on arrival at the border; carry your passport, passport photos and the visa fee in US dollars. Choose a double- or multiple-entry Indian visa, because you re-enter India after Lumbini.
Are meals vegetarian on the Buddhist train?
Meals are served in the on-board restaurant cars and at hotels, with vegetarian options at every meal. Tell us about Jain, vegan or other diets when booking.
Can I book part of the journey?
Yes. IRCTC allows part journeys of at least 3 nights and 4 days on a pro-rata basis, subject to availability.
Related pilgrimage tours
- Complete Buddhist Circuit India & Nepal (10 Days)
- Buddhist Pilgrimage India (8 Days)
- Buddhist Circuit with Delhi & Taj Mahal (12 Days)
- Complete Buddhist pilgrimage guide to India and Nepal
Book your berth on the Buddhist train. Tell us your departure date, class and number of travellers, and we will confirm availability within 24 hours.
Enquire Now 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. Fares and dates as published by IRCTC for 2026-27. Last updated November 2026.