Pilgrimage + leisure
In short: A 12-day, 11-night journey that combines the Buddhist holy places with India's most famous sights. It visits Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Vaishali, Kushinagar, Lumbini (Nepal) and Sravasti, then finishes with the Taj Mahal at sunrise and Delhi. It starts and ends at Delhi Airport.
Tour at a glance
| Duration | 12 days / 11 nights |
|---|---|
| Route | Delhi → Varanasi → Bodh Gaya → Rajgir → Vaishali → Kushinagar → Lumbini, Nepal → Sravasti → Delhi → Agra |
| Starts | Delhi (DEL) |
| Ends | Delhi (DEL) |
| Pace | Moderate – four long road days |
| Best season | October to March |
| Meals | Pure vegetarian (Jain, vegan and no onion-garlic on request) |
| Guide languages | English, Hindi; Thai, Vietnamese, Bahasa Indonesia, Japanese, Chinese and others on request |
| Group tour price | From US$1,069 per person |
| Private tour price | From US$2,139 per person |
| Ideal for | International pilgrims and families who also want to see the Taj Mahal and Delhi |
Overnight stops
- Delhi (1 night)
- Varanasi (1)
- Bodh Gaya (2)
- Rajgir (1)
- Vaishali (1)
- Kushinagar (1)
- Lumbini, Nepal (1)
- Sravasti (1)
- Delhi (1)
- Agra (1)
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Airport welcome and rest.
Delhi
Why it is sacred: India's capital holds the National Museum's sacred relics of the Buddha from Piprahwa (Kapilavastu), one of the most important relic collections in the world. Read our Buddhist pilgrimage guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- National Museum Buddhist gallery with the Piprahwa relics (closed Mondays)
- Ashoka Rock Edict at Srinivaspuri
- India Gate and Humayun's Tomb (UNESCO)
Prayer and meditation time: Time for a quiet offering at the relic gallery.
Day 2: Fly to Varanasi – Sarnath & Ganga Aarti
Morning flight; afternoon at Sarnath and evening Ganga Aarti.
Sarnath
Why it is sacred: Sarnath is where the Buddha gave his first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, to five ascetics, setting the Wheel of Dharma in motion and founding the Sangha. It is one of the four holy places the Buddha himself named for pilgrimage. Read our Sarnath guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- Dhamek Stupa, marking the site of the first sermon
- Deer Park and the ruins of the Dharmarajika Stupa and monasteries
- Mulagandhakuti Vihara, with murals of the Buddha's life and the evening chanting
- Sarnath Archaeological Museum and the original Lion Capital of Ashoka (museum closed on Fridays)
- Chaukhandi Stupa, where the Buddha met his five companions
Prayer and meditation time: About 1.5 hours for chanting and meditation around the Dhamek Stupa and Mulagandhakuti Vihara.
Varanasi & the Ganges
Why it is sacred: Varanasi (ancient Kashi) is one of the oldest living cities in the world. The Buddha walked here from Bodh Gaya to find his first five disciples, and the city's ghats have drawn seekers of every tradition for over 2,500 years. Read our Varanasi guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- Sunrise boat ride on the Ganges past the 84 ghats
- Evening Ganga Aarti (river prayer ceremony) at Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Old-city lanes, silk-weaving workshops and Kashi Vishwanath corridor (outside view)
Prayer and meditation time: Quiet reflection time on the boat at sunrise (about 30 minutes).
Day 3: Ganges sunrise, drive to Bodh Gaya
Sunrise boat ride, then the road to Bodh Gaya; evening prayers at the Mahabodhi Temple.
Bodh Gaya (Mahabodhi Temple)
Why it is sacred: Bodh Gaya is the place of the Buddha's Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, around 528 BCE. The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most sacred place in the Buddhist world. Read our Mahabodhi Temple guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- The Mahabodhi Temple and the Vajrasana (Diamond Throne)
- The Bodhi Tree, a descendant of the original tree
- The seven sacred weeks spots: Animesh Lochana, Ratnachankramana (Jewel Walk), Muchalinda Lake and others
- International monasteries: Thai, Japanese, Bhutanese, Tibetan, Burmese and Vietnamese temples
- The 80-ft Great Buddha Statue
Prayer and meditation time: The longest prayer time on any tour: 2 to 3 hours each day at the Bodhi Tree. The temple is open from about 5:00 am to 9:00 pm, so early-morning and evening sessions are possible.
Day 4: Bodh Gaya – Full day at the Bodhi Tree
Dawn meditation, Sujata Village, monasteries and evening lamp offering.
Returning to Bodh Gaya (Mahabodhi Temple). The longest prayer time on any tour: 2 to 3 hours each day at the Bodhi Tree. The temple is open from about 5:00 am to 9:00 pm, so early-morning and evening sessions are possible.
Sujata Village & Dungeshwari Caves
Why it is sacred: Across the Niranjana (Phalgu) River, the village girl Sujata offered milk-rice to the Buddha, ending his six years of extreme austerity. In the Dungeshwari (Mahakala) Caves he practised those austerities before choosing the Middle Way. Read our Bodh Gaya guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- Sujata Stupa and Sujata Temple
- Niranjana riverbank
- Dungeshwari cave shrine with the emaciated-Buddha image (about 12 km from Bodh Gaya)
Prayer and meditation time: About 30 minutes of meditation inside the cave shrine.
Day 5: Bodh Gaya to Rajgir & Nalanda
Vulture's Peak, Bamboo Grove and Nalanda.
Rajgir (Rajagaha)
Why it is sacred: Rajgir was the capital of King Bimbisara of Magadha. The Buddha spent many rainy seasons here and taught key discourses, including the Heart Sutra tradition associated with Vulture's Peak. The First Buddhist Council was held at the Saptaparni Cave after his passing. Read our Rajgir guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- Vulture's Peak (Gridhakuta), reached by an easy-to-moderate path or ropeway to the Vishwa Shanti Stupa
- Venuvana (Bamboo Grove), the first monastery gifted to the Buddha
- Jivaka's Mango Grove and Bimbisara's Jail
- Vishwa Shanti Stupa (World Peace Pagoda)
Prayer and meditation time: About 1 hour of chanting and meditation on Vulture's Peak, ideally at sunrise or sunset.
Nalanda Mahavihara
Why it is sacred: Nalanda was the greatest Buddhist university of the ancient world (5th to 12th century CE), where scholars such as Nagarjuna, Shantideva and the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang studied. Its ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Buddha and Sariputta also visited the area; Sariputta was born nearby. Read our Nalanda Mahavihara guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- Excavated monasteries, temples and the great Sariputta Stupa
- Nalanda Archaeological Museum
- Xuanzang Memorial Hall
Prayer and meditation time: About 30 minutes of quiet reflection at the Sariputta Stupa.
Day 6: Rajgir to Vaishali
Ashoka Pillar and Relic Stupa.
Vaishali
Why it is sacred: Vaishali, capital of the Licchavi republic, is where the Buddha announced his approaching Parinirvana, first admitted women into the Sangha (ordaining Mahapajapati Gotami) and where the Second Buddhist Council was held. Read our Vaishali guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- Ashoka Pillar with its single lion capital at Kolhua
- Relic Stupa, where a share of the Buddha's relics was enshrined
- Abhishek Pushkarini (coronation tank) and the Vishwa Shanti Stupa
Prayer and meditation time: About 45 minutes of chanting at the Relic Stupa and Ashoka Pillar.
Day 7: Vaishali to Kesariya & Kushinagar
Kesariya Stupa, then the Mahaparinirvana Temple.
Kesariya Stupa
Why it is sacred: At Kesariya the Buddha gave his alms bowl to the people of Vaishali as he travelled towards Kushinagar. Its brick stupa is one of the tallest excavated Buddhist stupas in the world. Read our Kesariya Stupa guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- The terraced Kesariya Stupa and its niches of Buddha images
Prayer and meditation time: A 20-minute stop for chanting and photographs on the way to Kushinagar.
Kushinagar
Why it is sacred: Kushinagar is where the Buddha passed into Mahaparinirvana (final passing) at the age of 80, between twin sal trees. It is one of the four holy places the Buddha named for pilgrimage. Read our Kushinagar guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- Mahaparinirvana Temple with the 6-metre reclining Buddha
- Ramabhar Stupa, the cremation site
- Mathakuar Shrine, where the Buddha gave his last sermon
- International temples (Thai, Japanese, Burmese, Chinese)
Prayer and meditation time: About 2 hours, including the offering of a robe (chivara) to the reclining Buddha, a cherished tradition for many groups.
Day 8: Kushinagar to Lumbini, Nepal
Ramabhar Stupa, then into Nepal; afternoon at the Maya Devi Temple.
Returning to Kushinagar. About 2 hours, including the offering of a robe (chivara) to the reclining Buddha, a cherished tradition for many groups.
Lumbini, Nepal
Why it is sacred: Lumbini is the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha Gautama in 563 BCE (traditional date). It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the four holy places the Buddha named for pilgrimage. Read our Maya Devi Temple guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- Maya Devi Temple and the Marker Stone of the exact birth spot
- Ashoka Pillar of 249 BCE, whose inscription confirms the birthplace
- Puskarini (sacred pond) and the Bodhi tree with prayer flags
- Monastic Zone with temples built by Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, China, Germany and more
- World Peace Pagoda and the Eternal Peace Flame
Prayer and meditation time: About 2 hours in the Sacred Garden for chanting and meditation.
Day 9: Lumbini to Sravasti
Dawn prayers in the Sacred Garden, then back into India to Sravasti; evening at Jetavana.
Returning to Lumbini, Nepal. About 2 hours in the Sacred Garden for chanting and meditation.
Sravasti (Jetavana)
Why it is sacred: The Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons at Sravasti, more than anywhere else, in the Jetavana monastery gifted by the merchant Anathapindika. Here he performed the Twin Miracle and taught many of the suttas recorded in the Pali Canon. Read our Sravasti guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- Jetavana Grove with the Gandhakuti (the Buddha's hut) and Anandabodhi tree
- Angulimala Stupa and Anathapindika Stupa
- Thai, Sri Lankan and Myanmar temples
Prayer and meditation time: About 1.5 hours of chanting and meditation at the Gandhakuti.
Day 10: Sravasti to Lucknow, fly to Delhi
Morning meditation at Jetavana, drive to Lucknow and take an afternoon flight to Delhi.
Returning to Sravasti (Jetavana). About 1.5 hours of chanting and meditation at the Gandhakuti.
Day 11: Delhi to Agra – Taj Mahal sunset
Morning at the National Museum's Buddha relics (closed Mondays), then to Agra. Agra Fort and Mehtab Bagh at sunset.
Returning to Delhi. Time for a quiet offering at the relic gallery.
Agra (Taj Mahal)
Why it is sacred: Not a Buddhist site, but the Taj Mahal is India's most famous monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial of love. See our Golden Triangle tour.
What pilgrims see and do:
- Taj Mahal at sunrise (closed on Fridays)
- Agra Fort (UNESCO)
- Mehtab Bagh sunset view across the Yamuna
Prayer and meditation time: Leisure sightseeing day.
Day 12: Taj Mahal sunrise – Departure from Delhi
Taj Mahal at sunrise (closed Fridays, so the plan is arranged around this), breakfast, then drive to Delhi Airport for evening flights.
Returning to Agra (Taj Mahal). Leisure sightseeing day.
Travel distances and realistic journey times
Times are realistic door-to-door estimates for the roads as they are, including a short rest stop, not map-app minimums. Road conditions and border queues can add time.
| Day | From | To | Distance | Journey time | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delhi Airport (DEL) | Delhi hotel | 15 km | 45 min | car |
| 2 | Delhi (DEL) | Varanasi (VNS) | 680 km | 1 hr 20 min flight | flight |
| 2 | Varanasi Airport | Sarnath | 25 km | 45 min | car |
| 3 | Varanasi | Bodh Gaya | 250 km | 6 to 7 hrs | coach/car |
| 4 | Bodh Gaya | Sujata Village | 3 km | 15 min | car |
| 5 | Bodh Gaya | Rajgir | 80 km | 2.5 hrs | coach/car |
| 5 | Rajgir | Nalanda | 15 km | 30 min | coach/car |
| 6 | Rajgir | Vaishali (via Patna) | 160 km | 4.5 to 5 hrs | coach/car |
| 7 | Vaishali | Kesariya | 55 km | 1.5 hrs | coach/car |
| 7 | Kesariya | Kushinagar | 150 km | 3.5 to 4 hrs | coach/car |
| 8 | Kushinagar | Lumbini (via Sunauli border) | 180 km | 5 to 6 hrs incl. border | coach/car |
| 9 | Lumbini | Sravasti (via Indian border) | 210 km | 6 to 7 hrs incl. border | coach/car |
| 10 | Sravasti | Lucknow Airport (LKO) | 175 km | 4 to 4.5 hrs | coach/car |
| 10 | Lucknow (LKO) | Delhi (DEL) | 500 km | 1 hr flight | flight |
| 11 | Delhi | Agra (Gatimaan Express or Yamuna Expressway) | 230 km | 1 hr 40 min by train / 3.5 to 4 hrs by road | train/coach |
| 12 | Agra | Delhi Airport (DEL) | 240 km | 4 hrs | coach/car |
Total road distance on this tour: about 1,558 km.
Hotels and vegetarian meals
Hotels we use
| Overnight | Group tour | Private tour (or similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 3-star hotel | Selected 4-star hotel (best available) |
| Varanasi | 3-star hotel | Radisson / Pinnacle / Amaya |
| Bodh Gaya | 3-star hotel | Hyatt / ITC / Ramada |
| Rajgir | 3-star hotel | Residency / Ashok |
| Vaishali | 3-star hotel | White Lotus |
| Kushinagar | 3-star hotel | Royal Residency |
| Lumbini | 3-star hotel | Hyatt / Vilasa / Landmark |
| Sravasti | 3-star hotel | Tulip / Pride / Metta |
| Agra | 3-star hotel | Selected 4-star hotel (best available) |
Hotels are confirmed at booking, subject to availability. If a listed hotel is full, we book one of the same standard.
Hotel standards
Group tours: 3-star superior hotels. Private tours: 4-star hotels (best available). Every room has a private bathroom, hot water and air-conditioning, on a twin-sharing basis; single rooms are available at a supplement.
Varanasi, Bodh Gaya, Delhi, Patna and Kathmandu have a wide choice of good hotels. Smaller pilgrimage towns such as Rajgir, Vaishali, Kushinagar, Sravasti and Lumbini have fewer, simpler hotels; there we use the best available properties, chosen for cleanliness, quiet and reliable vegetarian kitchens.
Vegetarian meal arrangements
All meals are pure vegetarian. The tour includes daily breakfast, lunch and dinner (except where shown on the first and last day), served as buffets or set menus at hotels and trusted restaurants. We can arrange Jain meals, no onion and garlic, vegan, gluten-free and meals suited to monastic precepts (main meal before noon) with advance notice. On long road days we provide a packed lunch or stop at a clean vegetarian restaurant. Bottled drinking water is provided in the vehicle every day.
Guide languages
Every tour is led by a licensed, Buddhist-knowledgeable guide who explains the sutta and Jataka background at each site, not just the history. Standard languages: English and Hindi. On request (confirmed at booking, subject to availability): Thai, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, Vietnamese, Bahasa Indonesia, Sinhala, Burmese, French, Spanish and German. Where a native-language guide is not available, we pair an English-speaking Buddhist guide with an interpreter or tour leader.
Airport arrival and departure
- Arrival: Delhi (DEL). Our representative meets you in the arrivals hall with a name board, helps with luggage and escorts you to an air-conditioned vehicle. Arrival transfers are included at any hour, including late-night flights.
- Departure: Delhi (DEL). We drop you at the terminal with enough time for check-in (about 3 hours before international flights and 2 hours before domestic flights).
- Delays: we track your flight number, so a delayed flight does not mean a missed pickup.
- 24/7 support: a dedicated phone and WhatsApp line, +91-9794122849, for the whole journey.
Tour prices
Shared AC coach, 3-star superior hotels, groups of about 15+
Your own car and guide, 4-star hotels, based on 2 travellers
Prices are per person in US dollars for land arrangements and include GST. The final price depends on group size, travel dates, hotel category and the season. Larger groups, monks and nuns travelling as a group, and early bookings may receive better rates; ask for a quotation.
Inclusions and exclusions
Included
- 11 nights' accommodation on a twin-sharing basis as listed
- Pure-vegetarian meals as shown in the day-by-day plan (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
- All transfers and sightseeing by air-conditioned vehicle (coach for groups, private car or van for private tours)
- AC train tickets for the train journeys shown
- Airport and railway-station arrival and departure transfers
- English-speaking Buddhist guide throughout (other languages on request)
- Monument entrance fees for the sites in the itinerary
- Daily bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- Driver allowances, tolls, parking and state taxes
- GST (Indian goods and services tax)
- Assistance at the India–Nepal border with immigration formalities
Not included
- International flights and domestic flights (we can book them for you at actual cost)
- India visa fees and the Nepal visa fee (paid on arrival at the border)
- Travel and medical insurance (strongly recommended)
- Camera and video fees at monuments
- Robes, flowers, lamps and other offerings, and donations to temples
- Tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff
- Single-room supplement
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and drinks
- Anything not listed under inclusions
Good to know before you travel
- Best time to travel: October to March, when days are pleasant (15–28°C). April to June is very hot (up to 45°C); July to September is the monsoon. Bodh Gaya is busiest from December to February.
- India visa: most nationalities can apply online for an Indian e-Tourist Visa.
- Nepal visa: available on arrival at the Sunauli–Belahiya border, payable in US dollars cash (currently USD 30 for 15 days; please check before travel). Indian citizens do not need a visa.
- Re-entering India: this tour returns to India from Nepal, so your Indian visa must allow at least two entries. The 30-day e-Tourist Visa is double-entry; please check your visa type when you apply.
- Dress code at temples: shoulders and knees covered; shoes removed at shrines. White or light clothing is traditional for pilgrims.
- Weekly closures: Sarnath Museum and Sanchi Museum close on Fridays, the Taj Mahal on Fridays, Ajanta on Mondays, Ellora on Tuesdays and most Indian national museums on Mondays. We arrange dates around them.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Buddhist Circuit with Delhi & Taj Mahal cost?
Group tours start from US$1,069 per person and private tours from US$2,139 per person, both twin sharing for 12 days and 11 nights with vegetarian meals, transport, guide and entrance fees. The final price depends on group size, hotel category and travel dates.
What is the best time of year for this pilgrimage?
October to March is the best season, with pleasant temperatures. December and January are the busiest months at Bodh Gaya, so book early for those dates.
Is there enough time for prayer and meditation?
Yes. Each day includes set time for chanting and meditation at the holy sites, with the longest sessions at the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya and at Lumbini and Kushinagar. Your guide adjusts the schedule if your group wants more time.
Are vegetarian meals included?
Yes. All meals on the tour are pure vegetarian. Jain, no onion and garlic, vegan and gluten-free meals can be arranged with advance notice.
What is the difference between the group and private tour?
Group departures use a shared AC coach, 3-star superior hotels and a shared guide, and suit temple and community groups of about 15 or more. Private tours use your own car or van, a personal guide and 4-star hotels, and can start on any date.
Which day is the Taj Mahal closed?
The Taj Mahal is closed every Friday. We plan the dates so that your Agra visit does not fall on a Friday.
Related pilgrimage tours
- Complete Buddhist Circuit India & Nepal (10 Days)
- India–Nepal Extended Circuit (12 Days)
- Buddhist Pilgrimage India (8 Days)
- Complete Buddhist pilgrimage guide to India and Nepal
Plan this pilgrimage with us. Tell us your dates, group size and language, 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. Last updated November 2026.