For cultural travellers
In short: A 7-day, 6-night cultural journey through the great Buddhist art and architecture of western and central India: Kanheri Caves and the Global Vipassana Pagoda in Mumbai, the Ellora and Ajanta caves (three UNESCO sites in all) and Emperor Ashoka's Great Stupa at Sanchi. It starts in Mumbai and ends in Bhopal.
Tour at a glance
| Duration | 7 days / 6 nights |
|---|---|
| Route | Mumbai → Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar / Aurangabad → Jalgaon → Bhopal |
| Starts | Mumbai (BOM) |
| Ends | Bhopal (BHO) |
| Pace | Moderate – one 6-hour train journey |
| 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$619 per person |
| Private tour price | From US$1,239 per person |
| Ideal for | Travellers interested in Buddhist art, history and architecture |
Overnight stops
- Mumbai (1 night)
- Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar / Aurangabad (2)
- Jalgaon (1)
- Bhopal (2)
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Mumbai – Global Vipassana Pagoda
Airport welcome. Afternoon at the Global Vipassana Pagoda with a short group meditation.
Kanheri Caves & Global Vipassana Pagoda, Mumbai
Why it is sacred: Kanheri was a major Buddhist monastic centre for over 1,000 years, with more than 100 caves inside Mumbai's Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The Global Vipassana Pagoda is a modern meditation hall that enshrines relics of the Buddha. Read our Kanheri Caves guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- Kanheri's chaitya hall, monks' cells and water cisterns
- Global Vipassana Pagoda, one of the world's largest unsupported stone domes
Prayer and meditation time: Join a short group meditation at the Global Vipassana Pagoda (sessions as scheduled by the Pagoda).
Day 2: Kanheri Caves – Fly to Aurangabad
Morning at the Kanheri Caves inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park, then an afternoon flight to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad).
Returning to Kanheri Caves & Global Vipassana Pagoda, Mumbai. Join a short group meditation at the Global Vipassana Pagoda (sessions as scheduled by the Pagoda).
Day 3: Ellora Caves & Aurangabad Caves
Full day at Ellora (closed Tuesdays), then the lesser-known Aurangabad Buddhist caves on the way back.
Ellora Caves
Why it is sacred: Ellora has 12 Buddhist caves (5th to 7th century CE) beside Hindu and Jain caves, a powerful example of India's spiritual coexistence. A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Closed on Tuesdays. Read our Ellora Caves guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- Cave 10, the Vishvakarma chaitya hall with its seated Buddha
- Cave 12 (Tin Tal), a three-storey monastery
- Kailasa Temple (Cave 16)
Prayer and meditation time: About 30 minutes of chanting in Cave 10, which has remarkable acoustics.
Day 4: Ajanta Caves – on to Jalgaon
Full day at Ajanta (closed Mondays), with the eco-bus from the visitor centre to the caves. Continue to Jalgaon for the night.
Ajanta Caves
Why it is sacred: Ajanta's 30 rock-cut caves (2nd century BCE to 5th century CE) contain the finest surviving Buddhist paintings in the world, illustrating the Jataka tales. A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Closed on Mondays. Read our Ajanta Caves guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- Painted Caves 1, 2, 16 and 17, including the Padmapani Bodhisattva
- Chaitya halls of Caves 19 and 26 with the reclining Buddha
- Viewpoint over the Waghora River horseshoe gorge
Prayer and meditation time: About 30 minutes of meditation in the chaitya hall of Cave 26.
Day 5: Train from Jalgaon to Bhopal
Morning AC express train to Bhopal. Afternoon at leisure by the Upper Lake.
Day 6: Sanchi Stupa, Udayagiri & Vidisha
Full day at Sanchi (museum closed Fridays), then Udayagiri caves and Vidisha.
Sanchi
Why it is sacred: Sanchi's Great Stupa was commissioned by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE and is the oldest stone structure in India. It once held relics of Sariputta and Moggallana, the Buddha's chief disciples. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Read our Sanchi guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- The Great Stupa and its four carved gateways (toranas) telling the Jataka stories
- Stupa 3, Temple 17 and the Ashoka Pillar
- Chetiyagiri Vihara, which enshrines relics of Sariputta and Moggallana
- Sanchi Archaeological Museum (closed Fridays)
Prayer and meditation time: About 1 hour of meditation at the Great Stupa.
Udayagiri Caves & Vidisha
Why it is sacred: Vidisha was the home of Ashoka's wife Devi and their son Mahinda, who carried Buddhism to Sri Lanka. The nearby Udayagiri rock-cut caves date to the Gupta age. Read our Vidisha guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- Udayagiri rock-cut caves
- Heliodorus Pillar
- Vidisha Museum
Prayer and meditation time: Leisure visit.
Day 7: Bhopal – Departure
Transfer to Raja Bhoj Airport or Bhopal Junction for your onward journey.
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 | Mumbai Airport (BOM) | Global Vipassana Pagoda, Gorai | 30 km | 1 to 1.5 hrs | car |
| 2 | Mumbai hotel | Kanheri Caves | 25 km | 1 hr | car |
| 2 | Mumbai (BOM) | Aurangabad (IXU) | 300 km | 50 min flight | flight |
| 3 | Aurangabad | Ellora | 30 km | 45 min | car |
| 4 | Aurangabad | Ajanta | 105 km | 2.5 to 3 hrs | car |
| 4 | Ajanta | Jalgaon | 60 km | 1.5 hrs | car |
| 5 | Jalgaon | Bhopal | 415 km | about 6 hrs | AC express train |
| 6 | Bhopal | Sanchi | 46 km | 1 to 1.5 hrs | car |
| 6 | Sanchi | Udayagiri | 13 km | 25 min | car |
| 7 | Bhopal hotel | Bhopal Airport (BHO) | 15 km | 30 min | car |
Total road distance on this tour: about 324 km.
Hotels and vegetarian meals
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.
Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) and Bhopal have a wide choice of good hotels. Jalgaon, the overnight stop after Ajanta, has simpler hotels; we use the best available.
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: Mumbai (BOM). 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: Bhopal (BHO). 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
- 6 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)
Not included
- International flights and domestic flights (we can book them for you at actual cost)
- India visa fees
- 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.
- 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 Heritage Tour Central India cost?
Group tours start from US$619 per person and private tours from US$1,239 per person, both twin sharing for 7 days and 6 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 time for quiet meditation: a group sitting at the Global Vipassana Pagoda, chanting in the chaitya halls of Ellora and Ajanta, and meditation at Sanchi’s Great Stupa. 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 days are Ajanta and Ellora closed?
Ajanta is closed on Mondays and Ellora on Tuesdays. We schedule your dates so neither visit falls on a closing day.
Related pilgrimage tours
- Complete Buddhist Circuit India & Nepal (10 Days)
- Buddhist Monastery & Meditation Tour (8 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.