--- title: "Buddhist Pilgrimage India & Nepal from the UK | 2026–27 Tours" url: https://primevaluetours.com/buddhist-pilgrimage-india-nepal-from-uk/ description: "Buddhist pilgrimage tours to India & Nepal from the UK: direct flights to Delhi, Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar. 5-star tours from $1,699." contact: "+91-9794122849 (WhatsApp) · info@primevaluetours.com · https://primevaluetours.com/plan-your-trip/" ---# Buddhist Pilgrimage India & Nepal from the UKFor 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](/maya-devi-temple-lumbini-nepal/)) - **Bodh Gaya** – place of Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, a UNESCO World Heritage Site ( [Mahabodhi Temple guide](/mahabodhi-temple-bodh-gaya/)) - **Sarnath** – where the Buddha gave his first sermon ( [Sarnath guide](/dhamek-stupa-sarnath/)) - **Kushinagar** – place of the Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana ( [Kushinagar guide](/mahaparinirvana-temple-kushinagar/))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](/buddhist-pilgrimage-guide-india-nepal/).## Recommended pilgrimage toursPrices 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](/complete-buddhist-circuit-india-nepal-10-days/) | 10 days | Varanasi → Bodh Gaya → Rajgir → Vaishali → Kushinagar → Lumbini → Sravasti | US$839 | US$1,689 | **US$2,089** | | [India–Nepal Extended Circuit (premium)](/buddhist-pilgrimage-tour-india-nepal-12-days/) | 12 days | Delhi → Varanasi → Bodh Gaya → Rajgir → Vaishali → Kushinagar → Lumbini → Kathmandu | US$1,199 | US$2,359 | **US$2,639** | | [Buddhist Pilgrimage India](/buddhist-travel-india/) | 8 days | Varanasi → Bodh Gaya → Rajgir → Vaishali → Kushinagar | US$669 | US$1,349 | **US$1,699** | | [Buddhist Monastery & Meditation Tour](/buddhist-monastery-meditation-tour-8-days/) | 8 days | Varanasi → Bodh Gaya → Rajgir → Nalanda | US$669 | US$1,369 | **US$1,749** | | [Buddhist Circuit for Senior Citizens](/buddhist-pilgrimage-tour-senior-citizens-10-days/) | 10 days | Varanasi → Bodh Gaya → Rajgir → Patna → Kushinagar | US$929 | US$1,869 | **US$2,339** | | [Bodh Gaya, Rajgir & Nalanda](/bodh-gaya-rajgir-nalanda-tour-4-days/) | 4 days | Bodh Gaya → Rajgir → Nalanda | US$319 | US$649 | **US$819** |See all [Buddhist circuit tours](/buddhist-tour-packages-india/) or [pilgrimage tours](/packages/).## 5-star Buddhist pilgrimage: hotels and pricesOur 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 IndiaNonstop 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 entryBritish 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 questionsHow 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-tour-india-from-usa/) - [Buddhist Pilgrimage India & Nepal from Australia](/buddhist-pilgrimage-india-nepal-from-australia/) - [Buddhist pilgrimage guide to India and Nepal](/buddhist-pilgrimage-guide-india-nepal/) - [Why travel with Prime Value Tours](/why-choose-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](/plan-your-trip/) [WhatsApp +91-9794122849](https://wa.me/919794122849)Prepared 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.