- Govt. of India Approved
- IATO Member
- Trusted Since 1999
Delhi · Lucknow · Shravasti · Lumbini · Kushinagar · Vaishali · Patna · Nalanda · Rajgir · Bodhgaya · Varanasi · Agra
12 Days 11 Nights
Minimum 10 pax
5-Star & Best Available Hotels
4 UNESCO Heritage sites
12 Days / 11 Nights
Minimum 10 pax | Maximum 25 pax per coach
USD 1,420 – USD 1,950 per person (land only, based on group size)
Delhi · Lucknow · Shravasti · Lumbini · Kushinagar · Vaishali · Patna · Nalanda · Rajgir · Bodhgaya · Varanasi · Agra · Delhi
4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Mahabodhi Temple (Bodhgaya), Nalanda University, Lumbini, Taj Mahal (Agra)
Private AC coach (Toyota/Volvo) + 2 domestic flights (Delhi–Lucknow, Varanasi–Delhi)
5-star hotels in Delhi, Lumbini (Bhairahawa), Patna, Bodh Gaya, Varanasi and Agra; best available hotels in Shravasti, Kushinagar and Rajgir (double occupancy)
Daily breakfast + dinner | Pure vegetarian / Buddhist-friendly menus
Licensed heritage guide (English / Thai / Hindi) — full 12 days
October – March (peak: Dec–Jan for Bodhgaya Monlam; Mar–Apr for Vesak)
Quick Answers
The tour starts and ends in Delhi. It visits Lucknow, Shravasti, Lumbini in Nepal, Kushinagar, Vaishali, Patna, Nalanda, Rajgir, Bodhgaya for 2 nights, and Varanasi with Sarnath, then finishes at the Taj Mahal in Agra. It includes 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The land cost is USD 1,420 per person for 25 pilgrims, USD 1,590 for 20, USD 1,750 for 15 and USD 1,950 for 10, sharing double rooms. This includes 5-star hotels (best available in Shravasti, Kushinagar and Rajgir) and 2 domestic flights. International airfare is not included. Message us on WhatsApp or LINE for a quote.
Yes. We regularly organise tours for groups of monks from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Taiwan and South Korea. We take care of monastic food needs. Tell us your group size and dates on WhatsApp or LINE, and we will plan the details with you.
October to March is the best time, when the weather is cool and pleasant. December and January are the peak time in Bodhgaya for the Monlam prayers, and March to April is the season of Vesak. Avoid the hot months and the monsoon from May to September.
01
Birthplace of the Buddha — Maya Devi Temple & Ashokan Pillar
02
Site of the Enlightenment — Mahabodhi Temple & Sacred Bodhi Tree (UNESCO)
03
First Sermon — Dhamek Stupa & Lion Capital (national symbol of India)
04
Parinirvana — Reclining Buddha & Ramabhar Stupa (cremation site)
05
World’s first university — UNESCO World Heritage ruins
06
Vulture Peak (Griddhakuta) — where Prajnaparamita sutras were taught
07
The Twin Miracle site — Jetavana Monastery & Ananda Bodhi Tree
08
Buddha’s final sermon site — Relic Stupa & Ashokan Lion Pillar
09
One of the Seven Wonders of the World — UNESCO World Heritage Site
10
One of the most spectacular spiritual ceremonies on earth — at sunset
There are journeys we take for pleasure, journeys we take for knowledge, and then there are journeys we take because something deep within us compels it — a longing older than reason, a calling that transcends the ordinary rhythms of life. The Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour through India and Nepal is precisely this kind of journey. It is not merely a tour. It is a return to the source.
The Lord Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, himself walked these lands more than 2,600 years ago. He was born in the serene gardens of Lumbini, Nepal. He attained full enlightenment under the sacred Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya, Bihar. He turned the Wheel of the Dharma for the first time in the Deer Park of Sarnath, near Varanasi. And he breathed his last, passing peacefully into Parinirvana, between two Sal trees in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh. These four places — the cradle of Buddhism — draw millions of pilgrims from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Tibet, and every Buddhist nation on earth. They are not destinations. They are homecomings.
Our 12-day Buddhist Circuit Tour goes beyond the four main sites. We include Shravasti — where the Buddha spent 25 monsoon seasons and performed the legendary Twin Miracle. We include Rajgir — the royal city where the Buddha taught for years from Vulture Peak, the sacred mountain where Mahayana’s Prajnaparamita scriptures were expounded. We include Nalanda — the brilliant ruins of the ancient world’s greatest university, a centre of Buddhist scholarship that attracted scholars from as far as China and Korea for seven centuries.
And then we do something genuinely unique: we add the Taj Mahal in Agra. At first glance, this magnificent Mughal monument might seem out of place on a Buddhist pilgrimage. But look more closely. The Taj Mahal is, at its heart, a meditation on impermanence — a monument to love built in the knowledge that love outlasts the body. Its white marble domes, mirrored in the still waters of its reflecting pools at dawn, recall the teachings of the Buddha on beauty, transience, and the longing for something eternal. India’s Buddhist heritage and India’s Mughal heritage are two threads woven into the same ancient tapestry — and our tour allows you to hold both.
Whether you travel from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Singapore, the United Kingdom, or Australia — whether you are a monk or a lay practitioner, a first-time pilgrim or a seasoned spiritual traveller — this journey will leave its mark on you. Prime Value Tours has been guiding Buddhist pilgrims through these sacred landscapes for over 25 years. We know every monastery, every meditation garden, every sunrise vista on this route. It would be our deep honour to walk alongside you.
Day
Delhi is the gateway to India’s Buddhist Heritage Circuit. Your journey of faith begins here. The National Museum, Delhi houses some of the finest Buddhist sculptures from Gandhara and Mathura schools — setting the spiritual tone for the days ahead.
* Arrive a day early if possible. Jet lag is real. Delhi is 5.5 hours ahead of Bangkok and 9.5 hours ahead of London
Day
Lucknow, the City of Nawabs, was once a thriving centre of culture along the Buddhist silk route. It is the gateway for the road journey to the sacred city of Shravasti.
* Book morning flights to maximize your day. IndiGo, Air India, and Vistara connect Delhi-Lucknow frequently.
Shravasti — ancient capital of the Kosala Kingdom — was where the Buddha spent 25 monsoon retreats. Here he performed the ‘Twin Miracle’ (Yamaka Patihariya), the most celebrated supernatural feat described in Buddhist scriptures. The Jetavana Monastery, gifted by the merchant Anathapindika, was the Buddha’s favourite dwelling. For Thai Theravada Buddhists, this is an intensely moving site.
* Book morning flights to maximize your day. IndiGo, Air India, and Vistara connect Delhi-Lucknow frequently.
Day
Lumbini is the holiest of all Buddhist sites — the very birthplace of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who would become the Buddha. The Maya Devi Temple marks the precise spot where Queen Maya Devi gave birth in 563 BCE. Standing here, in the gardens of Lumbini, beneath the ancient Ashokan pillar bearing the inscription ‘Here the Buddha was born’ — there are no words adequate to describe the feeling.
* Ensure you carry your passport (Nepal visa on arrival available for most nationalities, $30 USD for 15 days). Indian nationals do not need a visa.
Day
Lumbini’s Monastic Zone is home to over 40 international monasteries — each built by Buddhist nations from around the world. Walking from the Thai Temple to the Tibetan shrine to the Sri Lankan monastery, you witness the living global unity of Buddhism. Many pilgrims spend an entire morning in silent meditation beneath the Bodhi trees of the Sacred Garden.
* Visit the Thai Temple (Wat Thai Lumbini) — your guides can arrange an audience with resident Thai monks.
Day
Kushinagar — ancient Kushinara of the Malla Kingdom — is where the Buddha passed into Parinirvana at the age of 80, lying between two Sal trees in a grove known as Upavattana. The atmosphere here is profoundly peaceful. Thai pilgrims often weep at the sight of the great reclining Buddha — the final, serene image of the Tathagata before his passing beyond sorrow.
* Sunset at the Ramabhar Stupa (cremation site) is an extraordinarily moving experience. Allow at least 30 minutes in silent reflection.
Day
Vaishali was the first democratic republic in world history and held profound significance for the Buddha — he gave his final sermon here before proceeding to Kushinagar. The Ananda Stupa marks where the venerable Ananda, the Buddha’s beloved attendant, attained Parinirvana. The Relic Stupa in Vaishali contains actual relics of the Lord Buddha — making this a site of supreme sanctity.
* The Didarganj Yakshi in Patna Museum is one of the finest examples of Mauryan sculpture — don’t miss it if the museum is open.
Day
Nalanda University, founded in the 5th century CE, was the world’s first residential university — accommodating 10,000 students from across Asia. It was a living beacon of Buddhist scholarship for 700 years until its destruction in 1193 CE. Rajgir’s Vulture Peak (Griddhakuta) is where the Buddha taught the Prajnaparamita sutras and the Lotus Sutra — making it the most sacred site for Mahayana Buddhists worldwide.
* The Rajgir ropeway to the Peace Pagoda operates until 4:30 PM. Reach before 3:30 PM to allow time for meditation at the hilltop.
Day
Bodhgaya is the holiest place in the Buddhist world — the very site where Prince Siddhartha Gautama sat under the Bodhi Tree, meditated through the night, and at the break of dawn 2,600 years ago, became fully enlightened as the Shakyamuni Buddha. Every step on this ground carries the weight of that supreme event. This is why hundreds of thousands of Thai, Sri Lankan, Tibetan, Chinese, and Japanese Buddhists make this journey each year.
* The evening meditation at the Mahabodhi Temple, lit by thousands of butter lamps, is one of the most profound spiritual experiences available to a human being. Attend without fail.
Day
Most pilgrims need more than one day in Bodhgaya — the second day allows for deeper exploration of the international monasteries (over 20 countries represented), a morning meditation at the Bodhi Tree, and a moving evening prayer service. Allow yourself to simply sit, be still, and breathe in this sacred place.
* The Tibetan monasteries open early (5 AM) for morning pujas. The Thai Temple offers free vegetarian breakfast to Buddhist pilgrims on request.
Day
Sarnath — the Deer Park of Isipatana — is where the Buddha delivered his first discourse, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dhamma) to the five ascetics who became his first disciples. This event, the first turning of the Wheel of the Law, marks the founding of the Buddhist Sangha. The Dhamek Stupa stands precisely on this hallowed spot — one of Buddhism’s four most sacred sites.
* The Sarnath Museum houses the original Ashoka Lion Capital — which became the national emblem of India. Entry is a mere 30 for foreign nationals.
Day
Combining the spiritual journey of the Buddhist Circuit with the Taj Mahal creates a truly unique travel experience — from the Bodhi Tree to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Taj Mahal, commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a testament to eternal love, is not merely an architectural marvel — it is a monument to the deepest human longing for transcendence. In the golden light of sunset, its white marble domes glow like a vision from another world.
The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. Entry: ~INR 1,100 for foreign nationals. The Taj is best photographed at sunrise or sunset — the light is special.
Day
As your sacred journey draws to a close, you carry with you something that cannot be measured in photographs or souvenirs — the memory of sitting beneath the Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya, of standing at the Vajrasana where the Buddha touched the earth, of the Ganga Aarti at dusk in Varanasi, and now the beautiful sunrise glow of the Taj Mahal. These are not just places you have visited — they are places that have visited you.
Allow 4–5 hours from Agra to Delhi airport in traffic. Depart Agra by 11:00 AM for evening international flights.
All hotels are selected based on their proximity to Buddhist sites, quality of vegetarian dining, experience with international Buddhist groups, and consistent guest ratings. Rooms are on double occupancy (twin/double bed available on request).
Delhi
One of Delhi’s finest properties — home to Bukhara restaurant. Excellent locationn near diplomatic enclave. Buddhist pilgrims will appreciate the serene ambience and impeccable service.
Room Rate: ₹12,000–₹18,000
Shravasti
Purpose-built for Buddhist pilgrims near the Jetavana Monastery site. Peaceful gardens, vegetarian dining, and Japanese-style service. Ideal for meditation retreats.
Room Rate: ₹4,500–₹6,500
Lumbini
A 5-star resort with a spa in Bhairahawa, about 30 minutes by road from the Lumbini Sacred Garden and the Maya Devi Temple.
Room Rate: On request
Kushinagar
Adjacent to the Mahaparinirvana Temple complex. The finest hotel in Kushinagar, featuring a serene garden, meditation room, and knowledgeable local guides.
Room Rate: ₹5,000–₹7,000
Patna
A 5-star Taj hotel on Buddha Marg in central Patna, opened in 2024. Easy access to Patna Airport, the railway station and the road to Nalanda and Rajgir.
Room Rate: On request
Rajgir
A Japanese-managed hotel — perfectly suited to Buddhist pilgrims from Thailand, Japan, and Sri Lanka. Zen-like gardens, Japanese and Indian vegetarian menus, and utstanding service.
Room Rate: ₹6,000–₹9,000
Bodhgaya
Bodhgaya’s thematic 5-star hotel, a short drive from the Mahabodhi Temple. Swimming pool, spa, fitness centre and vegetarian dining.
Room Rate: On request
Varanasi
A 5-star hotel set in large tropical gardens, with an outdoor pool, spa and two restaurants. Convenient for Sarnath and the Ganges ghats.
Room Rate: On request
Agra
Surrounded by Mughal-style gardens near the Taj Mahal. Considered the best hotel in Agra. Luxury rooms, beautiful pool, and a memorable ambience fitting the grandeur of the Taj.
Room Rate: ₹14,000–₹22,000
✦ Room rates are approximate for 2026-27 season (double occupancy). Rates vary by season. Peak season (Dec 15 – Feb 15) surcharge: +12–15%. All hotels are subject to availability at time of booking.
All prices are per person, based on double-sharing accommodation (twin rooms). Land cost only — international airfare not included. Prices in US Dollars (USD). GST applicable as per Government of India regulations.
| Group Size | Price/Person (USD) | Single Supplement | Peak Season + | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Pax | $1,950 | $500 | +12–15% | Minimum group — slightly higher unit cost |
| 15 Pax | $1,750 | $450 | +12–15% | Most popular group size — excellent value |
| 20 Pax | $1,590 | $420 | +12–15% | Large group — best transport economics |
| 25 Pax | $1,420 | $380 | +12–15% | Maximum single-coach group — lowest per-head cost |
| # | Component | Details | USD/Person |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hotels (11 nights): 5-star / best available | Double occupancy, all listed properties | $720 |
| 2 | Domestic Flights (2 sectors) | Delhi–Lucknow + Varanasi–Delhi (economy) | $160 |
| 3 | AC Private Coach (12 days) | Toyota Innova Crysta / Tempo Traveller (shared) | $240 |
| 4 | Expert Guide (12 days) | Licensed English/Thai-speaking heritage guide | $130 |
| 5 | Meals (B+D × 12 days) | Vegetarian breakfast & dinner | Buddhist diet available | $216 |
| 6 | Monument Entrance Fees | All listed UNESCO & heritage sites incl. Taj Mahal | $75 |
| 7 | Nepal Border Formalities | Visa assistance, border transfer, local coordination | $40 |
| 8 | Operations & Handling | 24/7 support, porterage, permits, contingency | $169 |
| TOTAL — 15 PAX GROUP | Land cost per person (double occ.) | $1,750 |
EXCLUDED: International airfare | Visa fees (except Nepal assistance) | Lunches | Personal expenses | Camera fees | Travel insurance | Tips & gratuities | Any sightseeing not listed in itinerary.
| Inclusions | Exclusions |
|---|---|
|
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Since 1999, Prime Value Tours has been the trusted name in Buddhist heritage travel in India and Nepal. We have guided thousands of pilgrims from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Australia, the UK, and the USA. We know these roads, these monasteries, and these sacred sites with a depth that no general tour operator can match. Our experience is your peace of mind.
Prime Value Tours Pvt. Ltd. is approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and is a proud member of IATO (Indian Association of Tour Operators). Our GST registration (09AZPPS0293R1Z7) ensures full legal compliance and transparent billing. You travel with a company you can trust.
We are one of a very small number of Buddhist circuit operators in India offering dedicated Thai-speaking licensed guides. For our Thai Buddhist pilgrim groups, this makes an immeasurable difference — not just in communication, but in the depth of the spiritual and cultural commentary our guides provide at every site.
All meals on our tours are vegetarian by default. Pure vegan options are always available. We work exclusively with hotels and restaurants that understand Buddhist dietary requirements — no cross-contamination, no hidden meat stocks, no alcohol at dinner. Monks and strict practitioners travel with us with complete confidence.
Our itinerary is designed to allow genuine meditation time — not just rushing through sites for photographs. At the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, at Vulture Peak in Rajgir, at the Jetavana Monastery in Shravasti — we build in quiet sitting time so pilgrims can connect deeply with the significance of each place.
We use well-maintained, air-conditioned vehicles — Toyota Innova Crysta for small groups, Tempo Travellers or Volvo coaches for larger groups. All vehicles are GPS-tracked. Drivers are experienced on the Buddhist Circuit routes and hold valid commercial licences. We do not use overcrowded public buses.
A dedicated Prime Value Tours representative is contactable 24 hours a day throughout your tour. For any emergency — medical, mechanical, or logistical — help is one phone call away. We also maintain relationships with hospitals, pharmacies, and embassies at all major stops.
Our pricing is clear, itemised, and honest. What you see in our cost table is what you pay. There are no surprise charges, no 'optional' fees that turn out to be mandatory, and no commission-driven shopping stops. We charge what we need to deliver an excellent experience — and not a rupee more.
FAQ
Quick answers about our 12-day Buddhist pilgrimage of India and Nepal with the Taj Mahal: route, group prices, hotels, visas and safety.
The tour visits all the main holy places of the Buddha’s life plus the Taj Mahal: Delhi, Lucknow, Sravasti, Lumbini (Nepal), Kushinagar, Vaishali, Patna, Nalanda, Rajgir, Bodh Gaya, Varanasi (Sarnath) and Agra. It includes 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
By private air-conditioned coach (Toyota Innova, Tempo Traveller or Volvo for 20+ people), with two domestic flights included: Delhi to Lucknow, and Varanasi to Delhi.
Land-only prices per person (twin sharing): USD 1,950 for 10 pilgrims, USD 1,750 for 15, USD 1,590 for 20 and USD 1,420 for 25. International airfare is not included. A single supplement and peak-season surcharge apply.
11 nights in 5-star hotels (best available in Shravasti, Kushinagar and Rajgir), the two domestic flights, a private AC coach, a licensed English or Thai-speaking guide for all 12 days, daily breakfast and dinner (pure vegetarian or Buddhist-vegan on request), all monument entrance fees including the Taj Mahal, help at the Nepal border, and an evening Ganga Aarti in Varanasi.
A minimum of 10 and a maximum of 25 pilgrims per coach. Larger groups pay a lower price per person.
October to March is best, with cool and pleasant weather. Avoid May to September because of the heat and the monsoon.
Many pilgrims want to see India’s most famous monument on the same trip. The Taj Mahal visit in Agra is added at the end of the pilgrimage, close to Delhi, for your flight home.
Yes. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Lumbini in Nepal welcome international Buddhist pilgrims every year. With licensed guides, private transport and our 24/7 support, your group is well looked after.
Yes. A licensed English or Thai-speaking guide accompanies your group for all 12 days.
For India, apply online for an Indian e-Tourist Visa before travel. For Lumbini, most international travellers need a Nepal visa, available on arrival at the border. We handle all border formalities as part of the tour.
Send us your group size and travel dates by WhatsApp (+91-9794122849), LINE or email. We send your detailed itinerary and quotation within 24 hours.
Still have a question? WhatsApp us at +91-9794122849 or chat with us on LINE.
If this guide has stirred something in your heart, perhaps the time is right. At Prime Value Tours, we have been walking alongside Buddhist pilgrims for over 25 years — from the Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya to the serene gardens of Lumbini, from Vulture Peak in Rajgir to the golden Ganga Aarti in Varanasi. We would be honoured to plan your pilgrimage.
