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PROPOSED ITINERARY

Buddhist Pilgrimage across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar 9 nights, 10 days.

Varanasi (Sarnath), Bodh Gaya, Rajgir and Nalanda, Vaishali, Kushinagar and Shravasti, ending in Lucknow

This is the full journey through the places of the Buddha's life in India: the first teaching at Sarnath, the awakening at Bodh Gaya, Vulture Peak at Rajgir, the monastic university at Nalanda, the relic stupa at Vaishali, the passing at Kushinagar and the rainy seasons at Shravasti. It runs by road from Varanasi to Lucknow, with a night at Rajgir or Patna to break the drive north, two nights at the places that most reward time and a last night in Lucknow before you fly or take the train home.

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The Vishwa Shanti Stupa at Rajgir in the evening
The Vishwa Shanti Stupa at Rajgir in the evening
WHERE YOU STAY
  1. 2NVaranasi
  2. 2NBodh Gaya
  3. 1NRajgir or Patna
  4. 2NKushinagar
  5. 1NShravasti
  6. 1NLucknow
AT A GLANCE

Who it suits, and how it moves.

Buddhist pilgrims who want the principal sites of the Buddha's life in India in one journey, and are comfortable with several long road days.

Proposed duration
9 nights · 10 days. 9N/10D, Varanasi to Lucknow, with a night in Lucknow before departure. The Day 5 night is at Rajgir or Patna, chosen with you; Patna shortens the next day's drive. A 10N/11D version adds a rest night at Bodh Gaya.
Travel style
Private journey by road with six bases. Long drives alternate with full site days, and the pace is set so that no site is rushed.
Arrive
Varanasi: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport at Babatpur, or Varanasi Junction railway station.
Depart
Lucknow: Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport or Lucknow Charbagh railway station.

Day 9 ends in Lucknow, so Day 10 suits a departure at any hour. The drive to Kushinagar via Vaishali on Day 6 is the longest of the journey, and winter fog in December and January can slow the road days.

DAY BY DAY

The days, with time to breathe.

A proposed programme with its travel and rest built in. We adjust the order to your arrival, the season and your pace.

Day 1Varanasi ArrivalOvernight in Varanasi
Colourful boats and temples on the ghats of Varanasi
  1. On arrivalArrival
    Pick-up and hotel check-in

    Your driver meets you at the airport or railway station, with an arrival host in Premium and Luxury, for the drive to your hotel.

  2. Afternoon and eveningRest
    Rest

    Nothing is planned for the first day. Your coordinator confirms tomorrow's timings.

Overnight · Varanasi

Day 2Sarnath & VaranasiOvernight in Varanasi
The Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath
  1. MorningOn the road
    Drive to Sarnath

    About 10 km, usually 30 to 45 minutes.

  2. Morning and early afternoonVisit
    Sarnath with a specialist guide

    The Chaukhandi and Dhamek stupas, the excavated monasteries, the Mulagandhakuti Vihara and the Lion Capital in the Sarnath Museum, which is closed on Fridays.

  3. AfternoonRest
    Rest

    Back to the hotel through the middle of the day.

  4. EveningExperience
    The Ganga aarti

    The evening aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, watched from the ghat in Standard and from a private boat in Premium and Luxury, river conditions permitting. It is a Hindu ritual, watched as a guest.

Overnight · Varanasi

Day 3Varanasi to Bodh GayaOvernight in Bodh Gaya
A white Toyota Innova Crysta, the kind of car used for private transfers
  1. After an early breakfastOn the road
    Varanasi to Bodh Gaya

    About 250 km on the Grand Trunk Road, generally six to seven hours with a lunch stop.

  2. EveningRest
    Check in and rest

    Rest after the road, or a first short visit to the Mahabodhi for the evening chanting.

Overnight · Bodh Gaya

Day 4Bodh Gaya Sacred SitesOvernight in Bodh Gaya
The Mahabodhi Temple among trees, Bodh Gaya
  1. From 5 amVisit
    The Mahabodhi Temple at opening

    The Vajrasana, the Bodhi Tree and the shrines of the weeks after the awakening, in the calm hours after opening.

  2. Late morningRest
    Rest

    The middle of the day is kept free.

  3. AfternoonVisit
    The international monasteries

    National monasteries built by Buddhist communities from across Asia, the 80-foot Great Buddha Statue and, across the river, the Sujata Stupa at Bakraur.

Overnight · Bodh Gaya

Day 5Rajgir & Nalanda RuinsOvernight in Rajgir or Patna
Excavated ruins of Nalanda University
  1. Early morningOn the road
    Bodh Gaya to Rajgir

    About 75 km, generally two to two and a half hours by car.

  2. MorningVisit
    Vulture Peak and Venuvana

    The ropeway to the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, the stepped path to Gridhakuta, and the bamboo grove of Venuvana that King Bimbisara is said to have given to the Buddha.

  3. MiddayOn the road
    Rajgir to Nalanda

    About 12 to 15 km, under half an hour.

  4. AfternoonVisit
    The ruins of Nalanda

    The monasteries and temples of Nalanda Mahavihara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a site guide. The museum is usually closed on Fridays.

  5. EveningRest
    Overnight at Rajgir or Patna

    Back to Rajgir, about half an hour, or on to Patna, about two and a half hours, which shortens tomorrow's drive. The choice is made with you and shown in your quotation.

Overnight · Rajgir or Patna

Day 6Rajgir/Patna to Vaishali & KushinagarOvernight in Kushinagar
Farmers at work with a tractor in the countryside
  1. After an early breakfastOn the road
    North across the Ganga to Vaishali

    From Patna about 55 to 60 km, under two hours; from Rajgir about 150 km, generally four hours.

  2. Late morningVisit
    Vaishali and the relic stupa

    The Relic Stupa, where tradition holds that the Licchavis enshrined their share of the Buddha's ashes, and the Ashokan pillar with its lion capital at Kolhua. Vaishali is where the Buddha is said to have announced his coming passing.

  3. AfternoonOn the road
    On to Kushinagar

    About 200 km, generally five hours with stops.

  4. EveningRest
    Check in and rest

    A quiet evening after the longest road day of the journey.

Overnight · Kushinagar

Day 7Kushinagar PilgrimageOvernight in Kushinagar
The Mahaparinirvana Temple at Kushinagar
  1. Early morningVisit
    Mahaparinirvana Temple

    The temple of the reclining Buddha, an ancient image about six metres long, at the place where tradition says the Buddha passed away.

  2. MiddayRest
    Rest

    Back to the hotel through the middle of the day.

  3. AfternoonVisit
    Ramabhar Stupa

    The great brick stupa marking the place of the cremation, and the Mathakuar shrine on the way.

Overnight · Kushinagar

Day 8Kushinagar to ShravastiOvernight in Shravasti
A white Toyota Fortuner, a premium vehicle option
  1. After breakfastOn the road
    Kushinagar to Shravasti

    About 250 km via Gorakhpur, generally six to seven hours by car.

  2. EveningRest
    Check in and rest

    A quiet evening; Jetavana is kept for the cool of tomorrow morning.

Overnight · Shravasti

Day 9Shravasti to LucknowOvernight in Lucknow
Anathapindika's Stupa at Jetavana, Shravasti
  1. Early morningVisit
    Jetavana Monastery

    The monastery garden given by the merchant Anathapindika, where the Buddha spent many rainy seasons, with the Anandabodhi tree and the old city of Mahet nearby.

  2. Late morningOn the road
    Drive to Lucknow

    About 170 km, generally four to five hours.

  3. EveningRest
    A last night in Lucknow

    Check in and rest; nothing else is planned.

Overnight · Lucknow

Day 10DepartureDeparture day
The Rumi Darwaza gateway on a calm day, Lucknow
  1. As your ticket requiresDeparture
    Transfer to Lucknow airport or station

    Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport or Charbagh railway station, timed to your ticket.

Overnight · Departure

BEFORE YOU DECIDE

Walking, early starts and the season.

Walking and steps

Each site day involves two to three hours on foot, mostly on level ground, with steps at the Mahabodhi and a stepped climb at Vulture Peak.

Early starts

Several early starts are suggested to reach sites in the cool and leave on time for the long drives.

Boats and boarding

The aarti boat in Varanasi, in Premium and Luxury, needs a few uneven ghat steps. Boats run only when river levels and local administration allow, and the Rajgir ropeway can close for maintenance.

Mobility

Four long road days make this journey demanding, the longest on Day 6. A 10N/11D version adds a rest night. Wheelchair access is assessed site by site.

Season

October to March is best. Fog in December and January can slow the road days; April to June is very hot, and monsoon rain falls from July to September.

CHOOSE YOUR COMFORT

Standard, Premium or Luxury.

The same journey at three levels of comfort and support. The quotation names the actual hotels, vehicle and inclusions before you pay anything.

Level 2 of 3

Premium

Better stays and more help: private boats, escorted darshan, a stronger car.

  • 4-star circuit hotels where available↑ Upgrade from Standard
  • Air-conditioned Innova Crysta↑ Upgrade from Standard
  • Monument tickets booked ahead at every site↑ Upgrade from Standard
  • Specialist guides at every site↑ Upgrade from Standard
Everything included in Premium · 8
Get a quote
Level 3 of 3

Luxury

The finest stays, a luxury car and every special session handled for you.

  • 5-star hotels, best available where there are none↑ Upgrade from Premium
  • Luxury SUV for the long road days↑ Upgrade from Premium
  • Full private concierge, every entry ticket arranged↑ Upgrade from Premium
  • Specialised Buddhist scholar at every site↑ Upgrade from Premium
  • Premium meals: breakfast and dinner daily+ New, not in Premium
Everything included in Luxury · 13
Get a quote

Every level: a named coordinator on phone and WhatsApp, and one complete quotation before any payment.

Compare every detail, row by row
StandardPremiumLuxury
HotelsSelected 3-star hotels, or quality lodges where a stop has no suitable hotel; at Rajgir, Kushinagar and Shravasti the choice is limited. Subject to availability and named in your quotation.Selected 4-star hotels on the Buddhist circuit where available; where a stop has none, the best suitable option is named and described accurately in your quotation. Subject to availability.5-star hotels in Varanasi, Bodh Gaya and Lucknow, and at Patna if you halt there; at Rajgir, Kushinagar and Shravasti, which have none, the best available premium property. Subject to availability; the actual category and room at each stop are named in your quotation.
VehiclePrivate air-conditioned sedan for the whole journey, Varanasi to Lucknow, or a Tempo Traveller for larger groups, subject to availability and named in your quotation.Air-conditioned Toyota Innova Crysta, or an equivalent MPV, subject to availability and named in your quotation.A luxury SUV such as a Toyota Fortuner, or a suitable alternative, used only by your party, subject to availability and named in your quotation.
MealsBreakfast on all nine hotel nights.Breakfast daily.Premium meals: breakfast and dinner daily at your hotels or reserved restaurants, and lunch on the four long road days.
BoatNot included: the Day 2 aarti is watched from the ghat. A boat can be added.A private boat for the Ganga aarti on Day 2, river conditions permitting.Evening on the Ganges on Day 2: a private boat along the ghats at dusk with the aarti watched from the water, river conditions permitting.
DarshanNot applicable: this is a Buddhist journey. Temple visits follow each site's own rules, with no priority entry.Not applicable: this is a Buddhist journey. Temple visits follow each site's own rules, with no priority entry.Not applicable: this is a Buddhist journey. Temple visits follow each site's own rules, with no priority entry.
AssistanceA named remote coordinator throughout. No accompanying host.Remote coordinator throughout, an arrival host on Day 1 and a travel host on the main site days.Full private concierge for the whole journey and a personal host from Day 1 to Day 10, for the hours agreed in your quotation.
GuidingSpecialist guide at Sarnath and a site guide at Nalanda. Other sites are visited with regular access and your coordinator's notes unless guides are added.Specialist guides at Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Vaishali, Kushinagar and Shravasti.A specialised scholar of Buddhist history travels with you for the site days, with local site guides where a site requires its own.
AdmissionsSite and museum entries at Sarnath and Nalanda, and the Rajgir ropeway, at the regular counters. Camera tickets are not included.Site, museum and ropeway entries in the programme, booked ahead where the site allows so you skip the ticket counter. Camera tickets are not included.All site, museum and ropeway entries, booked ahead where the site allows, and camera tickets for the photography session where they apply.
PhotographyOptional: a professional photographer can be added on request.Optional: a professional photographer can be added on request.One professional session of about two hours at Bodh Gaya or Kushinagar where photography is permitted; deliverables stated in your quotation.
SecurityOn request, arranged and quoted separately.On request, arranged and quoted separately.Included when you request it, it applies to your route and it is expressly accepted in your final quotation, through a confirmed professional provider. It never means queue-clearing or access privileges.
Everything Premium includes, day by day
More services you can add to Premium · 21

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Boats lined up along the Ganges, VaranasiOn the river

Varanasi, the Ganga between the southern ghats and Dashashwamedh

The River Wakes

A guided sunrise boat experience

A guided sunrise boat on the Ganga, with the boat, guide, timing, capacity and boarding ghat stated in advance, as the ghats of Varanasi come to life.

Buddhist monks in orange robes walking along a street

Hosts, guides & companions · Quoted for your journey

Language assistance and interpreters

An interpreter or language assistant for visits, rituals and conversations, in the language you request, confirmed with a named supplier before your journey.

A wheelchair-accessible ramp beside a heritage building in India

Family, senior & accessible travel · Quoted for your journey

Wheelchair and mobility assistance

Wheelchairs, walking aids and assistants requested separately, with each part of your route assessed for steps, ramps and boarding before anything is confirmed.

A corridor at a heritage hotel in Bikaner

Stays, tickets & insurance · Quoted for your journey

Hotel stay extension or room upgrade

Add nights in a city or move to a better room category, with meals and room allocation reviewed by our team and confirmed in your quotation.

A Vande Bharat express at Varanasi Junction

Stays, tickets & insurance · Quoted for your journey

Flight and train booking assistance

Help finding and booking flights and trains that fit your journey, with fares and terms shown separately and nothing treated as confirmed until tickets are issued.

GOOD TO KNOW

Questions, answered.

Can Lumbini be added?

Lumbini is in Nepal and is not part of this journey. It can be discussed as a separate Nepal extension enquiry, with its own border formalities, route and quotation.

Why Rajgir or Patna on Day 5?

Day 6 drives north to Vaishali and Kushinagar, the longest road day. Staying in Patna after Nalanda takes about two hours off it; staying in Rajgir keeps the evening quieter. We suggest one with you and show it in your quotation.

Is there a shorter version?

Yes. Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, Rajgir and Nalanda work as a seven-day journey, and Sarnath, Kushinagar and Shravasti as a separate journey within Uttar Pradesh.

Availability and cancellation. Hotels, vehicles, boats, guides and temple arrangements are confirmed when we prepare your quotation, and they depend on dates, weather, river levels and the rules of each site. Cancellation terms follow the suppliers in your journey and are set out in the quotation. Booking terms

This is a request for a personalised quotation, not a booking. No payment is required to send your preferences.

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