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PROPOSED ITINERARY

Sarnath and Kushinagar Buddhist Journey 3 nights, 4 days.

An Uttar Pradesh Buddhist journey: Sarnath and Kushinagar, from Varanasi to Gorakhpur

This four-day Buddhist journey within Uttar Pradesh begins as soon as you arrive in Varanasi, with an afternoon at Sarnath, where the Buddha first taught: the Dhamek Stupa, the Archaeological Museum and the Mulagandha Kuti Vihara. The next day a drive of about six hours carries you north to Kushinagar. A full day there takes in the Mahaparinirvana Temple with its reclining Buddha, the Ramabhar Stupa at the place of cremation and the Matha Kuar shrine, before the short drive to Gorakhpur on Day 4.

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The Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath
The Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath
WHERE YOU STAY
  1. 1NVaranasi (for Sarnath)
  2. 2NKushinagar
AT A GLANCE

Who it suits, and how it moves.

Buddhist pilgrims and travellers with limited days who want the place of the first teaching and the place of the parinirvana in one short journey, and can manage one long road day.

Proposed duration
3 nights · 4 days. 3N/4D, with two nights in Kushinagar; a night in Varanasi can be added before Sarnath
Travel style
A compact private journey: Sarnath on the afternoon you arrive, one road day north, and a full, unhurried day among the stupas and shrines of Kushinagar.
Arrive
Varanasi: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (Babatpur), or Varanasi Junction and Banaras railway stations.
Depart
Gorakhpur airport or Gorakhpur Junction, about 55 km and an hour and a half by road from Kushinagar.

Sarnath is visited on the afternoon of Day 1, so arrive in Varanasi by about 1 pm; the Sarnath museum is closed on Fridays. A later arrival moves Sarnath to the morning of Day 2, before the drive. Kushinagar's own airport has had no regular scheduled flights since November 2023; we plan around Gorakhpur unless a current schedule is confirmed. Fog in December and January can delay flights and trains.

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 Arrival & SarnathOvernight in Varanasi
Buddhist monks in orange robes walking along a street
  1. On arrivalArrival
    Meet your driver

    Your driver meets you at the airport or station and takes you to the hotel. Premium and Luxury guests are also welcomed by a member of the team.

  2. MiddayRest
    Check in and lunch

    A short rest before Sarnath.

  3. AfternoonVisit
    Sarnath

    About half an hour north of the city, the deer park where the Buddha gave his first teaching: the Dhamek Stupa and the ruins of the old monasteries, the Archaeological Museum with the Ashokan lion capital, and the Mulagandha Kuti Vihara with its murals. The museum is closed on Fridays.

  4. EveningFree time
    A quiet evening

    Dinner at the hotel or nearby. An evening on the Ganges can be added if you wish.

Overnight · Varanasi

Day 2Varanasi to KushinagarOvernight in Kushinagar
A white Toyota Innova Crysta, the kind of car used for private transfers
  1. After breakfastOn the road
    Scenic drive to Kushinagar

    About 240 to 260 km through the farmland of eastern Uttar Pradesh, usually around six hours with stops for tea and lunch.

  2. AfternoonRest
    Hotel check-in

    Time to settle in after the drive.

  3. EveningFree time
    At leisure

    A quiet evening. The Mahaparinirvana Temple is a short walk or drive from most hotels if you want a first look.

Overnight · Kushinagar

Day 3Kushinagar Buddhist ExplorationOvernight in Kushinagar
The Mahaparinirvana Temple at Kushinagar
  1. Early morningVisit
    Mahaparinirvana Temple

    The temple of the reclining Buddha, a 5th-century image about six metres long that marks the Buddha's parinirvana, and the stupa behind it, at the quiet hour before the day's groups arrive.

  2. MorningVisit
    Ramabhar Stupa and Matha Kuar Shrine

    The great brick stupa at Ramabhar, which by tradition marks the place of the Buddha's cremation, and the Matha Kuar shrine with its seated Buddha image, a short drive apart.

  3. MiddayRest
    Lunch and rest

    Back to the hotel through the heat of the day.

  4. AfternoonFree time
    The monasteries of Kushinagar

    Temples built by Buddhist communities from Thailand, Japan, Myanmar and elsewhere stand within a short distance of each other. Visit them at your own pace, or keep the afternoon for meditation.

Overnight · Kushinagar

Day 4Departure via GorakhpurDeparture day
The facade of Varanasi Junction railway station
  1. After breakfastOn the road
    Transfer to Gorakhpur

    About an hour and a half to Gorakhpur airport or Gorakhpur Junction, timed to your flight or train.

  2. At your departure timeDeparture
    Departure

    Your driver drops you for your onward journey.

Overnight · Departure day

BEFORE YOU DECIDE

Walking, early starts and the season.

Walking and steps

Sarnath and Kushinagar are largely flat, but each visit involves one to two kilometres on brick paths, lawns and uneven ruins. Shoes come off inside temples and shrines.

Early starts

The early visit to the Mahaparinirvana Temple on Day 3 is by choice. The road day starts after breakfast, around 8 am.

Boats and boarding

There are no boat outings on this journey. At Sarnath and Kushinagar the car parks are a short walk from each site.

Mobility

Day 2 is a long road day, about six hours with stops. Ruins have uneven ground and few ramps; tell us early about mobility needs so we can assess each site. We do not describe this route as fully accessible.

Season

October to March is the main season, with fog in December and January that can slow roads and delay flights. April to June is very hot, so visits keep to early morning and late afternoon. July to September is monsoon. Kushinagar is busiest with pilgrim groups in winter and around Buddha Purnima.

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 hotels, such as Lotus Nikko, Kushinagar↑ Upgrade from Standard
  • AC Innova Crysta or similar SUV with chauffeur↑ Upgrade from Standard
  • Expert Buddhist heritage scholar as your guide↑ Upgrade from Standard
  • Named coordinator and a welcome on arrival↑ Upgrade from Standard
Everything included in Premium · 6
Get a quote
Level 3 of 3

Luxury

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

  • Luxury 5-star or top boutique hotel in Varanasi↑ Upgrade from Premium
  • Best available premium property in Kushinagar↑ Upgrade from Premium
  • Luxury SUV with a chauffeur throughout↑ Upgrade from Premium
  • Private Buddhist scholar at Sarnath and Kushinagar↑ Upgrade from Premium
Everything included in Luxury · 12
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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 in Varanasi and Kushinagar, or a monastery guest house in Kushinagar where one has rooms. Subject to availability and named in your quotation.Selected 4-star hotels in Varanasi and Kushinagar, such as the Lotus Nikko in Kushinagar. Subject to availability and named in your quotation.A luxury 5-star or top boutique hotel in Varanasi, and the best available premium property in Kushinagar, which has no 5-star hotels. Subject to availability and named in your quotation.
VehiclePrivate air-conditioned sedan, such as a Dzire or Etios, with a driver, sized to your party and luggage. The driver is not a sightseeing guide. The vehicle is subject to availability and named in your quotation.Air-conditioned Innova Crysta or similar SUV with an experienced chauffeur, subject to availability and named in your quotation.A luxury SUV, such as a Fortuner, Mercedes or suitable alternative, with a chauffeur throughout, selected to suit your party and this route. The vehicle is subject to availability and named in your quotation.
MealsBreakfast on all three hotel nights. Lunches and dinners are not included.Breakfast daily. Lunches and dinners are not included.Breakfast daily, plus lunch on the road day (Day 2). Other meals are not included.
BoatNot included. An evening on the Ganges in Varanasi can be added.Not included. A private evening on the Ganges in Varanasi can be added.Not included. A private evening on the Ganges in Varanasi can be added.
DarshanNot a darshan itinerary. Visits to the stupas, temples and monasteries are planned around opening hours and the heat.Not a darshan itinerary. Your scholar guide accompanies each site visit and explains its place in the Buddha's life.Not a darshan itinerary. Your concierge plans each visit around opening hours, crowds and any meditation time you wish to keep; no special access is promised.
AssistanceA named remote coordinator, by phone and WhatsApp, before and during the journey. No accompanying host.A named coordinator throughout, a welcome on arrival, and scholar-guided visits at Sarnath and Kushinagar.A dedicated travel concierge for the whole journey, a personal host for the listed days and support hours agreed in your quotation. This is not unlimited round-the-clock cover.
GuidingA local guide for the Sarnath visit (Day 1) and the Kushinagar sites (Day 3).An expert Buddhist heritage scholar at Sarnath (Day 1) and at the Kushinagar sites (Day 3).A private Buddhist scholar with you at Sarnath (Day 1) and through the Kushinagar day (Day 3).
AdmissionsEntry tickets at the protected site and museum in Sarnath are paid locally.Entry tickets for the guided visit at Sarnath, including the museum, are included.Entry tickets for all listed site visits, including the Sarnath museum, are included.
PhotographyOptional. A professional photography session can be added.Optional. A professional photography session can be added.A defined professional photography session of about two hours at Sarnath or Kushinagar, with edited image count and delivery time stated in your quotation. Photography inside shrines follows each site's rules.
SecurityOn request, quoted separately.On request, quoted separately.Included when requested, applicable and expressly accepted in your final quotation. It never means queue-clearing or special access.
Everything Premium includes, day by day
  • Airport and railway station transfersDay 1 arrival and final-day departure

    Arrival transfer from Varanasi airport or station, and drop at Gorakhpur airport or Gorakhpur Junction on the last day

    Included
  • Private chauffeured transportDay 1 to Day 4

    Private chauffeured transport for the whole route in the upgraded vehicle group below

    Included, part of the journey
  • Premium and luxury vehicle upgradeDay 1 to Day 4

    Vehicle group upgraded to an Innova Crysta or similar SUV, subject to availability and named in your quotation

    Included
  • Arrival welcome and assistanceDay 1 · Arrival

    A member of the team welcomes you at Varanasi airport or station and sees you to the hotel. No restricted-area or baggage-hall access is implied

    Included
  • Sarnath with a Specialist GuideDay 1 · Day 1 afternoon

    Sarnath with an expert Buddhist heritage scholar, about two and a half hours, including site and museum entry tickets

    Included
  • Private sightseeing or specialist guideDay 3 · Day 3 morning

    Expert Buddhist heritage scholar for the Mahaparinirvana Temple, Ramabhar Stupa and Matha Kuar, about three hours

    Included
More services you can add to Premium · 21

Want just one thing from a higher tier?

Keep Premium and add any of these on their own. They are quoted with your journey.

ADD TO THIS JOURNEY

Add them to My Journey. If something is already part of your tier it shows as included, and nothing is charged twice.

Priests raising flaming lamps at the evening Ganga Aarti, Dashashwamedh Ghat, VaranasiOn the river

Varanasi, the Ganga off Dashashwamedh Ghat

Evening on the Ganges

An evening on the Ganga: a boat along the ghats at dusk, then the Ganga aarti, watched from the water or from an arranged place on the ghat.

The Dhamek Stupa at SarnathExcursions

Sarnath, near Varanasi

Sarnath with a Specialist Guide

A visit to Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first teaching, with a specialist guide to the stupas, ruins and museum, and transport and entry listed separately.

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.

Why does the journey end at Gorakhpur?

Kushinagar has an airport, but it has had no regular scheduled flights since November 2023. Gorakhpur, about an hour and a half away, has an airport with daily flights and a major railway junction.

Can Shravasti be added?

Yes. The Sarnath, Kushinagar and Shravasti Pilgrimage adds Shravasti over two more nights and ends in Lucknow.

What if we arrive in Varanasi late?

Sarnath is planned for the afternoon of Day 1. If your flight or train arrives after about 1 pm, or Day 1 is a Friday when the museum is closed, we move Sarnath to the morning of Day 2 and start the drive to Kushinagar a little later, or suggest an extra night in Varanasi.

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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