Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour Packages

With the growth of tourism in India, connectivity to these places has improved a great deal. Our Buddhist tour packages in India and Nepal make travel to these spiritual centres convenient. The pilgrimage runs from Lumbini to Bodh Gaya and on to Sarnath and Kushinagar, covering the sites, stupas and places related to the life and teachings of the Buddha.

At a Glance

Our Buddhist Tour Packages

All prices are per person on twin sharing. Packages are fully customizable: duration, hotel category and starting city can be adjusted. Contact us for group rates and single occupancy pricing.

Which Buddhist Tour Package Suits You

A Buddhist tour package from Delhi suits travellers arriving by international or domestic flight. If you are already in eastern India, starting from Varanasi or Bodhgaya saves a day of travel.

About Buddhism

Buddhism is one of the oldest and most widely followed religions in the world. It emerged in the Gangetic plains of northeastern India around the 5th century BC and has gained a following all over the world. From India, the teachings spread across borders to China, Korea and Japan. The Buddha taught in the language of the common people, and the earliest scriptures of the religion survive in Pali.

About Siddharth Gautam

The founder of Buddhism was Siddharth Gautam. Traditional accounts date his life to c. 563 to 483 BCE, though scholars differ on the exact years. He was born into a royal family in Lumbini (present-day Nepal).

Gautam led a privileged life because of his position and social standing. In time he felt unfulfilled by these privileges and wanted a different purpose in life. After seeing an old man, a sick person, a corpse and an ascetic, he left the royal indulgences, his wife and his child to pursue the greater meaning in life.

He gained enlightenment while meditating under a Peepal tree (Ficus religiosa) in Bodh Gaya. This sacred tree is now known as the Bodhi Tree. After this he walked across northern India spreading the teachings of dharma, beginning with his first sermon at the Deer Park in Sarnath.

Buddhist Teachings

The Four Noble Truths

The primary feature of any Buddhist teaching is the concept of four noble truths in life. These are: the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering.

To put it simply, suffering exists, it stems from somewhere and it can come to an end. The intention of talking about suffering is to offer a practical way of dealing with the world as it is.

Buddhist Pilgrimage Places

Places of Buddhist relevance mostly lie in the Indo-Gangetic Plain of Nepal and North India. These are the places where Gautam Buddha was born, lived, attained enlightenment and taught. Here are the four main Buddhist pilgrimage sites, which tradition says were named by the Buddha himself:

• Lumbini, Nepal: Birthplace of Siddharth Gautam and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1997). The Maya Devi Temple marks the birth spot. Also visit the Ashoka Pillar (249 BCE), the Bodhi Tree and the zone of international monasteries built by Buddhist communities from many countries.

• Bodh Gaya, Bihar: The most sacred site in Buddhism, where Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. The Mahabodhi Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2002). Also visit the 80 feet Great Buddha Statue, Niranjana River and Sujata Temple.

• Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh: Where the enlightened Buddha delivered his first sermon in the Deer Park. Located about 10 km from Varanasi, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2026. Key sites: Dhamek Stupa (43.6 metres high), Chaukhandi Stupa, Mulagandha Kuti Vihar and Sarnath Archaeological Museum, which houses the original Lion Capital of Ashoka.

• Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh: Where Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana (final liberation). The Mahaparinirvana Temple houses a 6.1 metre reclining Buddha statue. The Rambhar Stupa marks the cremation site.

The extended Buddhist circuit also includes:

• Rajgir, Bihar: Where Buddha spent several rainy seasons and delivered important teachings. Visit Gridhakuta (Vulture's Peak) and Shanti Stupa (Japanese Peace Pagoda, accessible by ropeway).

• Nalanda, Bihar: Site of the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara, which UNESCO describes as the most ancient university of the Indian subcontinent. Buddhist scholars from across Asia came here to study. UNESCO World Heritage Site (2016).

• Vaishali, Bihar: Where Buddha spent his last rainy season and announced his approaching Mahaparinirvana. The Ashoka Pillar here is among the best preserved. Also visit the World Peace Pagoda and the Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum and Memorial Stupa, opened in July 2025.

• Sravasti, Uttar Pradesh: Where Buddha spent about 25 rainy seasons. The Jetavana Gardens and Sahet-Mahet ruins are the main pilgrimage sites.

• Ajanta and Ellora, Maharashtra: Rock-cut Buddhist monasteries, prayer halls and murals near Aurangabad. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

• Sikkim and Darjeeling: Hill monasteries around Gangtok and Darjeeling.

• Leh Ladakh: Monasteries at Alchi and Lamayuru. Leh is at about 3,500 metres. The Leh district administration requires tourists to spend at least 48 hours acclimatising in Leh before going to higher areas.

Best Time to Visit Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites

This table applies to the plains. Ladakh follows a different season because its winters are severe, so ask us for suitable months for the Leh Ladakh and Sikkim tours.

How to Reach the Buddhist Circuit

By Air: Fly into Gaya (GAY) for Bodhgaya, about 7 km from the airport, or Varanasi (VNS) for Sarnath. Use Patna (PAT) for Nalanda, Rajgir and Vaishali, and Gorakhpur for Kushinagar and Lumbini. Flights at Kushinagar International Airport (KBK) have been irregular, so check current airline schedules before relying on it.

By Train: Gaya Junction (for Bodhgaya, 15 to 17 km), Varanasi Junction (for Sarnath) and Gorakhpur Junction (for Kushinagar, 51 km). Kushinagar has no railway station of its own. IRCTC runs the Mahaparinirvan Express, a dedicated Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train from Delhi covering the major sites.

By Road: All Buddhist circuit sites lie within the Indo-Gangetic plains. Roads in Bihar and UP have improved significantly. Namaste India Trip provides an AC private vehicle throughout all packages.

Buddhist Circuit Route and Road Distances

Distances are approximate. Drive times change with traffic and road work. The figures for Sarnath, Bodhgaya, Vaishali, Gorakhpur and Sravasti come from district administration websites.

Buddhist Circuit Train: Mahaparinirvan Express

The IRCTC Buddhist circuit train is a 7 night, 8 day tour that starts from Delhi Safdarjung station. It covers Bodhgaya, Rajgir and Nalanda, Varanasi and Sarnath, Lumbini, Kushinagar, Sravasti and Agra. Published 2026-27 fares for the full tour are about ₹95,000 per person in AC 2nd Class and ₹1,15,000 in AC 1st Class. IRCTC sets the fares and departure dates and sometimes runs promotional offers, so check the current fare before booking.

Why Choose Namaste India Trip for Buddhist Pilgrimage Tours

• ABTO (Association of Buddhist Tour Operators) member. [TEAM: add membership number]

• Ministry of Tourism, Government of India approved. ISO certified. [TEAM: add approval and certificate numbers]

• Specialist Buddhist circuit packages with guides trained for the Buddhist pilgrimage route.

• Nepal border crossing assistance included for packages covering Lumbini.

• IRCTC affiliated. Mahaparinirvan Express (Buddhist Circuit Train) bookings arranged.

• Fully customizable packages. Choose any part of the circuit, starting city and hotel tier.

• Group packages with a dedicated tour manager for religious groups, universities and temple associations.

• Inclusions and exclusions listed clearly for every package. 24x7 customer support.

Contact Us

Regional Associates Offices

• Head Office: Wz-25 A, Nangli Jalib, B1, Janakpuri, New Delhi 110058, India

• Branch offices: Delhi, Ujjain, Hyderabad, Pune, Kashmir, Bengaluru, Dehradun

• Overseas Offices: USA, Sri Lanka, Nepal

Package Inclusions and Exclusions

Package Inclusions

• AC vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing throughout the circuit

• Hotel accommodation on twin sharing basis (as per selected package tier)

• Daily breakfast and dinner

• Driver allowance, fuel, toll charges and parking fees

• Pick-up and drop-off at airport or railway station

• Sightseeing assistance and local support at all destinations

Package Exclusions

• Airfare or train tickets (unless specified in package)

• Monument entry fees and boat ride charges

• Nepal visa fees and border documentation charges (for Lumbini packages)

• Lunch and personal expenses

• Travel insurance

• Anything not mentioned in inclusions

Travel Tips for the Buddhist Circuit

• For Lumbini, Indian citizens should carry a valid Indian passport or the original Voter ID card issued by the Election Commission. Do not rely on Aadhaar as a travel document for Nepal.

• Dress modestly at temples and monasteries, and remove shoes before entering shrines.

• Plastic bags and cups are banned inside the Mahabodhi Temple premises.

• Senior travellers should ask for an itinerary that splits the longest drives over two days.