Buddhist Circuit Tour from Varanasi to Lumbini for 9 Days

Travel Itinerary :

Day 1: Arrival in Varanasi – Sarnath Buddhist Heritage Tour

Arrive in Varanasi, one of India's most historic cities and an important gateway to the Buddhist Circuit.

Our representative will meet you at Varanasi Airport or Railway Station, provide a warm welcome and transfer you to your hotel.

After check-in and some time to relax, proceed to Sarnath, the sacred Buddhist site traditionally associated with Buddha's first sermon.

Visit:

• Dhamek Stupa
• Chaukhandi Stupa
• Mulagandha Kuti Vihara
• Buddhist temples and monasteries
• Archaeological Museum, subject to opening hours

In the evening, return to Varanasi and visit Dashashwamedh Ghat to experience the famous Ganga Aarti, subject to local arrangements.

Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Overnight: Varanasi
Meals: Breakfast
Highlights: Sarnath, Dhamek Stupa, Buddhist heritage, Ganga Aarti

Day 2: Varanasi to Bodhgaya – Mahabodhi Temple

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Bodhgaya.

Approximate driving time: 6–7 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.

Bodhgaya is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations and is traditionally associated with the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama.

On arrival, check in to your hotel.

Later, visit the Mahabodhi Temple Complex and the sacred Bodhi Tree.

Spend time exploring the surrounding Buddhist monasteries and temple complexes, subject to time and opening hours.

Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Overnight: Bodhgaya
Meals: Breakfast
Highlights: Bodhgaya, Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree

Day 3: Bodhgaya – Dungeshwari Caves, Sujata Village & Buddhist Monasteries

After breakfast, continue your exploration of Bodhgaya and its surrounding Buddhist heritage.

Visit the Dungeshwari Cave Temples, traditionally associated with Siddhartha Gautama's period of ascetic practice before enlightenment.

Continue to Sujata Village, traditionally associated with Sujata's offering of milk-rice to Siddhartha Gautama.

Later, explore selected Buddhist monasteries and temples in Bodhgaya. A meditation or monastery experience can be arranged where available and subject to the monastery's schedule.

Return to your hotel.

Overnight: Bodhgaya
Meals: Breakfast
Highlights: Dungeshwari Caves, Sujata Village, Buddhist monasteries

Day 4: Bodhgaya – Rajgir – Nalanda – Patna

After breakfast, check out and drive to Rajgir.

Visit important attractions including:

• Griddhakuta / Vulture's Peak
• Vishwa Shanti Stupa / World Peace Pagoda
• Venuvana
• Other Buddhist heritage sites, subject to available time

Continue to Nalanda, an ancient centre of Buddhist learning and scholarship.

Explore the Nalanda Mahavihara archaeological complex and learn about the region's historic Buddhist educational tradition.

After sightseeing, continue to Patna.

Check in to your hotel and relax.

Overnight: Patna
Meals: Breakfast
Highlights: Rajgir, Vulture's Peak, World Peace Pagoda, Nalanda

Day 5: Patna to Kushinagar – Mahaparinirvana Temple

After breakfast, check out and depart for Kushinagar.

Approximate driving time: 7–8 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.

On arrival, check in to your hotel.

Later, visit the important Buddhist pilgrimage sites of Kushinagar, including:

• Mahaparinirvana Temple
• Mahaparinirvana Stupa
• Rambhar Stupa
• Japanese Temple, subject to opening hours

Kushinagar is traditionally associated with Buddha's Mahaparinirvana and is one of the principal destinations on the Buddhist Circuit.

Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Overnight: Kushinagar
Meals: Breakfast
Highlights: Kushinagar, Mahaparinirvana Temple, Rambhar Stupa

Day 6: Kushinagar to Lumbini, Nepal – Birthplace of Buddha

After breakfast, check out and proceed towards Lumbini in Nepal.

Approximate driving time: 4–5 hours, excluding border formalities.

Cross the India–Nepal border and continue to Lumbini.

After hotel check-in, visit the Lumbini Sacred Garden, traditionally recognized as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama.

Visit:

• Maya Devi Temple
• Ashokan Pillar
• Eternal Peace Flame
• International Monastic Zone
• Selected Buddhist monasteries, subject to time and opening arrangements

Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Overnight: Lumbini, Nepal
Meals: Breakfast
Highlights: Lumbini, Maya Devi Temple, Buddhist monasteries

Day 7: Lumbini to Shravasti – Saheth & Maheth

After breakfast, check out and drive towards Shravasti in Uttar Pradesh, India.

Approximate driving time: 5–6 hours, depending on road conditions and border formalities.

On arrival, check in to your hotel.

Later, visit the archaeological and Buddhist heritage areas of Saheth and Maheth, including the Jetavana Monastery complex.

Explore other important sites depending on available time, including:

• Anathapindika Stupa
• Angulimala Stupa
• Jetavana archaeological remains
• Ananda Bodhi Tree, subject to access

Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Overnight: Shravasti
Meals: Breakfast
Highlights: Shravasti, Jetavana, Saheth, Maheth

Day 8: Shravasti to Gorakhpur – Local Sightseeing

After breakfast, check out and proceed towards Gorakhpur.

Approximate driving time: 5–6 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.

On arrival, check in to your hotel.

Later, enjoy Gorakhpur local sightseeing according to the available time and confirmed itinerary.

Possible sightseeing may include important local attractions such as Gorakhnath Temple, subject to opening hours, local conditions and the selected sightseeing plan.

Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Overnight: Gorakhpur
Meals: Breakfast
Highlights: Road journey, Gorakhpur local sightseeing

Day 9: Gorakhpur to Varanasi – Departure

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Varanasi.

Approximate driving time: 5–6 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.

On arrival in Varanasi, transfer to Varanasi Airport or Railway Station for your onward journey.

Your 8 Nights / 9 Days Buddhist Circuit Tour from Varanasi concludes with memorable experiences across the major Buddhist destinations of India and Nepal.

Meals: Breakfast
Tour Ends: Varanasi

Trip Inclusions :

• Meet & Greet at Varanasi Airport/Railway Station by our representative with a warm welcome on arrival.
• 01 night hotel accommodation in Varanasi with breakfast.
• 02 nights hotel accommodation in Bodhgaya with breakfast.
• 01 night hotel accommodation in Patna with breakfast.
• 01 night hotel accommodation in Kushinagar with breakfast.
• 01 night hotel accommodation in Lumbini, Nepal with breakfast.
• 01 night hotel accommodation in Shravasti with breakfast.
• 01 night hotel accommodation in Gorakhpur with breakfast.
• Local sightseeing as mentioned in the confirmed itinerary.
• All tour and intercity transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle according to group size.
• Pickup and drop-off from/to Varanasi Airport or Railway Station as applicable.
• All applicable toll taxes for the included route.
• Parking charges during scheduled sightseeing and transfers.
• Driver allowance and applicable driver-related charges.
• Daily packaged drinking water – 2 bottles of 500 ml per person, subject to the package plan.
• Hotel-to-hotel transfers throughout the scheduled itinerary.
• India–Nepal transportation as applicable to the confirmed route and vehicle arrangement.

Trip Exclusions :

• International or domestic airline tickets.
• Train tickets unless specifically mentioned.
• Monument, museum and archaeological site entrance fees.
• Tour guide charges, unless specifically included in the final quotation.
• Boat charges in Varanasi unless specifically included.
• VIP Darshan, special entry or priority access charges.
• Visa fees and immigration-related expenses.
• Nepal entry-related charges, where applicable.
• Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, room service, shopping and beverages.
• Tips and gratuities.
• Travel insurance.
• Medical expenses and emergency evacuation.
• Meals other than those specifically mentioned in the inclusions.
• Room upgrades.
• Early check-in and late check-out charges.
• Additional sightseeing outside the confirmed itinerary.
• Any additional transportation not specified in the package.
• Expenses arising from flight/train delays, cancellations, road closures, severe weather or circumstances beyond the operator's control.

FAQ :

Question: What is the Buddhist Circuit Tour?
Answer: The Buddhist Circuit Tour covers the important destinations associated with Gautama Buddha’s life, enlightenment, teachings, and Mahaparinirvana across India and Nepal.

Question: How many days is the Buddhist Circuit Tour?
Answer: This Buddhist Circuit Tour is an 8 Nights / 9 Days journey covering major Buddhist destinations in India and Nepal.

Question: Which places are covered in this Buddhist Circuit Tour?
Answer: The tour covers Varanasi, Sarnath, Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Patna, Kushinagar, Lumbini, Shravasti and Gorakhpur.

Question: Does the Buddhist Circuit Tour include Lumbini, Nepal?
Answer: Yes, the itinerary includes Lumbini in Nepal, traditionally recognized as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama.

Question: What are the four major Buddhist pilgrimage sites?
Answer: The four major Buddhist pilgrimage sites are Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar, associated with Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, first sermon and Mahaparinirvana.

Question: What is the best time to visit the Buddhist Circuit?
Answer: October to March is generally the best time, with more comfortable weather for sightseeing and long-distance travel.

Question: Is this Buddhist Circuit Tour suitable for senior citizens?
Answer: Yes, the tour can be arranged for senior citizens, although the itinerary includes some long road journeys. Private transportation and a relaxed itinerary can be arranged according to individual requirements.

Question: Is transportation included in the package?
Answer: Yes, the package includes private air-conditioned transportation for sightseeing and transfers according to the group size and confirmed itinerary.

Question: Are hotels included in the Buddhist Circuit package?
Answer: Yes, the package includes 8 nights of hotel accommodation with breakfast in Varanasi, Bodhgaya, Patna, Kushinagar, Lumbini, Shravasti and Gorakhpur.

Question: Are monument entrance tickets included?
Answer: No, monument, museum and archaeological site entrance fees are not included unless specifically mentioned in the final quotation.

Question: Is a tour guide included?
Answer: Guide services are not included by default but can be arranged on request, subject to availability and additional charges.

Question: Can this Buddhist Circuit Tour be customized?
Answer: Yes, the itinerary can be customized according to your travel dates, group size, hotel category, vehicle type, sightseeing preferences and additional travel requirements.

Question: What documents are required for travel to Nepal?
Answer: Requirements depend on your nationality and current immigration regulations. Travellers should carry valid travel documents and verify the latest India–Nepal entry and re-entry requirements before travel.

Question: Can international travellers book this Buddhist Circuit Tour?
Answer: Yes, international travellers can book the tour subject to applicable India and Nepal visa, passport and immigration requirements.

Question: Does the tour include Sarnath?
Answer: Yes, the tour includes Sarnath, traditionally associated with Buddha’s first sermon, along with important sites such as Dhamek Stupa and other Buddhist monuments.

Question: Is Mahabodhi Temple included in the tour?
Answer: Yes, the itinerary includes the Mahabodhi Temple and sacred Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya, the principal pilgrimage destination associated with Buddha’s enlightenment.

Question: Does the tour include Kushinagar?
Answer: Yes, the tour includes Kushinagar, traditionally associated with Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana, including the Mahaparinirvana Temple and other important Buddhist sites.

Question: Can monastery or meditation visits be added?
Answer: Yes, monastery visits and meditation experiences can be added where available and subject to the schedule and permission of the respective monastery.

Question: Can I extend the Buddhist Circuit Tour beyond 9 days?
Answer: Yes, additional nights and destinations can be added according to your interests, travel schedule and preferred itinerary.

Question: How can I book the Buddhist Circuit Tour from Varanasi?
Answer: Contact KT DMC Travels with your travel dates, number of travellers and preferred hotel category. The itinerary and quotation can be customized before booking confirmation.