Day 1 Varanasi – Evening Ganga Aarti Ceremony After arrival in Varanasi you will be picked up from Railway Station/Airport. Check in to hotel. Rest & Relax. In evening, get ready to experience one of the most memorable moments of your life, as you will be taken for world famous Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat . Get a glimpse of the cultural diversity and social and religious activities being carried out at the Ganga Ghats in Varanasi.Dinner and night stay at hotel in Varanasi.
Day 2 Varanasi - Morning Boat Ride – Sarnath -first sermon of Buddha at Deer Park Early morning feel spirituality of Subah-e-Banaras in Varanasi in which you will enjoy Boat Ride in the Ganges while Sunrise . Experience the different Ghats of Varanasi . Each Ghat has its own history and value. Come back to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, we will be taken for an excursion to Sarnath . Sarnath is the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples at deer park(Rishipattana) .Other Local Sightseeing of Sarnath is the Buddha Temples , Dhamekha Stupa , Chaukhandi Stupa , Mulagandh Kuti Viharaand the Archaeological Museum. Return back to hotel. Have dinner and night stay at hotel in Varanasi.
Day 3 Varanasi – Bodhgaya -Mahabodhi Temple -Bodhi Tree (300 KM 6 Hrs) : After breakfast drive to Bodhgaya Check-in to hotel. After lunch explore local sightseeing of Bodhgaya like Lord Buddha Temple (Mahabodhi Temple) , Bodhi Tree .The Mahabodhi Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and world famous Buddhist Pilgrimage place in Indiabuilt adjacent to the site of enlightenment in the 6th century AD. Have dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Bodhgaya.
Day 4 Bodhgaya-Local sightseeing Bodhgaya - After breakfast drive to Dungeshwari Cave Temples also known as theMahakala Caves. Lord Buddha underwent years of penance here before he descended to Bodhgaya and also visit Sujata Village Temple . Return back to Bodhgaya for Half Day Meditation Session in Buddhist Monasteries of Bodhgaya . Have dinner an overnight stay in Bodhgaya.
Day 5 Bodhgaya - Rajgir (70 KM, 30 Min) –Nalanda (40 KM, 30 Min) - Nalanda University – Patna (80 KM 1.5 Hrs) : After breakfast, we will drive to Rajgir the Ancient Capital of the Magadha Empire and is a pilgrimage for Buddhists. The Japanese Buddhists have built the massive Vishwa Shanti Stupa on the Ratnagiri Hill. The stupa has statues of Buddha at the four stages of his life – birth, enlightenment, teaching and death. Griddhakuta (Vulture Peak) is another site where Lord Buddha stopped by to preach. Also visit Venuvanaram and Bimbisar Prison. After lunch, drive to Nalanda to visit Nalanda University Archaeological Complex . After the walk around the ruins, visit the Xuan Zang Memorial Hall which is a Chinese Pagoda. Drive to Patna . Check-in to Hotel. Stay at night at hotel in Patna.
Day 6 Patna –Vaishali (50 KM, 1 Hr) + Local Sites –Kesaria Stupa (130 KM, 2.5 Hrs) -Kushinagar (250 KM, 5 Hrs) : Later drive to Kushinagar en-route visit Last Sermon Place of Lord Buddha in Vaishali . Later, visit other Sightseeing of Vaishali like Ashokan Pillar ,Ananda Stupa , Abhishek Pushkaran , Buddha Stupas , Kutagar Shala Vihara and more. Later drive to Kesaria to cover Biggest Ancient Buddhist Stupa -Kesaria Stupa . Continue drive to Kushinagar . Check-in to hotel. Have dinner and night stay in Kushinagar.
Day 7 Kushinagar Local Visit- Mahaparinirvana Temple & Rambhar Stupa-Lumbini (180 KM, 4 Hrs) : After Breakfast, visit Local Sightseeing of Kushinagar like Mahaparinirvana Temple (where Buddha took his last breathe), Rambhar Stupa (cremation site of Lord Buddha) and Japan Temple . After lunch drive towards Lumbini (In Nepal kindly obtain double entry visa for India & single entry visa for Nepal ). On arrival, check in at hotel. Dinner and night stay at hotel in Lumbini.
Day 8 Lumbini – Birthplace of Siddhartha -Local Sightseeing – Kapilvastu (70 KM, 1.5 Hrs) -Shravasti (225 KM, 5 Hrs) : After breakfast, we will visit Holy Birth place of Siddhartha Gautama . Later, drive to other Local Sightseeing of Lumbini like Maya Devi Temple , Eternal Peace Flame , Lumbini Museum , Thai Buddhist Monastery andMyanmar Golden Temple . Later drive towards Shravasti . En-route visit Childhood Home of Lord Buddha in Kapilvastu . Other sightseeing in Kapilvastu are Tilaurakot Museum , Kapilvastu Kingdom Complex and Lumbini Garden . Continue drive to Shravasti .Check in at hotel & have dinner and stay at night in Shravasti.
Day 9 Shravasti– Local visit to Saheth & Maheth -Varanasi (350 KM 7Hrs) / Lucknow (180 KM 4 Hrs) : After breakfast, proceed to visit Saheth (Jetvanaram) & Maheth (Angulimal Caves). You will also visit other Sightseeing of Shravasti like Jetavana Vihara , Ananda Bodhi Tree , Monasteries , Angulimala’s Stupa andAnathapindika Stupa . Later drive to Varanasi / Lucknow . Drop at Airport/railway station. Return with sweet memories of India Tour.
Trip Inclusions :
Commercial vehicle which Includes all Tax, Toll tax, Parking, Driver night charges,
Pickup and Drop to/from Railway station/Airport Hotel as per mention in Hotel tab with selected plan (Twin sharing room)
One Boat ride for about 45 min which covers all major Ghats of Varanasi ( At time of morning sun rise) Complimentary Mineral water (one bottle per day per person).
Trip Exclusions :
Any personal expenditure like tip, Pooja etc.
Any other boat ride, Guide charges Any Entrance Ticket
Any Train/Flight Ticket Service tax as actual
Question: What destinations are covered in this Buddhist Trail Tour?
Answer: The itinerary includes visits to Varanasi, Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Patna, Vaishali, Kesaria, Kushinagar, Lumbini (Nepal), Kapilvastu, and Shravasti, with options to end the tour in Varanasi or Lucknow.
Question: What are the major highlights of the trip?
Answer: Key experiences include the Ganga Aarti ceremony in Varanasi, sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Mahabodhi Temple, significant Buddhist landmarks across India and Nepal, and meditation sessions at renowned monasteries.
Question: How many nights and days does the package include?
Answer: This package lasts for 8 nights and 9 days from arrival to departure, ensuring ample time at each destination.
Question: Is the tour customizable?
Answer: Yes, the itinerary can be customized based on special requirements or preferences, and adjustments can be made to accommodate group or individual traveler needs.
Question: How many people are included in the quote?
Answer: The base quote is designed for 2 travelers, but arrangements can be tailored for larger groups with prior notice.
Question: What kind of accommodation is provided?
Answer: Accommodation is on a twin-sharing basis in hotels listed in the itinerary, based on the selected plan; upgrades and specific requests can be handled upon inquiry.
Question: What transportation is included?
Answer: The package covers all intercity transfers and sightseeing by a commercial vehicle inclusive of taxes, tolls, parking, and driver night charges. Airport/railway station pick-up and drop-off are also included.
Question: Are meals included in the package?
Answer: Dinner is provided every night at the hotel as mentioned, with breakfast generally included. Details may vary by property or customization.
Question: Is a boat ride included in Varanasi?
Answer: Yes, a complimentary 45-minute boat ride along Varanasi’s prominent ghats during sunrise is part of the package.
Question: Is there a guide service included?
Answer: Guide charges are not included by default and can be arranged for an additional fee upon request.
Question: Are entrance tickets to monuments included?
Answer: No, entrance tickets for monuments, museums, or additional boat rides are not included in the base cost and must be paid separately at entry points.
Question: What is not included in the package price?
Answer: Personal expenses, tips, pooja offerings, additional boat rides, guide fees, monument tickets, flight/train tickets, and applicable service tax are not included.
Question: Are there any key travel requirements for Lumbini (Nepal)?
Answer: Visitors entering Lumbini must obtain a double-entry visa for India and a single-entry visa for Nepal—these must be arranged prior to travel.
Question: Is mineral water provided?
Answer: Yes, one complimentary bottle of mineral water per day per person is included.
Question: How do I book or get more information about this package?
Answer: Contact KT DMC Travels directly through their website or official customer service channels for booking, quotes, or more customized details.
