Buddha Circuit Tour

• Once you reach Varanasi, either by plane or train, our team will warmly welcome you and take you to your hotel. You’ll have some time to settle in and freshen up before the evening.
• Our journey begins with a visit to the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, a very special and ancient place in Varanasi where a beautiful fire ceremony is performed every evening. It’s a must-see event, known for its spiritual atmosphere and the stunning sights it offers.
• After the ceremony, as the crowd thins out, we’ll explore the streets leading to Godowlia Crossing. This is a great spot to try some local treats like Lassi or Thandai. Lassi is a creamy, yoghurt-based drink mixed with spices and sometimes fruit, while Thandai is a refreshing milk beverage made with a mix of rose petals, almonds, watermelon seeds, and other cool ingredients, perfect for the warm weather.
• Following our evening filled with new experiences at this sacred city’s heart, we’ll head back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep in Varanasi.

• After breakfast, we’ll head to Assi Ghat, the perfect place to catch a beautiful sunrise. From there, we’ll take a boat ride to Dashashwamedh Ghat and then go to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple to see the sacred Jyotirlinga.
• Just a short walk from the Vishwanath Temple is the Annapurna Temple, dedicated to Goddess Annapurna. Here, you can see a unique idol of the goddess from the 18th century that has a fascinating story of travelling across oceans before making its way back to Varanasi. Next, we’ll visit the ancient Kaal Bhairav Temple, one of the oldest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in Varanasi. Don’t miss the Durga Temple, also known as the Monkey Temple, famous for its impressive architecture and multi-tiered spire. The Tulsi Manas Temple, known for its lovely views and historical importance in Hinduism, is also on our list.
• We’ll also explore the Sankat Mochan Temple, devoted to Lord Hanuman, which dates back to the 16th century and is among the city’s oldest sacred sites. The Birla Temple, located in the Banaras Hindu University campus and dedicated to Lord Shiva, is another modern temple we’ll visit. Inside BHU, we’ll check out the Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum, showcasing important pieces of Indian art and culture. Another unique spot is the Bharat Mata temple within the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth campus, dedicated to the nation, featuring a marble map of undivided India instead of traditional idols.
• After lunch, we’ll take a trip to Sarnath, a historic village about 10 km from Varanasi, famous as the site where Gautama Buddha first shared his teachings. The area, now a peaceful deer park, is dotted with Buddhist monuments and archaeological sites. Don’t forget to visit the Sarnath Museum and enjoy a serene walk in the beautiful Buddha Park. We’ll then return to Varanasi for dinner and stay overnight at the hotel.

• After an early morning meal, we leave by 8am for Bodh Gaya. It takes us about 5 hours to get there. Once we arrive, we check into our hotel and then have lunch. Gaya is famous for its ancient and sacred buildings. It’s a city important to followers of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. This city is talked about in old stories like the Ramayana and Mahabharata and is a key place for pilgrimage, especially for Hindus performing the Pind-Daan ritual. Bodhgaya, just outside Gaya, is where Siddhartha Gautama, known as Buddha, found enlightenment, earning it the nickname “The City of Enlightenment.” This place is one of the four major holy sites for Buddhists. The Mahabodhi Temple Complex here is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a history that goes back over 2,500 years. We’ll also see The Great Buddha Statue, a huge 19.5m tall statue next to the temple, which is a must-see.
• Another highlight is the Vishnupad Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It’s said that Vishnu defeated the demon Gayasura here. This beautiful temple, about 300 years old, is near the Phalgu river.
• After having dinner, we’ll return to our hotel in Gaya to spend the night.

• After our morning meal, we will leave the hotel. Our journey today takes us to Patna, and on the way, we’ll visit Rajgir and Nalanda. Rajgir, once the capital of the old Magadha kingdom, is famous now for its seven hot springs, known as Saptarshi. It’s a beautiful city surrounded by hills, where you can see the Venu Vana Park and a Japanese Temple, which was a place where Buddha once stayed. Another important stop before reaching Patna is Nalanda, known for its ancient Buddhist university. This place is considered the first residential university in the world, set up in the 5th century.
• When we arrive in Patna, we’ll check into our hotel and then have dinner. We’ll spend the night in Patna.

• After breakfast, we’ll set off for a day trip to Vaishali. This is a special place because it’s where Gautama Buddha delivered his final teachings before announcing he would reach Nirvana in Kushinagar three months later. In Vaishali, you’ll see the Buddha Relic Stupa, which holds a part of Buddha’s ashes, a reminder of his journey to enlightenment. Close by, there’s the Kutagarasala Vihara, an old monastery where Buddha often stayed during his visits to Vaishali.
• Next, we’ll visit the Coronation Tank, surrounded by greenery. It’s a sacred spot where, in ancient times, the local leaders would take ceremonial dips. Another highlight is the Ashoka Pillar, known for its lion top. This pillar, erected by Emperor Ashoka, is one of the few remaining in India that still has its animal decoration intact.
• Before we head back to Patna for lunch, we’ll stop at the World Peace Pagoda, a symbol of peace and harmony. The evening includes dinner and a night stay at our Patna hotel.

• After having breakfast early in the morning, we’ll leave at 8 am for a direct 6-hour journey to Gorakhpur. Along the way, we’ll stop for lunch to enjoy some delicious food. Our journey includes a visit to Kushinagar, a significant Buddhist pilgrimage spot known worldwide. It’s here that Gautama Buddha reached Mahaparinirvana, the final nirvana after death. We will get to see the magnificent 6.1-meter-long statue of Gautama Buddha lying in nirvana inside the Parinirvana Stupa, the place believed to be where Buddha left this world. Additionally, we’ll visit Ramabhar Stupa, where Buddha was cremated, located about 1.5 km east of the main Nirvana Temple.
• Upon our arrival in Gorakhpur, we’ll check into our hotel and stay there for the night.

• We’ll start our day early with breakfast, ready for a day trip to Lumbini at 8 am. Enjoying our lunch during the four-hour, 150 km journey to Lumbini, we’ll explore the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. Born a prince in what is now Nepal, his story is a fascinating journey from luxury to enlightenment. Our visit includes the ancient Maya Devi temple, a significant part of Lumbini’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll also see the World Peace Pagoda, a stunning white dome built in the early 21st century, known as the Nipponzan Peace Pagoda.
• We won’t miss the Myanmar Golden Temple, Lumbini’s oldest and most striking structure. Adorned with gold, this temple boasts remarkable architecture in its three prayer halls and is affectionately known as the “Great Dragon Pagoda.” The Ashoka Pillar, with its ancient Paderia Inscription in Brahmi script, stands as a testament to Emperor Ashoka’s visit and his subsequent embrace of Buddhism.
• A must-visit is the Lumbini Crane Sanctuary, more than just a haven for nature lovers. It’s also a significant site for Buddha’s followers, established on the historic Lumbini Garden, the very place where Siddhartha Gautama was born. After a fulfilling day, we’ll head back to Gorakhpur in the evening to rest overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast, we check-out from the hotel and drive you to Gorakhpur airport for departure.