In the Footsteps of the Buddha – A Sacred Pilgrimage Journey

After breakfast, drive to Sravasti, the capital of the ancient Kosala kingdom during Buddha’s time. On arrival, check in at your hotel. Sravasti holds special significance as Lord Buddha spent 24 monsoon retreats here in the tranquil Jetavana Gardens, delivering many of his sermons. Overnight stay at Sravasti. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, continue your pilgrimage with a drive to Lumbini in Nepal, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. On arrival, check in at your hotel. Later, visit the sacred Maya Devi Temple marking the exact spot of Buddha’s birth, the Pushkarni Pond where Queen Maya is said to have bathed before his birth, and the Ashokan Pillar erected in reverence by Emperor Ashoka. Overnight in Lumbini. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Following breakfast, depart for Kushinagar, the revered site where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple with its famous reclining Buddha statue and the Muktabandhana Stupa, built by the Malla dynasty to enshrine Buddha’s relics. Overnight stay in Kushinagar. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, embark on a long but rewarding drive to Rajgir with enroute sightseeing at Vaishali. Visit the Ashoka Pillar with its unique single-lion capital and the Mahapajapati Gotami Temple, dedicated to the Buddha’s foster mother. Continue to Rajgir and upon arrival check in at your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Rajgir. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Following breakfast, enjoy a full day dedicated to the Buddhist heritage of Rajgir and Nalanda. Rajgir was once the capital of the Magadh Empire and an important site where Buddha spent twelve years and delivered many sermons. Later visit the ruins of Nalanda University, one of the world’s first great centers of learning founded in the 5th century BC, along with the Archaeological Museum. Return to your hotel in Rajgir for overnight stay. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, drive to Bodhgaya, the most revered Buddhist pilgrimage site. On arrival check in at your hotel. In the evening visit the sacred Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi Tree, where Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment and became Buddha. Overnight at Bodhgaya. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Spend the day exploring the sites around Bodhgaya. Visit Sujata Village, where Sujata offered milk rice to the starving Siddhartha; see the Niranjana River where he bathed, and Pragbodhi Hill, where he meditated before enlightenment. Overnight in Bodhgaya. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Today is kept free for meditation and personal reflection at the monasteries or within the Mahabodhi Temple complex. Overnight stay in Bodhgaya. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, drive to the sacred city of Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. On arrival check in at your hotel and spend the evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in Varanasi. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast proceed to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples after attaining enlightenment. Visit the Dhamek Stupa, monasteries, the Ashokan Pillar, and the Archaeological Museum which houses the famous Lion Capital adopted as India’s national emblem. Return to Varanasi for overnight stay. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Early morning enjoy a spiritual boat ride on the River Ganges to witness the sunrise and the rituals performed on the ghats. Return to hotel for breakfast. Later transfer to Varanasi Airport for your onward flight. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)