Our Buddhist Tour in India takes you on a peaceful journey to the places linked with the life of Lord Buddha. From the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya to the first sermon at Sarnath, our tours connect history, spirituality and culture in one unforgettable trip.
Buddhism began in India more than 2,500 years ago, when Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. Many important events of his life took place in India which makes it the heart of Buddhist pilgrimage. Our Buddhist tour takes you to Bodh Gaya, where Buddha found enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, Sarnath, where he gave his first sermon and Kushinagar, where he left the world. You can also visit Nalanada, once a great Buddhist university and Rajgir, where Buddha spent time teaching. These sites are filled with monasteries, stupas and temples that reflect Buddhist history and culture. This tour offers both spiritual peace and a deep connection to India’s rich heritage.
India is home to many sacred Buddhist sites, each with its own story and significance. Here are the key stops you will explore on your Buddhist journey across the country:
Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world and deeply connected to Buddhism. Just nearby, at Sarnath, Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment. The varanasi site has the famous Dhamek Stupa and ancient monasteries. Other attractions include Chaukhandi and Dharamrajika. Pilgrims and travelers visit to feel the spiritual energy, explore the museums and walk though the ruins that tell stories from the early teachings of Buddha.
Bodh Gaya is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage site, where Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. The Mahabodhi Temple here is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts monks and travelers from all over the world. Pilgrims can meditate under the sacred Bodhi tree and visit monasteries built by different countries. Nearby, the calm Niranjana River and Sujata Temple tell the story of Sujata offering food to Siddhartha before his enlightenment which makes this experience even more meaningful.
Rajgir was once the capital of Magadha and a place where Buddha spent many years teaching. Surrounded by green hills, it is home to Gridhkutta or Vulture’s Peak where Budhha delivered several sermons to his disciples. The peaceful Venuvanaram monastery, gifted to Buddha by King Bimbisara, is another key site here. You can also see the ruins linked to Bimbisara, who was a devoted follower of Buddha. A ropeway ride to the Japanese Peace Pagoda and the natural hot springs make Rajgir a mix of spirituality, history and natural beauty.
Nalanda was one of the world’s oldest and greatest universities where Buddhist philosophy and teachings were studied for centuries. The ruins of Nalanda still show the remains of monasteries, temples and learning halls. Walking through this ancient site, travelers can imagine the time when scholars from across Asia came here to learn. The Nalanda Archaeological Museum adds more insight into its glorious past.
On the way to Kushinagar, travelers can visit Vaishali which is an ancient city where Buddha preached his last sermon. Important sites here include the Ashoka Pillar, the peaceful Lotus Tank and the Chaumukhi stupa. Reaching Kushinagar itself is a deeply spiritual experience as this is the place where Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana or final liberation. The town is home to the Mahaparinirvana Temple which houses a large reclining statue of Buddha, the Rambhar Stupa where his cremation took place and the serene Japan Temple surrounded by greenery. The calm environment and spiritual significance make Kushinagar one of the most meaningful stops on a Buddhist tour.
Lumbini is located in Nepal and it is the birthplace of Buddha. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Maya Devi temple, the Ashokan Pillar and several monasteries built by Buddhist communities from around the world. Nearby, you can also explore Shravasti where Buddha spent many rainy seasons teaching and Kapilvastu which was his childhood home. Visit Sahet and Mahet, ancient sites linked to his travels and the Angulimal Caves which are associated with stories of his compassion. Together, these sites offer deep spiritual meaning and insight into Budhha’s early life and teachings.
Lucknow is famous for its Nawabi culture and historical monuments like the Imambara, Rumi Darwaza and other heritage sites. While it connects to nearby Buddhist circuits like Sharavasti, the city also offers gardens, local markets and delicious cuisine which adds history, culture and unique flavor to your Buddhist tour experience.
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On arrival at Delhi, take flight to Varanasi. On arrival, you will get transferred to the booked hotel. Later in the afternoon proceed for half day tour of Sarnath where Buddha preached his first sermon in the Deer Park. Visit other attractions like Dharamarajika, Chaukhandi and Dhamek Stupa. Return back by evening for overnight stay.
After breakfast, drive to Bodhgaya and on arrival, check in and refresh yourself. Lean about the Buddhist culture and lifestyle. Take a stroll around the region and visit places like Niranjana River, Sujata Temple and Bodhi Tree. Overnight stay at Bodhgaya.
Today after breakfast, drive to Patna and enroute visit Rajgir and Nalanda. Visit Gridhkutta, World Peace Stupa, Venuvanaram and Bimbisar Prison at Rajgir. Later after lunch, drive to Nalanda where you will be visiting the ruins of world ancient University. On arrival at Patna, check in at the hotel and rest of the day is for leisure. Overnight stay at Patna.
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Kushinagar. Enroute visit Vaishali and later Visit the Ashoka Pillar, Lotus Tank and Chaumukhi. Later drive to Kushinagar and on arrival, check in at the hotel for dinner and overnight
Have your breakfast and proceed for half day guided tour to Kushinagar where you will visit Mahaparinirvana Temple, Rambhar Stupa and Japan Temple. Later in the afternoon, drive to Lumbini. On arrival, check in at the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
After breakfast, visit the holy place of Lord Buddha. Later check out from the hotel and drive to Shravasti and enroute visit Kapilvastu. On arrival at Shravasthi check in at the hotel, and later visit Sahet Mahet and Angulimal Caves. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Today, you will leave for Lucknow from Shravasti. Visit Imambara, Rumi Darwaza and other historical monuments. In the evening, transfer to Lucknow airport for onward journey.
Tell our travel experts your preferred dates, hotel category and interests. We’ll tailor the journey and send you a personalised quote.
Buddhist pilgrimage tour in India and Nepal with Taj Mahal. It was a wonderful travel experience in India with TraEminent India Tours. We explored the major Buddhist pilgrimage sites including Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Vaishali, Kushinagar, Rajgir, Nalanda, Sravasti and Tirupathi in Chennai, and finally the Taj Mahal and other monuments in Agra. We were impressed about our 11-days travel package in India and Nepal at the itinerary planning, budget-friendly cost, private car services with friendly and knowledgeable drivers, tour guide services, choice of 4-star hotel bookings, air/railway bookings and the promptly responded TraEminent India Tours staff. Thanks to Shivani and her team. January, 2024.
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Amazing Experience. Myself and two of my friends booked with Shivani and Sunny for a 12 day tour of rajesthan covering Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Pushkar, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur. Shivani was recommended to me by my brother who did the same tour with her a few years back. Firstly, I would like to say how much peace of mind you have when booking through this agency. Shivani was pretty much on WhatsApp whenever I needed her and guided me through the booking process. We opted for the 4* hotel package and many a time we were upgraded - the hotel selections were absolutely fabulous - ranging from leela’s to beautifully maintained Haveli style hotels. The locations were also great as we were never too far of a drive from the main attractions. We had an English speaking guide for the main attractions and this is highly recommended - without a guide it can be difficult to understand what exactly you’re looking at or the history/background of the palace or fort. The guide selections were also on the whole great. The driver which we had was amazing. Initially my family had some reservations as we were three young girls travelling with a male unknown driver but the driver (Manjit) was possibly the sweetest person I have ever met. He treated us like his own family; we never once had to make sure we didn’t leave any valuables in the car - he is such an honest person and reliable too. In the evenings, if we wanted to go out for dinner he wouldn’t complain or grumble in taking us and helped us with restaurant choices etc Overall we had the best trip - it’s always been a dream to tour this side of India and with this agency I was able to do so in a safe, affordable and beautiful way. I can’t wait to book further trips with you next year! Thank you so much again for your help. Date of Experience: March 2019
Discovery. Excellent time! We went between seasons, so missed the views of flowers, apples, snow,... but concentrated the cultural aspect. The country side is beautiful, as are the towns, the Mosques , and the people.Our guide and driver, (Faisel, & Hussein), (sorry fellas, if the spelling is wrong), were ideal for the situation. Both passionate and knowledgeable about their country, their culture, and faith.We got to visit villages, towns, mountains, parks, Mosques, and felt we were the only tourists around. (Big advantage for travelling this time of year.) In all places, including the lovely hotels, everyone made us most welcome. I have no hesitation in recommending TraEminent for travel plans here. Full stars. November, 2024.
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A wonderful experience in Bengaluru, Mysore, Coorg and, Ooty. TraEminent India Tours organised my 5-Day South India Tour visiting a combination of city’s and hill station. It was very impressive how they packed a wonderful experience of nature, historical and city experience in a short time. For a Solo first time traveler to India, my trip was quite special and they made it a wonderful experience. I didn’t have to worry about anything, just bring myself, and they took care of the rest. I highly recommend organizing tours with TraEminent India Tours for a wonderful India experience. June, 2023.
Heartfelt Thanks from your 60+ couple - 110% stars for Tra-Eminent India Tours! Namaste Tra-Eminent India Tours Team, A big, heartfelt *THANK YOU* to everyone in the Tra-Eminent team! We have just completed an unforgettable journey across *5 countries* - from the magnificent *Great Wall of China*, to the beautiful beaches of *Phuket including the 5 Islands tour*, the wonders of *Singapore* and the beauty of *Sri Lanka*. It was a dream trip for us as a 60+ couple and we enjoyed *every single moment*. A special appreciation for your amazing *teamwork*: - Seamless *airport transfers* every time, always on time with smiling drivers waiting for us. - All *excursions and sightseeing perfectly organised* - no stress at all for us. - Your constant support, quick responses and personal care throughout the tour. You made everything so easy and comfortable for us. For us, age was never a barrier because of your excellent planning and support. *For all your teamwork and support, we give you 10/10 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐* We will happily *recommend Tra-Eminent India Tours to everyone we know*, and we will definitely book our next trip with you only. Thank you once again for giving us memories of a lifetime. With sincere gratitude, Anita and Joseph Proud 60+ Travellers From United Kingdom October, 2026
Our family had a phenomenal trip to Kashmir and our travel agent at this travel company was most trustable and wonderful to work with. She put together a fabulous itinerary for us with a great tours and excellent accommodations everywhere that we stayed with excellent driver and fulfilled most of our wishes. We plan to return to Kashmir and will definitely work with this travel company again. Date of Experience: June 2019
Memorable Travel experiences with Tra-Emiy. I booked Tra-eminent for two trips this summer back to back. I went to Do-Dham and Puri. Jag is amazing and very helpful he worked with me very patiently. I had to change my plans very often and he was ready to accommodate my plans. When I reached at the airport they received me very cordially. The drivers and guides they provide are amazing they made my trip memorable. If anyone is planning to visit India and wants to travel Tra-Eminent is the best option to choose. I highly recommend them. It is also budget friendly. I had a fabulous trip with beautiful experiences, only with the help of Tra-Eminent entire team. Thank you Jag and team for taking care of your customers with such great service. Date of experience: August 2023
The staff at TraEminent Ms. Shivani Sharma and Mukesh Dhiman were prompt in their communication and helpful at every stage of our Chardham Yatra and also the continued tour of Ayodhya, Kashi Agra, Mathura, etc. They responded to all our queries and organised stays and tours as per our request. We would gladly recommend them to family and friends. October, 2025.
The published travel route is: New Delhi- Varanasi-Bodhgaya - Rajgir-Nalanda – Patna- Vaishali-Kushinagar –Lumbini -Kapilavastu–Shravasti–Lucknow. See the day-by-day itinerary above for the planned stops and sightseeing.
The published itinerary lasts 7 days / 6 nights. Please confirm the arrival and departure arrangements with our team when planning your journey.
The inclusions published for this itinerary are:
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