Footsteps of Buddha

FOOTSTEPS OF BUDDHA

Embark on a transformative journey through India’s sacred Buddhist sites and delve deep into the teachings and history of Buddhism.

DAYS

NIGHTS

Locations

BODHGAYA
RAJGIR
NALANDA
VAISHALI
KUSHINAGAR
LUMBINI
SRAVASTI
VAISHALI

Highlights

Explore sacred Buddhist sites like Bodhgaya, Kushinagar, Lumbini, and Varanasi over 9 days.
Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites and historical landmarks, including the Mahabodhi Temple and Ashoka Pillar.
Experience a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges and sacred stupas for spiritual and cultural immersion.

ITINERARY

Upon arrival, meeting & greetings at the airport and transfer to hotel.

Later visit Mahabodhi Temple. (The Mahabodhi Temple (literally: "Great Awakening Temple") or the Mahabodhi Mahavihar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ancient, but much rebuilt and restored, Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, marking the location where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.)

Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.

After a delectable breakfast at hotel, proceed to visit Sujata Village (Sujata Village was believed to be the place where Prince Siddharta was offered with a bowl of kheer (rice milk) . Lord Buddha attained enlightenment at Gaya. His first bath in the River Niranjana known in Pāli as Lilajan is the most striking event in his process of becoming Buddha.

Also, visit other International Buddhist Monasteries.
Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel

Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Nalanda - Bodhgaya
(70 km / 2 hrs) each way

After a palatable breakfast at hotel, proceed to Rajgir & Nalanda. Upon arrival at Rajgir, visit Gridhakuta Hill (It is here that Lord Buddha meditated and carried out many sermons with his disciples). Then, visit Venuvan (Venuvan, or Bamboo Grove, was a monastery gifted to Gautama Buddha by King Bimbisara of Magadha.).

Further, proceed to Nalanda, Visit Black Buddha (Black Buddha is a unique black stone statue of Lord Buddha discovered in Bihar, representing a rare form of Buddhist art and devotion) & ruins of Old Nalanda University (Founded in the 5th century CE, it became a prominent center for Buddhist learning, attracting scholars and students from across Asia).

Drive back to Bodhgaya.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Bodhgaya - Vaishali (150km/4hrs)
Vaishali - Kushinagar (215km/5hrs)

After a scrumptious breakfast, drive to Vaishali. Visit the Ashoka Pillar (The Vaishali pillar has a single lion capital. The location of this pillar is contiguous to the site where a Buddhist monastery and a sacred coronation tank stood.)

Post lunch, drive to Kushinagar, En route visit the Kesariya Stupa (Construction of the stupa at this site began in the 3rd century BCE. Kesariya Stupa has a circumference of almost 400 feet and a height of about 104 feet.)
Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.

Kushinagar - Lumbini (185 km / 5 hrs)

After early breakfast at hotel, proceed to Kushinagar (It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, where Buddhists believe Gautama Buddha attained Parinirvana after his death).

Visit Mahaparinirvana Temple (Parinirvana Stupa is a Buddhist
temple in Kushinagar which is said to be the death place of Gautama Buddha.); Ramabhar Stupa (Ramabhar Stupa, also called Mukutbandhan Chaitya is the cremation place of Buddha) and other international monastries.

Post lunch, drive to Lumbini, Nepal.
Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel

Lumbini - Sravasti (265 km / 7 hrs)

After an enriching breakfast at hotel, visit Maya Devi Temple (the main temple at Lumbini, a site traditionally considered the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. Also visit other International Buddhist Monasteries.

Post lunch, drive to Sravasti (It is located near the West Rapti River and is closely associated with the life of Gautama Buddha, who is believed to have spent 24 Chaturmases here).
Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.

Sravasti - Varanasi (320 km / 8 hrs)

After a palatable breakfast at hotel, visit Sahet Mahet. The site is of tremendous Buddhist and Jain significance. Proceed towards Angulimal Cave (identified with the remains of the Angulimala Stupa as seen by the Chinese Pilgrims in 500 AD).
Later visit Jetwan Mahavihara (Jetavana was the place where the Buddha gave the majority of his teachings and discourses, having stayed at Jetavana nineteen out of 45 vassas).

Post lunch, drive to Varanasi.
Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.

Varanasi - Bodhgaya (255 km / 7 hrs)

Start your day with boating across the ghats of River Ganges, enjoying the panoramic Sunrise.

Back to hotel for breakfast, later visit Sarnath. Visit Dhamek Stupa (One of the eight most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists, the Dhamek Stupa marks the location where the Buddha gave his first teaching to his first five disciples) and Sarnath Meuseum (Sarnath Museum is the oldest site museum of Archaeological Survey of India).

Post lunch, drive to Bodhgaya.
Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel

After a hearty breakfast, visit Mahabodhi Temple. Post lunch, transfer to airport to connect flight for onward destination.

TOUR ENDS AS YOU LEAVE FOOTPRINTS AND TAKE MEMORIES

Click here to download PDF of detailed itinerary.

Some important things to keep in mind before travelling on this itinerary:

Currency: ₹ INR

Time Zone: GMT + 5.5 HRS

Driving Side: Left

Drinking Water: Opt for Bottled Water

Emergency phone: Ambulance: 102; Fire: 101; Police: 100, 103 (traffic accident)

Voltage: 220 V

Power Sockets commonly available:

Power socket type C Power socket type D Power socket type M

Here are some basic Hindi phrases that a traveler should know before embarking on this itinerary:

Namaste (नमस्ते): Hello / Greetings (used for both meeting and parting).
Shukriya (शुक्रिया): Thank you.
Kripya (कृपया): Please.
Kya naam hai? (क्या नाम है?): What is your name?
Mera naam hai… (मेरा नाम है…): My name is…
Yeh kahan hai? (यह कहाँ है?): Where is this?
Kitna door hai? (कितना दूर है?): How far is it?
Mujhe… jana hai (मुझे… जाना है): I want to go to… (e.g., “Mujhe Bodh Gaya jana hai” for Bodh Gaya).
Kitna paisa? (कितना पैसा?): How much money? (for prices).
Kya yeh safe hai? (क्या यह सुरक्षित है?): Is this safe?
Khana kahan milega? (खाना कहाँ मिलेगा?): Where can I get food?
Pani do (पानी दो): Give me water.
Madad kijiye (मदद कीजिए): Please help me.
Bus stand kahan hai? (बस स्टैंड कहाँ है?): Where is the bus stand?
Toilet kahan hai? (टॉयलेट कहाँ है?): Where is the toilet?

Here are some local cuisines to try in these regions:

Bodh Gaya (Bihar): Savor Litti Chokha, a traditional Bihari dish of roasted wheat balls served with mashed potato, brinjal, and tomato chutney.
Rajgir & Nalanda (Bihar): Try Sattu Paratha, a stuffed flatbread made with roasted gram flour, a nutritious local staple.
Vaishali (Bihar): Enjoy Khichdi, a comforting mix of lentils, rice, and spices, often served with curd and papad.
Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh): Relish Puri Sabzi, deep-fried bread with a spicy vegetable curry, a common breakfast in eastern UP.
Lumbini (Nepal): Sample Dal Bhat, a Nepali staple of lentil soup, rice, and vegetable curry, often with pickles.
Sravasti (Uttar Pradesh): Taste Baati Chokha, baked wheat dough balls paired with smoky vegetable mash, a rustic UP dish.
Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): Indulge in Kachori Sabzi, crispy fried pastries filled with lentils or peas, served with spicy potato curry.

Here are some fun facts about this itinerary:

Bodh Gaya: The Mahabodhi Tree, where Buddha attained enlightenment, is a descendant of the original tree, maintained for over 2,500 years.
Rajgir: The ancient city hosted the First Buddhist Council in a cave on Gridhakuta Hill, shortly after Buddha’s passing.
Nalanda: Nalanda University, a stop on the itinerary, was a global learning hub in the 5th century, housing over 10,000 students.
Vaishali: The Ashoka Pillar here marks where Buddha delivered his final sermon, and Vaishali is considered one of the world’s first republics.
Kushinagar: The Kesariya Stupa, visited en route, is one of the tallest Buddhist stupas, built to honor Buddha’s last days.
Lumbini: This UNESCO site in Nepal is Buddha’s birthplace, marked by a pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BCE.
Sravasti: Jetavana Monastery, a key stop, was Buddha’s rainy-season retreat for 25 years, donated by a wealthy merchant.
Varanasi: Sarnath, near Varanasi, is where Buddha gave his first sermon, setting the “Wheel of Dharma” in motion.