Is the Extended Footsteps of Buddha Circuit available as a fixed-price package?

Pricing depends on hotel category, vehicle type, and season.

How is this different from the Core Maha Buddhist Circuit?

This extended version adds Nalanda, Rajgir, Vaishali, and Sravasti for a deeper historical journey, but does not cross into Nepal to visit Lumbini.

Pilgrimage

Complete Bihar & UP Buddhist Circuit Tour

Bodhgaya – Nalanda – Rajgir – Vaishali (Bihar) – Varanasi/Sarnath – Sravasti – Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh)11 Days / 10 NightsUp to 30 guests

About This Tour

A deeper journey through the Buddha's life, extending beyond the four core sites to include the ancient university of Nalanda, the bamboo groves of Rajgir where the Buddha spent many rainy seasons, the republic of Vaishali where he delivered his last sermon, and the miracle-site of Sravasti. This circuit is ideal for travellers wanting a fuller historical and monastic picture of early Buddhism in India.

Tour Highlights

Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi Tree, Bodhgaya

Nalanda, ruins of the world's oldest residential university

Griddhakuta Hill (Vulture's Peak), Rajgir, where the Buddha delivered several key sermons

Venuvana (Bamboo Grove) Monastery, Rajgir

Ashoka Pillar and Relic Stupa, Vaishali, where the Buddha gave his last sermon

Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath

Jetavana Monastery, Sravasti, site of the Buddha's "Twin Miracle"

Parinirvana Temple, Kushinagar

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Delhi, fly to Gaya

Arrive Delhi and connect with a flight to Gaya. Drive to Bodhgaya (approx. 15 km / 30 min) and check in. Overnight in Bodhgaya.

Day 2: Bodhgaya

Full day at the Mahabodhi Temple Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the international monasteries built by Thailand, Japan, Bhutan, and Tibet around the town. Overnight in Bodhgaya.

Day 3: Bodhgaya to Rajgir via Nalanda

Morning drive to Nalanda (approx. 100 km / 2.5 hrs), visiting the ruins of the ancient Nalanda University, one of the world's oldest residential universities, and the Nalanda Archaeological Museum. Continue to Rajgir (approx. 12 km / 20 min). Overnight in Rajgir.

Day 4: Rajgir

Morning visit to Griddhakuta Hill (Vulture's Peak), where the Buddha delivered several important sermons, reached via a chair-lift ropeway. Afternoon visit to Venuvana (Bamboo Grove) Monastery, gifted to the Buddha by King Bimbisara, and the Rajgir hot springs. Overnight in Rajgir.

Day 5: Rajgir to Vaishali

Morning drive to Vaishali (approx. 150 km / 4 hrs). Visit the Ashoka Pillar, one of the best-preserved Ashokan pillars, and the Relic Stupa where a portion of the Buddha's ashes were enshrined. Vaishali is also where the Buddha delivered his last sermon before his final journey to Kushinagar. Overnight in Vaishali/Patna.

Day 6: Vaishali to Varanasi

Morning drive to Patna and connect with a flight/train to Varanasi, or a direct road transfer (approx. 250 km / 6 hrs). Evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Overnight in Varanasi.

Day 7: Varanasi to Sarnath

Morning boat ride on the Ganges, then drive to Sarnath (approx. 13 km / 30 min) to visit the Dhamek Stupa, marking the site of the Buddha's first sermon, and the Sarnath Archaeological Museum. Overnight in Varanasi.

Day 8: Varanasi to Sravasti

Morning drive to Sravasti (approx. 200 km / 5 hrs). Overnight in Sravasti.

Day 9: Sravasti

Full day at the Jetavana Monastery, one of the two most important Buddhist monastic complexes and site of the Buddha's legendary "Twin Miracle," along with the Anandabodhi Tree and the ruins of Angulimala's stupa. Overnight in Sravasti.

Day 10: Sravasti to Kushinagar

Morning drive to Kushinagar (approx. 240 km / 6 hrs). Afternoon visit to the Parinirvana Temple, housing a reclining statue of the Buddha marking the site of his final nirvana, and the Ramabhar Stupa. Overnight in Kushinagar.

Day 11: Departure

Transfer to Gorakhpur/Kushinagar airport for onward/international flight connection.

What's Included

Included

Hotel accommodation for the entire duration of the tour
All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
All travel — flights, airport/railway station pick-up and drop, and inter-city/local transport throughout
Sightseeing and site entry as per itinerary
Professional local guide at all major sites
Dedicated tour escort for the entire journey
Private driver for the full duration of the trip

Excluded

Personal purchases
Tips and gratuities

Frequently Asked Questions

Trip Details

Duration
11 Days / 10 Nights
Group Size
Up to 30
Best Time
October to March
Departure
Delhi

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