Buddha Trail India Itinerary

Buddhist Temple, Sarnath, India (photo by Geringer Global Travel, India tour operator).

Hinduism garners quite a bit of the religious attention in India, but the country is also the homeland of another of the world’s great religions: Buddhism. From The Buddha’s birthplace to the site where he reached nirvana and the spot where he first began to promulgate his message, the millennia-old story of Buddhism emanates from the northeast corner of India.

On this riveting and uplifting India tour, you’ll walk the spiritual path of the Buddha, visiting a string of sites important to the life of the Enlightened One. Lumbini, venerated birthplace of Siddharta Guatama, the prince who would become a Lord. Kohlua, where he delivered his parting words before death. Ragjir and Kesariya, where the Buddha once spent time on his quest for truth. Each stop on the journey will showcase not only the history of this place, but the modern day significance to the thousands who worship and pray here. You’ll also experience in Varanasi—Hinduism’s holiest city—and the venerable Taj Mahal, a stunning elegy in white marble. It is a contemplative journey into the source of Buddhism and the spiritual energy of India.

Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Namaste! Welcome to India!
You will experience the many facets of this captivating capital—both the modern and the ancient—as you explore both New and Old Delhi.

Day 2: Delhi
Experience Old Delhi, from the opulent Red Fort and massive Jama Masjid mosque to the narrow bustling lanes ofChandni Chowk. New Delhi’s Gateway to India and Presidential Palace showcase modern history, yet the 12^thcentury Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb shows that even this new part of town has an ancient past.

Day 3: Delhi – Bodhgaya
Fly to Bodh Gaya, where twenty–five centuries ago Siddharta Gautama’s spiritual journey reached its climax under a bodhi tree and he became the Buddha. Visit Mahabodhi Temple, the 1,000-year-old temple on the spot where it is believed he reached nirvana.

Day 4: Bodhgaya – Rajgir – Nalanda – Vaishali
Enjoy the morning drive to Rajir, a former capital of the Magadha Empire and an important Buddhist pilgrimage site. Then, venture to Nalanda, a town founded in the 5th century BC, and Vaishali, believed to be the first republic of the world and the site of Lord Buddha’s last sermon.

Day 5: Vishali – Kesariya – Kushinagar
Travel to Kesariya, site of one of the largest stupas in India. The Buddha once stayed here, preaching what became known as the Kesaputtiya Suttas (after the original name of the town). Later, drive to Kushinagar, a revered place for Buddhist pilgrims.

Day 6: Kushinagar – Lumbini
On your way to Lumbini, stop in Kapilavastu, where Lord Buddha spent 24 years of his life. Today it is a forest but recent archaeological excavations have brought the old Royal Palace to surface.

Day 7: Lumbini
Soak in the energy of Lumbini, where the Enlightened One was born (now in Nepal). Visit the Sacred Garden—marking the reputed place of his birth—and feel the power of a place at the epicenter of a global religion. Also, see the Ashokan Pillar, Nepal’s oldest known monument, placed there in 249 BC by the titular Indian emperor.

Day 8: Lumbini – Varanasi
Immerse yourself in the ancient rituals and captivating humanity of India’s spiritual font, Varanasi. Roam the labyrinthine alleys of one of the oldest cities in the world—perhaps stopping at one of the more than 2,000 temples and shrines—and feel the energy of this city that has been a spiritual touchstone for centuries.

Day 9: Varanasi
At dawn, see the banks of the holy Ganges come alive with thousands of Hindu devotees on your sunrise boat excursion. Later, visit Beneras Hindu University—which played an important role in the Indian independence movement—and view an illuminated aarti ceremony right on the water.

Day 10: Varanasi – Delhi – Agra
Today, stop in Sarnath—site of the Buddha’s first sermon after attaining enlightenment—on drive to Delhi. Continue on to Agra, site of the unforgettable Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan’s ode to undying love and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Day 11: Agra
Catch sight of the venerable Taj Mahal at dawn, when the sun gently graces the etched marble, painting it in hues of pink, light yellow and bright white. Later, tour the mighty Agra Fort, where Mughal emperors lived and ruled for centuries.

Day 12: Agra – Jaipur
Visit Fatehpur Sikri—the short-lived Mughal capital that is now a ghost town—en route to Jaipur. This ‘Pink City’ teems with grand palaces and captivating legends of the ancient Rajputs. Consider a hot air balloon ride in this historic city.

Day 13: Jaipur
Ascend to the towering Amber Fort on elephant back, and marvel at the iconic Palace of Winds.” Wander the ornate City Palace and admire the Jantar Mantar, a whimsical stone observatory. Later, enjoy authentic Indian cuisine with a local family.

Day 14: Jaipur – Delhi
After breakfast and a last glance at regal Jaipur, drive back to Delhi as your tour to India comes to an end. Your driver will be available for last minute shopping or sightseeing before transfer to the International airport for your flight home.

This is just a suggested itinerary—we’d be happy to customize an itinerary to fit your needs. Whether you’d like to choose your own dates, would prefer a shorter or longer journey, would like to mix and match accommodations or simply need something to fit your budget, please contact us at 877.255.7438 or email us at info@34.207.230.29 to discuss how we can create a personalized India tour for you.