The Buddhist Trail of India 14D/13N
14 days
All Months
Tour en Inde – The Buddhist Trail of India
We don’t display fixed prices for our India tours because each journey is personalized according to your group size, accommodation preferences, transportation, and dining options. Please contact us to receive a custom quote tailored to your needs.
Overview
Follow in the footsteps of Lord Buddha on this 14-day spiritual journey through North India and Nepal. From Lucknow to Bodhgaya and Varanasi, discover the sacred sites where Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, delivered his teachings, and reached Mahaparinirvana. This immersive pilgrimage blends ancient history, architecture, and devotion, offering travelers an unforgettable experience of India’s Buddhist heritage and timeless serenity.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 – Paris / Delhi / Lucknow
Arrive in Delhi in the morning and transit for your connecting flight to Lucknow. Upon arrival, meet our local representative and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, explore the ancient city of the Nawabs, famous for its Indo-Islamic architecture and cultural legacy. Visit the majestic Bara Imambara built in 1794, the mosques and tombs of the city, and the mysterious baoli (stepwell) believed to be connected to hidden treasures. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2 – Lucknow / Balrampur
After breakfast, depart for Balrampur. Upon arrival, visit Shravasti, the ancient capital of the Kosala kingdom and one of the holiest Buddhist sites. It was here that Buddha performed several miracles and delivered many sermons. Explore the sacred sites of Saheth and Maheth temples before returning for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 3 – Balrampur / Lumbini
Enjoy breakfast and depart for Lumbini in Nepal, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, later known as the Buddha. On the way, witness the charm of rural India — lush landscapes, traditional villages, and daily life scenes along the road. Arrive and check in for an overnight stay.
Day 4 – Lumbini
Spend the day exploring the sacred city of Lumbini, one of the most revered Buddhist pilgrimage destinations. Visit the Ashoka Pillar erected in 259 BC, bearing inscriptions confirming Buddha’s birthplace. See the Mayadevi Temple dedicated to Buddha’s mother and stroll through the vast pilgrimage complex featuring 38 Mahayana and 13 Hinayana monasteries built by Buddhist nations from around the world. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 5 – Lumbini / Kushinagar
After breakfast, depart for Kushinagar, the site where Buddha delivered his final sermon and attained Mahaparinirvana. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and relax. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 6 – Kushinagar / Vaishali / Patna
Depart for Vaishali, a historic city where Buddha gave his last sermon. It is also the birthplace of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism. Visit the Ashoka Column with its famous lion capital and several Buddha stupas scattered across the landscape. Later, continue your journey to Patna for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 7 – Patna / Nalanda / Rajgir / Bodhgaya
After breakfast, drive to Nalanda, once home to the world’s first residential university founded in the 5th century. Explore its ruins, the great stupa, and visit the Archaeological Museum with its remarkable collection of Buddhist relics. Continue to Rajgir, the ancient capital of Magadha, where Buddha spent 12 years teaching and meditating. Visit the Saptaparni caves, site of the First Buddhist Council. Later, proceed to Bodhgaya for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8 – Bodhgaya
After breakfast, visit Bodhgaya, where Buddha attained enlightenment beneath the sacred Bodhi Tree. Explore the UNESCO-listed Mahabodhi Temple, which houses a magnificent golden Buddha statue. Visit the sacred Bodhi tree and the banks of the Niranjana River where Buddha meditated. Dinner and overnight stay with a local host family to experience authentic village life.
Day 9 – Bodhgaya
After breakfast, visit Vishunpur to explore the Gurukul sewing school — a social initiative supporting local women. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the village and meet the young seamstresses. Take a leisurely walk to discover the rhythm of rural life. Later, visit several of Bodhgaya’s 50 Buddhist monasteries representing different Asian countries. Dinner and overnight stay with locals.
Day 10 – Bodhgaya / Varanasi
After breakfast, drive to Varanasi via Gaya, an important Hindu pilgrimage site. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel located near the Ganges River. Spend the evening at leisure to explore the city or relax. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 11 – Varanasi
Early in the morning, take a boat ride on the sacred Ganges River to witness the daily rituals and morning prayers at the ghats. Observe pilgrims bathing, meditating, and performing yoga on the riverbanks. After breakfast, explore Varanasi’s old city — its narrow lanes, bazaars, and temples. Visit the Durga Temple and the Banaras Hindu University, one of India’s premier educational institutions. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 12 – Varanasi / Sarnath / Ramnagar / Varanasi
After breakfast, take a serene boat excursion to Ramnagar Fort located on the southern bank of the Ganges. Explore the palace complex and its small Shiva temples. Return to Varanasi and proceed to Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment. Visit the Deer Park, the Dhamek and Dhamarjika stupas, and the archaeological museum showcasing ancient Buddhist artifacts. Return to Varanasi for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 13 – Varanasi / Delhi
Enjoy a free morning for personal exploration or rest. In the late afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 14 – Delhi / Paris
After breakfast, transfer to Delhi International Airport for your return flight to Paris. End of this remarkable spiritual journey tracing the footsteps of the Buddha across India and Nepal.
Interested in This Tour?
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