Nepal & India Buddhist circuit tour

Up on arrival at Kathmandu airport meet our tour official representative, complete the custom and immigration formalities and drive to hotel and evening free time on you own.

Full day guided sightseeing around Buddhist shrines in Kathmandu - Pharping Monastery, Visit Patan Durbar Square area (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar), Boudhanath Stupa & Swyambhunath Stupa which will take you to visit Kathmandu’s most popular Buddhist attractions.

Early monring drive to Namobuddha (42km). Namo Buddha is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal after Lumbini. Tourist are also attracted to the artistic monasteries and the idol of "Sacrifice to the Tigress" located around the hilltop famous for viewing sunrise and sunset. On a clear weathery day one can enjoy magnificent Himalayan view from Namobuddha. Then drive back to Kathmandu and visit Kopan Monastery at Kopan.

After breakfast drive to domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport and fly to Bhairahawa (30 mins.) and drive to Lumbini (Birth place of Lord Buddha) 16km. Late afternoon walking tour around various monasteries inside Lumbini heritage site.

Full day guided sightseeing around- visit the most popular Peace Pagoda, Lumbini Garden, Maya Devi Temple, Tara Foundation, World China Temple, Thai Monastery, Burmese (Myanmar) Temple, Nepal Buddha Temple and Dharmaswami Buddhist monastery. The tour will be on foot and rikshaw.

After breakfast drive to Shravasti. Shravasti is one of the eight holy places of Buddhist pilgrimage. You can see huge ruins of ancient stupas and Buddhist sites called Sahet Mehet. You will be visiting Angulimar's cave and Sujata House.

After breakfast drive to Kushinagar following the town Basti & Gorakhpur. In the afternoon you will visit Mahaparinirvana Temple and Ramabhar Stupa. Ramabhar Stupa is the place where Lord Buddha preached his last sermon and said, "All Things must Pass. Decay is inheritance in all things’". Kushinagar was an important center under Mauryan King Ashoka, a great Buddhist follower. Ramabhare Stupa is the most important landmark of Kushinagar, the Stupa is said to have been built on the same spot where Lord Buddha was cremated in 543 BC. Mahaparinirvana Temple is another attraction in Kushinagar with a huge statue of Lord Buddha in reclining position. Mathakuar shrine is the place where Lord Buddha had given his last sermon.

After breakfast drive to Patna and on the way make a visit of Vaishali. Vaishali derives its name from King Vishal and was the capital city of Lichchavi. One of the eight portions of Buddha’s relics is reverentially encased at the Vaishali Stupa, which was received after the Mahaparinirvana. Bhikshu Sangha was organized here by Buddha and was later handed over to his maternal aunt Maha Prajavati Gautami for further caretaking. After visiting Vaishali, drive to Patna.

After breakfast drive to Bodhgaya. On the way you will be visiting Rajgir and Nalanda. Visit Saptaparni Cave, hot springs, the Vishwa Shanti Stupa at Rajgir and ruins of Nalanda University, Museum, temples and stupas at Nalanda. Then continue drive to Bodhgaya.

You will visit Mahabodhi Temple which is one of the most popular temple in Bodhgaya. It is where Buddha attained enlightenment on a full moon under the Bodhi Tree. Mahabodhi Temple was built after 250 years of the enlightenment of Buddha by emperor Ashoka when he visited Bodhgaya. You will find many temples/monasteries constructed by the people from the different countries. You may attend the religious activities for rest of the day

After breakfast drive to Varanasi via Sarnath. Sarnath is famous as the site where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, or where Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. It is also the place where the original Sangha was formed. On Buddha Purnima, (the birthday of Lord Buddha), relics of the Buddha are taken out in procession. The beginning of the celebrated Mantra, 'Buddham Saranam Gachhami', owes its origin to Sarnath. The three Jewels - "I go for refuge to the Buddha, I go for refuge to the Wheel of Law, I go for refuge to the Sangha" - first laid here, have remained unchanged ever since. Hence rightly, every Buddhist pilgrim endeavors to be blessed with a visit to Sarnath in his lifetime. After visiting Sarnath, drive to Varanasi for overnight stay.

Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world, dating back to 5000 years. It is famous for its spiritual and cultural history and Hindu people believe that death and cremation in Varanasi leads to salvation. You will see many temples, river banks, small lanes, food, culture and the ancient look of the entire atmosphere.

You can fly from Varanasi to Kathmandu or Delhi or your onward destination. Trip ends!