Eastern Path of Enlightenment
Key Highlights
- Complete Eastern Buddhist Circuit of India & Nepal
- Covers all four holiest sites: Bodhgaya, Lumbini, Sarnath & Kushinagar
- Includes ancient universities, republics & UNESCO-linked heritage
- Ideal for international Buddhist pilgrims & spiritual travelers
- Clear travel distances & timings for transparency
- Meditation & monastery experiences included
Day-Wise Itinerary
Local Travel: Within Kolkata
Highlights:
• Victoria Memorial
• Indian Museum
• Tagore House
Program:
Arrive in Kolkata and meet our representative at the airport or railway station. Transfer to hotel for check-in.
Later proceed for a guided local sightseeing tour covering Victoria Memorial, an architectural symbol of the British era, Indian Museum, one of the oldest museums in Asia, and Tagore House, the ancestral home of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
Overnight: Kolkata
Local Travel: Within Kolkata
Highlights:
• Fo Kuang Shan Calcutta Buddhist Centre
• Mother Teresa Home
• Mullik Ghat Flower Market
• Kalighat Kali Temple
Program:
After breakfast, proceed for a spiritually diverse tour of Kolkata. Visit the Fo Kuang Shan Calcutta Buddhist Centre, reflecting modern Buddhist practice.
Continue to Mother Teresa Home, symbolizing compassion and service, followed by Mullik Ghat Flower Market, one of Asia’s largest wholesale flower markets.
Later visit the revered Kalighat Kali Temple, one of the most sacred Shakti Peethas in India.
Return to hotel.
Overnight: Kolkata
Distance & Time: 400 km | Approx. 8 hrs by road
Optional: Flight or overnight train
Highlights:
• Overland pilgrimage journey
• Evening visit to Mahabodhi Temple
Program:
After breakfast, depart for Bodhgaya, one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in the world.
Upon arrival, check in at hotel.
In the evening, visit the Mahabodhi Temple and the sacred Bodhi Tree, under which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment.
Overnight: Bodhgaya
Distance & Time:
• Bodhgaya – Dungeshwari Caves: 12 km | Approx. 30 mins
Highlights:
• Sujata Village
• Dungeshwari (Mahakala) Caves
• Half-day meditation experience
Program:
After breakfast, visit Sujata Village, where Lady Sujata offered Kheer to Gautama Buddha, marking a turning point in his ascetic journey.
Proceed to Dungeshwari Cave Temples, where Buddha practiced intense penance before attaining enlightenment.
Later, experience a half-day meditation session at Buddhist monasteries in Bodhgaya, including Tibetan, Japanese, and Burmese monasteries.
Overnight: Bodhgaya
Distance & Time:
• Bodhgaya – Rajgir: 75 km | 1.5 hrs
• Rajgir – Nalanda: 12 km | 30 mins
• Nalanda – Patna: 90 km | 1.5 hrs
Highlights:
• Griddhakuta (Vulture’s Peak)
• Vishwa Shanti Stupa
• Nalanda University ruins
• Xuan Zang Memorial Hall
Program:
After breakfast, drive to Rajgir, visiting Griddhakuta, Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Venuvana, and Bimbisar Prison.
Continue to Nalanda, exploring the ruins of the ancient Nalanda University, one of the world’s oldest centers of higher learning, and the Xuan Zang Memorial Hall.
Proceed onward to Patna for check-in.
Overnight: Patna
Distance & Time:
• Patna – Vaishali: 50 km | 1 hr
• Vaishali – Kesaria: Approx. 1.5 hrs
• Kesaria – Kushinagar: 250 km | Approx. 6 hrs
Highlights:
• Ashokan Pillar at Kolhua
• Abhishek Pushkarini
• Kesaria Stupa – World’s tallest Buddhist stupa
Program:
After breakfast, drive to Vaishali, visiting the Ashokan Pillar at Kolhua and Abhishek Pushkarini, associated with Buddha’s last sermon.
Continue to Kesaria Stupa, believed to be the tallest Buddhist stupa in the world.
Later proceed to Kushinagar and check in at hotel.
Overnight: Kushinagar
Distance & Time: 180 km | Approx. 4 hrs
Highlights:
• Mahaparinirvana Temple
• Rambhar Stupa (Mukutbandhan Chaitya)
• Kapilvastu en route
• Entry into Nepal – Lumbini
Program:
After breakfast, visit Mahaparinirvana Temple, Rambhar Stupa, and Japanese Temple in Kushinagar.
Later drive to Lumbini, crossing into Nepal (double-entry India visa and single-entry Nepal visa required).
Upon arrival, check in at hotel.
Overnight: Lumbini
Distance & Time: 225 km | Approx. 5 hrs
Highlights:
• Maya Devi Temple
• Eternal Peace Flame
• Kapilvastu & Tilaurakot Museum
Program:
After breakfast, visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, including Maya Devi Temple, Eternal Peace Flame, and international monasteries.
En route, visit Kapilvastu, exploring the ancient kingdom of Siddhartha Gautama and Tilaurakot Museum Complex.
Continue drive to Sravasti.
Overnight: Sravasti
Distance & Time: 300 km | Approx. 6 hrs
Highlights:
• Jetavana Monastery (Saheth)
• Maheth & Angulimala Caves
• Anand Bodhi Tree
Program:
After breakfast, visit Saheth (Jetavanaram) and Maheth, including Angulimala Caves, Anand Bodhi Tree, and Anathpindika Stupa.
Later drive to Varanasi and check in at hotel.
Overnight: Varanasi
Distance & Time:
• Varanasi – Sarnath: 11 km | Approx. 30 mins
Highlights:
• Sunrise boat ride on River Ganges
• Sarnath – Buddha’s first sermon site
• Dhamekha Stupa & Deer Park
• Ganga Aarti OR Sri Lankan Buddhist Temple ceremony
Program:
Early morning boat ride on the River Ganges, experiencing the spiritual rhythm of Subah-e-Banaras and historic ghats.
Later visit Sarnath, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. Explore Dhamekha Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, Mulagandh Kuti Vihara, and the Archaeological Museum.
In the evening, choose between Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat or a ritual ceremony at the Sri Lankan Buddhist Temple.
Overnight: Varanasi
Program:
After breakfast, transfer to Varanasi Airport or Railway Station for onward journey, concluding your sacred Buddhist pilgrimage with lasting spiritual memories.
