Footsteps of the Buddha

Flight Time: Approx. 1 hr

Highlights:
• Flight to Aurangabad
• Ellora Caves – Buddhist, Hindu & Jain heritage

Program:
Transfer to airport to board flight to Aurangabad.
On arrival, transfer to hotel.
In the afternoon, visit the Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing magnificent Buddhist cave monasteries and sculptures.

Overnight: Aurangabad

Distance & Time:
• Aurangabad – Ajanta Caves: 100 km | Approx. 2.5 hrs
• Ajanta – Jalgaon: Approx. 60 km | 1.5 hrs
• Overnight train to Bhopal

Highlights:
• Ajanta Caves – ancient Buddhist murals
• Scenic Deccan landscapes

Program:
Full-day excursion to the Ajanta Caves, renowned for their exquisite Buddhist paintings and rock-cut monasteries dating back to the 2nd century BCE.
Later transfer to Jalgaon Railway Station to board overnight train to Bhopal.

Overnight: On board train

Distance & Time:
• Bhopal – Sanchi: 46 km | Approx. 1.5 hrs
• Overnight train to Agra

Highlights:
• Sanchi Stupa – UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Ashokan Buddhist legacy

Program:
Arrive in Bhopal and proceed to Sanchi, home to one of the oldest and most important Buddhist monuments in the world.
Visit the Great Stupa, monasteries, and pillars commissioned by Emperor Ashoka.
Later transfer to railway station to board train to Agra. On arrival, transfer to hotel.

Overnight: Agra

Flight Time: Approx. 1.5 hrs

Highlights:
• Taj Mahal & Agra Fort area
• Flight to Varanasi

Program:
Morning sightseeing of Agra, including its world-famous Mughal monuments.
Later transfer to airport to board flight to Varanasi.
On arrival, meet and assist, then transfer to hotel.

Overnight: Varanasi

Distance & Time:
• Varanasi – Bodhgaya: 250 km | Approx. 6 hrs
• Varanasi – Sarnath (en route): 10 km | 30 mins

Highlights:
• Sunrise boat ride on River Ganges
• Sarnath – first sermon of Buddha

Program:
Early morning boat ride on the River Ganges, witnessing the spiritual rituals of Varanasi’s ghats.
Later drive to Bodhgaya, stopping at Sarnath, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon.
Continue onward to Bodhgaya.

Overnight: Bodhgaya

Local Travel: Within Bodhgaya

Highlights:
• Mahabodhi Temple – UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Sacred Bodhi Tree
• Niranjana River

Program:
Visit the Mahabodhi Temple, the most sacred site in Buddhism, and the Bodhi Tree, under which Buddha attained enlightenment.
Also visit the Niranjana River, associated with Buddha’s ascetic life.

Overnight: Bodhgaya

Distance & Time:
• Bodhgaya – Rajgir: 75 km | 1.5 hrs
• Rajgir – Nalanda: 35 km | 45 mins
• Nalanda – Patna: 90 km | 1.5 hrs

Highlights:
• Rajgir – Griddhakuta (Vulture’s Peak)
• Nalanda University ruins

Program:
Drive to Patna, en route visiting Rajgir, where Buddha delivered many sermons, and Nalanda, one of the world’s oldest universities and a major center of Buddhist learning.

Overnight: Patna

Distance & Time:
• Patna – Vaishali: 55 km | 1.5 hrs
• Vaishali – Kushinagar – Gorakhpur: Approx. 300 km | 7 hrs

Highlights:
• Vaishali – Buddhist republican capital
• Kushinagar – Mahaparinirvana site

Program:
Drive toward Gorakhpur, visiting Vaishali, where Buddha gave his last sermon.
Continue onward via Kushinagar, the place of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana.

Overnight: Gorakhpur

Distance & Time:
• Gorakhpur – Lumbini – Balrampur: Approx. 180 km | 5 hrs

Highlights:
• Lumbini – birthplace of Lord Buddha
• Maya Devi Temple

Program:
Drive to Balrampur, en route visiting Lumbini in Nepal, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, including Maya Devi Temple and monastic zones.

Overnight: Balrampur

Distance & Time:
• Balrampur – Sravasti: 20 km | 45 mins
• Sravasti – Lucknow: 170 km | 4 hrs
• Flight Lucknow – Delhi: Approx. 1 hr

Highlights:
• Sravasti – Jetavana Monastery
• Flight to Delhi

Program:
Visit Sravasti, where Buddha spent many monastic seasons and delivered key teachings.
Continue to Lucknow Airport to board flight to Delhi.
On arrival, transfer to hotel.

Overnight: Delhi

Local Travel: Within Delhi

Highlights:
• Old Delhi & New Delhi sightseeing
• Mughal & British heritage

Program:
Full-day sightseeing of Old and New Delhi, covering major historical and cultural landmarks of India’s capital.

Overnight: Delhi

Highlights:
• Airport transfer
• End of Buddhist pilgrimage

Program:
Transfer to Delhi International Airport for onward journey, concluding an in-depth exploration of Buddhism across India.