The Taj Mahal in Agra, India

The Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour of India: Varanasi, Bodhgaya, Lumbini & More

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

India, Nepal

Places Visited

Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, Bodhgaya...

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Suggested Duration

12 Days

Entwining architecture and religion and featuring some of the most marvelous structures filled with artistry and ambiance, this 12-day custom-tailored India tour will captivate you every step of the way along the Buddhist trail. Following in the footsteps of Siddhartha Gautama brings you more than just the spiritual essence of Buddha’s life but also the grand history of the time, the sensational landscape that persists, and the remarkable architecture.

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Discover the true earthen locations of the Buddha, from his birthplace to the tranquil temples that stand where He once proselytized
  • Marvel at the architectural pearl that is the Taj Mahal
  • Drift through the remarkable world that exists along the River Ganges on a river cruise
  • Experience the working dichotomy of both the old and the new in Delhi
  • Enjoy the sacred bathing pool at the sight of Buddha’s birth in Lumbini

Detailed Description

Whether you are searching for enlightenment or wish to view in the place from which it was found, you will walk along the path of Buddha on this 12-day tour through India’s most sacred sites within the worlds of Buddhism and Hinduism. From ancient carved temples to holy rivers, bathing pools to British ruins, there are endless possibilities of the wonders that came before, during, and after Buddha made His way through India, each step bringing you a different, splendid experience.

Following the steps of Buddha begins in Delhi where the capital city of India brings a new kind of energy to light. Tour through the city to witness the mixtures of the old and new, from the colorful bazaar to the 16th century minaret known as the Qutub Minar. Find the morning alert and aromatic with spices, from green cardamom to fennel seed as you make your way to Agra to view Emperor Shah Jehan’s architectural masterpiece, the Taj Mahal. Then wind your way through Agra Fort and the various monuments that have brought the city to the forefront of architectural and historical elegance. On your third day you will come to Varanasi, home to the center of Hindu pilgrimage, where an inexpressible magic drapes over the River Ganges. The following morning you will immerse yourself in the culture, drifting along the river on a boat, finding the true life of the city. In the evening you will come to Bodhgaya, home to the Bodhi Tree where Buddha found enlightenment.

Continue en route to Patna and visit the celebrated ruins along Rajgir and Nalanda, one known for the first Buddhist Council, the other for the world’s greatest Buddhist universities. The majesty of Kushinagar is found in its uniqueness, and is where Buddha breathed his last breath, while in Lumbini, Nepal, you will find His birthplace and the sacred pool of Maya Devi within the Maya Devi Temple, where the goddess bathed before birthing Siddhartha. Back in India you will arrive in Balrampur before venturing onward to the diverse city of Lucknow, capital of the Uttar Pradesh state and home to elaborate calligraphy and the silver throne of Nawabs. On your final full day traversing the trail you will have a first-class train journey back to Delhi where the following day you will depart for home.

Zicasso offers a variety of tours of India. Be sure to browse the India tour package reviews for ideas and to see what travelers experienced while in India.

Starting Price

$2,335 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service

4.79 stars based on 56 reviews.

Luxury India & Nepal Trip Review: Kathmandu, Delhi,...
"Overall, everyone was great and did a fantastic job!"

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"Zicasso's travel agent listened to what we wanted and put...

Reviewed By Deborah W.

India & Nepal Tour Review: Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Pokhara,...
"Jay from the travel agency laid out the perfect itinerary...

Reviewed By Marc J.

India, Nepal, Bhutan Luxury Trip Review: Three-Week Tour...
"It would be next to impossible to surpass this trip. I...

Reviewed By David T.

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"We had a fabulous and memorable trip! Zicasso's travel...

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"The trip was ok overall."

Reviewed By Meena V.

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