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Buddhist Circuit

6 nights / 7 days

Sarnath, Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Kushinagar and Lumbini, in the order the roads allow.

Buddhist Circuit — Sarnath, Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Kushinagar and Lumbini, in the order the roads allow.

₹24,999

per person, twin sharing

+91 72339 99686WhatsApp about this

The four great sites plus Rajgir and Nalanda, run as a loop from Varanasi. Lumbini is in Nepal — every passenger needs photo ID at the Sunauli crossing, and that is the step most itineraries forget to mention until you are at the border.

Where you go

  • Sarnath
  • Bodhgaya
  • Rajgir
  • Nalanda
  • Kushinagar
  • Lumbini (Nepal)

The plan, hour by hour

Day 1

Varanasi and Sarnath

Night in Varanasi

  1. By 12:00Arrive, check in.
  2. 15:00Sarnath — Dhamek Stupa, museum, vihara.
  3. 18:15Ganga aarti.

Day 2

To Bodhgaya

Night in Bodhgaya

  1. 07:00Depart, 260 km, 5 to 6 hours.
  2. 13:30Check in.
  3. 16:00Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi tree at a quiet hour.

Day 3

Bodhgaya

Night in Bodhgaya

  1. 06:00Morning chanting at Mahabodhi — the reason to stay two nights.
  2. 10:00Great Buddha statue and the monasteries.
  3. 15:00Sujata Stupa and Dungeshwari caves.

Day 4

Rajgir and Nalanda

Night in Patna

  1. 07:30Depart for Rajgir, 80 km.
  2. 10:00Griddhakuta and the hot springs.
  3. 13:30Nalanda ruins and museum.
  4. 17:00On to Patna.

Day 5

Vaishali and Kushinagar

Night in Kushinagar

  1. 07:00Vaishali — the Ashokan pillar and the relic stupa.
  2. 11:00Long leg to Kushinagar, about 290 km.
  3. 18:00Check in.

Day 6

Kushinagar to Lumbini

Night in Lumbini

  1. 07:30Mahaparinirvana Temple and Ramabhar Stupa.
  2. 10:30Cross at Sunauli. ID for every passenger. Allow 90 minutes.
  3. 15:00Maya Devi Temple and the Ashokan pillar at Lumbini.

Day 7

Back to Varanasi

  1. 07:00Depart, 320 km, 7 to 8 hours including the crossing.
  2. 16:00Drop at the airport or station in Varanasi.

Included

  • 6 nights hotel, twin sharing
  • AC vehicle for the full loop
  • Breakfast daily
  • Driver, fuel, toll, state permits
  • Nepal vehicle permit

Not included

  • Nepal visa if applicable to your nationality
  • Monument entry fees
  • Lunch and dinner
  • GST

Who this is not for

Anyone without ID for every traveller in the group, including children. The Sunauli crossing will turn back a party that is short one document, and that ends the Lumbini leg.

Common questions

How much does this package cost?

It's ₹24,999 a head if two of you share a room, and that's for the full 6 nights / 7 days. For that you get 6 nights hotel, twin sharing; AC vehicle for the full loop; breakfast daily; driver, fuel, toll, state permits; and Nepal vehicle permit.

What is not included?

You'd pay for Nepal visa if applicable to your nationality, monument entry fees, lunch and dinner, and GST yourself. We'd rather you hear that from us now than at the hotel desk.

Where does it go?

Sarnath, Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Kushinagar and Lumbini (Nepal) are the ones people come for. Scroll up for the plan, we've put a time next to every stop.

How does the first day start?

We start by 12:00. Arrive, check in. After that the plan moves on at 15:00. Sarnath. Dhamek Stupa, museum, vihara.

When does the trip end?

It wraps up around 16:00 on day 7. Drop at the airport or station in Varanasi. Please don't book a train or flight before that, you'd only be rushing the last morning.

Read before you go

Planning the Buddhist circuit from Varanasi

6 min read

Pind daan at Kashi, Gaya and the Sangam: a practical guide

8 min read

Want this itinerary but with your own vehicle arrangement? Kashi Tempo publishes per-kilometre rates for the same fleet.

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