Varanasi is a city where the amazing Ganga Aarti is held at Dashashwamedh Ghat, a perfect way to start your trip across this holy trip. And for eight days, you’ll go to the most prominent temples, ghats, and ruins that mean a lot to believers. We’ll visit Sarnath, where Buddha taught his dharma for the first time and the stupas erected there. Then to Bodhgaya for Mahabodhi Temple Complex, where he gained enlightenment. We’ll also visit the ancient city Rajgir for the World Peace Stupa built by a Japanese monk and Lord Buddha’s favourite retreat spot, Gridhrakuta. Not to be missed is one of the world’s oldest, biggest education hubs of its time, the Ruins of Nalanda University. We’ll also be where Buddha gave his last sermon before his death in Vaishali and to the stupas where he passed away and was cremated at. And we end the trip in Lumbini, where Siddhartha Gautama was born as a rich prince.
3 Star Hand-Picked Accommodation
Daily Breakfast
All Transfers & Sightseeing on Private Basis ( upto 4 pax – Sedan, 5-6 pax – Innova / Ertiga, 7-12 pax T/T)
Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat (at own cost)
Godowlia Crossing
Assi Ghat
Kashi Vishwanath Temple for Jyotirlinga Darshan
The Annapurna Temple, Kaal Bhairav Temple, Durga Temple & Tulsi Manas Temple
Sankat Mochan Temple & Bharat Mata temple
Sarnath half-day tour
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya
Vishnupad Temple
Vishwa Shanti Stupa (World Peace Stupa)
Ruins of Nalanda University & Rajgir excursion
Day-excursion to Vaishali, including Kushinagar and the Buddha Relic Stupa
Day-excursion to Lumbini, including Maya Devi Temple, Myanmar Golden Temple, Lumbini Crane Sanctuary, and Ashoka Pillar
All personal expenses like entry fee, boating charges etc. are not included (on direct payment basis)
Day 1
Arrival At Varanasi And Witness Most Spectacular Ganga Arti In Evening
- After your arrival at the Varanasi Airport or railway station, you will be greeted by our representatives to be transferred to the hotel. You have time to relax and freshen up until evening time.
- We start the trip with Ganga Arti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. It is a holy fire ritual held at one of the oldest and most sacred ghats in Varanasi. This ceremony has become a popular sight as the spectacular ritual takes place every evening in the city of Varanasi. Once the crowd disperses, we walk down the streets to Godowlia Crossing, a perfect place to enjoy local specialties, such as Lassi or Thandai. Lassi is a blended drink made of dahl, and spices, often with added fruits, while Thandai is perfect for hot weather as rose petals, almonds, watermelons, and other refreshing
- ingredients are mixed with milk and sugar.
- After a delightful evening exploring the greatest ‘Tirth,’ we return to our hotel for an overnight stay in Varanasi.
Lunch - Not Included
Dinner - Not Included
Day 2
Sunrise Boat Tour with Varanasi Local Sightseeing
- After breakfast, we’ll visit Assi Ghat, a great spot to get a spectacular view of sunrise. Then from Assi Ghat, we’ll take a boat to head for Dashashwamedh Ghat, and then to Kashi Vishwanath Temple to take part in Jyotirlinga Darshan.
- The Annapurna Temple is within walking distance from Vishwanath Temple and is dedicated to goddess Annapurna. You can see an idol of the goddess carved in the 18th century that had traveled across the seas and finally returned to Varanasi. Then we’ll visit one of the oldest Shiva temples in Varanasi, Kaal Bhairav Temple. Also Durga Temple, which is also called the Monkey temple, that features multi-tiered shikhara and incredible North Indian Nagara architecture design. You also don’t want to miss Tulsi Manas Temple that is blessed with a beautiful view of the city and significantly important historical value in Hinduism.
- Sankat Mochan Temple that is dedicated to the Hindu God Hanuman is another must-see holy temple founded in the 16th century and is one of the oldest Hindu shrines in Varanasi. We’ll also see Birla Temple, which is a modern-day temple located inside Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. While in BHU, we’ll also enter Bharat Kala Bhavan, the university museum that displays culturally and historically important knowledge about art and culture of India. Then we’ll go to Bharat Mata temple which is located inside the campus of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth. It is one of the rare temples where instead of idols, it has the carving of undivided India’s map in marble instead and is dedicated to Bharat Mata, or the “Mother India.”
- After lunch, we’ll visit Sarnath, a small village located about 10 km from the holy city. It is well-known as where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma. Now, it’s a deer park adorned with Buddhist monuments and excavation spots. There’s also the Sarnath Museum and a beautiful Buddha Park for a relaxing walk around before returning back to Varanasi for dinner and for an overnight stay at the hotel.
NOTE: Entrances to museums / temples/ Pujas not included and will be on direct payment.
NOTE - Entrance to temples, puja, boat ride, daan, etc. not included and directly payable at the time of travel. Also, note that most of the temples do remain closed between 1200-1700 hours. There are temples at each place which remain open throughout the day, so please schedule accordingly and check before visit. Moreover all activities/sevas/pujas do get altered or not available in festival times, so exercise caution.
Breakfast - Included at Hotel
Lunch - Not Included
Dinner - Not Included
Day 3
Transfer from Varanasi To Bodh Gaya – The City Of Enlightenment
- After early breakfast, we check-out at 8am and drive to Bodh Gaya. After 5 hours, we reach the city and check-in at the hotel, then lunch. Gaya is known for the historically precious buildings deemed as a holy city for all Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist believers. It is mentioned in many epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata and is a major pilgrimage site, particularly for Hindu in Pind-Daan ritual. Bodhgaya is located in the outskirt of Gaya and is said to be the location where Siddhartha Gautama attained his enlightenment, hence “The City of Enlightenment.” It is one of four well-known holy sites in Buddhism. Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bodhgaya has been listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, a rebuild temple of the ancient one, housing over 2,500-year worth of history. We’ll also visit The Great Buddha Statue, a popular stop to see the 19.5m statue of Buddha up close, located just next to the temple.
- We’ll also visit Vishnupad Temple, a temple dedicated to Vishnu at the site where the god allegedly killed the demon Gayasura. This very ancient,
- beautiful temple is around 300 years old and overlooks the Phalgu river.
- After dinner, we go back to the hotel for overnight stay in Gaya.
NOTE - Entrance to temples, puja, boat ride, daan, etc. not included and directly payable at the time of travel. Also, note that most of the temples do remain closed between 1200-1700 hours. There are temples at each place which remain open throughout the day, so please schedule accordingly and check before visit. Moreover all activities/sevas/pujas do get altered or not available in festival times, so exercise caution.
Breakfast - Included at Hotel
Lunch - Not Included
Dinner - Not Included
Day 4
Transfer from Gaya To Patna Via Rajgir & Nalanda
- After breakfast, check-out from the hotel. We drive to Patna today and enroute, we’ll stop at Rajgir and Nalanda. Rajgir is the first capital of the ancient kingdom Magadha, famed today for the seven hot springs, or Saptarshi. Surrounded by hills, this beautiful city’s Venu Vana Park houses a Japanese Temple that was once a monastery for Buddha. Not to be missed while on our way to Patna is Nalanda, a renowned Buddhist monastic university from ancient Magadha. Experts believe this is the world’s very first residential university, established in the 5th century.
- Upon arrival in Patna, we’ll check-in at the hotel and have dinner. Then stay overnight in Patna
Breakfast - Included at Hotel
Lunch - Not Included
Dinner - Not Included
Day 5
Day Excursion To Vaishali
- After breakfast, we head to Vaishali for a day trip. Vaishali is the place where Gautama Buddha gave his last sermon and announced his Parinirvana three months before he reached Nirvana at Kushinagar. The Buddha Relic Stupa enshrines one of eight parts of Buddha’s remains – his ashes – after he attained Nirvana. And not far is the Kutagarasala Vihara, an ancient monastery where Buddha frequents to stay when he’s in Vaishali.
- Then to Coronation Tank which is the tank adorned with bushes, shrubs, and trees. It is considered a holy place where Vaishali representatives would dip in back in the olden days. The Ashoka Pillar in Vaishali is another must-see, adorned with an Asiatic lion that gave it the name “The Lion Pillar.” It is built by Emperor Asoka and is one among twenty remaining Ashoka pillars in India, with the ones with complete animal specimens being the rarest.
- We can also visit the World Peace Pagoda before we get our lunch before returning back to Patna in the afternoon. Enjoy dinner and then spend overnight at the hotel in Patna.
Note - Entrance to temples, museums, forts, puja, boat ride, daan, etc. not included and directly payable at the time of travel. Also, note that most of the temples do remain closed between 1200-1700 hours. There are temples at each place which remain open throughout the day, so please schedule accordingly and check before visit. Moreover all activities/sevas/pujas do get altered or not available in festival times, so exercise caution.
Breakfast - Included at Hotel
Lunch - Not Included
Dinner - Not Included
Day 6
Transfer From Patna To Gorakhpur Via Kushinagar
- After early breakfast, we check-out at 8am to set off for Gorakhpur as it’s a 6-hour straight drive. We’ll enjoy your lunch on the way. We’ll stop at Kushinagar, a beautiful Buddhist pilgrimage site dubbed as one of the most important ones in the world. This is where Gautama Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. We can see the reclining 6.1-meter nirvana statue of Gautama Buddha inside the Parinirvana Stupa, also believed to be where Buddha passed away. We’ll also head to Ramabhar Stupa, which is the cremation place of Gautama Buddha, located around 1.5 km east from the main Nirvana Temple.
- Once we reach Gorakhpur, we check-in at Gorakhpur Hotel and spend overnight there.
Note - Entrance to temples, museums, forts, puja, boat ride, daan, etc. not included and directly payable at the time of travel. Also, note that most of the temples do remain closed between 1200-1700 hours. There are temples at each place which remain open throughout the day, so please schedule accordingly and check before visit. Moreover all activities/sevas/pujas do get altered or not available in festival times, so exercise caution.
Breakfast - Included at Hotel
Lunch - Not Included
Dinner - Not Included
Day 7
Day Excursion To Lumbini
- We enjoy an early breakfast to go on a day trip to Lumbini at 8 am. We’ll enjoy our lunch during the four-hour drive across 150 km of distance to Lumbini, the city where Gautama Buddha, whose previous identity was a prince from a wealthy family in present-day Nepal, was born. Then to Maya Devi temple, which is an ancient Buddhist temple and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lumbini. You can also visit the World Peace Pagoda of Lumbini built in the early 21st century, a Pagoda with a white dome, dubbed as the Nipponzan Peace Pagoda.
- Myanmar Golden Temple is the oldest structure of the city we don’t want to miss. This gold-laden temple features some amazing architectures in its three prayer halls. It is also called the “Great Dragon Pagoda.” There’s also an Ashoka Pillar in Lumbini which has Paderia Inscription written in ancient Brahmi script, a mark of respect from Emperor Ashoka after visiting Lord Buddha’s place of birth and decided to accept Buddhism.
- And you definitely don’t want to miss the Lumbini Crane Sanctuary, a nature learning centre. It also doubles as a significantly important location to the followers of Lord Buddha as it was established on what was the Lumbini Garden where Siddhartha Gautama was born. We’ll return to Gorakhpur in the evening and spend the night at the hotel.
Breakfast - Included at Hotel
Lunch - Not Included
Dinner - Not Included
Day 8
Departure from Gorakhpur
After breakfast, we check-out from the hotel and drive you to Gorakhpur airport for departure.
Breakfast - Included at Hotel
Lunch - Not Included
Dinner - Not Included