Well Organized Trip
We appreciated our travel designer (Ovijit) was able to customize our trip to add in additional stops and tailor our hotels to what we were looking for.
9 Days Buddhist India & Lumbini Nepal Tour
8 Nights / 9 Days
Varanasi · Sarnath · Bodh Gaya · Kushinagar · Lumbini · Shravasti · Lucknow
Tour Overview
This 9 Days Buddhist India & Lumbini Nepal Tour is a compact cross-border pilgrimage designed for travellers who want to combine the core Buddhist sites of northern India with Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. The route connects Varanasi, Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, Kushinagar, Lumbini, Shravasti and Lucknow.
The journey follows a strong spiritual sequence: Sarnath for the Buddha's first teaching, Bodh Gaya for enlightenment, Kushinagar for Mahaparinirvana, Lumbini for his birth, and Shravasti for the long teaching tradition of Jetavana. It is ideal for travellers who want a focused Buddhist pilgrimage tour without adding the longer Rajgir, Nalanda and Vaishali section.
The itinerary begins in Varanasi with a dedicated Sarnath day before moving to Bodh Gaya for two nights. This provides enough time for the Mahabodhi Temple Complex, Bodhi Tree, Vajrasana and selected international monasteries.
The route then continues by road to Kushinagar before crossing into Nepal for two nights in Lumbini. The extra night in Lumbini gives enough time for the Maya Devi Temple, Sacred Garden, Ashokan Pillar and international monastic zone.
After re-entering India, the pilgrimage continues to Shravasti and Jetavana before ending in Lucknow. Travellers wanting the full eastern Buddhist circuit with Rajgir, Nalanda and Vaishali should choose the 12 Days India & Nepal Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour.
Tour Highlights:
- Compact India and Nepal Buddhist pilgrimage route.
- Dhamek Stupa and first-teaching heritage at Sarnath.
- Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree and monasteries in Bodh Gaya.
- Mahaparinirvana Temple and Ramabhar Stupa in Kushinagar.
- Maya Devi Temple, Sacred Garden and monastic zone in Lumbini.
- Jetavana and ancient Shravasti.
- Private overland transport and local guide support throughout.
Buddhist Pilgrimage Planning:
- Passport and Nepal entry requirements must be checked before travel.
- Border-crossing time varies according to immigration formalities and traffic.
- Private vehicles and cross-border arrangements are confirmed in advance.
- Temple, monastery and archaeological-site timings remain subject to current local rules.
- Prayer, meditation or chanting experiences are included only where access and local practice permit.
Detailed Itinerary
Arrive in Varanasi, where your local representative will meet you at the airport or railway station.
Transfer privately to your hotel and allow time to rest after the journey.
Your travel coordinator will review the India-Nepal route, border formalities, road sectors and practical etiquette for Buddhist temples and monasteries.
If arrival is early, a short cultural orientation or Ganges-side visit can be arranged according to your energy level.
Keep the evening relaxed before the first major Buddhist pilgrimage day.
Buddhist Experiences:
- Private arrival assistance in Varanasi.
- India-Nepal Buddhist circuit briefing.
- Border and pilgrimage-site planning guidance.
- Optional gentle cultural orientation.
Overnight stay in Varanasi.
After breakfast, drive to Sarnath, one of the principal sacred sites of Buddhism.
Visit Dhamek Stupa and the archaeological zone associated with the Buddha's first teaching after enlightenment.
Continue to Chaukhandi Stupa, selected monastery areas and the museum or interpretation facilities according to current opening conditions.
Your guide will explain the Deer Park tradition, the first turning of the Dharma wheel and the beginnings of the Buddhist Sangha.
Allow time for quiet reflection before returning to Varanasi.
Buddhist Experiences:
- Dhamek Stupa and Sarnath archaeological zone.
- Site associated with the Buddha's first teaching.
- Monastery traditions and Buddhist interpretation.
- Time for reflection at the Deer Park landscape.
Overnight stay in Varanasi.
After breakfast, leave Varanasi and travel privately towards Bodh Gaya.
The drive connects the site of the Buddha's first teaching with the place where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment.
On arrival, check in at your hotel and allow time for lunch and rest.
Later, make an introductory visit to the Mahabodhi Temple Complex if current opening hours and your energy level permit.
Keep the evening quiet before the full Bodh Gaya pilgrimage programme.
Buddhist Experiences:
- Private road journey from Varanasi to Bodh Gaya.
- Arrival at the Buddha's enlightenment site.
- Optional first Mahabodhi Temple visit.
- Quiet evening before the main sacred-site day.
Overnight stay in Bodh Gaya.
Begin early at the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bodh Gaya.
Spend time near the Bodhi Tree and Vajrasana, with your guide explaining the enlightenment tradition and sacred geography of the complex.
Continue to selected international Buddhist monasteries representing traditions from different Asian countries according to opening hours and your interests.
Later, visit the Great Buddha Statue and Sujata-related sites where practical.
Return to the Mahabodhi area in the late afternoon or evening for meditation, chanting or quiet reflection if permitted.
Buddhist Experiences:
- Mahabodhi Temple Complex and Bodhi Tree.
- Vajrasana and enlightenment landscape.
- International Buddhist monasteries.
- Optional meditation or chanting experience.
Overnight stay in Bodh Gaya.
After breakfast, leave Bodh Gaya and begin the private road journey towards Kushinagar.
This is one of the longer driving sectors of the tour, so the day is kept simple with practical rest and meal stops.
On arrival, check in at your hotel and allow time to rest.
If timing and opening conditions permit, make an introductory visit to the Mahaparinirvana Temple area.
The full Kushinagar pilgrimage programme continues the following morning.
Buddhist Experiences:
- Private journey from Bodh Gaya to Kushinagar.
- Arrival at the Mahaparinirvana pilgrimage site.
- Optional first Mahaparinirvana Temple visit.
- Relaxed evening before cross-border travel.
Overnight stay in Kushinagar.
Begin with the principal Buddhist sites of Kushinagar.
Visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple and reclining Buddha image, followed by Ramabhar Stupa and selected monastery or archaeological areas.
Allow time for prayer or quiet reflection before leaving Kushinagar.
Continue towards the India-Nepal border, complete immigration formalities and travel onward to Lumbini.
Arrive in Lumbini by evening, check in at your hotel and rest after the cross-border journey.
Buddhist Experiences:
- Mahaparinirvana Temple and reclining Buddha.
- Ramabhar Stupa and Kushinagar sacred landscape.
- Time for prayer or reflection.
- Cross-border journey to Lumbini, Nepal.
Overnight stay in Lumbini.
Spend the day exploring Lumbini, traditionally recognised as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama.
Visit the Maya Devi Temple and Sacred Garden, with time around the marker stone, sacred pond and Ashokan Pillar according to current access.
Continue through the international monastic zone and visit selected monasteries representing different Buddhist traditions.
If timing permits, include the World Peace Pagoda or another suitable site within the wider Lumbini area.
Return to the Sacred Garden or a quiet monastic area in the late afternoon for personal reflection.
Buddhist Experiences:
- Maya Devi Temple and Sacred Garden.
- Ashokan Pillar and birthplace landscape.
- International Buddhist monastic zone.
- Time for meditation or quiet reflection.
Overnight stay in Lumbini.
After breakfast, leave Lumbini and travel back towards India.
Complete border and immigration formalities, then continue privately to Shravasti.
On arrival, check in at your hotel and allow time for lunch or rest depending on the border-crossing duration.
Later, visit the Jetavana Monastery area if daylight and opening conditions permit, or keep the complete pilgrimage programme for the following morning.
Spend a quiet evening in Shravasti.
Buddhist Experiences:
- Cross-border return from Nepal to India.
- Private journey to Shravasti.
- Optional first Jetavana visit.
- Arrival at an important teaching landscape of the Buddha.
Overnight stay in Shravasti.
Begin with the major Buddhist sites of Shravasti.
Visit Jetavana Monastery and selected remains within the Saheth-Maheth archaeological landscape.
Your guide will explain the site's association with the Buddha's monsoon retreats and teaching activity.
Allow some quiet time before travelling privately to Lucknow for your onward flight, train or additional overnight stay according to the confirmed schedule.
Your 9 Days Buddhist India & Lumbini Nepal Tour concludes after connecting Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, Kushinagar, Lumbini and Shravasti in one compact pilgrimage.
Buddhist Experiences:
- Jetavana Monastery and ancient Shravasti.
- Saheth-Maheth Buddhist archaeological landscape.
- Time for reflection before departure.
- Private transfer to Lucknow.
Tour concludes in Lucknow / at the confirmed onward point.
Know Before You Book
Package Details & Booking Terms
- Complete ground arrangements in India as specified in the confirmed itinerary.
- Accommodation on double/twin sharing at the selected hotels.
- Breakfasts and other meals specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for airport transfers, intercity travel and sightseeing.
- Professional driver with fuel, tolls, parking and driver allowance.
- Domestic flights, train tickets, activities, entrance fees and guides when specifically included in final itinerary.
- Meet-and-assist service on arrival and departure, as mentioned in the itinerary.
- All Gov't taxes are included.
- International airfare, visa fees and travel insurance.
- Flights, trains or road journeys not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Meals, entrance fees, permits, camera charges and guides unless included.
- Personal expenses, tips and medical or emergency evacuation costs.
- Expenses caused by weather, cancellations, illness, roadblocks or other circumstances beyond our control.
- Hotels, transport and activities are subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
- Hotel check-in and check-out times apply as per individual hotel policy.
- Child rates, extra beds and complimentary stays depend on the confirmed hotel’s policy.
- Sightseeing may be adjusted due to weather, traffic, local restrictions or monument closures.
- The final written quotation will confirm the exact inclusions, exclusions and services.
- A 40% deposit is required to confirm your booking.
- The balance is payable 15 days before the tour or upon arrival in India, if agreed in advance.
- Payments must be made using the official bank or secure payment details provided by Tusk Travel.
- International transfer, card-processing and currency-conversion charges are payable by the traveller.
- 60 days or more before arrival: 10% cancellation charge.
- 59–30 days before arrival: 20% cancellation charge.
- 29–15 days before arrival: 25% cancellation charge.
- 14–8 days before arrival: 50% cancellation charge.
- 7 days or less before arrival, or no-show: 100% cancellation charge (no refund).
- Issued flight, train, permit and special-event bookings may be non-refundable.
Plan Your Private India Journey
Would You Like to Customize This Tour?
Share your travel dates, preferred hotels and interests. Our travel experts will customize this itinerary to match your trip duration, travel style and budget.
Fast travel assistance
Chat With an India Travel Expert
Get quick assistance with itinerary changes, hotels, transport, sightseeing and tour extensions.
Chat on WhatsApp
Real Traveller Experiences
Trusted by Travellers Worldwide
Real moments and recent experiences shared by travellers who planned their holidays with Tusk Travel.
4.9/5 Excellent
Based on 202 Tripadvisor reviews
Travellers’ Choice 2025
Dhanyabad
The most beautiful trip I have ever had. With Tusk Travel I felt very happy and safe.
Glimpse of Srilanka
Tusk arranged a custom trip for us that included luxurious resort stay, elephant watching with ethical guides, hiking in the Knuckles mountain range.
Great experience in India and Maldives with Tusk Travel
My family and I loved the experience of getting to know India and the Maldives, which we will cherish in our memories and with a desire to return. And we are grateful to you and Tusk Travel for providing us with this experience.
Travel to India and Nepal 18 days.
Hello, I wanted to thank all the staff of the company for their work in organizing the tour and the good treatment they had with us.