Overview
This 20-day journey takes you across India’s most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites combined with the ancient cave complexes of Maharashtra and Odisha’s famous Diamond Triangle. From Delhi and Agra to Bodhgaya, Itkhori, Odisha, Ajanta–Ellora, and Mumbai’s rock-cut caves, this itinerary covers spiritual, cultural, and archaeological landmarks. A once-in-a-lifetime experience to follow the footsteps of Lord Buddha while exploring India’s rich Buddhist heritage.
Trip Highlights
- Visit the Four Major Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites: Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar (plus Odisha Diamond Triangle).
- Explore Sankisa, Kaushambi, Rajgir, Itkhori, Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, Udaygiri, Shravasti & Vaishali.
- Witness the holy Ganga Aarti in Varanasi.
- Discover Odisha’s Buddhist Diamond Triangle (Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri, Udaygiri).
- Explore UNESCO World Heritage caves: Ajanta, Ellora, Kanheri, Karla & Bhaja.
- Visit India’s cultural cities: Delhi, Agra, Lucknow, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Aurangabad, and Mumbai.
- Opportunities for meditation and reflection at sacred Buddhist sites.
Itinerary
Day 01 :
ARRIVAL AT DELHI
- Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi.
- Warm welcome by our representative and transfer to the hotel.
- Rest and recover from your journey.
- Overnight stay in Delhi
Day 02 :
DELHI TO AGRA (232 KM / ~4 HRS 22 MIN)
- Drive to Agra.
- Visit the Taj Mahal, the symbol of eternal love.
- Explore Agra Fort, a Mughal architectural marvel.
- Overnight stay in Agra
Day 03 :
AGRA TO SANKISA (166 KM / ~2 HRS 51 MIN)
- Drive to Sankisa, an important Buddhist site.
- Visit Asokan Elephant Pillar and Buddhist remains marking Buddha’s descent from heaven.
- Explore local monasteries and stupas.
- Overnight stay in Sankisa
Day 04 :
SANKISA TO LUCKNOW (212 KM / ~3 HRS 31 MIN)
- Drive to Lucknow.
- Enroute enjoy the countryside landscapes.
- Visit Bara Imambara (time permitting) for cultural immersion.
- Overnight stay in Lucknow
Day 05 :
LUCKNOW TO KAUSHAMBI TO PRAYAGRAJ (251 KM / ~5 HRS 55 MIN)
- Drive to Kaushambi, where Buddha delivered several discourses.
- Visit Buddhist ruins, Ghositarama Monastery & Ashokan Pillar.
- Continue to Prayagraj.
- Overnight stay in Prayagraj.
Day 06 :
PRAYAGRAJ TO VARANASI (122 KM / ~2 HRS 22 MIN)
- Morning visit to Triveni Sangam (confluence of Ganga, Yamuna & Saraswati).
- Transfer to Varanasi by road.
- Evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
- Overnight stay in Varanasi
Day 07 :
VARANASI FULL DAY
- Enjoy Full Day Sarnath Sightseeing:
- Visit Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon at Deer Park.
- Explore Dhamek Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, and Sarnath Museum.
- Visit local monasteries representing different Buddhist countries.
- Evening boat ride on the Ganges to witness rituals and lights.
- Overnight stay in Varanasi.
Day 08 :
VARANASI TO BODHGAYA (250 KM / ~6-7 HRS)
- Drive to Bodhgaya, one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
- Evening at leisure for meditation near Mahabodhi Temple Complex.
- Overnight stay in Bodhgaya.
Day 09 :
BODHGAYA FULL DAY SIGHTSEING
- Enjoy Full Day Bodhgaya Sightseeing:
- Visit Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree & Vajrasana.
- Explore monasteries built by different Buddhist nations.
- Visit Sujata Village, associated with Sujata’s offering of milk-rice to Buddha.
- Overnight stay in Bodhgaya
Day 10 :
BODHGAYA TO ITKHORI TO RANCHI (224 KM / ~4 HRS 45 MIN)
- Drive to Itkhori, associated with Buddha’s spiritual journey.
- Explore Buddhist ruins and temples.
- Continue to Ranchi.
- Overnight stay in Ranchi
Day 11 :
RANCHI TO BHUBANESHWAR (BY FLIGHT)
- Board flight to Bhubaneswar.
- Evening free for leisure or local exploration.
- Overnight stay in Bhubneshwar.
Day 12 :
BHUBANESHWAR – ODISHA DIAMOND TRIANGLE – BHUBANESHWAR (185 KM / ~4 HRS 37 MIN)
- Full-day excursion to Odisha’s Diamond Triangle:
- Lalitgiri – Monastic complex & Buddhist relics.
- Ratnagiri – Magnificent Buddhist sculptures.
- Udaygiri – Stupas and monastic ruins.
- Return to Bhubaneswar.
- Overnight stay in Bhubaneswar.
Day 13 :
BHUBANESHWAR TO MUMBAI (BY FLIGHT)
- Flight to Mumbai.
- Evening free for leisure or local exploration.
- Overnight stay in Mumbai.
Day 14 :
MUMBAI – KARLA & BHAJA CAVES – MUMBAI (209 KM / ~4 HRS 13 MIN)
- Visit Karla Caves, housing one of the largest rock-cut Chaitya halls.
- Explore Bhaja Caves, with 22 rock-cut Buddhist caves.
- Return to Mumbai.
- Overnight stay in Mumbai.
Day 15 :
MUMBAI – KANHERI CAVES – MUMBAI (77.3 KM / ~2 HRS 35 MIN)
- Visit Kanheri Caves, carved inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
- Explore Buddhist sculptures, viharas, and prayer halls.
- Return to Mumbai.
- Overnight stay in Mumbai.
Day 16 :
MUMBAI TO AURANGABAD (BY FLIGHT)
- Flight to Aurangabad.
- Evening free for rest.
- Overnight stay in Aurangabad.
Day 17 :
AURANGABAD – ELLORA CAVES – AURANGABAD (59.7 KM / ~1 HR 43 MIN)
- Explore Ellora Caves – UNESCO site with Buddhist, Hindu & Jain rock-cut temples.
- Return to Aurangabad
- Overnight stay in Aurangabad
Day 18 :
AURANGABAD – AJANTA CAVES – AURANGABAD (203 KM / ~4 HRS 51 MIN)
- Full-day visit to Ajanta Caves, famous for exquisite Buddhist paintings.
- Return to Aurangabad.
- Overnight stay in Aurangabad
Day 19 :
AURANGABAD TO DELHI (BY FLIGHT)
- Flight to Delhi.
- Evening free for shopping or relaxation.
- Overnight stay in Delhi.
Day 20 :
DELHI TOUR & DEPARTURE
- Half-day heritage tour of Delhi:
- India Gate
- Qutub Minar
- Drive past Rashtrapati Bhawan & Parliament House
- Last-minute shopping.
- Transfer to Delhi International Airport for departure.
- End of the Tour
Inclusions
- For meal plans, additional destinations, or customizations, please fill out the enquiry form or contact us directly.
- All Transfers & sightseeing as per itinerary by air-conditioned private vehicle for the entire tour
- English Speaking Guide throughout the tour
- 24*7 Support and Assistance
Exclusions
- Airfare / Rail fare
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees or assistance
- Expenses of personal nature such as laundry, tips, shopping, telephone calls, medical needs, etc.
- Entry fees to monuments (to be paid directly at the entrance)
- Guide is not envisaged
- Any other expenses not mentioned in the inclusions above
- Charges in hotels for additional services
- Adventure activities, rides, or services not mentioned in the itinerary
- Early check-in / late check-out at hotels
- Meals other than those specified in the inclusions
- Gratuities for guide and driver (optional)
- Tuktuk/rickshaw rides (available at additional cost)
- Temporary closures or delays of attractions due to religious holidays or local festivals (guests will be informed of any such changes)
FAQs
Which Buddhist sites are included in this tour?
This tour covers Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Sankisa, Kaushambi, Vaishali, Shravasti, Itkhori, and Odisha’s Buddhist Diamond Triangle along with Ajanta–Ellora and Mumbai’s caves.
What is special about Odisha’s Diamond Triangle?
It includes Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri, and Udaygiri, important ancient Buddhist monastic complexes.
Are Ajanta and Ellora both included?
Yes, this itinerary covers both Ajanta & Ellora, UNESCO World Heritage sites in Maharashtra.
Is Nepal (Lumbini) part of this itinerary?
No, this circuit focuses on India’s Buddhist sites plus Odisha & Maharashtra caves.
What is the best time to take this tour?
October to March is ideal for pleasant weather and comfortable travel.
Can I customize this tour?
Yes, hotels (3★ / 4★ / 5★) and meals can be customized as per your request.
How can I book this package?
Fill the enquiry form on the website, and we’ll respond within 24 hours. For urgent queries, contact us on WhatsApp: +91 9319065858.
