13 Day Footsteps of The Buddha Tour

Tour Packages Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

Upon your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport, our support team will meet you and escort you to your comfortable hotel. After check in and some refreshments, there will be a group discussion and trip preparation. The rest of the day is reserved for rest or leisure activites.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu

Your second day of the ‘Footsteps of the Buddha Tour 13 Days’ starts with a trip to Kathmandu’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. These sites include Kathmandu Darbar Square, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath temple and many other historical sites. All these historical sites exhibit the ancient arts and crafts of the Nepali people.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 03: Transfer to Lumbini

Today, you will take a 10 hour scenic drive to Lumbini from Kathmandu, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. You experience hot and humid weather as you travel to the Terai plains of Lumbini. If you arrive at Lumbini before sunset, you can roam around and experience the local lifestyle.

Overnight stay at Lumbini.

Day 04: Sightseeing of Lumbini and Kapilavastu

The sacred site of Lumbini is of highly respected archaeological and religious significance, making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On day 4 of your ‘13 Day Footsteps of the Buddha Tour’, you will pay a visit to  antique monasteries, an ancient bathing pond, a sacred Bodhi Tree, the Maya Devi temple and the Ashoka Pillar (set up by King Ashoka in 249 BC on the place of the Buddha’s, which also represents the oldest inscription of Nepal).

You will also get to visit the peace pagoda, the museum and many Buddhist temples constructed by  devotees from various countries.

Overnight stay at Lumbini.

Day 05: Transfer from Lumbini via Sunauli to Kushinagar (165km, 4 hours), sightseeing in Kushinagar

Leaving Lumbini, you will enjoy a a 4-hour picturesque drive to Kushinagar, passing through the most famous border between Nepal and India, Sunauli. Kushinagar is one of the 4 major religious sites, where the Buddha took his last breath.

There you get to visit several charming stupas and temples, including Ramabhar Stupa (where the Buddha’s body is said to have been cremated), Mathakuar temple (where the Buddha made his final sermon) and the Mahaparinirvana temple (famous for its serene 5th century reclining Buddha).

Overnight stay in Kushinagar.

Day 06: Transfer to Patna (285km, 8 hours)

Today, you will take a taxi to Deoria, then take a train to Sonepur. You will enjoy having much more room during the train trip to Sonepur. Upon reaching Sonepur, you take a taxi and drive to Patna.

Overnight stay in Patna.

Overnight stay in Bodhgaya.

Day 08: Sightseeing in Bodhgaya

On day 8 of your ’13-Day Footsteps of the Buddha Tour’, you will explore the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site, Bodhgaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment.

You will also get to see the descendant of the original Bodhi Tree, beneath which, Prince Siddhartha meditated and became Lord Buddha.

Other major sites you will see in Bodhgaya, include Mahabodhi temple, the towering 80ft Lord Buddha’s statue, an Archaeological Museum and many other monasteries and temples.

Overnight stay in Bodhgaya.

Day 09: Detour to Nalanda, o/n in Bodhgaya

Today, you drive around 2-hours to Nalada to check out the ruins of the antique center for learning and a significant Buddhist center. The ruins comprise 9 monasteries and four major temples. After checking out the ruins of the historical monasteries, you return back to Bodhgaya in the evening to spend the night.

Day 10: Transfer to Varanasi (255 km, 5hrs)

On day 10 of your ‘13 days Footsteps of the Buddha Tour’, you take a taxi and drive around 5-hours to Varanasi. After reaching Varanasi, the city of temples, you check in to your hotel and rest for the day. Or, if you wish, you can enjoy stroll around town, taking in the local culture.

Overnight stay in Varanasi.

Day 11: Visiting of Sarnath and back Varanasi

You get up early in the morning, have your breakfast, then drive to Sarnath. Sarnath is  one of the four major Buddhist pilgrimage sites. From here, the Buddha conveyed his message of the middle way to nirvana after he attained enlightenment. Here you pay a visit to the Dhamekh Stupa, 3^rd century BC Ashoka Pillar, the large ruined Chaukhandi Stupa, a deer park and an archaeological museum.

Drive back to Varanasi for  an overnight stay.

Day 12: Afternoon flight to Delhi

Today, you will be driven to Varanasi airport and take a one and a half hour flight to Delhi. For your convenience, our support team will pick you up at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is reserved for rest or if you wish, you can roam around the streets in Delhi for souvenir and gift shopping.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Delhi.

Day 07: Transfer to Bodhgaya (110km, 2 hours)

From Patna, you board a taxi and head to Bodhgaya, enjoying the countryside scenes of India. The rest of the day is reserved for rest or you can also enjoy roaming the streets.

Day 13: Final Departure

Your ‘13 Days Footsteps of the Buddha Tour’ comes to an end. For your comfort, you will be driven to the Delhi airport for your flight. We guarantee you will head home with a  new  highly enriched experience.