Walk in Buddha's footsteps — Lumbini (birth), Bodhgaya (enlightenment), Sarnath (first sermon), Kushinagar (parinirvana). A 5–9 day pilgrimage from Varanasi by tempo traveller or cab.
The Buddhist Circuit is the most important pilgrimage in Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism — covering the four major sites where Gautama Buddha lived, taught, and attained nirvana, plus Nalanda and Rajgir where the Sangha grew. Varanasi On Wheels has been operating Buddhist Circuit tours for Sri Lankan, Thai, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese pilgrim groups since the early 2000s. The standard 7-day route starts and ends at Varanasi (Sarnath being just 12 km from the city), then loops east through Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, and Kushinagar before crossing the Nepal border at Sunauli for Lumbini. We handle SAARC visa procedures, monastery booking, monk introductions at the Mahabodhi temple, and pure-veg meals on request.
Arrival at Varanasi airport or station. Check-in, lunch, afternoon visit to Sarnath — Dhamek Stupa, Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, archaeological museum, and the modern monasteries (Thai, Japanese, Tibetan). Evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh.
Morning departure. Arrive Bodhgaya by afternoon. Evening at Mahabodhi Temple under the Bodhi Tree — circumambulation and meditation. Many pilgrims choose the optional all-night meditation here.
Sunrise meditation at Bodhi Tree. Visit the foreign monasteries (Thai, Japanese, Bhutanese, Tibetan, Burmese — each in its national architectural style). Afternoon at Dungeshwari (Sujata) caves, the site of Buddha's pre-enlightenment fasts. Optional Bodhgaya museum.
Drive to Rajgir. Cable car up to Vishwa Shanti Stupa on Ratnagiri hill. Vulture's Peak (Gridhrakuta), Saptaparni Cave (first Buddhist council). Onward to Nalanda — university ruins, Xuanzang Memorial Hall, archaeological museum. Overnight Patna.
Morning departure for Vaishali — Ashoka Pillar, Relic Stupa, and the spot of Buddha's last sermon. Continue to Kushinagar by evening. Visit Mahaparinirvana Temple at twilight — when the reclining Buddha statue is illuminated.
Visit Ramabhar Stupa (cremation site) and Matha Kuar shrine in Kushinagar. Drive to Sunauli border. SAARC visa formalities (assistance provided). Arrive Lumbini by late afternoon. Visit Maya Devi Temple, Ashoka Pillar, and the international monastic zone.
Sunrise at Maya Devi Temple. Cross back to India at Sunauli. Drive back to Varanasi via Gorakhpur. Drop at airport, station, or hotel. Tour ends.
| Vehicle | Capacity | Price From |
|---|---|---|
| Innova Crysta | 1–6 pax | ₹14,000 / person (7-day) |
| Tempo Traveller 12-seater | 6–12 pax | ₹10,500 / person (7-day) |
| Tempo Traveller 17-seater | 12–17 pax | ₹8,000 / person (7-day) |
| Maharaja Urbania (luxury) | 1–9 pax | ₹22,000 / person (7-day) |
| Luxury Bus 40-seater | 20–40 pax | ₹9,500 / person (7-day) |
* All prices exclude driver allowance, tolls, parking, and 5% GST. Minimum 250 km/day for outstation trips.
Starting From
₹8,000 onwards / person
per person · transport only · excl. GST
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