India Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour

This is a journey through the places at the heart of the Buddha's life story, from his birth to his enlightenment to his death, taking in some of India's oldest and most significant historical sites along the way.

You'll travel from Lumbini across the plains of northern India to Bodh Gaya, Nalanda and Varanasi, with the itinerary built around the key moments of the Buddha's life rather than a straight geographical line. A sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal is added on as well.

It's run as an easy-paced, fully guided group tour, so the days are structured around visits rather than long stretches of independent time.

What you'll do

• Visit Lumbini in Nepal, the birthplace of the Buddha
• See Kushinagar, where the Buddha is said to have died and reached Parinirvana
• Visit Bodh Gaya and the site of the Bodhi Tree where the Buddha reached enlightenment
• Walk around the ruins of Nalanda University, founded in the 5th century BC
• Explore Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities and a centre of Hindu spiritual life
• Watch sunrise at the Taj Mahal