About this trip
This 7-day tour follows the Buddhist pilgrimage trail across northern India and into Nepal, starting in Varanasi and ending in Lucknow. It's a private, fully guided trip, so the pace and focus stay flexible while you move between sites central to the Buddha's life and teachings.
Expect a mix of sacred stupas, temples and archaeological ruins, alongside the everyday spiritual life of Varanasi on the Ganges. Hotel accommodation, daily breakfast and transport between sites are included throughout.
What you'll do
- Take a morning boat ride on the River Ganges in Varanasi
- Explore the Dhamekh Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa and Archaeological Museum at Sarnath
- See the Mahabodhi Temple, Thai Temple and Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya
- Walk the ruins of Nalanda and Rajgir
- Visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple and Mukutbandhan Stupa in Kushinagar
- Stand at Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha
- Private tour, so it can be tailored to your pace and interests
- Choice of 3, 4 or 5-star hotels
- Involves a fair amount of travel between historical and religious sites over the week
Worth it if you're genuinely interested in Buddhist pilgrimage and comfortable with rural India. Think twice if you need fluent English-speaking staff or guaranteed hot water in every hotel.
- Same driver (Bablu) throughout the 7 days makes navigation seamless and builds genuine rapport with guests.
- Itinerary hits all major Buddhist sites from birth to death; ample time given for reflection at each sacred place.
- Some hotel staff lack English fluency and occasional lack of hot water, especially in off-season visits.
- Rural locations and narrow Indian roads demand comfort with chaotic traffic; not a relaxed sightseeing pace.
Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.
The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.
Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and availability come from our own daily tracking.
Getting there
Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.
Where to stay
A night before your tour in Varanasi · 20 Jul – 21 Jul
Booked on their own sites, separate from your tour. We may earn a commission — it never changes your price.
Sort the essentials
Partner offersWe may earn a commission from partner offers. It never changes your price or our ranking.
More trips like this
Ranked on real fit — in case this one isn't quite yours.
Booked with the operator via TourRadar · we may earn a commission.
Want longer in India?
Working holidays, volunteering & more — £50 off with code 18TO35TRAVEL.
Powered by Global Work & Travel · we may earn a commission on bookings.