9 Days In the Footsteps of the Buddha

Day 1 · Arrive Gaya → Transfer to Bodhgaya

1. 1

   Mahabodhi Temple

   one hour

   Visit the UNESCO-listed Mahabodhi Temple, marking the place where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. Explore the temple complex and spend time at the sacred Bodhi Tree, with an opportunity for prayer, meditation and quiet reflection.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Bodhgaya.

Day 2 · Bodhgaya Sightseeing

1. 1

   Dungeswari Hills

   one hour

   Visit the Dungeshwari Caves, where Siddhartha Gautama practised severe austerities during his search for enlightenment. Explore the simple caves and shrines while learning how this period helped lead him toward the Middle Way.

2. 2

   Sujata Kuti

   30 min

   Visit Sujata Stupa, dedicated to Sujata, who offered milk-rice to Siddhartha after years of severe fasting. Her offering helped him regain his strength and marked an important turning point toward the Middle Way and enlightenment.

3. 3

   Great Buddha Statue

   30 min

   Visit the Great Buddha Statue, one of Bodhgaya’s most recognisable landmarks. The impressive 80-foot statue depicts the Buddha in meditation and is surrounded by smaller statues of his disciples.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Bodhgaya.

Day 3 · Bodhgaya → Rajgir → Nalanda

1. 1

   Griddhakuta Peak

   30 min

   Visit Gridhakuta Hill, also known as Vulture’s Peak, one of the Buddha’s important teaching and meditation places in Rajgir. Walk up the sacred hill and enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding valleys while learning about the teachings delivered here.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   30 min Admission included

   Visit Venuvan, the Bamboo Grove donated to the Buddha by King Bimbisara. Walk through its peaceful gardens and pond while learning about one of the earliest monasteries connected with the Buddha.

3. 3

   Saptaparni Cave

   30 min

   Visit Saptaparni Cave, traditionally associated with the First Buddhist Council held after the Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana. The quiet cave on Vaibhava Hill is an important site in early Buddhist history.

4. 4

   Nalanda University Ruins

   one hour Admission included

   Explore the ancient ruins of Nalanda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the great centres of learning in ancient Asia. Walk through the remains of monasteries, temples and study areas that once welcomed Buddhist scholars from across Asia.

5. 5

   Bimbisar Jail

   Passing by

   Visit the ruins traditionally associated with the imprisonment of King Bimbisara by his son Ajatashatru. From here, the king is said to have looked toward Vulture’s Peak, where the Buddha often stayed and taught.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Rajgir.

Day 4 · Rajgir → Vaishali → Kushinagar

1. 1

   Buddha's Relic Stupa

   20 min Admission included

   Visit the Buddha Relic Stupa at Vaishali, an important early Buddhist site associated with relics of the Buddha following his Mahaparinirvana. Explore the peaceful archaeological surroundings and learn about Vaishali’s place in Buddhist history.

2. 2

   Ananda Stupa

   30 min Admission included

   Visit the Ananda Stupa and historic Ashoka Pillar in Vaishali, an important place connected with the Buddha’s final journey. The well-preserved pillar, crowned by a single lion capital, stands beside ancient Buddhist remains associated with his final teachings in Vaishali.

3. 3

   Kesariya Stupa

   20 min

   Visit Kesariya Stupa, an important Buddhist monument associated with the Buddha’s final journey toward Kushinagar. According to tradition, this is where he gave his alms bowl to the Licchavis before continuing his journey.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Kushinagar.

Day 5 · Kushinagar → Lumbini

1. 1

   Stop 1

   40 min

   Visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple in Kushinagar, marking the place associated with the Buddha’s passing into Mahaparinirvana. Inside is the famous reclining Buddha statue, representing his final moments and liberation.

2. 2

   Ramabhar Stupa

   20 min

   Visit Ramabhar Stupa, traditionally recognised as the cremation site of the Buddha. Surrounded by peaceful gardens, this important pilgrimage place marks the final stage of the Buddha’s earthly journey.

3. 3

   Matha Kuar Shrine

   Passing by

   Visit Matha Kuar Shrine, home to an ancient stone statue of the Buddha and associated with the final period of his life in Kushinagar. (Optional)

Overnight stay at the hotel in Lumbini.

Day 6 · Lumbini Sightseeing

1. 1

   Maya Devi Temple

   one hour Admission included

   Visit Maya Devi Temple, marking the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama. Explore the sacred birthplace area, including the ancient Ashoka Pillar and Pushkarini Sacred Pond, important landmarks associated with the Buddha’s birth.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   one hour

   Explore the archaeological remains of Kapilavastu, associated with the ancient Shakya kingdom where Prince Siddhartha spent his early life before leaving the royal palace in search of truth.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Lumbini.

Day 7 · Lumbini → Shravasti

1. 1

   Jetavana

   one hour Admission included

   Explore Jetavana Monastery, one of the Buddha’s most important residences. Walk through the peaceful archaeological grounds where he spent many rainy seasons teaching his disciples.

2. 2

   Angulimala Stupa

   30 min Admission included

   Visit Angulimala Stupa, associated with the famous story of Angulimala, who changed from a feared bandit into a devoted follower of the Buddha. Also visit the stupa associated with Anathapindika, one of the Buddha’s most devoted lay followers and the benefactor who donated Jetavana Monastery.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Shravasti.

Day 8 · Shravasti → Varanasi

1. 1

   Chaukhandi Stupa

   30 min Admission included

   Visit Chaukhandi Stupa, traditionally marking the place where the Buddha met his five former companions after arriving at Sarnath following his enlightenment.

2. 2

   Dhamek Stupa

   one hour Admission included

   Visit Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath, marking the place where the Buddha delivered his first teaching after enlightenment and set the Wheel of Dharma in motion.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   one hour Admission included

   Enjoy an evening boat ride on the Ganges and watch the famous Ganga Aarti ceremony from the river. See the ghats illuminated with lamps as priests perform traditional rituals with fire, incense and chanting.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Varanasi.

Day 9 · Varanasi - Departure

1. 1

   Mulagandha Kuti Vihar

   30 min Admission included

   Visit Mulagandha Kuti Vihara at Sarnath, known for its beautiful murals depicting scenes from the Buddha’s life and for housing sacred Buddhist relics.