The Buddhist Circuit- Nepal and India

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

The Buddhist Circuit is a pilgrimage trip to Nepal and India. It is a journey to sacred Buddhist sites, where major milestones of Buddha’s life took place. His birth in Lumbini to his enlightenment at Bodhgaya, this trip is of great importance not only to Buddhists but also for Hindu and Jain devotees. This journey helps discover the historic importance and culture that was once practiced by Buddha and is still followed throughout the world.

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu — Upon arrival in Kathmandu you will be met by our airport representative and transferred to the hotel as booked. Rest of the day will be at leisure. Overnight at Hotel [-/-/-] Day 02: In Kathmandu — After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Kopan Monastery. A Tibetan Buddhist Monastery and a popular center for courses on Buddhism and other Tibetan related subjects, this monastery was once the home of the astrologer to the King of Nepal. Boudhanath Stupa: The stupa’s massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal. The ancient stupa is one of the largest in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Swayambhunath Stupa is a UNESCO WORLD Heritage Site. This ancient stupa is the most sacred Buddhist shrines of Nepal. The April 2015 earthquake caused major damage to this Heritage Site and reconstruction is currently taking place. Overnight at Hotel [B/-/-] Day 03: Visit Namo Buddha via Bhaktapur — After breakfast drive to Namo Buddha, one of the holiest Buddhist Sites. It is located on a slightly elevated land, glistened with distant snow capped mountains and adorned with fluttering prayer flags. After the sightseeing, drive to Bhaktapur and visit the ancient city. Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon translates as the ‘City of Devotees’. Still untouched by rapid urbanization, Bhaktapur retains its charm by its brick paved roads, red brick houses and a way of life that goes back to medieval times. Bhaktapur is one of the most affected areas of the April 2015 earthquake. Renovation is currently under process. Drive back to Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Hotel [B/-/-] Day 04: Drive to Lumbini — After breakfast at the hotel drive to Lumbini. Lumbini in the Terai planes of Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha and one of the greatest pilgrimage sites for Buddhists. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Culture) and holds immense archeological and religious importance. Upon reaching Lumbini, you will be transferred to the hotel. You can relax for some time and later visit World Peace Pagoda &Lumbini Crane Sanctuary. Overnight at Hotel [B/-/-] Day 05: In Lumbini — After breakfast visit the archaeological sites scattered around Lumbini, all bearing significance to the life and enlightenment of the Buddha. The Myanmar Temple (LokamaniCula Pagoda), The China Temple, built by the Buddhist Association of China, is a complex of pagodas, prayer rooms and meditation cells. Across the road is the Dae Sung Suk GaSa Korean Temple and The Japan Peace Stupa, built by Nippon Jon Kyohoji of Japan. There are other beautiful monuments and temples that have been built by Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia, France, Germany and Sri Lanka. Overnight at Hotel [B/-/-] Day 06: Lumbini –Kushinagar — Today we drive from Lumbini to Kushinagar, India. Kushinagar is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site; this is where Gautama Buddha attained Parinirvana after his death. Overnight at Hotel [B/-/-] Day 07: Kushinagar – Vaishali– Patna — Overland to visit Vaishali, during one of his visits here, the Buddha was offered a bowl of honey by a monkey. This incident is mentioned as one of the eight great events in his life. Overnight at Hotel [B/-/-] Day 08: Patna - Nalanda–Rajgir — Overland to Rajgir, where Lord Buddha gave important teachings on transcendental wisdom, on the way visit the ruins of the famous Nalanda monastic university. Further, drive to Rajgir. Rajgir has been closely related to Buddhism because it has played host to Lord Buddha and has many archeological sites related to Buddhism. Overnight at Hotel [B/-/-] Day 09: Rajgir – Bodhgaya — Today you will be transferred to Bodhgaya. Bodhgaya is one of the most important places in the history of Buddhism, where Lord Buddha awakened to the ways to end all suffering. This is where the Buddha attained unsurpassed, supreme Enlightenment. Overnight at Hotel [B/-/-] Day 10: Bodhgaya — Explore Bodhgaya. For Buddhists, Bodh Gaya is the most important of the main four pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha, the other three being Kushinagar, Lumbini, and Sarnath. In 2002, Mahabodhi Temple, located in Bodhgaya, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight at Hotel [B/-/-] Day 11: Bodhgaya — Stay in Bodhgaya Overnight at Hotel [B/-/-] Day 12: Bodhgaya – Varanasi — Drive to Varanasi, the heart of India. Varanasi also known as Benares, Banaras or Kashi, is a city on the banks of the Ganges (Ganga) in Uttar Pradesh. The city is sacred to Hindus and also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Overnight at Hotel [B/-/-] Day 13: Varanasi –Sarnath– Varanasi — After attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya the Buddha went to Sarnath; and it was here that he preached his first discourse in the deer park to set in motion the 'Wheel of the Dharma'. It is one of the most holy sites as in this place the stream of the Buddha's teaching first flowed. Overnight at Hotel [B/-/-] Day 14: Departure — Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE