Buddhist Circuit Tour of Nepal & India

Duration: 12 Days   |  
  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Easy
  • Transport: Car / Hiace / Bus and Flight
  • Food: Breakfast
  • Accommodation: Hotel + Lodges
  • Group Size: 4+
  • Max Elevation: 1750 m
  • Supplementary Cost: Contact us

Buddhist Circuit Tour of Nepal and India is a typical Pilgrim Tour which covers the most popular Buddhist destinations in Nepal and India. Nepal is the birth place of Lord Buddha and India is the place where he got enlightenment and died.

Buddhist Circuit Tour of Nepal and India, starts from Kathmandu Nepal and ends at Delhi, India. The tour starts from Sightseeing of Boudhanath and Swayambhunath in Kathmandu. You will reach Namobuddha in second day of your tour and spend your night. It is a symbolic place of 9 different Buddha. Next day you will back to Kathmandu and fly to Lumbini. You also have an option to drive to Lumbini, while driving you can explore more about Nepal and typical Nepali lifestyle. Your visit ends in Kathmandu after completing your tour of Kapilvastu, Sagarhawa, Gotihawa, Kudan and Niglihawa. We then proceed for India from Sunauli boarder near Lumbini and visit Patna, Bodhgaya, Kushinagar respectively. If you wish to visit just Buddhist Pilgrim tour in Nepal or you have any questions to customize this trip, please contact us.

Highlights

  • Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu valley
  •  Experience various culture, tradition and cuisine of various ethnic groups
  • Explore Namobuddha, a symbol of kind of Buddha 
  • Visit different Temples, Monasteries and research centers 
  • Visit the native land of Lord Gautam Buddha in Nepal and India 

Itinerary

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After your arrival in Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, our airport representative will greet you and escort you to the hotel. In the afternoon, you can take a rest or explore the streets of Thamel nearby your hotel. In the evening, we will organize a short pre-trip meeting and introduce you with your tour and trekking guides, who will brief you about the preparations to be done for the trip.

  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Altitude: 1300 m
  • Place: Kathmandu

After breakfast, at around 9am, our guide and driver will pick you from your hotel and you will go for the sightseeing of famous UNESCO world heritage sites around the valley.

Pashupatinath (World heritage site)

The world famous Hindu temple Pashupatinath is regarded as one of the holiest and oldest Hindu temple in the world. This temple is located 5km east from the city center at the bank of holy Bagmati River. Pashupatinath area is widely decorated by various ornaments dedicated to Lord Shiva. As followed by the Hindu Culture, the cremation of the dead is done in Pashupatinath area by the side of the bank of the holy Bagmati River.

Swyambhunath: Monkey temple (World heritage site)

Swyambhunath, also named as the monkey temple because it is surrounded by the monkeys all over the area. Famous for people following both Hinduism and Buddhism, this temple not only provides the cultural and religious aspects but also offers various arts, architecture and the magnificent view of the Kathmandu valley from the western side of its hillock. Swyambhunath Stupa is imprinted by the eye of Lord Buddha, which stands for peace and knowledge.

Bouddhanth (World heritage site)

Bouddhanath is the oldest and the largest stupa in the valley, which was built during the Licchhavi dynasty in the 5th century around 2500 years ago. Its old name is ‘Khasa’ but later it was changed to Bouddhanath by the government. You will find many Buddhist pilgrims and monks from Tibet and various places going round the stupa spinning the prayer wheels.

Patan Durbar Square (World heritage site)

Patan Durbar Square is situated at the center of the Lalitpur city. The main attraction of Patan Durbar Square is the ancient royal Palace, where the Malla Kings of Lalitpur resided. There are many temples and idols in this area. You can also explore the Newari lifestyle, food, and culture in the square and visit museums that contain many ancient items that have a lot of historical significance.

Overnight stay at hotel in Kathmandu

  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Altitude: 1300 m
  • Place: Kathmandu

After breakfast, you drive to Bhaktapur for sightseeing of Bhaktapur Durbar Square and then drive to Namobuddha. Namobuddha is famous Buddhist pilgrimage site located 40 km southeast of Kathmandu valley in Kavre district. Overnight in your hotel at Kathmandu.  

  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Altitude: 1300 m
  • Place: Kathmandu

After breakfast, we fly to Lumbini. You can witness beautiful scene while flying. Rivers, Hills, Mountains, Valleys, Jungles, and many more. After reaching Lumbini, You’ll explore Maya Devi Garden, Ashoka Pillar, Eternal Peace Lamp, Pushkar Pond, Chinese temple, Buddha birth place and many other religious and historical Buddha stupas. Overnight at hotel

  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Altitude: 105 m
  • Place: Lumbini

After breakfast, you will proceed to Visit other interesting Buddhist Sites near Lumbini. Tilaurakot at Kapilvastu is believed a capital place of then prince Siddharth who later became Buddha, had spent his 29 year. Sagarhawa, Gotihawa, Kudan and Niglihawa are the historic places of Buddhism in Nepal. Today is your last day in Nepal. Overnight at your hotel in Lumbini.

  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Altitude: 105 m
  • Place: Lumbini

After breakfast, we drive to Patana crossing Nepal India boarder. On the way you will visit Kesharia, and we reach to Vaishali where the second great council of Buddhism was held after the death of Buddha. Overnight at hotel in Patana.

  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Altitude: 53 m
  • Place: Patana

After breakfast we drive for Bodhgaya, it is about 144 km your hotel at Patana.  on the way, you will visit Nalanda and Rajgir. An ancient city in the northeast Indian state of Bihar. Today, you will see many monasteries, temples, historic places, statues and many more which were made centuries ago.  

  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Altitude: 113 m
  • Place: Bodhgaya

Bodhgaya is famous in Buddhism.  It is believed that Gautama Buddha attained Enlightenment under Bodhi Tree. Bodhi Tree, Mahabodhi temple, Niranjana river, Sujata Kuti, Muchhalinda pond, Animeshlochana Chaitya, Ratnagaraha, Ratnachankramana, Rajyatna Tree, Ajapala Nigrodha Tree along with other different monasteries built by many countries are main attractions of the day. Overnight at your hotel in Bodhgaya. 

  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Altitude: 113 m
  • Place: Bodhgaya

After breakfast, we drive to Varanasi and visit other historical places on the way.  Dhamekha Stupa, Buddha’s first teaching, Mulgandha Kuti and Ashokan Pillar are other major attractions of the day. After reaching Varanasi we go to Sarnath which is around 14 Km from Varanasi and back to Hotel at Varanasi. Overnight at your hotel in Varanasi. 

  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Altitude: 81 m
  • Place: Varanasi

After your breakfast, we drive around 220 km to reach Kushinagar where Buddha took his last breath. Buddhists say he took Nirvana instead of death. Mahaparinirvana temple, Rambhar stupa are major attraction of the day. Overnight at your hotel in Kushinagar. 

  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Altitude: 400 m
  • Place: Kushinagar

After breakfast, we will drive you to airport to take your flight for Delhi. You also can reach Delhi by Train or bus. Later in the evening, you can enjoy vising Delhi. Overnight in hotel at Delhi. 

  • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Altitude: 216 m
  • Place: Delhi

Today is the last day of your trip. If you would like to stay more in India, you have many options which can be shared with you upon request. Else, we will transfer you to the airport for your departure. We thank you for the opportunity of being your travel partner and wish to serve you in your next vacation. Have a nice journey

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Altitude: 216 m
  • Place: Delhi
Customize My Trip

What to Expect

  • Transportation to and from Airports.
  • All transportations during the trip by a private vehicle
  • Kathmandu-Bhairahawa air fare/Tourist Bus fare 
  • Kushinagar-Delhi air fare/Tourist Bus or Train fare 
  • 3 Star or Best available tourist hotel accommodation Twin Sharing BB plan
  • Everyday breakfast throughout the tour. 
  • Guided Sightseeing Tour 
  • All sightseeing transport by private vehicle
  • Salary, Food, Accommodation, Drinks, Transportation for Ground Staff including Guide and Driver 
  • Shepherd Holidays Tshirt
  • Certificate 
  • All government taxes and official expenses
  • Nepal and India Entry Visa (See the details about Nepal Visa)
  • International Airfare 
  • Lunch & Dinner
  • Entrance Fees at Heritage Sites (See the details about Enttrace Fees at Heritage Sites)
  • Extra snacking items (alcohol, hot and cold drinks, sweets, etc).
  • Expenses incurred due to mishaps, landslide, strikes, political unrest etc. in such case extra will be charged as per actual.
  • Tips for Guide and Driver 
  • Any other expenses which are not mentioned on Our cost include section

Useful Information

Transportation:
Shepherd Holidays will provide you Tourist Bus/private vehicle for this trip. 

Guides and Porter:
Shepherd Holidays will provide you well experianced guide for the trip. 

Insurance/Evacuation
We do not hope that there may arise any serious problem for you in your journey, but if you get caught by serious illness, then we will do our best to take you to the nearest health post or hospital possible. However, you will be responsible for all the expenses that take place during the evacuation process. So, it is best for you to be properly insured before the trip.

Trip Extensions:
If you like our service and would like to explore Nepal more or take part in any other adventurous activities in Nepal, India, Tibet or Bhutan, please feel free to contact us for further details.

For more information on adding the trip, check out the options here.


Custom Itinerary:
If you'd like to suggest a different itinerary or plans for the given trip, feel free to contact us, so that we can make the best out of your custom-made trip upon your request.