DETAILED ITINERARY
Buddhist Pilgrimage to India and Nepal, Oct. 11-29, 2026
Please note, this itinerary is subject to change.
Day 1 (Sunday, October 11): Arrive in Delhi
Arrive at Indira Gandhi International airport
You will be picked up via 6 or 12 passenger vans
Transfer to your hotel for check-in
Hotel will be 4* Hotel Taurus Sarovar Portico or similar
Evening: Explore local markets or visit India Gate
Day 2 (Monday, October 12): Fly from Dehli to Bodhgaya
After breakfast catch flight for Gaya
Flights with airlines Air India or IndiGo, 2 hour flight, arrival to Bodhgaya about 4pm/4:30pm
Picked up by 15-seat van
Hotel will be 4* Hotel Anand International or similar
Afternoon: Visit Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Evening: Attend a meditation session at the temple
Note: for visits to the sacred Mahabodhi Temple travel agent will provide E rickshaws, as large vehicles not allowed at that site.
Note: At Bodhgaya hotel campus, meditation space will be provided near the pool side or lawn with water bottles, fruits, yoga mats, and yoga teacher assistance (subject to availability) without additional charges.
Day 3 to Day 5 (Tuesday-Thursday, October 13-15): Bodhgaya
Morning: Visit the Bodhi Tree and the Animesh Lochana
Afternoon: Explore the various monasteries representing different lineages
Evening: Participate in a prayer
Day 6 (Friday, October 16): Bodhgaya with optional side trip
Morning-Optional Side Trip: Depart for Nalanda (approx. 1.5 hours)
Visit the ruins of Nalanda University, an ancient center of learning (Nalanda is flat and walkable)
Afternoon: Proceed to Rajgir, visit Vulture Peak (many stairs, difficult to climb) and the Japanese Peace Pagoda (reach by rope walkway)
Evening: Return to BodhGaya
Cost is 28$ (if 4-7 people) to 32$ (if 8-12) USD includes transportation and lunch
Day 7 (Saturday, October 17): Bodhgaya
Morning: Visit the Great Buddha Statue
Visit the Sujata Stupa, Dungeshwari Hill
Afternoon: Explore the Archaeological Museum
Evening: Free time for reflection or personal
Day 8 (Sunday, October 18): Bodhgaya to Varanasi
Morning: Depart for Varanasi (approx. 6 hours by road).
For the road travel portion of the trip, days 8 to 13, we will use a 35-40 seat coach. Fingers crossed we get the “Volvo Toilet Coach” which has a bathroom on board. If not, we are promised frequent breaks at rest stops.
Afternoon: Check into your hotel and rest
Hotel will be 4* The Fern Residency or similar
Evening: Attend the Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh
Day 9 (Monday, October 19): Varanasi
Morning: Take an early morning boat ride on the Ganges
Visit Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his first sermon
Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple a sacred site for Hindus
Afternoon: Explore local markets
Evening: Free time for personal reflection
Day 10 (Tues, Oct. 20): Varanasi to Kushinagar
Morning: Depart for Kushinagar (approx. 6 hours by road)
Check into hotel 3*, The Imperial or similar
Afternoon: Visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple and the reclining Buddha statue
Evening: Reflect on the significance of Kushinagar in Buddhist
Day 11 (Weds, Oct. 21): Kushinagar to Lumbini
Morning: Depart for Lumbini, crossing the India-Nepal border (approx. 4 hours).
Check into hotel 4* Siddartha Vilas or similar
Afternoon: Visit the Maya Devi Temple, the birthplace of the Buddha
Evening: Explore the Lumbini Garden and surrounding Monasteries.
Day 12 (Thurs, Oct. 22): Lumbini
Morning: Visit the Ashoka Pillar and various international
Afternoon: Engage in meditation
Evening: Free time for personal
Evening: Explore the Lumbini Garden and surrounding Monasteries.
Day 13 (Friday, Oct. 23): Lumbini to Sravasti
After breakfast, drive to Shravasti (about 5-6 hours)
Shravasti is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations where Lord Buddha spent many monsoon seasons
On arrival, visit key sites such as Jetavana Monastery, Anand Bodhi Tree, and Angulimala Stupa—places deeply associated with Buddha’s teachings and miracles
Overnight stay in 3* Shravasti hotel Tulip Inn or similar
If all sightseeing is not completed, we will finish the remaining visits the next day after breakfast, and then proceed to Lucknow
Day 14 (Saturday, Oct. 24) Sravasti to Lucknow to Delhi
After breakfast, drive to Lucknow (about 4-5 hours)
Upon arrival, drop at airport & catch flight for Dehli
Air India flight, about 2 hours, we should arrive in Dehli about 10:00pm
Overnight at Delhi
Day 15 (Sunday, Oct. 25): Delhi to Dharamshala
Morning: Depart for Dharamshala via flight, 1.5 hours by air, arrival to Dharamshala about 1:00pm
If we are unable to fly, we will depart by road (about 10 hours)–we of course will hope the flights will not be canceled, but this is our backup
Pickup from Dharamshala by 15 seat passenger van x2 or x3 as needed
Check into your 4* hotel and rest, Asia Spa Resort or similar
Evening: Explore McLeod Ganj and its vibrant Tibetan culture
Day 16 (Monday, Oct. 26): Dharamshala
Morning: Attend an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama (subject to availability)
Afternoon: Visit the Tibetan Museum and Tsuglagkhang Complex
Evening: Reflect on the experience of meeting His Holiness
Day 17 (Tuesday, Oct. 27): Dharamshala
Visit the Dalai Lama Temple, Tsuglagkhang Complex, Namgyal Monastery, or the Kalachakra Temple
Explore Dharamshala
Day 18 (Wednesday, October 28): Dharamshala
Morning: Attend an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama (if Monday not available)
Explore Dharamshala
Day 19 (Thursday, Oct. 29): Dharamshala to Delhi
Transfer to Dharamashala airport for flight to Delhi, flight about 1.5 hours.
Arrival to Indira Gandhi International Airport approximately 11:00am
Road transport if flights get canceled
Connect to international flight or stay overnight in Dehli for flight the next day
Continue onward with your journey reflecting on peaceful memories