11 Day Quick Steps to Buddhapath Tour in India

Practice and learn more in your own way, listen to your own voice, listen to your own story of life, and give your views on your own actions honestly. Get the chance to meet with Buddhist monastics and see the reflection of your heart in the mirror of your soul.

• Evening Buddhist chanting at the Sarnath Buddhist temple
• A session with Dharamaguru, who will brief you on the importance of this place in Varanasi
• Walking tour of ghats along with Ganga Aarti in Varanasi (Hindu ritual-worshiping Holy River Ganges). During the walk, you will understand the importance of each as each ghat represents a different ritual of Hinduism.
• Evening enjoys a tea session in Bodh Gaya with a local family to experience local people and their life closely. It will give you a chance to understand their culture.
• Later, enjoy a cooking demonstration followed by dinner in Bodh Gaya with them which will help you understand local cuisine and Indian spices

Daily itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Varanasi by international flight

On arrival at Varanasi Airport, after clearing immigration formalities, you will meet your representative in the arrival hall holding a page with your name. He will further assist you with your vehicle and then with hotel check-in formalities. Standard check-in time is 12:00 p.m. On arrival, you will check in at the hotel. In the evening, you will do Buddhist chanting at the Sarnath Buddhist temple. Overnight stay at a hotel.

Day 2: Varanasi

Early morning, you will enjoy a boat ride at Ganga Ghat. Breakfast at the hotel. Sarnath, one of the four most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites worldwide, is renowned as the place where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon (the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) around 528 BCE. Known as the Deer Forest or Rishipatan, it is the birthplace of the Buddhist Sangha and features significant ruins, including the massive Dhamek Stupa. Post breakfast, you will visit Dhmeka Stupa (Sarnath) and Sarnath Museum.

A session with Dharamaguru who will brief you on the importance of this place. Lunch at a local restaurant. Post-lunch, you will visit the silk weaving workshop. Later, experience a walking tour of ghats along with Ganga Aarti (Hindu ritual-worshiping Holy River Ganges). During the walk, you will understand the importance of each as each ghat represents a different ritual of Hinduism. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 3: Varanasi

Breakfast at the hotel. On this day, since you will stay close to the Sarnath Ruins and the Buddhist temple, you are free to do meditation on your own. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 4: Varanasi - Bodhgaya by road (approximately six hours)

Breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast, drive to Bodhgaya. On arrival, check in at the hotel. Lunch will be served at your hotel or at a local restaurant. Evening enjoys a tea session with a local family to experience local people and their life closely. It will give you a chance to understand their culture. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 5: Bodhgaya

Breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast, visit the Mahabodhi temple, various local Buddhist temples, Dungeshwari Hill, and Sujata Stupa. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 6: Bodhgaya

Breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast, do the self-meditation and explore the city in your own way with your guide. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 7: Bodhgaya - Gaya (by road, approximately three hours) and Gaya - Delhi (by flight)

Breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast, drive to Gaya airport to board the flight for Delhi. Meeting and assistance on arrival at Delhi airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 8: Delhi - Dharamshala by flight

Breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast, transfer to the airport to board the flight for Dharamshala. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Evening, visit the local market and have an interactive session with a Buddhist monk. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 9: Dharamshala

Breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast, proceed for Dharamshala sightseeing to visit the famous attractions such as Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries, Tsuglagkhang Complex, Dalai Lama’s temple, and Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts. Enjoy your lunch at a nice restaurant in Dharamshala and continue to enjoy the sightseeing. On completion of the Dharamshala sightseeing, return to your hotel and relax. Evening will be free to relax or to pursue independent activities. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 10: Dharamshala

Breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast, explore local monasteries and enjoy a talk session with a local monk and practitioner. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 11: Dharamshala - Delhi by flight

Breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast, transfer to the airport to board the flight to Delhi. On arrival at Delhi Airport, connect the flight to your onward destination. End of the tour.

Special notes

The flight timings and fares are subject to change at the time of issuance. The check-in time at hotels is 2:00 p.m. and the check-out time is 12:00 p.m. In case you have a flight arriving or departing at midnight, East Voyages suggests booking a room for a pre-night or late check-out to avoid any inconvenience. The vehicle will be as per the itinerary only and not available during leisure time and strictly as per the itinerary.