Nepal >> Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour >> 12 Days Foot Step Buddha Tours

Buddha (Born Siddhartha) was the son of Suddhodhana, the chief of Sakya tribe of the Himalayan foot hills. But worldly comforts did not enamour Siddhartha and he turned an ascetic. Tilorakot Durbar the palace of King Suddhodana lies 15 kms from Lumbini in Nepal. Modern day Piprahwa in Siddhrath Nagar district in India is identified with Kapilvastu, Capital of the Sakya clan.

The ruins of the palace where Buddha is supposed to have spent the first 29 years of life are found here. His birthplace, Lumbini, in neighbouring Nepal, is 95 km from Piprahwa. Upon attaining enlightenment at BodhGaya in the neighbouring Bihar, Buddha preached his first sermon at Sarnath 10 km from Varanasi. The archeological museum of Sarnath has a rich collection of Buddha images.

Buddha is supposed to have astonished rival teachers by performing miracles in Saravasti, capital of the ancient Koshala kingdom. It is 17 km from Balrampur. Buddha breathed his last at Kushinagar. The 6 m statue of dying Buddha here dates back to the 5th century A.D. Rambhar Stupa marks his cremation site.

Sakyamuni, Gautama Buddha, traveled this land preaching his message of compassion, simplicity and renunciation. This circuit is a pilgrim's passage through the places immortalised by the Enlightened One. The highlight of your journey will be the Holy Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya under which he gained enlightenment.

Visit Sarnath where he gave his first sermon and Kushinagar where he attained Parinirvana. And among the ruins of Nalanda you can still hear a distant echo of the chants of scholars of ancient times. Your journey promises joy, serenity and a deeper understanding of one of the greatest thinkers of the Asian sub-continent.

We also recomend a tour extension by 4 days to cover, The World famous Ajanta and Ellora Caves situated near Aurangabad in India, and magnificient Bhuddist Stupas situated near Bhopal in Northern India.

Day 1:
On arrival you will be met by our representatives and comfortably lodged in your hotel.

Day 2: Visit the 3 sacred stupas - Boudhnath, Swoyambunath and Namobuddha
A visit of the 3 most sacred stupas in a single day is considered very holy by Tibetan Buddhist and the trio is revered as Bel-yul Chorten-Nam-sum. We shall visit above places and perform prayers and offerings.

Day 3:-Asuri Cave, Tara Temple, Mahabuddha (Temple of 1000 Buddhas)
Visit Asuri Cave where Guru Padmasambawa meditated before journeying into Tibet, temple of goddess Tara and Mahabuddha Temple(temple of 9000 Buddhas, replica of Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya.

Day 4: Kathmandu to Varanasi
Fly to Varanasi. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Afternoon visit Sarnath, where The Buddha preached his first sermon after becoming The Enlightened One.

Day 5: Varanasi to Bodhgaya
Early morning boat ride on River Ganges. After breakfast depart by road to Bodhgaya, a journey of about six to seven hours (240 kms).

Day 6-7: Bodhgaya
Visit the Mahabodhi Temple Complex which houses the sacred Mahabodhi Temple, the Bodhi tree and other sacred sites; Buddhist monasteries of different countries, sacred sites within the vicinity of Bodhgaya such as Lo-druk-kawa-che (where Buddha underwent 6 years rigorous penance) etc.

Day 8: Bodhgaya-Rajgir-Nalanda-Patna
After breakfast depart by road to Rajgir, a journey of about two hours (80 kms). Later continue to Patna (105 kms). En route visit ancient ruins of Nalanda university.

Day 9:Patna to Kushinagar
After breakfast depart by road to Kushinagar, a journey of about seven hours (260 kms). En route stop at Vaishali.

Day 10:Kushinagar to Sravasti
After breakfast depart by road to Saravasti, a journey of about six to seven hours (250 kms).

Day 11:Sravasti to Bhairawa (Lumbini)
After breakfast depart by road to Lumbini, a journey of about five to six hours (200 kms). Afternoon sightseeing tour of sacred Lumbini Garden including visit to Ashokan Pillar, Maya Devi Temple, Puskarni- the sacred pool, sanctum and Buddhist temple.

Day 12:Bhairawa to Kathmandu
Free till departure transfer to Bhairawa airport. Upon arrival meet and transfer to hotel.