Destinations: Bhutan - Varanasi - Bodhgaya - Nalanda - Rajgir-Pawapuri - Patna

Season: Available throughout the year (Best seasons – March – Mid-June & Mid-Aug – Mid Nov)

(The itinerary can be revised in feasible order, to incorporate local events or celebrations depending on your interest. Please revise in consultation with your guide)

Day 1: Arrival: Paro – Sightseeing and Thimphu (drive: 1 hour)

  1. Trashichhodzong; the beautiful fortress/monastery which houses Secretariat building, King's Throne room and other government's offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot.
  2. Kuensel Phodrang with one of the tallest Bhuddha statue in Bhutan.
  3. Traditional Medicine Institute; the rich herbal medicines abundant in Kingdom is prepared here. The institute also imparts the art of herbal medicines to would be practitioners.
  4. Textile and Folk Heritage Museum; the fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.
  5. Memorial Chorten; the beautiful stupa built in the memory of Bhutan's third King. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.
  6. Handicrafts Emporium; it displays wide assortment of beautifully hand-woven and crafted products and many more.

Night halt: Thimphu

Day 2: Thimphu: Sightseeing : Some of the attractions and visits include

  1. National Library; it holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts, manuscripts, modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags.
    1. Painting School; famous for traditional thangkha paintings.
    2. Traditional Medicine Institute; the rich herbal medicines abundant in Kingdom is prepared here. The institute also imparts the art of herbal medicines to would be practitioners.
    3. Textile and Folk Heritage Museum; the fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.
    4. Memorial Chorten; the beautiful stupa built in the memory of Bhutan's third King. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.

Night halt: Thimphu.

Day 03: Thimphu – Punakha & Wangdue Phodrang (drive: 2-3 hours)

Visits to

  1. Dochula pass (3040 masl) where you will also find the 108 stupas built in 2004 war causalities.
  2. Lamperi Botanical Garden. If you are interested, enjoy sometime walking in the garden.
  3. Chimi Lhakhang- the seat of the divine madman alias Drukpa Kunley. himi Lhakhang is renowned for its fertility blessings, it also fulfills the other religious and spiritual needs of the Bhutanese.
  4. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan. And it is still the winter capital or residence of the Central Monastic Body. Punakha dzong (fortress) is strategically located between Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) rivers.

Night Halt: Punakha-Wangdue

Day 4: Punakha-Wangdue – Paro (drive: 3 hours)

  1. Wangduephodrang. Wangduephodrang dzong:  constructed in 1638 after a boy named Wangdue- which also means bringing power under ones control. This magnificent dzong was gutted down by fire 24th June 2012. It is now in ruins. You may want to walk through the town and also visit the ruins.
  2. Start sightseeing in Paro. Some of the attractions in Paro are 1. National Museum- ancient watch tower, 2.Rinpung Dzong – the fortress of the heap of jewels built in 1646, 3. Kyichu Lhakhang- oldest temple built in 7th century by Tibetan Emperor, 4. Drukgyel Dzong- built in 1649 to commemorate victory over an invasion from Tibet. If the sky if clear, you can see Mt. Jomolhari, 5. Tachog Lhakhang- built in 14th century by son of the builder of Iron chain bridges in Bhutan; if you visit coincides on weekends, try going around to the Sunday market.

Day 5: Paro- day excursion to famous Paro Taksang( Tiger’s Nest) ( 5-6 hours)

Short hike to Paro Taksang- popularly known as Tiger’s Nest. The monastery is perched on a rocky cliff. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche – Popularly regarded as the 2nd Lord Buddha and founder of Mahayana Buddhism, rode on a tigress and meditated in this cave.

Night halt: Paro

Day 6: Departure Bhutan

Drive to the airport for flight to onward destination. Your guide and driver will be through and through till you leave the airport and have bid you farewell with onward journey wishes.

Day 7: Arrival (Varanasi):
Arrival at Varanasi and after the warm greetings by our tour representative, your transfer arrangement will be made to hotel. This is the most important pilgrimage city in India which is significant for both the Hindu as well as Buddhist pilgrims. The people really witness spirituality thriving in this great City. First of all you will enjoy a boat ride on the River Ganges where you can witness the Hindu Rituals on the wide ghats of the river. Later you will also visit Durga temple, Vishwanath temple, Sankat Mochan temple, Tulsi Manas temple and the Bharat Mata temple. Later you can spend some time in shopping in Varanasi. Overnight stay arrangement is made in Varanasi.

Day 8: Varanasi:
Today you will spend entire day at Sarnath, which is famous for its Buddhist links. Lord Buddha gave his maiden sermon at the Deer Park in Sarnath. You will see famous Dhamaekha Stupa, Moolgandha Kuti Vihar and famous Sarnath museum having rich collection of antiques from Ancient India. Your overnight stay arrangement is in Varanasi.

Day 9: Varanasi- Bodhgaya: 250 Kms., 5 Hrs.
Take early morning visit to lively Ghats of the Ganges to enjoy the religious culture of Varanasi and later proceed to Bodhgaya. Check into the hotel, on arrival at Bodhgaya. Relax and stay overnight at hotel in Bodhgaya.

Day 10: Bodhgaya:
Take morning breakfast and visit the sacred Mahabodhi Temple - where the Buddha attained enlightenment under a Bodhi Tree. Afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya visiting Niranjana River, Sujata Village and many beautiful monasteries. Also visit Great Buddha Statue, Mahakala (Dungeswari) cave, Vajrasana, Animeshlocan Chaiyata, Bodhi Sarovar, Vishnupada Temple, Archaeological Museum of Bodhgaya, Japanese Buddha Temple, Thai temple and many more. At evening, visit the Mahabodhi Temple for prayer. Your overnight stay arrangement is in Bodhgaya. .

Day 11: Bodhgaya- Nalanda –Rajgir: 115 Kms. 4 Hrs.
On fifth day of your Exclusive Buddhist Tour, you will be drive to Rajgir but you will also visit a famous Budhhist site of Nalanda. Here you will visit the first university of India and centre of Buddhist education. This ancient city of Nalanda was the center of intellectual activity from the fifth century B.C. to the twelve century A.D. Also visit Hieun Tsang Memorial Hall, The remnants of Nalanda University, Nav Nalanda Vihar, Kundalpur (important destination for Jains, particularly for the Digambar sect of the Jains). Latter proceed for Rajgir where Lord Mahavira and Lord Buddha preached their sermons. Your overnight stay is arranged at a hotel in Rajgir.

Day 12: Rajgir-Pawapuri-Rajgir/Vaishali/Kushinagar: 415 KMs. 8 Hrs.
After breakfast drive to Kushinagar en route visit Vaishali. Lunch at local restaurant in Vaishali. After lunch drive to Kushinagar en route visiting Ashoka Pillar, Stupa, King Vishala palace etc. On arrival Kushinagar & check-in at hotel . Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 13:Kushinagar/Lumbini/Kapilvastu, 210 KMs. 7 Hrs.
After breakfast drive to Lumbini. On arrival Lumbini visit hotel for lunch . After lunch visit Birth place of Lord Buddha, Ashokan Pillar, Maya Sarovar etc. After that drive to Kapilvastu. On arrival Sravasti & check-in at hotel . Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 14:Kapilvastu/Sravasti/Lucknow/Departure: 255 Kms. 8 Hrs.
After breakfast visit King Sudodhana palace, Buddhist stupa etc. in Kapilvastu. After that drive to Lucknow en route visit Sravasti for s/seeing of Jetwana Park, Angulimal Cave, Anathpindak Vihar etc. Lunch at hotel at Sravasti. After lunch drive to Lucknow. On arrival & transfer to Airport or Railway station for next destination.