Land Of Buddha
Tour
Discover the spiritual essence of India across Varanasi, Sarnath and Bodh Gaya, from Kashi's ghats and its living rituals to the sacred land where Buddha attained enlightenment.
Three Sacred Cities, One Journey
Varanasi, Sarnath and Bodh Gaya form one of India's oldest spiritual triangles: the city where life and death meet the river, the deer park where the Buddha delivered his first sermon, and the site where he attained enlightenment beneath the Bodhi Tree. Over 5 days, this tour moves between all three, anchored by Kashi's own rituals, a sunrise boat ride, and the old city's heritage streets.
Pick-up and drop are included throughout, and the pace is set for small private groups rather than a large coach tour.
What Makes This Journey Different
A tour built around Kashi's living rituals as much as its Buddhist heritage sites.
A pre-dawn Ganga Aarti prayer ceremony on the ghats, followed by a traditional Kushti wrestling demonstration at one of the city's old akharas.
A guided boat ride along the Ganges as the sun rises over the ghats, one of Varanasi's most iconic experiences.
On-foot exploration of the old city's narrow lanes, temples and centuries-old architecture, away from the main riverfront.
The two sites at the heart of the Buddha's story: Sarnath, where he gave his first sermon, and Bodh Gaya, where he attained enlightenment.
5-Day Itinerary
- 1Arrival In Varanasi
Arrive into Varanasi and transfer to your hotel with pick-up included. The rest of the day is free to settle in, with an optional gentle evening walk along the ghats as the city lights up for the night.
- 2Day Trip To Bodh Gaya
A full day trip to Bodh Gaya, the site where the Buddha attained enlightenment beneath the Bodhi Tree, visiting the Mahabodhi Temple complex before returning to Varanasi in the evening. It's a long day on the road (roughly 250km, around 5 hours each way), so an early start is recommended.
- 3Aarti, Kushti & Sunrise Boat Ride
Your full Varanasi day begins before dawn with the Ganga Aarti prayer ceremony, followed by a traditional Kushti wrestling demonstration and a sunrise boat ride along the river.
- 4Heritage Street Walk
The rest of the day is free to explore the old city's heritage streets on foot, its temples, ghats and centuries-old lanes.
- 5Sarnath, Site Of The First Sermon
A day dedicated to Sarnath, the deer park where the Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment, exploring its stupas and monastic ruins.
- 6Evening At Kashi Naresh Fort (Optional)
In the evening, the option to explore the majestic fort of Kashi Naresh back in Varanasi, delving into its royal history.
- 7Departure
A relaxed final morning before your drop-off and departure transfer, included as part of the package.
Good To Know
The tour starts and ends in Varanasi, with pick-up and drop included. Share your arrival and departure details when booking and we'll confirm exact timings.
What's Included
Cancellation Policy
Land Of Buddha Tour - Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Land Of Buddha Tour cover?
A 4-night, 5-day journey across Varanasi, Sarnath and Bodh Gaya, combining Kashi's own rituals (a pre-dawn Ganga Aarti, Kushti wrestling and a sunrise boat ride) with the two sites central to the Buddha's story: Sarnath, where he gave his first sermon, and Bodh Gaya, where he attained enlightenment.
Is ₹29,499 the price per person?
Yes, ₹29,499 is per person, for private groups of 1 to 8 guests. If your group is larger than 8, message us and we'll put together a custom quote.
Is accommodation included?
No. This package includes meals and all pick-up/drop transfers, but not hotel nights. We're happy to recommend hotels in Varanasi or help arrange a booking on request.
How far is Bodh Gaya from Varanasi?
It's roughly 250km, about 5 hours' drive each way, which is why the Bodh Gaya day starts early and is a full day trip.
What's included in the tour price?
Meals and pick-up/drop transfers are included throughout the 5 days. Accommodation, monument entry fees and personal expenses are not included.
Is this a private tour?
Yes, the tour is designed for small private groups of 1 to 8 guests rather than a large coach group.
What is the cancellation policy?
- 3 or more days in advance - Full refund
- 1-3 days in advance - 50% refund
- Within 24 hours - No refund
If the tour is cancelled by us, you'll receive a full refund.
How do I book?
Use the booking form above to set your group size and see your total, then pay online via Razorpay or confirm via WhatsApp at +91-8595256696. You can also email us at hello@varanasiguru.com.
Don't Listen to Us, Listen to Them
Beautiful surreal experience of dev Deepawali by boat ride from Varanasi guru. Mr Saurabh arranged everything right from pick up by Rahul, the story teller, to drop, tasty snacks, amazing fire cracker show. Thanks Saurabh and team, I will definitely avail his services and recommend others in future.
We had booked a boat ride for Dev Deepawali evening. Though we started a little late, it turned out to be a mesmerising evening. Decorated ghats and lit shores, the experience was awesome. The firecrackers show was amazing! All throughout the guide was helpful and informative.
Had a beautiful boat ride on Dev Deepawali eve with Varanasi Guru. The team was super warm and made everything feel easy and welcoming. Watching the ghats glow with thousands of diyas from the river felt surreal, peaceful, festive, and truly unforgettable. One of those moments you just don't want to end.
A well organised boat tour. We had a great evening on the ghats watching the spectacular Dev Diwali celebrations. Saurabh and his team are very professional and the whole experience right from booking was smooth and hassle free.
We reached out to Varanasi Guru and connected with Saurabh for help planning our short trip. His recommendations were spot-on, especially the early morning Subah-e-Banaras experience. The guided boat ride and temple visits were perfectly timed and smoothly executed. Truly a hassle-free way to explore this soulful city.
Had a great experience with Varanasi Guru for our Ganga boat ride. Everything was easy from the start - the booking was quick, they reached the pickup spot on time, and the boat was clean and comfortable. We got to see the aarti from the river, which looked beautiful.
Booked the boat ride for a quick girls' trip and it was such a vibe. The staff was nice, didn't make us feel awkward or anything. They suggested a better timing too, which honestly helped with the crowd. Ride was smooth and the views were just beautiful.
It was a wonderful experience - my friends were going to Kashi during the Mahakumbha time and we were really anticipating a boat ride. We contacted Varanasi Guru and it was so good. They not only told us the situation there, they made sure we get the experience. Surely choosing Varanasi Guru every time we are in Kashi.