Sacred Sites of India: A Journey through Hindu and Buddhist Pilgrimage

Day 1: Arrive Kolkata

Upon arrival at Kolkata International Airport, meet our representative and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel. Standard check-in time is 14:00 hrs, early check-in subject to availability. After freshening up, begin a gentle introduction to the city with a visit to Park Street, known for its colonial-era charm, cafés, and vibrant atmosphere. Continue to New Market, a historic shopping hub where you can experience local life, street food, and traditional goods. Kolkata’s unique blend of British heritage and Bengali culture offers an enriching first impression. Evening at leisure to relax or enjoy local cuisine. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Kolkata City Tour

Breakfast at the hotel before beginning a full-day guided city tour. Visit the iconic Victoria Memorial, a grand marble monument surrounded by gardens, showcasing colonial history and artifacts. Drive past Fort William (exterior view), an important British-era military structure. Continue to Netaji Bhawan, the ancestral home of Subhas Chandra Bose, now a museum reflecting India’s independence movement. Visit Howrah Bridge (photo stop), an engineering marvel and one of the busiest cantilever bridges in the world. Proceed to Dakshineswar Kali Temple, a major pilgrimage site dedicated to Goddess Kali, located on the banks of the Hooghly River. Experience temple rituals and spiritual ambiance before returning to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Kolkata – Deoghar (Train Journey approx. 6–7 hrs)

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Howrah Railway Station to board an AC chair car train to Deoghar. Enjoy scenic countryside views, passing rural villages, fields, and rivers, offering insight into everyday Indian life. Upon arrival in Deoghar, meet your driver and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Deoghar is an important Hindu pilgrimage destination, known for its spiritual atmosphere. In the evening, you may take a short walk around the temple area or local markets, observing pilgrims and rituals. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Deoghar – Bodhgaya via Nalanda & Rajgir (Approx. 280 km / 7–8 hrs)

Early morning visit Baba Baidyanath Dham, one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, where devotees gather for blessings and rituals. Return to the hotel for breakfast and begin the drive to Bodhgaya. En route visit Nalanda, the ruins of one of the world’s oldest universities, known for its ancient learning traditions and monastic system. Continue to Rajgir to visit the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, a peaceful white pagoda located on a hilltop offering panoramic views. Drive further to Bodhgaya and check in at your hotel. Evening at leisure to absorb the calm and spiritual surroundings. Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Bodhgaya – Varanasi (Approx. 250 km / 5–6 hrs)

Breakfast at the hotel before beginning your exploration of Bodhgaya. Visit the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site marking the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Explore the sacred Bodhi Tree, Vajrasana, and nearby monasteries built by various Buddhist countries reflecting global devotion. After sightseeing, drive to Varanasi, one of the holiest cities in Hinduism. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. In the evening, proceed to the ghats of the Ganges River to witness the Ganga Aarti, a mesmerizing ritual of lamps, chants, and spiritual devotion. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Varanasi & Sarnath Sightseeing

Early morning proceed for a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges River, witnessing ancient rituals, pilgrims bathing, and priests performing ceremonies along the ghats. Return to hotel for breakfast. Begin city tour with a visit to Banaras Hindu University, one of India’s largest educational institutions, followed by Bharat Mata Temple featuring a unique marble map of India. Visit Tulsi Manas Temple, associated with the Ramayana. Later drive to Sarnath, an important Buddhist site where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. Visit Dhamek Stupa, monasteries, and the Archaeological Museum. Return to Varanasi for leisure time. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Varanasi – Departure

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out and enjoy a private transfer to Varanasi Airport for your onward journey. As the tour concludes, depart with a deeper understanding of India’s spiritual traditions, sacred rituals, and cultural heritage.

• Assistance on arrival and departure
• 6 Nights accommodation in selected category hotels
• Daily breakfast at hotels
• Private AC vehicle for transfers and sightseeing
• English speaking local guides as per itinerary
• AC train ticket Kolkata – Deoghar
• Monument entrance fees and activities as per program
• Sunrise boat ride in Varanasi
• Bottled drinking water in vehicle
• Government taxes

Hotels used or similar for 6 nights accommodation

Kolkata x 2 nights
3* - Regenta Orko's/ The Fern Residency
4* - The Peerless Inn/ The Fern Residency
5* - ITC Sonar, a Luxury Collection/ The Lalit Great Eastern

Deoghar  x 1 nights
3*/4*/5* - GenX Rameshwaram By 1589/ Amrapali Clarks Inn

Bodhgaya x 1 nights
3* - Hotel Taj Darbar/ Hotel Mahamaya
4* - The Royal  Residency/ Lotus Nikko Hotel
5* - The Royal  Residency/ Lotus Nikko Hotel

Varanasi x 2 nights
3* - Meraden Grand/ Amaya Hotel
4* - Rivatas by Ideal/ Palace On Ganges
5* - Ramada JHV/ Radisson Hotel

• Any domestic or international flights
• Camera charges at monuments if applicable
• Meals not mentioned in inclusions
• Personal expenses (laundry, tips, beverages, etc.)
• Travel insurance
• Optional activities
• Anything not mentioned in inclusions