This trip is a unique opportunity to journey to sacred sites of India and Nepal that are closely associated with the life of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, and other holy places in India. The beauty and chaos of India is celebrated and embraced, bringing one vibrantly alive, touching the heart of what it is to be human.
Our pilgrimage with Journey to Himalayas was a miracle of organizational efficiency. Our guide Sarju also provided us with a significant amount of deep cultural background for modern India and well as India’s Buddhist past.
We arrived in Sarnath about 2500 years after the Buddha first spoke of the Four Truths and the Eightfold Path, the foundation of a set of teachings he would gradually develop over his very long life. From Sarnath we followed his steps across the plains of north India. Each of the major sites we visited reflected a theme in the Buddha’s teachings: What is birth? What is death? How do we lead a meaningful life? An ethical one?
As we followed the path of the Buddha’s life we looked for ways to travel with each other according to the Buddha’s teachings – to be open and kind to friends and strangers, to maintain a reasonable level of mindfulness while we toured and shopped and ate meals together, and to tolerate and even appreciate each other’s quirks and foibles.
The sites we visited and groups we met resonated with the depth of the Buddhist tradition. The Great Stupa at Sarnath. The sublimely beautiful ruins at Nalanda. A full moon over the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya. Placing a shawl over the reclining Buddha Rupa at Kushinigar. Meeting our Buddhist cousins from Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Tibet, or Ladakh – friendly, happy, possibly many having the same imaginings as us of the life of the Buddha and life in the ancient Sangha.
And flowing through and around us each day was the life of India itself, vibrant and dynamic. As we travelled through large towns and small, we glimpsed the lives of thousands of people in the fields, in workshops and factories, in roadside stands in the most unlikely locations. The roads and villages were pulsing with activity; everyone seemed to have something to do, even if that was watching over three cows on the edge of a forest grove.
As we travelled daily events in India itself helped make the trip richer and deeper: We left Sarnath at 4:00 in the morning to get ahead of the pilgrims descending on the Ganga from all over India for the Prayag Maha Kumbh Mela, the twelfth cycle of twelve-year cycles that would see 450 million people seeking to bathe in the waters of the holy river. Google led our giant bus down a narrow shopping street in Patna, and many of the shopkeepers and passers-by helped the driver navigate the street, which Steven said felt like trying to move a house. In Dharamshala we had the good luck to participate in an evening party for a group that had travelled from Delhi for a destination wedding. … wonderful and harsh and beautiful all mixed in together.
We returned to Delhi exhausted and happy (and coughing). We then reluctantly prepared for our return to the deserted streets of our Canadian and German homelands, grateful for the ancient teachings of the Buddha and the modern and timeless teachings of India.
The Buddhist pilgrimage I undertook in February 2025 was all arranged and led by Sarju Sooch, and he did an excellent job, both of organizing our travel and accommodations and of getting us to our various destinations. Some of this was quite complicated, but he was always on top of things, even when unexpected circumstances upset our original itinerary; Sarju always had a backup plan!
The inestimable value of this pilgrimage is only gradually becoming evident to me. At the time of our visits, to Bodhgaya particularly, I felt a strong connection with the Buddha: sitting and meditating under the Bodhi Tree was a powerful experience, made all the more intense by the crowds of pilgrims, all intent, as I was, to deepen their spiritual experiences by “walking in the footsteps of the Buddha.” Many groups of pilgrims – Tibetan monks, mixed groups of lay people, monks and nuns from Southeast Asia – sat and chanted at the holy places, adding an ethereal ambience. It was wonderful, as well, to visit the various monasteries that surrounded each of the sites.
At Tergar Monastery in Bodhgaya, thanks to Sarju’s awareness of local ceremonies, we were blessed by Mingyur Rinpoche, an unexpected and surprisingly powerful experience. And after our visits to the major sites associated with the Buddha, we journeyed on to Dharamsala, the seat of the Dalai Lama. Although he was not available for an audience, we did day trips to Dongyu Gatsal Ling nunnery where we had an audience with the remarkable Buddhist nun, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, and to Sherab Ling monastery, the seat of Tai Situ Rinpoche, who was in retreat and so not available, but there were ceremonies at the time which allowed us to witness a stunning and remarkable costumed dance, with the dancers wearing spectacular traditional masks, accompanied by booming Tibetan drums and trumpets.
At almost the end of the trip, we also visited Amritsar where we experienced the very different but equally intense Sikh pilgrimage to the Golden Temple. For our last days, we returned to Delhi, where some of the group did a day trip to Agra to see the magnificent Taj Mahal, while others stayed behind to visit the National Museum, with its rich treasury of Indian religious arts.
Sarju had also assured that our group contained a teacher, Lama Brian McLeod, who provided structure to our daily practices of meditation and reflection. Altogether, it was an unforgettable experience which has continued to unfold after our return. I can picture very clearly now the holy sites of the Buddha’s birth, his Enlightenment, his first sermon in the Deer Park at Sarnath, his death and Paranirvana at Kushinagar. When I read a sutra that the Buddha gave at Vulture’s Peak or in Jeta’s Grove at Shravasti, I can imagine myself there, in that very spot. This trip has made so many aspects of my Buddhist practice come alive, and it continues to inform my explorations of the Dharma. The repercussions of this pilgrimage, I feel sure, will continue to enrich my practice and my life for a long time to come.
Sarju is not your typical tour leader. Each person in our group of 15 had some things they hoped to see or do in India, that was not officially in the plan. Somehow, Sarju learned what each person hoped for, and magically and quietly made it happen. For me, the tour of the school, dancing at an Indian wedding party, walking alone in the busy streets of a village and boating by the ghats in Varanasi were not on the agenda — but were highlights of my trip! Thank you Sarju for making dreams come true!
It was an absolute privilege to be travelling under the guidance of Sarju Sooch on The Buddhist Pilgrimage tour. The combination of sites visited, travel types and hotel accommodation by far surpassed my expectations. My first visit to India was a perfect balance of experiences rural and urban. I would love to return again.
The food was excellent!
Our Journey to The Himalayas Buddhist Pilgrimage (2025) was a wonderful experience on so many levels all made possible and facilitated by Sarju.
He coordinated the needs, comforts and interests of a diverse group of 15 people through the colour and chaos of Northern India and Nepal with apparent ease and an enormous amount of patience and humour.
Heartfelt thanks to Sarju, a confident leader and guide, a great travelling companion and now, a really fine friend.
Travelling with a group of 15 for a month in close quarters is something. Planes, trains, buses, taxis moving pre-dawn and midday, following a Buddhist Pilgrimage route – our guide Sarju stepped up with ceaseless action. I liked Sarju’s knowledge of the route, people, cultures. Yes right down to finding ATMs and post offices out of, seemingly, thin air. Friendly, efficient, sensitive, he gave us an extra safe and pleasurable sojourn through this amazing, wondrous and different country.
I’m so glad I took the opportunity to go on this Buddhist Pilgrimage tour. It truly was a trip of a lifetime for me.
I really appreciated and felt confident so far away from home, having Sarju as our guide. He had everything organized for us, with all the tour details, meals, rooms and transportation nicely taken care of. Each day was a new adventure, seeing the pilgrimage sites and getting to know each other without having to worry about or plan a thing.
Sarju’s relaxed, friendly attitude fostered a sense of community and fun within our group, along with our spiritual focus throughout the pilgrimage.
I returned home with wonderful memories and a deeper connection with Buddhism.
Pèlerinage bouddhiste aux Indes et au Népal 2025 avec Journey To Himalayas
28 jours de dépaysement total, d’exploration, de découvertes, de plaisir. Les journées débutaient par une séance de Qi Qong, puis une séance de méditation, animées par notre enseignant. Venait ensuite le déjeuner en compagnie de notre groupe d’une quinzaine de personnes. Par la suite, chaque journée était différente. Beaucoup de déplacements en voiture, en train, en avion, en camionnette, en autobus, En rickshaw, en taxi, en gondole, à pied. Beaucoup de territoire couvert, des villes millénaires aux rues animées et bruyantes de vie. D’avoir marché dans les pas des pèlerins bouddhistes présents sur les différents sites depuis l’époque du Bouddha, c’est très impressionnant et nourrissant. Je n’oublierai jamais Bodhgaya et la foule de pèlerins marchant autour du stupa et de l’arbre témoin de l’éveil de Bouddha, ainsi que l’espace quadrillé en sections pour recevoir différents groupes de moines récitant des sadhanas, méditant et priant.
Enfin, je suis reconnaissante pour la gentillesse et le soutien de tous les membres du groupe. Notre guide, Sarju, est incroyablement à l’écoute des besoins de chacun. Il trouve des solutions à toutes les situations.
Je recommande fortement.
Die buddhistische Pilgerreise nach Indien im Jahr 2025 war für mich eine außergewöhnlich inspirierende und unvergessliche Erfahrung. Von Beginn an war alles durch Sarju hervorragend organisiert. Seine akribische Vorbereitung und die sorgfältige Auswahl der Hotels trugen wesentlich zum Erfolg der Reise bei. Jedes Hotel war nicht nur komfortabel, sondern auch einladend und spiegelte die lokale Kultur wider, was unsere Erlebnisse umso reicher machte.
Als gebürtiger Inder hatte Sarju die einzigartige Fähigkeit, uns Europäern und Kanadiern die indische und buddhistische Lebensweise einfühlsam näherzubringen. Durch seine Erklärungen und persönlichen Geschichten fühlten wir uns nie wie Fremde, sondern vielmehr wie Gäste in einer faszinierenden Welt. Sarjus Engagement dafür, uns rundum zufrieden zu stellen, war spürbar. Er war stets ein aufmerksamer und mitfühlender Ansprechpartner und war immer bereit, uns bei Problemen oder Fragen zu unterstützen.
In der oft unvorhersehbaren indischen Gesellschaft war Sarjus Organisationstalent von unschätzbarem Wert. Seine positive Einstellung und gute Laune halfen uns, jede unerwartete Wendung mit Gelassenheit zu akzeptieren. Man hatte das Gefühl, dass ihm unser Wohlbefinden am Herzen lag, was unser Erlebnis erheblich bereichert hat.
Ein weiteres Highlight der Reise war die Begleitung von Brian, unserem buddhistischen Lehrer. Mit seinen lehrreichen teachings und geführten Meditationen schuf er den passenden spirituellen Rahmen für unsere Pilgerreise. Seine tiefen Einsichten und die ruhige Art halfen uns, die Bedeutung der besuchten Orte noch intensiver zu erfahren und unser eigenes spirituelles Wachstum zu fördern.
Diese Pilgerreise hat nicht nur mein Verständnis für die buddhistische Lehre vertieft, sondern auch neue Perspektiven auf die reiche indische Kultur eröffnet. Sie war eine bedeutende Etappe auf meinem Dharmaweg, und ich kehre nach Hause zurück, bereichert durch die Erfahrungen und Begegnungen, die ich auf dieser einmaligen Reise sammeln durfte.
Ich kann diese Pilgerreise jedem wärmstens ans Herz legen, der auf der Suche nach Inspiration und einem tieferen Verständnis für die buddhistische Tradition und die indische Kultur ist. Vielen Dank an Sarju und Brian für diese unvergessliche Erfahrung!
Unsere Reise, die buddhistische Pilgerreise, war sehr gut organisiert und die Hotels waren gut gewählt, komfortabel mit abwechslungsreichem und sehr leckerem Essen. Sarju war immer engagiert und wenn es Probleme oder Fragen gab, fand er durch seine Erfahrung und Landeskenntnis gute Lösungen.
Die Orte, die wir besuchten, waren sehr beeindruckend und voller spiritueller Ausstrahlungskraft. Unser spezieller Gast in der Gruppe, Brian McLeod aus Winnipeg, Kanada, verlieh der Reise durch seinen Unterricht und seine Betreuung eine große menschliche und spirituelle Tiefe. Die Reise war für mich eine großartige und ganz besondere, tiefe spirituelle Erfahrung in meinem Leben. Vielen Dank an Sarju und alle anderen in der Gruppe! Herzliche Grüße von Julia aus Deutschland.
The 2025 Buddhist Pilgrimage was a wonderful experience! My very special thanks to Sarju for his amazing work in handling the complex logistics required to get us back and forth across north India safely and in comfort, and for leading the tour skilfully, with kindness, warmth, and good humour. The trip was everything I had hoped for and more.
With 16 of us in tow we set off from Delhi to explore various prominent sites of the Buddha’s life some 2000 years ago.
Fabulous sites, sounds & experiences. How fortunate we were to have been guided by Sarju. Literally every detail taken care of – whether it was transportation, all the sights that left such a powerful impression on us – whether it was at Bodhgaya , Nalanda, Kushinagar & more. So much variety of dishes and treats everywhere we stopped. We sampled so many wonderful dishes & were thankful for Sarju’s knowledge regarding Indian cooking. Monastic sites everywhere giving us peace and tranquility to meditate or space to join in special festivities. A wonderful and enriching experience.
Thankyou Sarju.
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Overview -
Why Pilgrimage? -
Special Guest -
Itinerary
Trip Overview
From the stillness and mystique of an early morning boat ride along the Ganges in Varanasi, to Bodhgaya where the awakening of the Buddha is a joyous living force, the wisdom of these sacred places becomes an indelible imprint in each pilgrim’s heart and mind. Places of significance on this journey include Lumbini where the Buddha was born, Shravasti where he spent many years in retreat and gave many teachings, and Kushinigar where he passed away. The trip also visits excavated ruins of Nalanda University, once a rich resource of spiritual knowledge and fertile ground of higher learning.
The last week of the trip, will take you to Dharsmahala, home of His Holiness Dalai Lama & Tai Situ Rinpoche. Here, you will celebrate the first three days of Losar (Feb 28-Mar 02, 2025), Tibetan New Year, a powerful time for practice, reflection, and generating good karma. You will also visit Golden Temple at Amritsar, the holiest shrine for the Sikhs all over the world. Your trip will end with a visit to Taj Mahal at Agra, a monument of love, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
FEATURES
- Small Group (max of 20 people) – ensures a container of safety and care for your journey
- Experienced local guides – fluent in English and Hindi
- Exciting and safe travel – taking the “hassle” out of being in India so you can relax and soak up the experience
- High Quality Amenities – top class accommodation, outstanding food, every effort made to accommodate dietary and personal needs
- Unique Cultural Experience – Connections with local people open doors to remarkable experiences and encounters
- Support and Understanding of what makes a pilgrimage not just an ordinary journey
ROUTE MAP
PLACES ON MAIN TRIP
VARANASI: One of the oldest continually inhabited city in the World.
Ghats along river Ganga, Sarnath.
LUMBINI: Birthplace of Gautama Buddha.
UNESCO World Hertiage Site.
BODHGAYA: Where Buddha attained Enlightenment.
Mahabodhi Temple. Kalachakra Ground
SARNATH: Where Buddha gave his first Sermon
Dhamekh Stupa, Deer Park, Museum.
GRIDHAKUTA: Where Buddha set in motion, the second Dharmachakra.
Gridhakuta (Vulture Peak)
NALANDA:Ruins of Nalanda Mahavira (university)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Sariputta Stupa, Archaeological Museum.
SHRAVASTI: Where Buddha spent most of his life (24 monsoons).
Jetavana Monastery, Anathapindika’s Monastery, Gandhakuti,
VAISHALI: Where Buddha gave his last sermon.
Ashoka Pillar. Archaeological Museum. Ruins of Kolhua. Budha Relic Stupa. Peace Pagoda.
KUSHINAGAR: Where Buddha passed away.
Mahaparinarivana Temple.
DHARAMSHALA: Home town of HH Dalai Lama.
Temple of Dalai Lama, Offices of Tibetan Government in Exile, Masrur Temple.
You will be here to celebrate Losar, Tibetan New Year.
AMRITSAR One of the oldest continually inhabited city in the World.
Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh
AGRA: Town famous of Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal, Agra Fort.
WHY GO ON PILGRIMAGE?
A pilgrimage is a conscious journey with your own feet, heart and mind, to sacred places that carry the power of all the spiritual seekers who have gone before, with the intention of awakening and deeply nourishing our own human potential, right here in this time on earth.
In the history of humanity, there have been remarkable yet ordinary human beings that have walked before us, questioning deeply, never giving up until they had discovered a deep, incontrovertible truth within themselves. The Buddha was one such being, and the reverberations of that one life are still resounding on our planet today. Journey to Himalayas Buddhist Pilgrimage is deeply inspired by his quest, with the wish that all beings discover the power of their one unique and precious life.
Mother India and the holy sites that we will visit carry a palpable charge. The truth and vibrancy of ancient teachings is totally alive in these places, and simply by being there it becomes part of you. Opening to their living wisdom, these places imprint themselves in your heart and mind, and you will be forever changed. Experiencing this with a travelling community (Sangha) is an immense support for the profound and personal inner journey each pilgrim makes.
– words of Chani Grieve (Facilitator, 2018 Buddhist Pilgrimage)
Brian McLeod
Brian McLeod was accepted as a student of the Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche in 1978. From 1984 to 1989 he lived at the Dharma Centre, participating in the first three-year Academy program for training Dharma teachers, followed by a two-year stint as Property Manager. He has been leading retreats in Canada and Germany since 1999, and has been the lead teacher of the River and Bridge Dharma Group in Winnipeg since 2007.
Brian’s teaching is simple and clear, informed by his life experience with work and family. Following his time at the Dharma Centre he lived in the eastern Arctic for seventeen years, working in business and as a senior manager for Inuit political and business organizations. He now lives in Winnipeg, working in mediation (one ‘t’) and organizational development, in partnership with his wife Lorraine Thomas. They have two sons, both now in university. Brian has a degree in Forestry from UBC (forest soils and ecology) and a Master’s degree in dispute resolution from Osgoode Hall Law School.
Delhi – Varanasi/Sarnath – Bodhgaya – Nalanda/Rajgir – Kushinagar – Lumbini – Shravasti – Dharamshala – Amritsar – Agra – Delhi (26 Days)
PLEASE NOTE This is a tentative itinerary. The exact route of the journey will be finalized closer to the trip date and it might differ from this itinerary. Weather and road conditions permitting, this trip will include visit to all these places. Pick-up and drop-off place and date will not change. Please read the TOS for more details
ROUTE MAP
Day 1: Pick up at New Delhi*
Please make sure that you reach New Delhi in the evening/night of Day 1.
Day 2: Delhi – Varanasi (Flight)
Morning flight from Delhi to Varanasi. Check-in to a hotel at Sarnath. Generally rest and recuperate from your long flight for most of the day. Option of going for a walk to the Sarnath Stupa in the afternoon/evening. This is where Buddha gave his first sermon.
Day 3: Varanasi
Visit Sarnath Stupa and the Archaeological Museum.
Day 4: Varanasi
Early morning boat cruise on the Ganges, followed by a walk along the Ghats.
Day 5: Varanasi – Bodhgaya
After leisurely breakfast, drive to Bodhgaya. Buddha got enlightenment under Bodhitree here. Stay in Bodhgaya for 3 nights.
Day 6: Bodhgaya
After Breakfast, visit Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi tree which marks the site where the Buddha overcame the forces of Evil and Temptation and attained enlightenment. Continue to visit different Buddhist temples in the afternoon.
Day 7: Bodhgaya – Rajgir – Nalanda – Bodhgaya
After breakfast, drive to Rajgir. Visit Gridhakuta Hill – the seat from where Buddha delivered many of his sermons. It was here that the teachings of Buddha were recorded in writing for the first time. Many sites of the historical and archaeological significance surround the holy city of Rajgir. Also visit Bamboo grove. After lunch, visit the ruins of Nalanda University. Return back to Gaya for overnight stay.
Day 8: Bodhgaya – Patna
After breakfast, continue further sightseeing of Bodhgaya. Visit Sujata Temple and Niranjana river. Drive to Patna for an overnight stay.
Day 9: Patna – Vaishali – Kushinagar
After breakfast, drive to Vaishali. Visit Ananda stupa, Ashoka Pillar and Buddha’s Relic. After Lunch drive to Kushinagar via Kesaria for an overnight stay. (Stay in Kushinagar for 2 nights)
Day 10: Kushinagar
After breakfast, local sightseeing at Kushinagar. Here in 483 BC, Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. Visit Rambhar Stupa & Mahaparinirvana Temple.
Day 11: Kushinagar – Lumbini
Drive to Lumbini. Do immigration formalities at India–Nepal border. Lumbini is a small town in the southern Terai plains of Nepal. Stay in Lumbini for 3 nights.
This is the day that you will be entering Nepal. For a quick pass through the border, please make sure that you have the visa for Nepal or proper documentation to get the visa at the border.
Day 12: Lumbini
After breakfast, visit the Birth place of Lord Buddha. Shakyamuni Buddha was born in Lumbini, in southern Nepal, two thousand five hundred years ago. Since his time, Nepal has been a sacred ground for Buddhist as the birth place of Buddha.
Day 13: Lumbini
Visit Kapilavastu in the first half of the day. Explore Lumbini on your own at leisure for rest of the day.
Day 14: Lumbini – Shravasti
After breakfast, drive to Shravasti. Stay in Shravasti for 2 nights.
Day 15: Shravasti
After breakfast, visit Jetavana Garden, Shubuti stupa and Angulimal stupa.
Day 16: Shravasti – Chandigarh
Shravasti to Lucknow by road (3-4 hours), followed by the flight to Chandigarh (1.5 hours)
DAY 17: Chandigarh – Dharamshala
In the morning, you will board the train from Chandigarh to Amb (3 hours), and then transit to Dharamshala by road.
Day 18-22: Dharamshala
You will spend five full days at Dharamshala, during which you will celebrate Losar, Tibetan New Year. You will also familiarize yourself with the local mountain culture of the Gaddis, the shepherds that have been living here for nearly two millennia. HH Dalai Lama moved here in 1960.
At Dharamshala, you will get to visit:
– The temple of His Honliness the 14th Dalai Lama.
– Offices Tibetan government in exile.
– Norbulingka, an initiative by Tibetan refugees to preserve Tibetan Arts.
– DGL, a nunnery headed by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo.
– Kangra Art Gallery.
– Possibility of visiting Masrur, a complex of rock-cut Hindu temples from the 8th century.
– Possibility of a Day hike to Triund
Day 23: Dharmshala to Amritsar
Leave for Amritsar after breakfast. 200 km by road, 4-5 hours.
Visit Golden Temple & Jallianwala Bagh in the evening.
Day 24: Amritsar to Delhi
Train or Fly from Amritsar to Delhi.
Check in to the hotel at Delhi. Rest for the evening
Day 25: DELHI – Taj Mahal
Day trip to Taj Mahal (200 km each way)
You will visit one of the seven wonders of the world, Taj Mahal.
Day 26
The cost of the trip will cover your stay till the morning of Day 26 (Mar 05, 2025)
This is the day when you can take your flight back to the home country.
Safe Travels & Thank You for giving “Journey to Himalayas” an opportunity to take you on this tour.
Thank You! Merci! Dhanyavaad! Danke schön!