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7 Nights / 8 Days
Daily Tour
The Mahaparinirvan Express is a Buddhist Pilgrim Train that takes you across all the major Buddhist destinations in India and Nepal. The newest initiative of the IRCTC (Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation), its a pan-India, 8 day journey to all those destinations which are considered to be the holiest Buddhist sites. Inaugurated in 2007, it has won the hearts of both Buddhist pilgrims and tourists with its facilities and brilliantly planned itinerary.
The Mahaparinirvan Express Journey is an elaborately, brilliantly planned journey of 8 days that commences and ends at Delhi. It takes you through the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India including Bodhgaya, Varanasi, Sarnath, Lumbini and Sravasti. This well-planned itinerary not also takes you to the most important places in Buddhism but also lets you enjoy sightseeing of the places associated with Buddhism.
The Mahaparinirvan Express has 18 first AC berths, 92 two-tier AC berths and 256 three-tier AC berths. Although not a luxury train per se, the Mahaparinirvan Express still affords great levels of luxury and comfort to its passengers.
The Mahaparinirvan Express journey is an elaborate, well planned 8 day tour that begins and ends at Delhi. During its course, the Mahaparinirvan Express travels through prominent Buddhist pilgrim destinations of Bodhgaya, Varanasi, Sarnath, Lumbini, Sravasti, besides the city of the Taj Mahal, Agra. All tour highlights are well spaced and nowhere does the itinerary feels rushed.
The Mahaparinirvan Express is a lifetime experience that can be booked at really reasonable prices. Indian Luxury Trains offers comprehensive packages for the train’s upcoming journeys next year. Call us today or drop us an email and we will get back on your tour query.
Dining in the Mahaparinirvan Express is also a luxurious affair, with the scrumptious meals served in a classy way. Hot and delicious meals are served onboard the hygienic kitchen car.
The lavatories onboard come with shower cubicles that supply both hot and cold running water. Further, the western-style toilets are both spacious and comfortable. Excellent cleanliness is maintained throughout the duration of the journey.
The Mahaparinirvan Express, launched by IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited), in 2007, is a Buddhist Pilgrim Train that lets you visit all the major Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in India. This well-planned 8-day journey takes you to Buddhist pilgrimage sites including Sarnath, Varanasi, Bodhgaya, Sravasti and Lumbini.
The train offers AC First Class and AC Second Class accommodation.
AC First Class: Compartments have two or four berths. A confirmed two-berth coupe can be requested for an additional charge, subject to availability.
AC Second Class: Sleeping accommodation has upper and lower berths arranged in two tiers, with curtains providing privacy.
First AC comprises of an air-conditioned coach having Deluxe cabins with 2/4 berths each. The AC 2 Tier consists of air-conditioned coaches with berths in two tiers with curtains.
In addition, the travelers are assured completely security and service throughout the journey. Security guard are present onboard the train and at all times, there is CCTV surveillance. There is also a library for travelers who care to read while traveling.
13:30 hrs: Assemble at the Safdarjung Railway Station, Delhi for the traditional welcome and briefing of the tour. And then board the Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train and get ushered to your respective coaches.
14:30 hrs: The train will depart for Gaya. Settle yourself properly and relax in your coaches. You can also explore the amenities of the train.
20:00 hrs: The dinner will be served on board. Savor the delicious delicacies. Overnight stay onboard the train which is headed towards Gaya.
06:30 hrs: Wake up during the early hours and enjoy the tea onboard while adoring the majestic view from the train. Then freshen yourself up and savor the scrumptious breakfast on-board amid the royal setting.
08:30 hrs: Upon your arrival at Gaya, de-board the train at Gaya Railway Station. Depart to Bodhgaya by coach.
10:00 hrs: Have an assisted transfer to the hotel. Complete the check-in formalities at the hotel and relax for a while. Savor the scrumptious lunch.
14:30 hrs: Embark on the sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya including Mahabodhi Temple & Niranjana River. Continue sightseeing of Thai Temple, Japanese Temple, and Buddha Statue. Explore these architectural marvels and delve into the majestic beauty of this serene place.
19:30 hrs: Later in the evening, return to the hotel after the sightseeing tour. Enjoy the delicious dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel in Bodhgaya.
05:30 hrs: Enjoy the early morning breakfast at the hotel and get ready for the sightseeing tour.
07:00 hrs: Check-out from the hotel and proceed to Rajgir by coach. 09:30 hrs: Upon your arrival at Rajgir, embark on the sightseeing tour including Bimbisara Jail, Gridhakuta hill & Venuvan.
12:30 hrs: Savor lunch at the hotel.
13:30 hrs: After enjoying the lunch, you will proceed to Nalanda for a sightseeing tour that covers the ruins of the world-famous Nalanda University & Nalanda Museum.
17:00 hrs: After the sightseeing tour, proceed to Gaya Railway Station.
19:30 hrs: Arrival at Gaya Railway Station and board the train for the onward journey.
20:00 hrs: Enjoy the dinner on-board & proceed to Varanasi.
05:00 hrs: Enjoy the early morning tea on-board while gazing at the mesmerizing view from the train. Savor the breakfast onboard.
06:00 hrs: Upon your arrival at Varanasi railway station, disembark the train and proceed to visit Sarnath (10 km) for sightseeing of Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath Museum, Ashokan Pillar, and Mulgandha Kuti Vihar.
12:30 hrs: Later, check-in at the hotel for lunch. Freshen yourself up for the onward journey and take some rest.
17.00 hrs: Visit River Ganges Ghat and attend the evening Aarti. Delve into the serene aura of this holy place. After this, return to the railway station and board the train.
20:00 hrs: Enjoy the dinner on board & proceed to Nautanwa for a visit to Lumbini, Nepal. Overnight stay onboard.
06:00 hrs: Enjoy the early morning tea followed by breakfast on board.
07:00 hrs: Arrival at Nautanwa railway station and then proceed by coach to Lumbini, Nepal. (Tourists keep their passport and Visa ready. In case Nepal visa does not get issued, visa fees to be kept ready also along with passport size photographs).
11:30 hrs: Have an assisted check-in at the hotel and relax for a while. Savor lunch at the hotel.
15:30 hrs: Later, embark on the sightseeing tour of Lumbini including Maya Devi Temple and Ashoka Pillar.
19:30 hrs: Return to the hotel and revel in the scrumptious dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel in Lumbini.
05:00 hrs: Wake up early and enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
06:15 hrs: Check-out from the hotel and proceed to Kushinagar by coach.
12:30 hrs: On arrival in Kushinagar, you will proceed for lunch at the hotel.
13:30 hrs: After lunch, embark on the sightseeing tour of the city including Mahaparinirvan Temple, Rambhar Stupa, Mata Kutir Temple, and other famous sites.
17:30 hrs: Later in the evening, depart to Gorakhpur by coach.
19:00 hrs: Upon your arrival at Gorakhpur Railway Station, you will board the train and depart for Balrampur.
20:30 hrs: Relish the dinner on board & proceed to Balrampur for a visit to Sravasti.
04:00 hrs: Arrival at Balrampur Railway station during the early morning.
05:30 hrs: Enjoy the early morning tea on-board.
06:30 hrs: Disembark the train and board the coach. Departure by coach to Sravasti (15kms)
07:30 hrs: Arrival at the hotel and savor the delicious breakfast. Freshen yourself up for the upcoming journey.
09:30 hrs: Start your sightseeing journey including Jetvana Vihara, Pakki Kuti & Sehat Mahet.
13:00 hrs: Stopover for lunch at the hotel.
15:00 hrs: In the afternoon, proceed to Balrampur railway station to board the train for onward journey.
16:00 hrs: Upon your arrival at Balrampur railway station, board the train and get escorted to your respective cabins.
16:15 hrs: The train will start its journey and proceed to Agra (450 km). Enjoy the dinner on board.
07:00 hrs: Enjoy the early morning tea and get ready for the sightseeing tour of the day. Savor the scrumptious breakfast onboard. 08:00 hrs: Upon your arrival at the Agra railway station, you will proceed for the sightseeing tour of the city including the Taj Mahal which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and an epitome of love. 12:30 hrs: After exploring the majestic beauty of the Taj Mahal, you will proceed to the Agra Cantt. Railway Station for the onward journey. 14:15 hrs: Board the train and it will be departed for New Delhi (220 km). Savor the delicious lunch on board. 16.00 hrs: Enjoy the evening tea on board. 18.00 hrs: Arrival at Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station.
Travel Class | Full Tour per Person (USD) | Full Tour per Person (INR) |
AC First Class | US$1,400 | ₹1,15,000 |
AC Second Class | US$1,160 | ₹95,000 |
Month | Scheduled Departure |
December 2026 | 19 December 2026 |
January 2027 | 2 January 2027 |
February 2027 | 20 February 2027 |
March 2027 | 20 March 2027 |
The tour starts in Delhi and covers Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Varanasi, Sarnath, Lumbini, Kushinagar, Sravasti and Agra before returning to Delhi. It combines train travel with road transfers, including the journey to Lumbini in Nepal.
The published departures for the 2026–27 season are 19 December 2026, 2 January 2027, 20 February 2027 and 20 March 2027. Dates may change, so confirm the schedule and availability before booking.
The train offers AC First Class and AC Second Class. First Class has two- or four-berth compartments, while Second Class has two-tier sleeping berths with curtains. A confirmed two-berth First Class coupe requires an additional charge.
Yes. The itinerary includes a road journey to Lumbini in Nepal, with visits to Maya Devi Temple and the Ashokan Pillar. An overnight hotel stay is included before the tour returns to India for Kushinagar.
Indian citizens need a valid passport or original Election Commission-issued voter ID; no Nepal visa is required. Other travellers need a valid passport, any required Nepal visa and documents permitting re-entry into India. Check nationality-specific requirements before departure.
The fare includes travel in the booked train class, scheduled hotel accommodation, meals, road transfers, guided sightseeing and specified monument entrance fees. GST is included. Visa fees, personal expenses and services outside the stated itinerary are extra.
