BootsnAll Travel Community

Hello All,
I am leaving in December for a Buddhist pilgrimage to northern India. I hope to get some responses from people who have been to northern India, but more importantly, from people who went for the same reason I am, and visited the same places.
So far, this is how it's going to go.
My wife is coming with me for the first 2 weeks and we'll visit the 4 main sites associated with the historical Buddha, namely, Bodhgaya, Sarnath(right outside Visalia), Kushinagar, and Lumbini (in Nepal). Once the wife heads back to the US, I am planning on staying for another 3-6months. I'll likely return to some of the sites mentioned above, and seeing others, and hopefully doing some volunteer work in Dharamsala.
I've only just begun my research, and I guess my main questions are...
1)Has anyone on this forum completed a "Buddhist Pilgrimage"?
2)Where is the best place to find cheap air fair to India.
3)What is the best way to get around northern India.
(I have already found an agency who caters to Buddhists going to India and they charge around $1400.00 for a 10 day package. This cost includes all lodging(4-star hotels), all travel arrangements (except the airfare to India), a personal driver for the majority of the trip, and some meals.
Does this seem like a good price????
Well, I'm sure I have many more questions, but this will do for now.
Thanks Much,
-Steppingthru

Pick up a "India Currents" magazine at a local Indian grocery store. Plenty of Indian travel agents to help you with the air fare. In general the prices they quote will be very similar...differ by airlines. Expect Singapore Airlines to be the pricest...cheapest China Air. I would say pick something in between...Korean Airlines is reasonable.

Trains are the best way to get around India. Comfortable and reliable.

$140 a day equals to Rs5600 that is aquite a lot of money for one day in India. What is your comfort level ..budget depends on that.

Post some of your general india question in the Asia forum..might get more response.

Also try IndiaMike.com...the whole site/forum is India specific.


Hope this helps...

I would say DON"T do a tour...when u really want to experience India and especially since u say you want this to be a Pilgrimage...I think u then have to travel by your own instict and be allowed to stay as long or as short in each place you travel.

I saw people on tours...they didnt see India....not the real India anyway....How can u get to know the people if you are staying in such lavious accomodation? It would be a sad mistake..

India is not the easiest place to travel...but a tour would be like going through the zoo and thinking u have been to an african safari....

Enjoy your time...take your time....life will happen for you ...when u let it.