India Spiritual Tours: Pilgrimage, Temple and Buddhist Tours of India

Our India spiritual tours take you to the holiest places of India: the ghats of Varanasi, the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, the Himalayan shrines of the Char Dham Yatra, the Golden Temple in Amritsar and the great temples of Khajuraho and South India. Every tour is private, with your own car, driver and licensed local guides, and we plan it around your faith, your pace and your dates.

Shamrock Journeys is a trusted India tour operator. Since 2002 we have planned private pilgrimage tours, temple tours and Buddhist circuit tours for families, seniors, groups and solo travellers from India and abroad.

What Are India Spiritual Tours?

India spiritual tours are journeys to sacred places, planned so you have time to pray, take part in rituals and understand what you see. A Kashi Yatra, a Char Dham Yatra or a Buddhist pilgrimage tour can be deeply religious, while a temple tour of India or a heritage walk can be a cultural journey for travellers of any faith. We plan both, and many guests mix the two.

Why Choose Shamrock Journeys for India Spiritual Tours

Expert local guides: licensed guides who know the stories, rituals and etiquette of each holy place.
The right time for each ritual: the Ganga Aarti from a boat, the Sangam Snan at sunrise and the evening chanting at the Mahabodhi Temple.
Help with darshan and rituals: we plan temple visits and can book trusted priests for pujas, Pind Daan and other rituals.
Comfort and care: hotels of your choice, a comfortable car and help for seniors at ghats and temple steps.
Fully private and flexible: all our India spiritual tours can be changed to suit you.

Our Ready-Made India Spiritual Tours

If you want us to plan everything, choose one of these private tours. Each one can be changed to suit you.

Varanasi, Prayagraj and the Ganga

Varanasi 3-day tour package: the Ganga Aarti, a sunrise boat ride, Kashi Vishwanath and Sarnath.
Prayagraj 2-day tour package: the Triveni Sangam Snan, Lete Hanuman and the Akshayavat.
5-day Varanasi Prayagraj Bodhgaya tour: Kashi, the Sangam and Bodh Gaya, the Tristhali Yatra.
6-day Varanasi Bodhgaya Prayagraj tour: the same holy places, with a night at the Sangam.

Buddhist Circuit

Bodh Gaya 3-day tour package: the Mahabodhi Temple, Rajgir and Nalanda.

Char Dham Yatra and the Himalayas

Chardham Yatra 12 days: all four Dhams by road.
Chardham Yatra 11 days with Kedarnath helicopter: all four Dhams, with a helicopter to Kedarnath.
Do Dham Yatra Kedarnath Badrinath: Kedarnath and Badrinath in 8 days.
Ek Dham Yatra Badrinath: Badrinath only, in 5 days.

Spiritual Tours with the Taj Mahal and Temple Art

6-day Varanasi Khajuraho tour: the Ganga and the temples of Khajuraho.
7-day Varanasi Taj Mahal tour: Varanasi, Old Delhi and the Taj Mahal.
12-day Varanasi Khajuraho Agra Delhi tour: the great North and Central India circuit.

India Spiritual Tours by Region

These are the main circuits of our India spiritual tours.

The Ganga Circuit: Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya

Varanasi, or Kashi, is the holiest city of India, with the Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga and the evening Ganga Aarti. Prayagraj has the Triveni Sangam and the Kumbh Mela, and Ayodhya the new Ram temple. Kashi, Prayag and Gaya together make the Tristhali Yatra. Read our Varanasi travel guide and our Prayagraj travel guide, and see all our Varanasi tour packages.

The Buddhist Circuit: Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Rajgir and Nalanda

Follow the life of the Buddha from the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya to his first sermon at Sarnath, his teachings at Rajgir and the great university of Nalanda, with Kushinagar and Lumbini for a longer Buddhist pilgrimage tour. Read our Bodh Gaya travel guide.

The Himalayas: Char Dham Yatra, Rishikesh and Haridwar

The Char Dham Yatra visits Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath high in the Garhwal Himalayas. Rishikesh, the yoga capital of the world, and Haridwar, with its Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri, are the gateways. See our Chardham Yatra packages and Uttarakhand tour packages.

Shamrock travel tip: the Char Dham temples open in late April or May and close after Diwali. The best months are May to June and September to October; avoid the monsoon months, when landslides close roads. Register for the yatra before you travel. For more advice, read our Shamrock India Travel Tips.

The Golden Temple, Amritsar

The Golden Temple, the holiest shrine of the Sikhs, welcomes people of every faith. Join the free community kitchen, the langar, and see the temple lit up at night. See our Amritsar tour packages.

Temple Art: Khajuraho, Ajanta and Ellora, and Odisha

The carved temples of Khajuraho, the Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves of Ajanta and Ellora, and the Sun Temple of Konark and the Jagannath temple of Puri in Odisha are the finest temple art in India. See our Khajuraho tour packages, Ajanta Ellora Caves tour packages and Central India tours.

South India Temple Tours

The great Dravidian temples of Madurai, Thanjavur, Rameswaram and Tirupati, with their tall gopurams, make a South India temple tour. Add the calm backwaters of Kerala for rest. See our South India tours.

Best Time for India Spiritual Tours

October to March is the best time for most India spiritual tours, with cool days in Varanasi, Prayagraj, Bodh Gaya and South India. Special times include Dev Deepawali in Varanasi in November, the Magh Mela in Prayagraj in January and February, and Buddha Purnima in Bodh Gaya in April or May. For the Char Dham Yatra, go in May to June or September to October.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are India spiritual tours only for religious travellers?

No. Many guests come for the culture, history and art. Our guides explain each place, and you take part only as much as you wish.

What should I wear on a spiritual tour?

Light, modest clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, and shoes that are easy to take off at temples.

Can you arrange pujas, Pind Daan or temple darshan?

Yes. Tell us in advance, and we will book trusted priests and plan the best time for darshan.

How do we travel between places?

By private air-conditioned car with a driver, with flights or trains for long distances.

What kind of hotels do you use?

From comfortable hotels to heritage hotels and luxury stays; you choose the level. On the Char Dham route, hotels are simpler.

Can I customise my India spiritual tour?

Yes. All our India spiritual tours are private, so we can change the places, days and hotels.

Begin Your India Spiritual Tour

Shamrock travel tip: book early for festivals such as the Kumbh Mela, Dev Deepawali, Buddha Purnima and the Char Dham opening weeks, when hotels fill months ahead. See our Shamrock India Travel Tips.

See our cultural tours of India, all our India tour packages and the best North India tours. We are one of the best tour operators in India. Ready to plan one of our India spiritual tours? Request your free quote

Plan Your India Holiday with Shamrock Journeys

Shamrock Journeys is a trusted India tour operator and holiday planner. Since 2002 we have designed private India tour packages, family tour packages, honeymoon tours and cultural tours for travellers from around the world.

Recognised and trusted: Recognised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Member of PATA, TAAI, IATO and ADTOI.

Tell us your travel dates and we will send you a personal itinerary. Request your free quote