Bodh Gaya & Varanasi
Where the Buddha was enlightened and where he first taught, with Varanasi's ghats as a bonus.
Trip at a glance
- Duration5 days / 4 nights
- Starts inBodh Gaya
- RouteBodh Gaya · Varanasi
- Places2 destinations
- StateBihar, India
- Ideal forPilgrimage tours
- Trip stylePrivate, customisable
- Package codeNX-3AC6LZ
Best time to visit: October to March
Trip overview
Where the Buddha was enlightened and where he first taught, with Varanasi's ghats as a bonus.
The route spends 2 nights in Bodh Gaya and 2 nights in Varanasi, so you get time for the main sights without changing hotels every day. It suits pilgrimage tours, and every day can be shortened, swapped or extended.
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Bodh Gaya
- Arrive via Gaya Airport (GAY) and transfer to your hotel
- Check in and settle in
- Later: International monasteries: Thai, Japanese, Bhutanese and other temples
Day 2Bodh Gaya: Monastery walk and Bodhi Tree
- Monastery walk
- Bodhi Tree: Descendant of the original tree
Day 3Bodh Gaya to Varanasi
- Travel from Bodh Gaya to Varanasi by private vehicle, with stops on the way
- Check in at your Varanasi hotel
- Dashashwamedh Ghat: Main ghat and site of the evening Ganga aarti
Day 4Varanasi: Kashi Vishwanath Temple and corridor and Manikarnika Ghat
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple and corridor: Golden-spired Shiva temple
- Manikarnika Ghat: The principal cremation ghat
Day 5Depart from Varanasi
- Breakfast and hotel check-out
- Transfer to Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) for your journey home
How this version is planned
- Darshan and aarti timings planned around temple hours
- Online darshan or registration booked through official channels where available
- Comfortable pace and short walks planned for elders
- Dress codes and rules for each shrine shared before you go
This is a suggested itinerary. Sightseeing order may change with opening days, weather and local conditions; your final plan is in your written quote.
Good to know
- Bodh Gaya: Visit Mahabodhi at dawn when monks gather for chanting under the Bodhi tree.
- Varanasi: Take the dawn boat on your first morning; the ghats are at their most atmospheric then.
Questions about this trip
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BiharBodh Gaya
Bodh Gaya is where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and became the Buddha.
Uttar PradeshVaranasi
Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world and the holiest place in Hinduism.
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