Buddhist Circuit: Varanasi to Bodh Gaya
Sarnath, Bodh Gaya's Mahabodhi Temple, Rajgir's Vulture's Peak and the ruins of Nalanda's ancient university.
Trip at a glance
- Duration6 days / 5 nights
- Starts inVaranasi
- RouteVaranasi · Bodh Gaya · Nalanda & Rajgir
- Places3 destinations
- StateUttar Pradesh, India
- Ideal forPilgrimage tours, Cultural holidays
- Trip stylePrivate, customisable
- Package codeNX-JIRK9Y
Best time to visit: October to March
Trip overview
Sarnath, Bodh Gaya's Mahabodhi Temple, Rajgir's Vulture's Peak and the ruins of Nalanda's ancient university.
The route spends 2 nights in Varanasi, 2 nights in Bodh Gaya and 1 night in Nalanda & Rajgir, so you get time for the main sights without changing hotels every day. It suits pilgrimage tours, cultural holidays and educational tours, and every day can be shortened, swapped or extended.
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Varanasi
- Arrive via Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) and transfer to your hotel
- Check in and settle in
- Later: Kashi Vishwanath Temple and corridor: Golden-spired Shiva temple
Day 2Varanasi: Manikarnika Ghat and Assi Ghat
- Manikarnika Ghat: The principal cremation ghat
- Assi Ghat: Morning aarti and music
Day 3Varanasi to Bodh Gaya
- Travel from Varanasi to Bodh Gaya by private vehicle, with stops on the way
- Check in at your Bodh Gaya hotel
- Mahabodhi Temple: Temple at the site of enlightenment
Day 4Bodh Gaya: International monasteries and Monastery walk
- International monasteries: Thai, Japanese, Bhutanese and other temples
- Monastery walk
Day 5Bodh Gaya to Nalanda & Rajgir
- Travel from Bodh Gaya to Nalanda & Rajgir by private vehicle
- Check in at your Nalanda & Rajgir hotel
- Rajgir hot springs: Sacred hot water springs
Day 6Depart from Nalanda & Rajgir
- Breakfast and hotel check-out
- Transfer to Gaya Airport (GAY) 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
- Licensed local guides at the major heritage sites
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
- Varanasi: Take the dawn boat on your first morning; the ghats are at their most atmospheric then.
- Bodh Gaya: Visit Mahabodhi at dawn when monks gather for chanting under the Bodhi tree.
- Nalanda & Rajgir: Do Nalanda in the morning and Rajgir in the afternoon; they are 15 km apart.
Questions about this trip
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Uttar PradeshVaranasi
Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world and the holiest place in Hinduism.
BiharBodh Gaya
Bodh Gaya is where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and became the Buddha.
BiharNalanda & Rajgir
Nalanda was one of the world's first residential universities, flourishing from the 5th to 12th centuries; its excavated ruins are a UNESCO site.
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