Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda and Sarnath

Days 1 to 2: Bodh Gaya

2 nights · Easy · The Buddhist pilgrim town in Bihar where the Buddha is said to have reached enlightenment.

Day 1: Bodh Gaya

• Early morning chanting at the Mahabodhi Temple and Bodhi Tree.
• Walk to Muchalinda Sarovar.
• Visit the Thai Monastery.
• Visit the Royal Bhutan Monastery.
• Return to the Mahabodhi Temple for evening chanting.

Day 2: Bodh Gaya

• Visit the Great Buddha Statue.
• See the Indosan Nippon Japanese Temple next to it.
• Take a taxi or auto to the Dungeshwari Cave Temples.
• Stop at Sujata Stupa on the way back.

Getting here from Bodh Gaya: Road, about 2.5 to 3 hours. About 80 km by road.

Days 3 to 4: Rajgir and Nalanda

2 nights · Easy · Hill-ringed old Magadha capital with Buddhist and Jain sites, near the ruins of ancient Nalanda.

Day 3: Rajgir and Nalanda

• Early walk up Gridhakut Hill (Vulture Peak).
• Ropeway to the Vishwa Shanti Stupa.
• Afternoon at Venuvan bamboo grove.
• Evening at the Brahmakund hot springs.

Day 4: Rajgir and Nalanda

• Morning slot at the Nature Safari and Glass Bridge.
• Stop at the Cyclopean Wall and Pandu Pokhar.
• Drive to Nalanda and tour the Mahavihara ruins.
• Visit the Nalanda Archaeological Museum before returning.

Getting here from Rajgir and Nalanda: Road or train via Gaya, about 6 to 7 hours. About 310 km by road.

Days 5 to 7: Varanasi

2 nights · Easy · An ancient holy city on the Ganga, known for its ghats, temples and evening aarti.

Day 5: Arrival day

• Travel from Rajgir and Nalanda to Varanasi (about 6 to 7 hours).
• Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple in the afternoon or late evening.
• Walk past Manikarnika Ghat with respect and no photos.
• Reach Dashashwamedh Ghat an hour early for the evening Ganga Aarti.

Day 6: Varanasi

• Take a sunrise boat ride from Assi Ghat and watch Subah-e-Banaras.
• Breakfast on kachori sabzi and lassi.
• Go to Sarnath for the Dhamek Stupa and the museum (closed on Fridays).
• Stop at Bharat Mata Temple on the way back.

Day 7: Varanasi

• Visit Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple in the morning.
• Cross to Ramnagar Fort and see its museum.
• Return to Assi Ghat for an evening by the river.
• Shop for silk or try Banarasi paan before leaving.