Bodh Gaya Rajgir Nalanda Buddhist Yatra
A 4-day Buddhist circuit of Bihar from Gaya or Patna: the Mahabodhi Temple, Vulture Peak, Rajgir and Nalanda
4 days, from Gaya, from ₹11,999 per person
The Bodh Gaya, Rajgir and Nalanda Buddhist Yatra is a four-day journey to the heart of the Buddhist world in Bihar. It begins at Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha is remembered to have attained enlightenment, with the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Great Buddha Statue. It then moves to Rajgir, with Vulture Peak, where the Buddha taught, and the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, and ends at the ruins of Nalanda, the ancient Buddhist university.
You stay three nights in Standard rooms, in Bodh Gaya (two nights) and Rajgir (one night), with breakfast included. The pace is calm, with a free afternoon in Bodh Gaya, and you can choose to join the early morning chanting at the Mahabodhi Temple. Please note that mobile phones, tablets and heavy bags are not allowed inside the Mahabodhi Temple, and that its shrine closes for a few hours at midday.
The best months are October to March, when the weather is cooler. Roads in Bihar can be slow because of road works, so drive times may be longer than shown. Timings and ropeway hours change, and we confirm them locally. Please dress modestly and keep quiet at the sacred sites.
Spiritual significance
- The Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya marks the place where the Buddha is remembered to have attained enlightenment, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Vulture Peak at Rajgir is where the Buddha is remembered to have given many of his teachings.
- Nalanda was a great Buddhist monastic university, and its ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- The Vishwa Shanti Stupa and the Great Buddha Statue show the living Buddhist ties between India and the rest of Asia.
Itinerary
Day 1: Bodh Gaya
Arrive in Bodh Gaya, check in, and visit the Mahabodhi Temple in the afternoon.
Day 2: Bodh Gaya
A day in Bodh Gaya: the Great Buddha Statue in the morning, and a free afternoon for the monasteries and for quiet time.
Day 3: Rajgir
A drive of about 2.5 hours (estimate) to Rajgir. In the afternoon, Vulture Peak, where the Buddha is remembered to have taught, and the Vishwa Shanti Stupa on its hill.
Day 4: Nalanda
The ruins of Nalanda, the ancient Buddhist university, in the morning, and then the journey home.
Inclusions
- Pickup and drop at Gaya (Gaya start) or Patna (Patna start)
- 3 nights stay in Standard rooms: 2 in Bodh Gaya and 1 in Rajgir
- Breakfast on Day 2, Day 3 and Day 4
- Vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary
- Sightseeing at the places listed in the itinerary
Exclusions
- Train and flight tickets: the price covers the land part only
- Lunches and dinners
- Entry tickets (Nalanda, museum, camera fees), the Rajgir chairlift fare, donations and offerings
- Personal expenses, tips and laundry
- Medical expenses and travel insurance
- Anything not mentioned under inclusions