Regional pilgrimage
In short: A 5-day, 4-night regional pilgrimage linking Varanasi and Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon, with Bodh Gaya, where he attained Enlightenment. It starts at Varanasi Airport and ends at Gaya Airport, with sunrise on the Ganges and two days at the Bodhi Tree.
Tour at a glance
| Duration | 5 days / 4 nights |
|---|---|
| Route | Varanasi → Bodh Gaya |
| Starts | Varanasi (VNS) |
| Ends | Gaya (GAY) |
| Pace | Relaxed – one long road day |
| Best season | October to March |
| Meals | Pure vegetarian (Jain, vegan and no onion-garlic on request) |
| Guide languages | English, Hindi; Thai, Vietnamese, Bahasa Indonesia, Japanese, Chinese and others on request |
| Group tour price | From US$419 per person |
| Private tour price | From US$849 per person |
| Ideal for | Pilgrims combining two of the four holy places in under a week, and domestic travellers |
Overnight stops
- Varanasi (2 nights)
- Bodh Gaya (2)
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Varanasi – Ganga Aarti
Airport welcome, check-in and the evening Ganga Aarti.
Varanasi & the Ganges
Why it is sacred: Varanasi (ancient Kashi) is one of the oldest living cities in the world. The Buddha walked here from Bodh Gaya to find his first five disciples, and the city's ghats have drawn seekers of every tradition for over 2,500 years. Read our Varanasi guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- Sunrise boat ride on the Ganges past the 84 ghats
- Evening Ganga Aarti (river prayer ceremony) at Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Old-city lanes, silk-weaving workshops and Kashi Vishwanath corridor (outside view)
Prayer and meditation time: Quiet reflection time on the boat at sunrise (about 30 minutes).
Day 2: Ganges sunrise & Sarnath
Sunrise boat ride; Sarnath's Dhamek Stupa, Deer Park, museum (closed Fridays), Chaukhandi Stupa and evening chanting.
Sarnath
Why it is sacred: Sarnath is where the Buddha gave his first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, to five ascetics, setting the Wheel of Dharma in motion and founding the Sangha. It is one of the four holy places the Buddha himself named for pilgrimage. Read our Sarnath guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- Dhamek Stupa, marking the site of the first sermon
- Deer Park and the ruins of the Dharmarajika Stupa and monasteries
- Mulagandhakuti Vihara, with murals of the Buddha's life and the evening chanting
- Sarnath Archaeological Museum and the original Lion Capital of Ashoka (museum closed on Fridays)
- Chaukhandi Stupa, where the Buddha met his five companions
Prayer and meditation time: About 1.5 hours for chanting and meditation around the Dhamek Stupa and Mulagandhakuti Vihara.
Day 3: Varanasi to Bodh Gaya
Road journey with a lunch stop; evening prayers at the Mahabodhi Temple.
Bodh Gaya (Mahabodhi Temple)
Why it is sacred: Bodh Gaya is the place of the Buddha's Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, around 528 BCE. The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most sacred place in the Buddhist world. Read our Mahabodhi Temple guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- The Mahabodhi Temple and the Vajrasana (Diamond Throne)
- The Bodhi Tree, a descendant of the original tree
- The seven sacred weeks spots: Animesh Lochana, Ratnachankramana (Jewel Walk), Muchalinda Lake and others
- International monasteries: Thai, Japanese, Bhutanese, Tibetan, Burmese and Vietnamese temples
- The 80-ft Great Buddha Statue
Prayer and meditation time: The longest prayer time on any tour: 2 to 3 hours each day at the Bodhi Tree. The temple is open from about 5:00 am to 9:00 pm, so early-morning and evening sessions are possible.
Day 4: Bodh Gaya – Full day of practice
Dawn meditation, Sujata Village, Dungeshwari Caves, monasteries and evening lamp offering.
Returning to Bodh Gaya (Mahabodhi Temple). The longest prayer time on any tour: 2 to 3 hours each day at the Bodhi Tree. The temple is open from about 5:00 am to 9:00 pm, so early-morning and evening sessions are possible.
Sujata Village & Dungeshwari Caves
Why it is sacred: Across the Niranjana (Phalgu) River, the village girl Sujata offered milk-rice to the Buddha, ending his six years of extreme austerity. In the Dungeshwari (Mahakala) Caves he practised those austerities before choosing the Middle Way. Read our Bodh Gaya guide.
What pilgrims see and do:
- Sujata Stupa and Sujata Temple
- Niranjana riverbank
- Dungeshwari cave shrine with the emaciated-Buddha image (about 12 km from Bodh Gaya)
Prayer and meditation time: About 30 minutes of meditation inside the cave shrine.
Day 5: Bodh Gaya – Departure from Gaya
A final quiet morning at the Bodhi Tree, then transfer to Gaya Airport (or Gaya Junction railway station).
Returning to Bodh Gaya (Mahabodhi Temple). The longest prayer time on any tour: 2 to 3 hours each day at the Bodhi Tree. The temple is open from about 5:00 am to 9:00 pm, so early-morning and evening sessions are possible.
Travel distances and realistic journey times
Times are realistic door-to-door estimates for the roads as they are, including a short rest stop, not map-app minimums. Road conditions and border queues can add time.
| Day | From | To | Distance | Journey time | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Varanasi Airport (VNS) | Varanasi hotel | 25 km | 45 min | car |
| 2 | Varanasi | Sarnath | 10 km | 30 min | car |
| 3 | Varanasi | Bodh Gaya | 250 km | 6 to 7 hrs | coach/car |
| 4 | Bodh Gaya | Dungeshwari Caves | 12 km | 30 min | car |
| 5 | Bodh Gaya | Gaya Airport (GAY) | 8 km | 20 min | car |
Total road distance on this tour: about 305 km.
Hotels and vegetarian meals
Hotels we use
| Overnight | Group tour | Private tour (or similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Varanasi | 3-star hotel | Radisson / Pinnacle / Amaya |
| Bodh Gaya | 3-star hotel | Hyatt / ITC / Ramada |
Hotels are confirmed at booking, subject to availability. If a listed hotel is full, we book one of the same standard.
Hotel standards
Group tours: 3-star superior hotels. Private tours: 4-star hotels (best available). Every room has a private bathroom, hot water and air-conditioning, on a twin-sharing basis; single rooms are available at a supplement.
Varanasi, Bodh Gaya, Delhi, Patna and Kathmandu have a wide choice of good hotels. Smaller pilgrimage towns such as Rajgir, Vaishali, Kushinagar, Sravasti and Lumbini have fewer, simpler hotels; there we use the best available properties, chosen for cleanliness, quiet and reliable vegetarian kitchens.
Vegetarian meal arrangements
All meals are pure vegetarian. The tour includes daily breakfast, lunch and dinner (except where shown on the first and last day), served as buffets or set menus at hotels and trusted restaurants. We can arrange Jain meals, no onion and garlic, vegan, gluten-free and meals suited to monastic precepts (main meal before noon) with advance notice. On long road days we provide a packed lunch or stop at a clean vegetarian restaurant. Bottled drinking water is provided in the vehicle every day.
Guide languages
Every tour is led by a licensed, Buddhist-knowledgeable guide who explains the sutta and Jataka background at each site, not just the history. Standard languages: English and Hindi. On request (confirmed at booking, subject to availability): Thai, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, Vietnamese, Bahasa Indonesia, Sinhala, Burmese, French, Spanish and German. Where a native-language guide is not available, we pair an English-speaking Buddhist guide with an interpreter or tour leader.
Airport arrival and departure
- Arrival: Varanasi (VNS). Our representative meets you in the arrivals hall with a name board, helps with luggage and escorts you to an air-conditioned vehicle. Arrival transfers are included at any hour, including late-night flights.
- Departure: Gaya (GAY). We drop you at the terminal with enough time for check-in (about 3 hours before international flights and 2 hours before domestic flights).
- Delays: we track your flight number, so a delayed flight does not mean a missed pickup.
- 24/7 support: a dedicated phone and WhatsApp line, +91-9794122849, for the whole journey.
Tour prices
Shared AC coach, 3-star superior hotels, groups of about 15+
Your own car and guide, 4-star hotels, based on 2 travellers
Prices are per person in US dollars for land arrangements and include GST. The final price depends on group size, travel dates, hotel category and the season. Larger groups, monks and nuns travelling as a group, and early bookings may receive better rates; ask for a quotation.
Inclusions and exclusions
Included
- 4 nights' accommodation on a twin-sharing basis as listed
- Pure-vegetarian meals as shown in the day-by-day plan (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
- All transfers and sightseeing by air-conditioned vehicle (coach for groups, private car or van for private tours)
- Airport and railway-station arrival and departure transfers
- English-speaking Buddhist guide throughout (other languages on request)
- Monument entrance fees for the sites in the itinerary
- Daily bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- Driver allowances, tolls, parking and state taxes
- GST (Indian goods and services tax)
Not included
- International flights and domestic flights (we can book them for you at actual cost)
- India visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance (strongly recommended)
- Camera and video fees at monuments
- Robes, flowers, lamps and other offerings, and donations to temples
- Tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff
- Single-room supplement
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and drinks
- Anything not listed under inclusions
Good to know before you travel
- Best time to travel: October to March, when days are pleasant (15–28°C). April to June is very hot (up to 45°C); July to September is the monsoon. Bodh Gaya is busiest from December to February.
- India visa: most nationalities can apply online for an Indian e-Tourist Visa.
- Dress code at temples: shoulders and knees covered; shoes removed at shrines. White or light clothing is traditional for pilgrims.
- Weekly closures: Sarnath Museum and Sanchi Museum close on Fridays, the Taj Mahal on Fridays, Ajanta on Mondays, Ellora on Tuesdays and most Indian national museums on Mondays. We arrange dates around them.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Varanasi, Sarnath & Bodh Gaya cost?
Group tours start from US$419 per person and private tours from US$849 per person, both twin sharing for 5 days and 4 nights with vegetarian meals, transport, guide and entrance fees. The final price depends on group size, hotel category and travel dates.
What is the best time of year for this pilgrimage?
October to March is the best season, with pleasant temperatures. December and January are the busiest months at Bodh Gaya, so book early for those dates.
Is there enough time for prayer and meditation?
Yes. Each day includes set time for chanting and meditation at the holy sites, with the longest sessions at the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya. Your guide adjusts the schedule if your group wants more time.
Are vegetarian meals included?
Yes. All meals on the tour are pure vegetarian. Jain, no onion and garlic, vegan and gluten-free meals can be arranged with advance notice.
What is the difference between the group and private tour?
Group departures use a shared AC coach, 3-star superior hotels and a shared guide, and suit temple and community groups of about 15 or more. Private tours use your own car or van, a personal guide and 4-star hotels, and can start on any date.
Can I travel from Varanasi to Bodh Gaya by train instead of road?
Yes. Express trains from Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) Junction near Varanasi reach Gaya in about 2.5 to 3 hours. We book AC seats and meet you at Gaya station; tell us when you enquire.
Related pilgrimage tours
- Bodh Gaya, Rajgir & Nalanda (4 Days)
- Buddhist Pilgrimage India (8 Days)
- Buddhist Monastery & Meditation Tour (8 Days)
- Complete Buddhist pilgrimage guide to India and Nepal
Plan this pilgrimage with us. Tell us your dates, group size and language, and we will send a detailed quotation within 24 hours.
Plan My Pilgrimage WhatsApp +91-9794122849Prepared by the Prime Value Tours pilgrimage team in Varanasi, Govt. of India approved and an IATO member, organising Buddhist pilgrimages since 1999. Last updated November 2026.