Upon your arrival at Varanasi Airport, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your
hotel for check-in and a short rest. After freshening up, begin your experience of the spiritual
capital of India with a visit to the Dashashwamedh Ghat in the evening. Here, you’ll witness the
enchanting Ganga Aarti, a vibrant and deeply spiritual ceremony involving fire lamps, chanting,
and devotional music performed by priests along the banks of the river Ganga. You may also
choose to enjoy a short boat ride during the ceremony for a more immersive experience. After
the aarti, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and return to your hotel for an overnight stay in
Varanasi.
Start your day early with a sunrise boat ride along the Ganges. As the sun rises, you’ll pass by
several famous ghats and observe locals performing morning rituals and prayers, offering a
deeply spiritual glimpse into the city’s culture. After the boat ride, return to the hotel for
breakfast. Later, proceed for a full-day city tour of Varanasi, including visits to the Kashi
Vishwanath Temple, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Durga Temple, and Tulsi Manas
Mandir. In the afternoon, visit the Banaras Hindu University and the Bharat Kala Bhavan
Museum, which houses a fascinating collection of miniature paintings, sculptures, and
manuscripts. In the evening, you may take a walk through the vibrant lanes of the old city,
exploring its street food and famous Banarasi silk shops. Return to your hotel for a second night
in Varanasi.
After breakfast and check-out, depart for Bodhgaya by road, a journey that takes around six
hours. Arrive in Bodhgaya by afternoon and check in to your hotel. After a bit of rest, begin your
exploration with a visit to the sacred Mahabodhi Temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage
Site where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. Spend time in the temple
premises meditating or simply absorbing the peaceful atmosphere. You may also visit the Thai
Monastery, Japanese Temple, and other international monasteries that showcase various
architectural styles and traditions of Buddhism. End the day with a peaceful evening and
overnight stay in Bodhgaya.
After breakfast, continue exploring Bodhgaya and its surrounding spiritual sites. Visit the Great
Buddha Statue, a towering 80-foot sculpture symbolizing peace and enlightenment. You may
then visit Sujata Kuti, a small temple dedicated to Sujata, the woman who offered food to the
starving Siddhartha before his enlightenment. The day can also include visits to the Tibetan
Monastery and Vietnamese Temple, each offering a distinct spiritual atmosphere. Spend some
quiet time meditating or reflecting near the Bodhi Tree or attend a prayer session at one of the
monasteries. Return to your hotel in the evening for your second night in Bodhgaya.
After an early breakfast and check-out, begin your journey to Patna. On the way, make a stop at
Nalanda, home to the ancient Nalanda University ruins and archaeological museum, which
reflect the glory of ancient Indian learning and Buddhist scholarship. From there, continue to
Rajgir, a place associated with both Lord Buddha and Mahavira. You can visit the Venuvana
(Bamboo Grove), the Japanese Peace Pagoda at Gridhakuta Hill, and the hot springs known for
their therapeutic properties. After exploring these sites, continue onward to Patna and check in to
your hotel upon arrival. Spend your evening at leisure or, if time permits, explore the local
markets or Patna Sahib Gurudwara before returning to the hotel for an overnight stay in Patna.
After breakfast and hotel check-out, if your flight schedule allows, you may explore a few key
attractions in Patna such as the Patna Museum, Golghar, or the historic Gandhi Maidan.
Depending on your departure time, you will be transferred to Patna Airport for your onward
journey, bringing your spiritually enriching and historically rich journey through Varanasi,
Bodhgaya, and Patna to a close.