Itinerary
- Day 1
Varanasi
You'll arrive in Varanasi, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities with thousands of temples throughout. Spend your day walking through the city's key landmarks and checking out the ghats, which are those stone platforms that lead down to the Ganges River. Come evening, you'll head to Dashashwamedha Ghat for the Ganga Aarti ceremony, a spiritual ritual that happens here regularly and draws both locals and visitors.
- Start point
- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India (Airport, Railway Station, Hotel, 10:00 - 20:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit important landmarks in Varanasi
- Explore the bathing ghats
- Attend Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedha Ghat
Optional Activities
- Visit Manikarnika burning ghats (riverside cremation sites)
Landmarks Dashashwamedha Ghat Manikarnika Ghat Ganges River 
- Day 2
Varanasi
Early morning means getting on a boat to experience the Ganges as the sun rises, which gives you a real sense of the river's spiritual significance. After you're back on land, head to Sarnath Deer Park where Buddha gave his first major teaching about the Middle Path to Nirvana. The whole area has scattered monuments, temples, monasteries, and stupas to walk through and see throughout the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Boat ride on the Ganges River at sunrise
- Visit Sarnath Deer Park
Optional Activities
- Visit monuments in Sarnath region
- Visit temples in Sarnath region
- Visit monasteries in Sarnath region
- Visit stupas in Sarnath region
Landmarks Sarnath Deer Park Ganges River - Day 3
Varanasi to Bodhgaya
You'll travel to Bodhgaya either by short flight or a six-hour drive, then settle in and start checking out this important Buddhist pilgrimage location. The city has numerous monasteries, temples, and museums to explore. You'll have this day and tomorrow to spend time getting familiar with Bodhgaya's religious significance and various sites.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit Buddhist monasteries in Bodhgaya
- Visit Buddhist temples in Bodhgaya
- Visit Buddhist museums in Bodhgaya
Landmarks Bodhgaya 
- Day 4
Bodhgaya
Today you'll wander through Bodhgaya on your own schedule. You can see the Mahabodhi tree, the specific location where Buddha reached enlightenment, or head out to Mahakala Caves where Buddha came to understand the Middle Path philosophy. If Buddhist art interests you, there's a Buddha statue and stone seat to visit as well.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit Mahabodhi tree
- Visit Mahakala Caves
- Visit Buddha statue
- Visit Buddha stone seat
Landmarks Mahabodhi Temple Mahakala Caves - Day 5
Bodhgaya to Rajgir
Head out toward Rajgir, which holds significance for both Buddhist and Jain traditions. Along the way, you'll stop at Barabar Caves, ancient rock-cut caves from around the 3rd century BCE with polished surfaces and interesting echo effects. After exploring those and moving through the Barabar and Nagarjuni hills, you'll reach Rajgir and check out Buddhist sites like Venuvana, Vishwa Shanti Stupa, and Buddha's cave on Griddhakuta Hill. By evening, take a dip in the hot springs at Lakshmi Narayan Temple to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Barabar Caves
- Visit Venuvana in Rajgir
- Visit Vishwa Shanti Stupa in Rajgir
- Visit Buddha's cave on Griddhakuta Hill
- Dip in hot springs at Lakshmi Narayan Temple
Landmarks Barabar Caves Venuvana Vishwa Shanti Stupa Griddhakuta Hill Lakshmi Narayan Temple 
- Day 6
Rajgir to Nalanda
This morning you'll drive to Nalanda to see the archaeological ruins of an ancient Buddhist university, one of the oldest and most important ones ever built. Walk around the remains of stupas, temples, and monasteries to understand what this historic place was like and learn about its past.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit archaeological ruins of Nalanda University
Landmarks Nalanda University 
- Day 7
Nalanda to Vaishali
Start early and head to Vaishali, a small town surrounded by rice fields, banana plantations, and mango orchards. You'll check out this sacred location where Buddha visited after leaving home and gave his final sermon at Kolhu. Look for the only complete Ashok pillar still standing on earth and important stupas in the area. After you're done exploring, head to the airport for your flight home or onward to your next stop.
- End point
- Patna, Bihar, India (Airport, Railway Station, Hotel, 12:00 - 18:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Vaishali town
- Visit Kolhu where Buddha gave his last sermon
- Visit Ashok pillar
- Visit stupas in Vaishali
Landmarks Vaishali Ashok Pillar Vaishali
