Day 1: Varanasi – The Eternal City of Light
8:00 AM – Arrival in Varanasi
Arrive at Varanasi Railway Station or Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport. Meet your guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in.
10:00 AM – Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Visit the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the most sacred temples in India dedicated to Lord Shiva. Immerse yourself in the temple’s divine energy.
12:00 PM – Sarnath
Proceed to Sarnath, the site where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. Explore the Dhamek Stupa, Ashoka Pillar, and Sarnath Archaeological Museum.
1:30 PM – Lunch
Enjoy a traditional Banarasi Thali at a local restaurant, featuring dishes such as kachaudi, sabzi, and lassi.
4:00 PM – Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
Witness the spiritual Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, a mesmerising evening ritual that honours the Ganges River.
7:00 PM – Dinner and Overnight Stay
After the aarti, enjoy dinner at your hotel or a local riverside café. Rest at your hotel for the night.
Day 2: Travel to Bodhgaya – The Land of Enlightenment
7:00 AM – Travel to Bodhgaya
After breakfast, check out and depart for Bodhgaya, a 4.5-hour drive through scenic landscapes.
12:00 PM – Arrival and Check-In
Arrive in Bodhgaya, check-in at your hotel, and enjoy a light vegetarian lunch.
2:00 PM – Mahabodhi Temple
Visit the Mahabodhi Temple, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the sacred Bodhi Tree. Spend time in meditation and reflection.
4:00 PM – Great Buddha Statue
Explore the towering Great Buddha Statue, one of the tallest Buddha statues in India, located near the Mahabodhi Temple.
7:00 PM – Dinner and Overnight Stay
Enjoy a vegetarian dinner and rest at your hotel.
Day 3: Bodhgaya – Spiritual Exploration and Departure
7:00 AM – Visit International Buddhist Monasteries
Explore various Buddhist monasteries in Bodhgaya, including the Japanese Temple, Tibetan Monastery, and Thai Temple.
10:00 AM – Sujata Stupa
Visit the Sujata Stupa, which commemorates the storey of Sujata, who offered Buddha rice milk before his enlightenment.
12:00 PM – Niranjana River
Walk along the Niranjana River, where Buddha is believed to have meditated before his enlightenment.
1:00 PM – Lunch and Departure
Enjoy a final vegetarian lunch at your hotel or a local restaurant, followed by departure for your onward journey, either back to Gaya or Varanasi.
