2-Day Bodh Gaya Tour from Varanasi, Including Mahabodhi Temple, Buddhist Monasteries, Dungeshwari Caves & More

Day 1: Arrival at Bodh Gaya & Mahabodhi Temple Complex Excursion

In the morning, our driver will pick you up from the Varanasi Airport/Railway Station or your specified location in Varanasi, and drive you to the popular Buddhist destination—Bodh Gaya. The road trip will take about 4 hours. After checking into your hotel and resting for a while, we will head for the Bodh Gaya sightseeing tour.

First on the list is the highly renowned Mahabodhi Temple Complex. One of the only Buddhist sites in India to be a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the complex is of immense spiritual and archaeological significance. It is one of the 4 locations related to Lord Buddha’s life and is, therefore, a go-to travel destination for Buddhists. In the premises, you can find the famous Mahabodhi Temple where Lord Buddha first attained enlightenment. Next, you will see the Bodhi Tree—a giant direct descendant of the original tree under which Buddha sat and meditated. You will also see the Great Buddha Statue, which is 80 feet high and a sight to behold.

Next, you will be taken to various shrines, meditation halls, and viharas in Bodh Gaya. The tour includes an insightful trip to Buddhist and Tibetan monasteries. These include the tranquil Burmese Vihara Monastery, a masterpiece of Japanese architecture and culture—the Indosan Nippon Japanese Temple, and a stunning example of Chinese artwork—the Chinese Temple, which also features a striking Buddha statue.

After the sightseeing tour, we will again take you to the Mahabodhi Temple for the evening prayer ceremony. As you watch the monks chanting and offering prayers to Lord Buddha, you will be transported to a spiritual realm. Later, our driver will drop you back to your hotel, where you can retire for the night.

Day 2: Dungeshwari Caves & Vishnupad Temple Trip

On day 2 of your Varanasi to Bodh Gaya trip, you will savor a delicious buffet breakfast at your hotel in Gaya, after which you will be ready to check out. Our driver will take you to the popular Dungeshwari Cave Temple. Located along the Falgu River, at a distance of nearly 15 km from Gaya, the Dungeshwari or Pragbodhi Caves are significant for both Hindus and Buddhists. This is because not only is it the place where Buddha meditated for many years, but also a shrine of the Hindu Goddess Dungeshwari.

Next, you will be taken to the Brahmayoni Hills, the highest hill in Gaya, which represents the feminine energy of Lord Brahma. For the next part of your pilgrimage tour, you will stop at the Vishnupad Temple. As the name suggests, the temple is dedicated to the Hindu Lord Vishnu. Not only is it a religiously significant location, but also a scenic one as it is surrounded by the Falgu River. As the day approaches its end, we will take you back to the Varanasi Airport/Railway Station. After safely dropping you, the tour will come to an end, and you can proceed onwards with happy memories of this enlightening trip.