Highlights
- Mahabodhi temple and the Bodhi tree
- 80-foot Buddha statue and the monasteries
- Vulture Peak and the Vishwa Shanti Stupa
- Nalanda Mahavihara ruins
- Ashokan pillar at Vaishali
- No border crossing, no passport needed
The four Bihar sites sit close together, so this works as a long weekend with a day’s leave either side. You get two nights at Bodh Gaya, the place most people come for, and short drives the rest of the time. There is no Nepal crossing, so the ID question doesn’t arise.
Day-wise itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Gaya or Patna, drive to Bodh Gaya
Pickup at Gaya airport or station, or at Patna if your flight lands there, which adds about 100 km of driving. Evening at the Mahabodhi temple.
Day 2: Bodh Gaya
Morning at the Mahabodhi temple and the Bodhi tree. Visit the 80-foot Buddha statue and the monasteries in the afternoon. Night at Bodh Gaya.
Day 3: Bodh Gaya to Rajgir
Drive to Rajgir. Climb to Vulture Peak or take the ropeway to the Vishwa Shanti Stupa. Night at Rajgir.
Day 4: Nalanda, on to Patna
Morning at the Nalanda ruins and museum. Drive to Patna for the night.
Day 5: Vaishali, departure from Patna
Cross the Ganga to Vaishali for the Ashokan pillar and relic stupa, then back to Patna airport or station for an evening flight or train.
When this shorter trip makes sense
Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda and Vaishali are all in Bihar and close together, so they fit into a long weekend with a day’s leave either side. You miss Lumbini, Kushinagar and Sarnath. If you might want those later, Sarnath is easy to add to any Varanasi trip, and Kushinagar and Lumbini make a separate three-night trip from Gorakhpur.
What's included and what isn't
Included
- Hotels for 4 nights (Bodh Gaya x2, Rajgir, Patna) with breakfast and dinner
- Private car with driver, Gaya to Patna
- Pickup at Gaya or Patna airport or station, drop at Patna
Not included
- Flights or train tickets (quoted on request)
- Monument, museum and ropeway tickets
- Guide fees (arranged on request)
- Lunches, offerings and donations
- Tips and personal expenses
Visa, costs, best time and travel tips: Buddhist Circuit Tour Packages.
