3-Day Bodhgaya Rajgir Nalanda Tour from Varanasi All-Inclusive

Three days following the Buddha's path, with everything arranged and paid for

A 3-day all-inclusive tour from Varanasi to Bodhgaya, Rajgir and Nalanda with private transportation, a government-approved guide and all meals and entry passes covered. You visit the Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya, take a cable car to the Peace Pagoda in Rajgir, and explore the ruins of Nalanda's ancient university, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Varanasi to Bodhgaya

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Bodhgaya with pit stops
• Check in at 3-star hotel near Mahabodhi Temple
• Visit Mahabodhi Temple
• See Bodhi Tree
• Walk to Sujata Stupa
• Visit Japanese monastery

Day 2: Day trip to Rajgir and Nalanda

• Breakfast at hotel
• Meditation under Bodhi Tree
• Travel to Rajgir countryside
• Visit International Peace Pagoda by cable car
• Visit Vulture Peak (Gridhhakuta)
• Visit Rajgir hot springs
• Visit Nalanda ancient university ruins
• Explore Nalanda archaeological museum

Day 3: Bodhgaya to Varanasi by road

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Thai Temple and Chinese Monastery
• Transfer to Varanasi airport, rail station, or hotel

The experience

The tour starts with a 250-kilometer drive from Varanasi to Bodhgaya after early breakfast, with stops for tea and rest along the way. On arrival you check into a 3-star hotel near the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site marking the spot where Buddha attained enlightenment. The temple dates largely from the 7th century, though parts may be older, and the grounds hold a descendant of the Bodhi Tree itself: the tree under which Buddha meditated. You'll spend time at both the temple and the tree, with a meditation session included on the second morning.

Day two takes you on a round trip to Rajgir and Nalanda, about 170 kilometers total. In Rajgir you ride a cable car up to the International Peace Pagoda on a hilltop, then visit Gridhhakuta (Vulture Peak), Buddha's favorite retreat where he gave many of his teachings. The town also has hot springs known for medicinal properties. From there you continue to Nalanda, home to one of the world's oldest universities, destroyed in 1193 CE and now a UNESCO conservation site. The archaeological museum holds a large collection of Buddhist artifacts.

On the final morning you visit a few monasteries around the Mahabodhi Temple (the Thai Temple and Chinese Monastery among them) before being transferred to Varanasi airport, train station or your hotel. All entrance tickets, meals throughout the three days, private vehicle use and a government-approved guide fluent in English (and available in Spanish, Italian, French and other languages) are included in the price. A traditional Indian souvenir is given at departure.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout the tour.
• a government-approved guide with in-depth knowledge of history.
• all entrance tickets to the Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree, Peace Pagoda, Gridhhakuta, Nalanda and the archaeological museum.
• all meals during the three days.
• a traditional Indian souvenir at departure.

Options for this experience

2 options

Groups of 10 people or moreUp to 15 per booking · Guide in 9 languages · 07:30Pickup is included

3-day tour departing from VaranasiUp to 9 per booking · Guide in 9 languages · 07:30Stay at Maya Heritage, a 3-star hotel, with 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners; pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 to 85 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Thai

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 6 days before the start.Between 2 and 6 days before the start, 50% refund.After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by IML Travel

Is this one for you?The all-inclusive structure means you pay one price upfront and handle no separate bookings for transport, meals or entry: useful if you want to avoid managing multiple vendors across unfamiliar sites. The private vehicle and dedicated guide give you flexibility to spend more time at any stop without waiting for a group schedule, though the itinerary itself is fixed across the three days.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Thai, Korean, Chinese and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 6 days before the start.

What is the Bodhi Tree and why is it important at this site?

The Bodhi Tree at Bodhgaya is a descendant of the tree under which Prince Siddhartha meditated and attained enlightenment, becoming the Buddha. It has been a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus and Buddhists for over two thousand years and remains central to the spiritual significance of the Mahabodhi Temple grounds.

How do I get to the Peace Pagoda in Rajgir?

The International Peace Pagoda in Rajgir sits on a hilltop and is reached by cable car, making it accessible without a steep climb. The pagoda visit is part of the day trip on day two.

What can I see at the Nalanda archaeological museum?

The Nalanda archaeological museum holds a large collection of historical artifacts related to Buddhism, drawn from the site of one of the world's oldest universities, which operated until it was destroyed in 1193 CE.

Are the hotels and transportation comfortable for the long drives?

You stay in a 3-star hotel near the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya for two nights, and a private vehicle is at your disposal for the entire tour. The itinerary is designed to be rush-free and comfortable, with stops built into the 250-kilometer drives from and to Varanasi.