Bodh Gaya Full Day Tour: Mahabodhi Temple & Great Buddha

Walk beneath the Bodhi Tree where Buddha found enlightenment and feel the calm spread.

A full-day private tour of Bodh Gaya with an English-speaking guide covers the Mahabodhi Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the 80-foot Great Buddha Statue, and five international monasteries, plus the Bodh Gaya Archaeological Museum and Sujata Stupa. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Bodh Gaya city are included. You choose whether to add lunch at a local restaurant.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Mahabodhi Temple2h
2. Great Buddha Statue30m

Full day Bodhgaya sightseeing tour

• Pickup from Bodhgaya hotels
• Visit Mahabodhi Temple and Bodhi Tree
• Meditate under the Bodhi Tree
• Explore Vajrasana and Mucalinda Lake
• Witness Buddhist monks chanting prayers
• Visit Great Buddha Statue
• Explore Metta Buddha Statue
• Visit Thai Monastery and Japanese Temple
• Experience Tibetan Karma Temple and Royal Bhutan Monastery
• Enjoy lunch at a restaurant
• Visit Sujata Stupa and Sujata Kuti village
• Explore Bodh Gaya Archaeological Museum
• Visit Sleeping Buddha Statue
• Drop back to hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Bodh Gaya hotel and heads straight to the Mahabodhi Temple, the 5th–6th century UNESCO site where Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. You'll meditate beneath the sacred tree itself, sit at the Vajrasana (Diamond Throne) where Buddha sat in deep meditation, and walk to Mucalinda Lake, where legend holds a protective snake sheltered Buddha from storms. Buddhist monks often chant during the morning hours, and you'll move through the temple grounds with your guide's explanation of each site's significance. Entry is free, though camera or video permits cost extra at the site.

The route then takes you to the 80-foot Great Buddha Statue carved from sandstone and red granite in a meditative pose, surrounded by smaller disciple statues. From there you'll visit the Metta Buddha Statue (a newer symbol of loving-kindness), the Thai Monastery with its golden Thai-style architecture and golden Buddha idol, and the Indosan Nippon Japanese Temple, known for intricate wooden carvings. After exploring the Tibetan Karma Temple (decorated with prayer wheels and colorful murals), and the Royal Bhutan Monastery, you'll have lunch at a local restaurant (included if you choose the lunch option at checkout).

The afternoon includes the Sujata Stupa and Sujata Kuti village, where you'll learn about the woman who offered Buddha rice pudding before his enlightenment. The Bodh Gaya Archaeological Museum comes next, displaying ancient Buddhist relics, sculptures, and artifacts from the Mauryan and Gupta periods. The tour ends at the Sleeping Buddha Statue, which symbolizes Buddha's final liberation, before your guide returns you to your hotel. A one-litre water bottle is provided throughout the day, and the vehicle is air-conditioned.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle sized for your group.
• professional English-speaking guide for the full day.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Bodh Gaya city.
• one litre of mineral water per person.
• parking and tolls.
• all applicable taxes.
• lunch at a local restaurant (available on the lunch option only).

Options for this experience

2 options

Car + guideGuide in English · 08:00, 08:30, 09:00 and 09:30Car and guide; includes pickup

Car, guide and lunch includedGuide in English · 08:00, 08:30, 09:00 and 09:30Lunch, car and guide; pickup is included

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 08:30, 09:00 and 09:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 2

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TOP TRAVEL AND TOURS PVT LTD.

Is this one for you?Choose this if you need a private vehicle to visit Bodh Gaya's temples and monasteries in one day, with built-in time for meditation at the Bodhi Tree and Great Buddha Statue, or book a shorter version if you want to linger at fewer sites.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 4): free.

How long does the full day tour of Bodh Gaya actually take?

The tour runs seven to eight hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, covering all the main sites and including time for meditation and exploration at each stop.

What is the Mahabodhi Temple and why is it the main attraction in Bodh Gaya?

The Mahabodhi Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 5th–6th century, marking the exact location where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. It's the spiritual heart of Bodh Gaya and the reason the city is a major Buddhist pilgrimage destination.

Are entrance fees to the temples and monuments included in the tour price?

Entrance fees are not included and are charged directly at each site when you arrive. The Mahabodhi Temple has free entry, but camera or video permits cost extra. Other sites have their own entrance charges, which your guide can explain as you go.

Can I customize the tour or add a different pickup location?

The tour can be customized based on your interests or location. Pickups from Bodh Gaya city hotels are included. If you need pickup from Gaya airport, railway station, or hotels outside Bodh Gaya, an additional charge applies, payable directly to the driver.

What's the difference between the two tour options at checkout?

Both options include the private vehicle, English-speaking guide, and all sites. The first option is the tour alone. The second adds lunch at a local restaurant after visiting the Tibetan and Bhutanese monasteries.

How many people can fit in the vehicle?

Vehicle size depends on group size: a four-seater sedan for one to two people, a five-seater Innova for three to four people, or a nine-seater Tempo Traveler for five to eight people. All vehicles are air-conditioned and include parking and tolls.