Bodhgaya Gaya Pilgrimage Tour: Mahabodhi Temple & Sacred Sites

Stand before the 80-foot Great Buddha Statue and five temple complexes in one day

A full-day pilgrimage tour of Bodhgaya and Gaya that takes you through seven sacred sites across two cities, starting with the UNESCO-listed Mahabodhi Temple and ending at the Mangla Gauri Temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati. Hotel pickup and an English-speaking guide are included in most options. Entrance fees and lunch can be added at checkout. The tour runs roughly seven to eight hours and covers approximately 17 kilometers between the two cities.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Mahabodhi Temple2h · entry included
2. Tibetan Monastery1h · entry included
3. Vishnupad Temple30m
4. Mangla Gauri Temple30m

Bodhgaya and Gaya Pilgrimage Tour

• Meet guide at hotel lobby
• Visit Mahabodhi Temple and prayer rituals
• See Great Buddha Statue
• Explore Thai Monastery
• Lunch break
• Visit Japanese Temple
• Visit Tibetan Monastery
• Visit Vietnamese Temple
• Drive to Gaya
• Visit Vishnupad Temple
• Visit Mangla Gauri Temple
• Return to hotel in Bodhgaya

The experience

The tour starts at your hotel in Bodhgaya at 9 AM and heads straight to the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the holiest Buddhist shrine in the city. Your guide walks you through the temple complex, explaining Buddha's life and teachings, and you join in the prayer rituals. By 11 AM you're at the Great Buddha Statue (an 80-foot figure standing in the serene grounds of the temple complex), where your guide shares its history and symbolism.

From there the morning moves through three monastery complexes: the Thai Monastery with its traditional Thai architecture and gardens, the Indosan Nippon Japanese Temple (built as a symbol of India-Japan friendship), and the Tibetan Monastery with its prayer flags and intricate carvings. Lunch happens around 12:30 PM if you've selected that option. At 4:30 PM you leave Bodhgaya and drive roughly 17 kilometers to Gaya, arriving by 5 PM to visit the Vishnupad Temple, an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu where your guide explains its religious significance. The tour concludes at the Mangla Gauri Temple, dedicated to Goddess Parvati, before returning to your hotel by 6:30 PM.

Private AC transport is included for all pickups and drop-offs from your hotel. Bottled water travels with you in the car. An English-speaking local guide, entrance fees to the monuments, and lunch can each be added as separate options at checkout, so you build the tour to match your budget and interests. Note that entry to the Vishnupad and Mangla Gauri temples is restricted to Hindu visitors.

What’s included

• Private AC car or van for hotel pickup and drop-off.
• English-speaking local guide (if selected at checkout).
• entrance fees to all monuments (if selected).
• lunch (if selected).
• bottled water in the vehicle.
• government taxes.

Options for this experience

4 options

Car OnlyGuide in English · No fixed timeIncludes a private car with driver. Pickup is included.

Car & GuideGuide in English · No fixed timeIncludes a private car with driver and private guides. Pickup is included.

Car, guide and entranceGuide in English · No fixed timeIncludes a private car with driver, private guides, and entrance and activity charges listed in the itinerary. Pickup is included.

Car, guide, entrance and lunchGuide in English · No fixed timeIncludes a private car with driver, private guides, entrance and activity charges listed in the itinerary, and lunch. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Agora Voyages Pvt. Ltd.

Is this one for you?Choose the Car & Guide option if you want someone who knows the spiritual history and can explain what you're seeing at each temple; pick Car, Guide & Entrance if you'd rather not manage tickets at each site; add Lunch if you prefer not to break away from the group to find food. The fixed itinerary means all seven sites fit into a single afternoon and evening, so you see the full pilgrimage route without needing multiple days.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What exactly is the Mahabodhi Temple and why is it the most important stop on this tour?

The Mahabodhi Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the holiest Buddhist shrine in Bodhgaya, built at the site where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. It's the centerpiece of the tour because of its spiritual significance and because the 80-foot Great Buddha Statue stands within its complex, making it the focal point of the pilgrimage.

Can I visit the temples in Gaya if I'm not Hindu?

The Vishnupad Temple and Mangla Gauri Temple in Gaya restrict entry to Hindu visitors only. If you're not Hindu, your guide will explain their history and significance from outside the temple complex, but you won't be able to enter those two sites.

How far is Gaya from Bodhgaya, and how much time do I spend traveling between them?

Gaya is located approximately 17 kilometers from Bodhgaya. The drive takes roughly 30 minutes, leaving Bodhgaya at 4:30 PM and arriving in Gaya by 5 PM, so travel time is built into the day's schedule without eating into your time at the temples.

What's included in the different purchase options?

You can book the car alone, or add an English-speaking guide, entrance fees to all monuments, and lunch as separate options at checkout. This lets you customize the tour to your needs: some travelers want just transport, while others prefer the full guided experience with all meals and entry covered.

How long does the entire tour take from start to finish?

The tour runs seven to eight hours total, starting at 9 AM from your hotel and returning by 6:30 PM. This includes time at each of the seven temple sites, the 30-minute drive to Gaya, and a lunch break around midday if you've selected that option.