Varanasi Bodhgaya 2 Nights 3 Days Tour Package Kashi, Sarnath & the Mahabodhi Temple in Three Days

This is the written version of the Varanasi Bodhgaya 2 nights 3 days tour package, for anyone who likes to read every detail before deciding. It follows the same plan as the itinerary above, stop by stop, with what happens at each place, roughly how long it takes and what to carry or avoid.

In short: Day 1 is the old city of Varanasi and the evening Ganga Aarti. Day 2 is Sarnath in the morning and the drive to Bodh Gaya, with the Mahabodhi Temple in the evening and a night there. Day 3 is the Great Buddha Statue and the monasteries, followed by your drop at Gaya. The order here is the one we recommend, and we adjust it to your arrival and departure times.

Day 1 in Detail: Arrival, old-city temples & the Ganga Aarti

This is the old-city day. After you arrive and check in, the three temples that are always visited together — Kal Bhairav, Kashi Vishwanath and Annapurna — are all in the same area, so they fit into a single stretch of the day. The evening belongs to the river: the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, with a boat ride if you want one.

The exact order depends on when you land. An early arrival leaves room for the temples before the aarti; on a late arrival we move the temple visits around and keep the evening aarti.

1. Pick-up and hotel check-in

Your driver meets you at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, or at Varanasi Junction or Manduadih railway station, and drives you to your hotel. Share your flight or train details and arrival time when you message us, so the driver is waiting when you come out.

Once you have checked in, freshen up and rest. The first day is planned around your arrival time, so tell us early if you are landing late in the day.

2. Kal Bhairav Temple

Baba Kal Bhairav is the kotwal, or guardian, of Kashi, and by tradition visitors seek his permission first and then go on to Kashi Vishwanath and Annapurna. The temple is in Bharonath, in the Visheshwarganj area of the old city, and the silver face of the deity is what you see at the shrine.

Published timings are roughly 5:00 AM to 1:30 PM and 4:30 to 9:30 PM. Darshan is free and 30 to 45 minutes is enough. The last stretch is through narrow lanes, so the driver leaves you at the nearest practical point and you walk. Our Kal Bhairav Temple guide has the full details.

3. Mritunjay Mahadev TempleOptional

This is an optional extra darshan for those who have the time and energy before the main temples. It is not part of the fixed plan: tell us if you would like it included and we will fit it into the route.

4. Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva and the centre of Varanasi’s temple trail. The present temple was built in 1780 by Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, and it is reached today through the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, which was inaugurated in December 2021.

Phones, cameras, smartwatches and power banks are not allowed inside, so leave them at the hotel or use the lockers, and wear modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees. General darshan is free and the queue decides the time: allow roughly 1.5 to 3 hours. Mondays, the month of Shravan and Maha Shivaratri are the busiest times. Read the Kashi Vishwanath Temple guide for timings and rules.

5. Annapurna Temple

Annapurna Devi, the goddess of food and a form of Parvati, has her temple about 15 metres from Kashi Vishwanath. It was built in 1729 by the Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I. Kashi Vishwanath represents Shiva, the lord of Kashi, and Annapurna the nourishment that sustains the city, which is why the two temples are visited together.

Published hours are roughly 4:00 to 11:30 AM and 7:00 to 11:00 PM, so the temple is closed for much of the afternoon; that is why we plan the order of the temples around your arrival. Darshan is free and takes 20 to 30 minutes. See the Annapurna Temple guide.

6. Rest, or browse Vishwanath Gali

With the temples done, the afternoon is yours. Rest at the hotel, or walk through the narrow Vishwanath Gali and the Godowlia market, which are known for silk sarees, jewellery and handicrafts. Banarasi silk is the classic Varanasi buy. There is no pressure to shop: a slow walk and a cup of tea is a good way to spend the break before the evening.

7. Boat ride on the GangaAdd-on

A boat ride shows the ghats of Varanasi from the river, and it is the most comfortable way to watch the Ganga Aarti, with more room than the crowded steps. Boats leave from ghats such as Assi, Dashashwamedh, Namo and Kedar.

The boat ride is not part of the package, so you add it only if you want it. You can book it on the spot at the ghat or ask us to arrange it: use the WhatsApp button and tell us how many of you there are, and we will plan the timing so that you are on the water before the aarti begins. You can also see our Ganga boat ride booking page.

8. Evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat

The Ganga Aarti is the daily evening worship of the river, performed with lamps, chants and conch shells. The main aarti is at Dashashwamedh Ghat. It begins around dusk, at roughly 5:45–6:00 PM in winter (October to March) and 6:45–7:00 PM in summer (April to September), and lasts about 45 minutes.

Watching from the ghat steps is free and atmospheric but crowded, so arrive at least 45 minutes early to get a place on the steps. From a boat you get a wider view and more space. Tuesdays and religious festivals bring special aartis, and on Dev Diwali the ghat is far more crowded. Our Ganga Aarti guide compares all the venues.

9. Manikarnika Ghat

Manikarnika is the main cremation ghat of Varanasi, where cremation is believed to lead to moksha. It stands on the ghats near the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and the Annapurna Temple, and the most comfortable way to see it is from a boat, at a respectful distance.

This is a place of mourning. Do not photograph the cremations, and keep a respectful distance. If you would rather not see it, tell us and we will skip the stop. Allow 20 to 30 minutes. See the Manikarnika Ghat guide.

10. Dinner and street food

Varanasi’s street food is part of the trip: tamatar chaat, rabri and lassi are local favourites. Dinner is not included in the package, so you choose what and where you eat. Ask your driver or message our team if you would like suggestions.

Overnight stay in Varanasi. Your hotel category is agreed with our team when you book.

Questions about Day 1? Message our team

Day 2 in Detail: Sarnath, then the road to Bodh Gaya

Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon, is the natural first stop on the way to Bodh Gaya, where he attained enlightenment. We visit Sarnath in the morning, then drive on to Bodh Gaya, and you reach the Mahabodhi Temple in the evening.

1. Breakfast and check-out

Breakfast at the hotel is included in the package. Have it before you set out, so that the day begins without a rush. If you are checking out, keep your bags ready so the driver can load the vehicle.

2. Sarnath

Sarnath is about 10 km from the city and can be explored in half a day. It is the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon after his enlightenment, to his five disciples, and it is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world.

The main sights are the Dhamek Stupa, a massive cylindrical structure about 43 metres tall; the Chaukhandi Stupa, which marks where the Buddha met his five disciples; the Deer Park and the ruins around it; and the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar temple, known for its murals of the Buddha’s life. The Archaeological Museum holds sculptures, coins and inscriptions, some dating back to the 3rd century BCE, and there is an 80-foot Buddha statue. The museum keeps its own days and hours, so we check them before you go. Read our full Sarnath guide.

3. Drive from Varanasi to Bodh Gaya

You drive from Varanasi to Bodh Gaya, in the state of Bihar. The distance is about 250 km and the drive takes roughly 5 to 6 hours, with a stop on the way for a meal. Varanasi, Sarnath and Bodh Gaya form a classic Buddhist pilgrimage circuit.

Bodh Gaya is one of Buddhism’s four most important pilgrimage sites, alongside Lumbini, Sarnath and Kushinagar. Our Bodh Gaya travel guide has more.

4. Arrive in Bodh Gaya and check in

Your driver takes you to your hotel in Bodh Gaya, where you check in, freshen up and rest. The hotel category is agreed with our team when you book.

5. Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree and Vajrasana

Bodh Gaya is where Gautama Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi Tree, which makes it one of Buddhism’s four most important pilgrimage sites, alongside Lumbini, Sarnath and Kushinagar.

At its centre is the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built around a descendant of the original Bodhi Tree. The Vajrasana, the “Diamond Throne”, marks the exact spot of the enlightenment. Modest clothing and a quiet manner are appropriate, and the rules on phones and cameras inside the complex can change, so we check them for your date.

Overnight stay in Bodh Gaya. Your hotel category is agreed with our team when you book.

Questions about Day 2? Message our team

Day 3 in Detail: Bodh Gaya: the Great Buddha, the monasteries and your drop

After the evening at the Mahabodhi Temple, the morning is for the rest of Bodh Gaya: the Great Buddha Statue and the monasteries built by different Buddhist countries, and the museum if you would like it. Your drop at Gaya is planned around your departure.

1. Great Buddha Statue

The Great Buddha Statue is an 80-foot statue of the Buddha in meditation posture, consecrated by the Dalai Lama in 1989, and it is surrounded by smaller statues. It is one of the landmarks of Bodh Gaya and a quiet place to spend some time.

2. Thai, Japanese, Tibetan and Chinese temples

Around the Mahabodhi Temple, several countries have built their own monasteries and temples in their native architectural styles. The Thai Monastery is a golden-roofed temple in traditional Thai style. The Japanese temple, Indosan Nippon-ji, is a serene Japanese-style temple. The Tibetan Monastery is home to a large prayer wheel and vividly painted murals. There is also a Chinese temple with a tranquil prayer hall.

Each keeps its own hours, so we visit those that are open on your date. Dress modestly, and remove your footwear where you are asked to.

3. Archaeological MuseumOptional

The Archaeological Museum houses ancient sculptures and artefacts recovered from the Bodh Gaya region, and it is worth a visit if you are interested in the history of the site. Museums keep their own days and hours, so we check them for your date.

4. Drop at Gaya Airport or Gaya Junction

We take you to Gaya Airport or Gaya Junction railway station, with time in hand, and the tour ends there. If you would rather return to Varanasi by road, tell us in advance so that we plan the drive and the timing of the day.

Tour ends with your drop at Gaya Airport or Gaya Junction.

Questions about Day 3? Message our team

Good to Know Before You Go

• Phones and cameras are not allowed inside Kashi Vishwanath. Travel light and use the lockers.
• Dress modestly for the temples, with shoulders and knees covered, and wear footwear that is easy to take off.
• The old-city lanes are walked on foot. Vehicles stop outside the pedestrian zone, so the last stretch to Kal Bhairav, Annapurna and Kashi Vishwanath is walking.
• Arrive early for the Ganga Aarti — at least 45 minutes before the start — if you want a place on the ghat steps.
• Do not photograph cremations at Manikarnika Ghat.
• The monasteries of Bodh Gaya keep their own hours. Dress modestly and remove your footwear where you are asked to.
• Long drives: carry water and a snack, and tell us if anyone in your group gets travel-sick. We plan meal and rest stops on the way.
• Meals: breakfast at the hotel is included; other meals are not, and you can choose freely.
• Timings in this itinerary come from published visitor guides and change on festival days, so we confirm them for your dates.
• Tell us your arrival and departure times when you message us, so that we can set the order of the stops for you.