1. Itinerary Overview
Long Trips
The Great Buddhist Circuit (7 Days)
The complete footprint of the Buddha in Bihar. From his first teaching to his last sermon.
✨ Pace: Moderate🎯 Great For: Buddhist Pilgrims, History Scholars
2. Before You Go
⏳ Duration
7 Days / 6 Nights
🗓️ Best Time
October to March
✈️ Nearest Hub
Patna Airport or Varanasi Airport
✅ Great For
- • Buddhist Pilgrims
- • History Scholars
- • Deep Travelers
❌ Skip If
- • Restless travelers
3. Day-by-Day Plan
Day 1
Arrival & Vaishali
☀️ Morning
Arr Patna. Drive to Vaishali.
🌤️ Afternoon
Stupa & Pillar.
🌙 Evening
Stay in Vaishali/Muzaffarpur.
🛏️ Stay: Vaishali🚗 Notes: 60km
Day 2
The Tallest Stupa
☀️ Morning
Drive to Kesaria. See the Stupa.
🌤️ Afternoon
Drive towards Kushinagar.
🌙 Evening
Stay in Kushinagar.
🛏️ Stay: Kushinagar🚗 Notes: 150km
Day 3
Mahaparinirvana
☀️ Morning
Kushinagar sightseeing.
🌤️ Afternoon
Drive to Sarnath/Varanasi.
🌙 Evening
Ganga Aarti in Varanasi.
🛏️ Stay: Varanasi🚗 Notes: 230km (Long drive)
Day 4
First Sermon
☀️ Morning
Explore Sarnath.
🌤️ Afternoon
Drive to Bodh Gaya.
🌙 Evening
Rest.
🛏️ Stay: Bodh Gaya🚗 Notes: 250km
Day 5
Enlightenment
☀️ Morning
Mahabodhi Temple.
🌤️ Afternoon
Monasteries.
🌙 Evening
Meditation.
🛏️ Stay: Bodh Gaya🚗 Notes: Local
Day 6
Roots of Wisdom
☀️ Morning
Dungeshwari Caves.
🌤️ Afternoon
Sujata Kuti.
🌙 Evening
Free time.
🛏️ Stay: Bodh Gaya🚗 Notes: Local
Day 7
The Teaching Seat
☀️ Morning
Drive to Rajgir & Nalanda.
🌤️ Afternoon
Explore ruins.
🌙 Evening
Drop at Patna.
🛏️ Stay: Depart🚗 Notes: 100km
4. Places Covered
5. Travel & Stay Notes
📍 Suggested Base Cities
Patna (Start) → Varanasi/Patna (End)
🏨 Where to Stay
Kushinagar and Bodh Gaya have excellent monastery stays. In Varanasi, stay near the Ghats for experience or Cantonment for peace.
💰 Budget Guidance
₹15,000 - ₹20,000 per person (Includes car rental share)
🚕 Transport
Private Car essential
6. Cultural & Practical Tips
🍽️ Food to Try
- 🥘 Banarasi Paan
- 🥘 Tibetan Food in Bodh Gaya
- 🥘 Litti Chokha on highways
🗣️ Language & Etiquette
Hindi is understood throughout the circuit.
- 💡 Start early on driving days.
7. Common Questions
Is it safe to drive at night?
Highways are improved, but we recommend completing inter-city travel before 8 PM for safety and visibility.
Best mobile network?
Jio and Airtel work best on this route.
Can I start from Varanasi?
Yes, you can do this loop in reverse: Varanasi -> Bodh Gaya -> Rajgir -> Patna -> Kesaria -> Kushinagar -> Varanasi.