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Varanasi & the Buddhist Circuit: 6-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
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The 6-day version for November: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 4-day plan · 5-day plan · 6-day plan · best time to go.
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6
days
430 km
distance
13.3 h
driving
36
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~10.7 hours of daylight in November — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- Dawn boats glide the Ganga in cool mist, the Mahabodhi temple hums with winter pilgrims from every Buddhist nation, and Nalanda's red-brick halls suit the low sun.
Day 1 Varanasi & Sarnath → Bodh Gaya
- Transit
- 5h06
- Finish
- ~17:35
- Temperature
- 13.9°C–26.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~1
- Daylight
- 10.8h
09:00
Sense spiritual awe at one of Shiva's holiest sites.
50 min · Varanasi & Sarnath
10:00
11:20
16:45
Overnight: Bodh Gaya
e.g. Bhutan Monastery · Burmese Vihara
Day 2 Around Bodh Gaya
- Transit
- 0h48
- Finish
- ~16:05
- Temperature
- 13.9°C–26.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~1
- Daylight
- 10.8h
09:00
Walk in the steps of the Buddha at the site where he attained enlightenment.
50 min · Bodh Gaya · Free, photo camera ₹100, video camera ₹300
open: 5AM-9PM
10:00
Bodhgaya Multimedia Museum prachinbharat.com map ↗
Explore the life of Buddha through multimedia films and 3D animations.
50 min · Bodh Gaya
open: Open daily
11:00
12:05
Gandhen Phelgye Ling Monastery search
Visit a monastery closely linked to the Dalai Lama.
50 min · Bodh Gaya
13:10
Karma Dhargye Chokhorling Monastery khyenkong-tharjay.org
Explore the serene halls where intricate murals and peaceful chants create a tranquil spiritual atmosphere.
50 min · Bodh Gaya
14:15
Phowa Center ayangrinpoche.org
Connect with spiritual teachings under Choeje Ayang Rinpoche.
50 min · Bodh Gaya
15:05
Overnight here
e.g. Bhutan Monastery · Burmese Vihara
Day 3 Rajgir & Nalanda
- Transit
- 2h49
- Finish
- ~17:45
- Temperature
- 14.4°C–26.7°C
- Rainy days
- ~1
- Daylight
- 10.8h
10:15
11:55
12:55
13:55
15:50
16:55
Gridhakuta read more
Ascend the hill to where Buddha meditated, and continue to the Viswa Shanti Stupa.
50 min · Rajgir & Nalanda
Overnight here
Day 4 Around Rajgir & Nalanda
- Transit
- 1h33
- Finish
- ~15:50
- Temperature
- 14.4°C–26.7°C
- Rainy days
- ~1
- Daylight
- 10.8h
09:00
10:45
11:45
12:50
Cyclopean walls search
Explore massive 2500-year-old fortifications encircling the city.
50 min · Rajgir & Nalanda
13:55
Makhdum Kund search
Feel the warmth of sulfur-rich springs in a serene shrine setting.
50 min · Rajgir & Nalanda
15:00
Maniar Matth search
Discover ancient snake worship remnants among intriguing figurines.
50 min · Rajgir & Nalanda
Overnight here
Day 5 Patna
- Transit
- 2h18
- Finish
- ~17:35
- Temperature
- 14.4°C–27.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~1
- Daylight
- 10.7h
10:25
Journey through Bihar's rich past in a vibrant, modern showcase.
50 min · Patna
open: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00–19:00
11:25
12:25
13:25
14:40
15:45
16:35
Thekua and Pudukia search
60 min · Patna
Overnight here
Day 6 Around Patna
- Transit
- 0h42
- Finish
- ~15:40
- Temperature
- 14.4°C–27.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~1
- Daylight
- 10.7h
09:00
10:00
Reflect on peace and principle in a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.
50 min · Patna
11:00
12:00
13:40
Feel the vibrant devotion at Mahavir Mandir, a bustling temple dedicated to Hanuman.
50 min · Patna
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.