7 Nights 8 Days Bodhgaya Varanasi Prayagraj Chitrakoot Ayodhya Chhapiya Tour Package

7 Nights 8 Days Bodhgaya Varanasi Prayagraj Chitrakoot Ayodhya Chhapiya Tour Package — Bodhgaya Tour Package Overview

Undertake the most comprehensive multi-faith pilgrimage of North India and Bihar with our 7 Nights 8 Days Bodhgaya Varanasi Prayagraj Chitrakoot Ayodhya Chhapiya Tour Package — an 8-day sacred odyssey spanning six extraordinary destinations and three great spiritual traditions of India. Begin at Bodhgaya — the site of the Buddha's Enlightenment under the sacred Bodhi Tree and home to the UNESCO World Heritage Mahabodhi Temple. Journey to Varanasi, the eternal city of Lord Shiva, for a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga darshan, Sarnath, and the grand Ganga Aarti. Continue to Prayagraj for a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam and Akshaya Vat darshan. Head deep into the Vindhyas to Chitrakoot — Lord Ram's forest abode — for Kamadgiri Parikrama and Gupt Godavari Caves. Reach Ayodhya, Ram's birthplace, for darshan at the magnificent Ram Mandir and a sacred Saryu Snan. Conclude at Chhapiya — the birthplace of Bhagwan Swaminarayan — for Janmabhoomi darshan and morning aarti. This 8-day journey seamlessly weaves Buddhism (Bodhgaya, Sarnath), Shaivism (Kashi Vishwanath), Vaishnavism (Prayagraj, Ayodhya), Ramayana heritage (Chitrakoot), and Swaminarayan devotion (Chhapiya) into one profound, spiritually complete pilgrimage — the sacred circuit of eastern and central India in its entirety.

Package Highlights

VisitKashi

Your trusted travel partner · 24×7 support

Tour Highlights — Key Experiences in This Package

UNESCO Mahabodhi Temple & sacred Bodhi Tree at Bodhgaya — site of the Buddha's Enlightenment

Vishnupad Temple & Pind Daan facility at Gaya for ancestral liberation

Sunrise boat ride on the Ganges at Varanasi — India's most iconic spiritual dawn

Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga darshan & the grand Vishwanath Corridor

Sarnath — Dhamek Stupa, Mulagandha Kuti Vihara & Ashoka's Lion Capital

Dashashwamedh Ganga Aarti — the most spectacular fire ritual in India

Triveni Sangam Snan at Prayagraj & Akshaya Vat inside Allahabad Fort

Kamadgiri Parikrama & Gupt Godavari Caves at Chitrakoot

Ram Mandir darshan & Saryu Snan at Ayodhya — birthplace of Lord Ram

Swaminarayan Janmabhoomi at Chhapiya — birthplace of Bhagwan Swaminarayan

Expert multi-destination pilgrimage guide throughout the 8-day journey

Private AC vehicle for all intercity and local transfers

Day-by-Day Itinerary — 7 Nights 8 Days Bodhgaya Varanasi Prayagraj Chitrakoot Ayodhya Chhapiya Tour Package

7 Nights / 8 Days · Bodhgaya · Timings adjustable to your arrival

Day 1

Arrival in Bodhgaya — Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree & International Monastery Circuit

▼

Arrive at Bodhgaya via Gaya Junction Railway Station (17 km) or Gaya Airport. Meet your dedicated pilgrimage guide and check in to hotel. After freshen-up, proceed to the UNESCO World Heritage Mahabodhi Temple Complex — built at the precise spot where Siddhartha Gautama attained Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in 528 BCE after 49 days of meditation. Circumambulate the sacred Bodhi Tree (Ficus religiosa) — a direct descendant of the original tree, one of the most venerated objects in the world. Touch the Vajrasana (Diamond Throne) — the stone slab marking the exact seat of the Buddha's meditation. Visit the Animesh Lochan Chaitya (where Buddha stood and gazed at the Bodhi Tree without blinking for one week), Ratnachankrama (the jewelled walk), and Ratanaghar Chaitya. Explore the stunning international Buddhist monasteries surrounding Bodhgaya — Japanese Daijokyo Temple, Tibetan Tergar Monastery, Royal Thai Monastery, Bhutanese Temple, and Chinese Buddhist Temple. Evening meditation at the Mahabodhi Complex. Dinner and overnight in Bodhgaya.

Day 2

Gaya — Vishnupad Temple & Pind Daan → Drive to Varanasi — Kashi Vishwanath Darshan

▼

After breakfast, drive to Gaya city (17 km from Bodhgaya). Visit the Vishnupad Temple — the sacred temple built over the 40 cm footprint of Lord Vishnu embedded in solid rock on the banks of the Falgu River. For devotees wishing to perform Pind Daan — the most sacred Shraddha ritual in Hinduism, believed to liberate ancestors for seven generations — our guide will coordinate with a qualified Gaya Panda (pandit dakshina is extra, approx. ₹1,500–3,000). After the Gaya rituals, check out from Bodhgaya hotel and drive to Varanasi (approx. 250 km, 5 hrs) — the world's oldest continuously inhabited city and the eternal abode of Lord Shiva. Arrive by evening. Check in to hotel. Proceed for darshan at the Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga — one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and the most revered Shiva shrine on earth, whose golden spire gleams over the ancient city of Kashi. Overnight in Varanasi.

Day 3

Varanasi — Sunrise Boat Ride on the Ganges, Vishwanath Corridor & Grand Ganga Aarti

▼

Pre-dawn: board a traditional wooden rowing boat for the legendary Varanasi sunrise — one of the most transcendent and photographed spiritual experiences on earth. Float past all 84 ghats as the ancient city awakens: priests perform Surya Puja on the stone steps, sadhus sit in deep Samadhi, thousands of devotees chant and take their morning Ganga Snan, and the eternal flames of Manikarnika Ghat — burning without interruption for 3,500 years — cast an amber glow on the sacred river. After a traditional breakfast, explore the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor (inaugurated 2021) — the magnificent redeveloped precinct surrounding the Jyotirlinga with Annapurna Devi Temple, Avimukteshwar Mandir, and the vibrant Vishwanath Lane market. Afternoon: Durga Kund Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir (built at the spot where Tulsidas composed the Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi in 1574 CE), Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple (founded by Tulsidas himself, where Hanuman is worshipped in his seated posture). Evening: the magnificent Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat — 7 head priests perform a 45-minute synchronized fire ritual with 21-tier wands, conch shells, flowers, and Sanskrit chants before thousands of awestruck devotees and pilgrims. Overnight in Varanasi.

Day 4

Sarnath — Buddha's First Sermon → Drive to Prayagraj — Triveni Sangam Boat Ride

▼

After breakfast, drive to Sarnath (10 km from Varanasi) — the Isipatana Deer Park where the newly Enlightened Buddha delivered his very first sermon (the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) to his five disciples in 528 BCE, initiating the Buddhist Sangha and turning the Wheel of Dharma for the first time in human history. Visit the imposing Dhamek Stupa (5th century CE) marking the exact site of the First Sermon — one of the finest examples of Gupta-period brick architecture; Chaukhandi Stupa; Mulagandha Kuti Vihara (the monastery where the Buddha spent his first rainy season, with golden murals of his life painted by the Japanese artist Kosetsu Nosu); and the world-class Sarnath Archaeological Museum — home to the Lion Capital of Ashoka (250 BCE), India's national emblem, and the earliest known representation of the Dharmachakra. Return to Varanasi for check-out. Drive to Prayagraj (approx. 200 km, 3.5 hrs). Check in to hotel. Evening: sunset boat ride at the sacred Triveni Sangam — the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswati — watching the rivers merge in the golden light of dusk. Overnight in Prayagraj.

Day 5

Prayagraj — Sangam Snan, Akshaya Vat, Anand Bhawan → Drive to Chitrakoot — Ram Ghat Aarti

▼

Wake before sunrise for the supreme pilgrimage act at Prayagraj — Sangam Snan at the Triveni Confluence. The Puranas declare that a single dawn bath here equals the merit of all pilgrimages and all sacrifices in the three worlds combined. After the holy dip, visit the Allahabad Fort (1583 CE, built by Emperor Akbar) for darshan at the Akshaya Vat — the immortal banyan tree mentioned in the Mahabharata as the indestructible tree that survived even the cosmic Pralaya, also recorded by the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang in 644 CE. Visit Saraswati Koop and the underground Patalpuri Temple. Bade Hanuman Ji — the famous reclining Hanuman idol submerged under Ganga floodwaters every monsoon yet always resurfaces. If time permits: Anand Bhawan (Nehru-Gandhi ancestral museum). Post-lunch check out and drive to Chitrakoot (approx. 130 km, 3 hrs). Check in to hotel. Evening: Ram Ghat on the Mandakini River — the serene ghat where Mother Sita bathed daily during the exile. Attend the gentle Mandakini Aarti as oil diyas drift on the river in the quiet of the forest dusk. Overnight in Chitrakoot.

Day 6

Chitrakoot — Kamadgiri Parikrama, Gupt Godavari Caves, Hanuman Dhara → Drive to Ayodhya

▼

Rise early for a Mandakini Snan at Ram Ghat. After breakfast, immerse in the full Chitrakoot pilgrimage: Kamadgiri Parikrama — the sacred 5 km barefoot circumambulation of the Kamadgiri hill where Lord Ram is believed to dwell in his subtle form; the path lined with ancient temples including Bharat Milap Mandir (commemorating the deeply moving reunion of Bharat and Ram in the forest); the entire parikrama is said to fulfill all sincere wishes. Gupt Godavari Caves — enter the twin caves where Ram held his royal court in exile; wade through the inner cave's 40–50 metres of ankle-deep underground Godavari waters for a unique experience. Hanuman Dhara — the miraculous hilltop spring that appeared for Hanuman, commanding a panoramic valley view. Janaki Kund and Sati Anusuiya Ashram. Post-lunch check out and drive to Ayodhya (approx. 280 km, 5 hrs — the longest drive of the tour). Arrive by evening. Check in to hotel. Proceed for the most eagerly anticipated darshan — Ram Mandir, the grand temple consecrated on 22 January 2024, built at the birthplace of Lord Ram after a 500-year sacred struggle. Also visit Hanumangarhi. Evening: Saryu Aarti at Ram Ki Paidi. Overnight in Ayodhya.

Day 7

Ayodhya Full Darshan — Saryu Snan, Kanak Bhawan, Guptar Ghat → Drive to Chhapiya — Swaminarayan Janmabhoomi

▼

Wake before sunrise for a sacred Saryu Snan at Ram Ki Paidi — the most auspicious bath in Ayodhya, believed to confer liberation from the cycle of rebirth. After the snan, explore the complete Ayodhya circuit: Kanak Bhawan (the golden palace gifted to Sita by Kaikeyi, housing resplendent golden idols), Sita Ki Rasoi (the original royal kitchen of Ayodhya), Nageshwarnath Temple (established by Luv and Kush — the sons of Ram), Treta Ke Thakur at Tulsi Ghat, Mani Parvat, and Guptar Ghat — the solemn site on the Saryu where Lord Ram took Jal Samadhi at the close of his earthly avatar. Post-lunch, check out and drive to Chhapiya in Gonda district (approx. 100 km, 2 hrs) — the sacred birthplace of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, born here as Ghanshyam Maharaj on 3 April 1781 (Chaitra Shukla Navami — Ram Navami day) to Dharmadev and Bhaktimata. Visit the magnificent Swaminarayan Janmabhoomi temple complex — the grand shrine built at the exact birth house, revered by millions of BAPS, Vadtal, and Swaminarayan faith followers worldwide. Attend evening aarti at the Janmabhoomi mandir. Dinner and overnight in Chhapiya / Gonda.

Day 8

Chhapiya — Morning Aarti & Swaminarayan Janmabhoomi Darshan → Departure via Lucknow

▼

Rise early for the morning aarti and full darshan at the Swaminarayan Janmabhoomi complex — the birthplace of Bhagwan Swaminarayan who, at the age of 11, renounced home and walked 12,000 km barefoot across India over 7 years before founding one of the world's largest and most active Vaishnava movements with over 5 million followers globally. Explore the Janmabhoomi Mandir marking the birth house, the childhood swing (hindola) of Ghanshyam Maharaj, the temple of Dharmadev and Bhaktimata, and the beautifully landscaped temple grounds. Collect prasad and blessings. After a blessed morning, depart from Chhapiya and drive to Lucknow (approx. 90 km, 1.5 hrs) for your onward journey from Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport or Lucknow Junction Railway Station. Alternatively, depart directly from Gonda Railway Station. Tour concludes with the sacred blessings of all six holy destinations — Bodhgaya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, Ayodhya, and Chhapiya.

What's Included & What's Not Included

Inclusions

7 nights accommodation (1N Bodhgaya + 2N Varanasi + 1N Prayagraj + 1N Chitrakoot + 1N Ayodhya + 1N Chhapiya/Gonda)
Daily breakfast and dinner as per itinerary (8 Breakfasts + 7 Dinners)
Private AC vehicle for all transfers throughout the 8-day circuit
Full route: Bodhgaya → Gaya → Varanasi → Sarnath → Prayagraj → Chitrakoot → Ayodhya → Chhapiya → Lucknow/Gonda
Dedicated English/Hindi-speaking pilgrimage guide at all six destinations
Sunset boat ride at Triveni Sangam Prayagraj
Sunrise boat ride on the Ganges at Varanasi
Mandakini River boat ride at Ram Ghat Chitrakoot
Kamadgiri Parikrama guidance and briefing at Chitrakoot
Pind Daan coordination with qualified pandit at Gaya (dakshina extra)
All toll taxes, driver allowance, parking, and fuel charges
Arrival pick-up at Gaya Junction / Gaya Airport
Departure drop at Lucknow Airport/Station or Gonda Station
24/7 on-call support throughout the 8-day journey

Exclusions

Flight or train tickets to Gaya/Bodhgaya (start) or from Lucknow/Gonda (end)
Lunches and beverages not listed in the itinerary
Personal puja samagri, prasad, temple donations, and flower offerings
Pind Daan pandit dakshina and ritual materials at Gaya (approx. ₹1,500–3,000)
Allahabad Fort entry ticket (Akshaya Vat darshan)
Sarnath ASI site and museum entry fees (approx. ₹40 for Indians)
Any personal expenses — shopping, laundry, beverages, phone calls
Travel insurance (strongly recommended, especially for senior pilgrims)
Medical or emergency expenses
Tips and gratuities for guide and driver
Any services not explicitly listed under inclusions

Good to Know

Dress modestly at all pilgrimage sites — cover shoulders and knees; remove footwear at all temples and ghats.

Carry a valid government-issued photo ID for each adult traveler (required at Allahabad Fort, Sarnath, and Nalanda).

For Pind Daan at Gaya: carry the full name, gotra, and father's name of each ancestor for whom the ritual is to be performed.

For Gupt Godavari inner cave: wear clothes you are comfortable getting wet — ankle to knee depth water for ~50 metres.

Kamadgiri Parikrama is done barefoot — carry a cloth bag to hold footwear during the 5 km circuit.

Photography is strictly prohibited inside Ram Mandir sanctum (Ayodhya) and Kashi Vishwanath main shrine (Varanasi).

Sarnath ASI site and museum entry fees are payable on-site (approx. ₹40 for Indian nationals).

Tour starts at Bodhgaya/Gaya and ends at Chhapiya. Drop to Lucknow Airport/Station or Gonda Station is included.

During Pitru Paksha at Gaya (September–October) and Magh Mela at Prayagraj (January–February), book 6–8 weeks in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions — 7 Nights 8 Days Bodhgaya Varanasi Prayagraj Chitrakoot Ayodhya Chhapiya Tour Package

Why start this tour from Bodhgaya? What is the significance?

▼

Bodhgaya is one of the most sacred sites in the world — the place where Siddhartha Gautama attained Enlightenment in 528 BCE, giving birth to Buddhism and transforming the spiritual landscape of Asia. Starting from Bodhgaya allows travelers arriving from Kolkata, Patna, or eastern India to begin their journey at this UNESCO World Heritage Site before moving westward through the sacred cities of Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, Ayodhya, and Chhapiya. Gaya airport and Gaya Junction are well-connected from major Indian cities.

Is this tour suitable for both Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims?

▼

Yes — this tour is uniquely designed to be meaningful for both Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims, and for those interested in multi-faith spiritual heritage. The Bodhgaya–Sarnath–Varanasi leg covers the most sacred Buddhist sites in India (the Enlightenment site and the First Sermon site). The Prayagraj–Chitrakoot–Ayodhya leg covers the most sacred Hindu Vaishnava and Ramayana sites. Varanasi and Gaya are sacred in both traditions. The Chhapiya finale adds Swaminarayan devotion. All religious backgrounds are warmly accommodated.

How long is the Chitrakoot to Ayodhya drive on Day 6?

▼

Chitrakoot to Ayodhya is approximately 280 km and takes 5–5.5 hours by road. This is the longest intercity drive of the entire tour. We schedule it post-lunch after completing the Chitrakoot morning darshan (Kamadgiri Parikrama, Gupt Godavari, Hanuman Dhara), departing around 1–2 PM and arriving in Ayodhya by 6–7 PM — in time for Ram Mandir darshan (open until 9 PM) and the Saryu Aarti. Our comfortable AC vehicles make the drive pleasant, and we include a highway meal stop.

Can we do Pind Daan at Gaya on this tour?

▼

Yes. On Day 2 we stop at Gaya city (17 km from Bodhgaya) before driving to Varanasi. Our guide will coordinate with a qualified Gaya Panda (hereditary priest) for the Pind Daan ritual at the Vishnupad Temple on the banks of the Falgu River — the most sacred place in Hinduism for performing Shraddha. Please carry the full name, gotra, and father's name of each ancestor for whom Pind Daan is to be performed. Pandit dakshina is extra (approx. ₹1,500–3,000).

What is the significance of Chhapiya for non-Swaminarayan pilgrims?

▼

Chhapiya is the birthplace of Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781–1830) — one of the most revered saints in modern Hinduism, founder of the Swaminarayan Sampraday with over 5 million followers worldwide and over 1,100 temples globally including the Akshardham temples in Delhi, Gandhinagar, and New York. Even for non-Swaminarayan pilgrims, visiting the birthplace of a major saint is a deeply enriching spiritual experience. The temple complex is serene, beautifully maintained, and rarely crowded — offering a peaceful conclusion to an intense 8-day pilgrimage.

What is the best time of year for this Bodhgaya to Chhapiya circuit?

▼

October to March is ideal — cool weather (8–25°C) across all six destinations. Key festival highlights: Buddha Purnima at Bodhgaya (April–May varies), Dev Deepawali at Varanasi (November), Magh Mela at Prayagraj (January–February), Ram Navami at Ayodhya and Chitrakoot (March–April), and Swaminarayan Jayanti at Chhapiya (Ram Navami — same day). During Pitru Paksha (September–October), Gaya sees its largest pilgrimage for Pind Daan — book 2–3 months ahead during this period.

Can this tour be customized to also include Naimisharanya or Rajgir–Nalanda?

▼

Yes. Naimisharanya (Nimsar, Sitapur) is 85 km from Lucknow and can be added as a 1-night extension near Ayodhya (making it an 8N9D package). Rajgir and Nalanda are 80 km from Gaya and can be added as a Day 1 morning excursion before Bodhgaya (with slightly earlier arrival) or as an additional night at the start (making it an 8N9D or 9N10D package). Contact us with your preferred duration and we will customize the itinerary to include these extraordinary sites.

Ready to Explore Bodhgaya?

Customized itineraries · Best price guarantee · 24×7 support

💬 Get Quote on WhatsApp 📞 Call Now