7 Days Independent Kolkata - Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Patna - Varanasi

You will arrive at Kolkata today. The airport shuttle buses are available from 8:00 to 21:30, we recommend Volvo bus of Royal Cruiser. Or, the taxies are waiting outside of the airport.

Take the metro and get off at Maidan metro station, then walk for about 5 minutes to see the St. Paul's Cathedral, Victoria Memorial is not far away, a short walk from the Cathedral. The bus Line 4, 8, 10, 12/7 can take you to Rabindra Bharati Museum, of course, Tutu car is also a good choice. Take train 12321 departing at 22:00 to Bodhgaya. We suggest you buy train tickets online in advance, otherwise, you can get to the ticket center for foreigners at B.B.D.Bagh.

The train will arrive at GAYA at 05:20, take a Tutu car to Bodhgaya, the birthplace of Buddhism. Mahabodhi Temple is the right place of Sakyamuni Buddha's enlightenment. Not far from it, there are temples built by other countries with their own characteristics, forming of temple complex with different styles. Stay overnight at Bodhgaya.

The long distance bus is available from Bodhgaya to Rajgir, but we suggest you rent a car with driver to Patna directly, or you can carpool with other tourists. En-route, visit Rajgir and Buddhist holy sites - Nalanda, and then take cable car to visit the Gridhakuta Hill (Vulture's peak). Stay overnight at Patna.

Take an early morning flight to Varanasi, we suggest you book the hotel near the Ganges River. After checking in at the hotel, visit Ganges morning bath, where Hindus purify themselves by bathing. Take a boat trip if interested. Stroll leisurely at the city. What you should not miss is the evening Ganges Prayer, it is really a spectacular.

Take a Tutu car to Sarnath, one of the four sacred places of Buddhism, where the Sakyamuni gave his first preach. Tutu car usually stop here for one hour if you book the round trip. But if you plan to stay here longer, please do talk with the driver about the duration and the price in advance. The museum inside has Ashoka's Pillar with exquisite carvings. And the Golden Temple is about 1.5km away from Sarnath, visit it if you are interested.

Please catch the flight or train by yourself. We wish you a memorable vacation in India.