Mahabodhi Temple
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The Austerity Sites of the Bodhi Tree

A journey towards spirituality and peace.

Journey RatingNew on Evynx

Operated by Evynx Curated

About this journey

A fixed-departure group journey that gives the Dungeshwari Cave Temples - where the Buddha spent six years in extreme austerity before enlightenment - a genuine day of their own, paired with Sujata Stupa's fast-breaking story across the Niranjana riverbed. Vishnupad Temple gets a real evening on the Falgu riverbank instead of the same-day squeeze before a flight that a shorter itinerary uses. Travelling together in a shared Tempo Traveller on scheduled departure dates keeps the per-person cost below a private booking, on the exact same route. The Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree and international monastery quarter open the trip, largely unchanged since that pacing was already unhurried.
near_me

Start-End city

Gaya

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schedule

Duration

airport_shuttle
Transport Type

Tempo Traveller

hotel

Stay Facility

Premium

Bodh Gaya Mahabodhi

Is this journey for you?

We believe the right journey is about alignment, not persuasion.

Ideally, yes if...
  • check_circleYou want the Buddha's pre-enlightenment austerity story alongside the Bodhi Tree, not just the enlightenment site alone
  • check_circleYou'd rather visit Vishnupad Temple with real evening time than squeeze it in right before a flight
  • check_circleYou want Bodh Gaya's international monastery quarter unhurried, without a same-day pairing with anything else
May not be for you if...
  • cancelYou want to cover Nalanda and Rajgir's sites within this same trip - those sit outside this itinerary's scope
  • cancelYou're on a tight three-day schedule and would rather compress the sites into fewer days

Itinerary at a Glance

A quick glance to help you understand what all will you experience during your journey

Bodh Gaya (3D) · Gaya (2D)
Day 01–03
Bodh Gaya(3D)
Bodh Gaya - 3N, temples, monasteries, and a dedicated Dungeshwari day

“Three unhurried nights around the Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree and the monastery quarter, then a dedicated day for Dungeshwari Cave Temples and Sujata Stupa - the austerity-and-fast pairing no Tour gives its own day.”

Day 04–05
Gaya(2D)
Gaya - 1N, Vishnupad Temple given a genuine evening

“A short transfer to Gaya for a genuine evening Vishnupad darshan on the Falgu riverbank, an overnight, and an unhurried morning before the flight - not the same-day temple-then-airport squeeze every existing Tour uses.”

Below, you'll find how this journey unfolds - day by day, guided by people who live it.

Essence of Flow

route

The Path Ahead

Shared Tempo Traveller pickup at Gaya Airport for the short 30-40 minute drive into Bodh Gaya, check-in, then a guided evening walk into the Mahabodhi Temple's sunken courtyard and the Bodhi Tree.

bedtime

The Evening's Sanctuary

Check into a Premium hotel in Bodh Gaya for the first of three nights, the base for the temple, monastery and Dungeshwari days ahead.

restaurant

Flavours of the Land

No meals en route today. Dinner at the Bodh Gaya hotel after the evening temple visit.

Day 01
Night: Bodh Gaya·Drive: 0-2 hrs·Pace: Relaxed
Meeting Time: 02:00 PM
Meeting point: Shared after booking

Landing at the Roots of Enlightenment

Arrival at Gaya Airport and a short transfer into Bodh Gaya, closing with an evening at the Mahabodhi Temple's sunken courtyard and a quiet sit beneath the Bodhi Tree.

Gaya Airport · Mahabodhi Temple · Bodhi Tree · Vajrasana

Special Notes: The Mahabodhi Temple stays open early to late evening; cameras and phones carry a small fee at the gate, footwear is left outside, and the Bodhi Tree courtyard is quietest after dusk.
route

The Path Ahead

A guided walk through the monastery quarter, a dozen Buddhist nations each with a temple in their own style, closing at the Japanese temple grounds for the Great Buddha Statue, consecrated by the Dalai Lama in 1989.

bedtime

The Evening's Sanctuary

Back at the same Premium hotel in Bodh Gaya for the second night, the same unchanged room ahead of tomorrow's Dungeshwari day.

restaurant

Flavours of the Land

Breakfast at the hotel. Lunch near the monastery quarter, a regional Bihari stop. Dinner back at the hotel.

Day 02
Night: Bodh Gaya·Drive: 0-2 hrs·Pace: Balanced
Meeting Time: 09:00 AM
Meeting point: At hotel in Bodh Gaya

The International Monastery Trail

A full day through Bodh Gaya's international monastery quarter - the white-walled Royal Bhutan Monastery, the carved Thai Monastery, and the 18.5-metre Great Buddha Statue at the Japanese temple grounds.

Royal Bhutan Monastery · Thai Monastery · Great Buddha Statue

Special Notes: Most monasteries here open roughly 6 AM-noon and 2-6 PM, closing visitors out at lunch; footwear comes off at each shrine, and voices stay low near the 18.5-metre Great Buddha Statue.
route

The Path Ahead

A shared Tempo Traveller drive of roughly 12 km to the Dungeshwari Cave Temples, the hillside caves where Siddhartha practiced extreme austerity, then back across the dry Niranjana riverbed to Sujata Stupa, the fast-breaking site.

bedtime

The Evening's Sanctuary

Back at the same Premium hotel in Bodh Gaya for the third and final night here, ahead of tomorrow's transfer to Gaya.

restaurant

Flavours of the Land

Breakfast at the hotel. Packed lunch near Dungeshwari, a quieter roadside stop. Dinner back at the Bodh Gaya hotel.

Day 03
Night: Bodh Gaya·Drive: 0-2 hrs·Pace: Relaxed
Meeting Time: 08:30 AM
Meeting point: At hotel in Bodh Gaya

Dungeshwari Caves and Sujata Stupa - Before and After

A full unhurried day pairing the two sites either side of the Bodhi Tree story - the Dungeshwari Cave Temples where the Buddha practiced six years of austerity, and Sujata Stupa, where a village offering broke that fast.

Dungeshwari Cave Temples · Mahakala Caves · Sujata Stupa · Niranjana Riverbed

Special Notes: The Dungeshwari cave shrine sits up a short rocky climb best done before midday heat; Sujata Stupa and the dry Niranjana riverbed lie across the river, so keep the two half-days paired.
route

The Path Ahead

A short shared Tempo Traveller transfer from Bodh Gaya to Gaya, checking into the hotel by afternoon, then a guided evening walk to Vishnupad Temple's 30-metre pyramidal tower on the Falgu riverbank.

bedtime

The Evening's Sanctuary

Check into a Premium hotel in Gaya for the trip's final night, close to Vishnupad Temple and the Falgu riverbank.

restaurant

Flavours of the Land

Breakfast at the Bodh Gaya hotel before checkout. Lunch in Gaya, a regional stop. Dinner at the Gaya hotel, tasting the city's Tilkut sweet.

Day 04
Night: Gaya·Drive: 0-2 hrs·Pace: Relaxed
Meeting Time: 11:00 AM
Meeting point: At hotel in Gaya

Bodh Gaya to Gaya, and an Unhurried Vishnupad Evening

A short transfer from Bodh Gaya to Gaya, then a genuine evening at Vishnupad Temple on the Falgu riverbank, given real time rather than a same-day squeeze before a flight.

Falgu River · Vishnupad Temple · Pinda Daan Ghats

Special Notes: Vishnupad Temple's inner sanctum is traditionally open to Hindus; the Falgu riverbank fills with Pinda Daan rituals, so an unhurried evening is calmer and photography there is best avoided.
route

The Path Ahead

A relaxed late-morning checkout with time for a final walk along the Falgu riverbank, then the short shared Tempo Traveller drive to Gaya Airport for departure.

bedtime

The Evening's Sanctuary

No night booked tonight - the journey ends with same-day departure from Gaya Airport.

restaurant

Flavours of the Land

Breakfast at the Gaya hotel before checkout. No further meals included today, timed around departure.

Day 05
Drive: 0-2 hrs·Pace: Relaxed
Meeting Time: 10:00 AM
Meeting point: At hotel in Gaya

Gaya Morning, and Departure

A slow Gaya morning with no rush before the flight, then the short drive to Gaya Airport for departure - closing the trip without the same-day temple-then-terminal squeeze.

Falgu Riverbank · Gaya Airport

Special Notes: Gaya Airport sits about 12 km from the Falgu riverbank, a 30-minute drive; a slow riverside morning leaves easy margin before the terminal with no same-day temple rush.

Inclusions & Exclusions

INCLUDED

  • 3 nights Premium hotel in Bodh Gaya, 1 night Premium hotel in Gaya
  • Shared Tempo Traveller with driver for all transfers, fixed group departure dates
  • Buddhist heritage guide for Mahabodhi Temple and the monastery quarter
  • Guided Dungeshwari Cave Temples and Sujata Stupa day
  • Heritage guide for Vishnupad Temple

NOT INCLUDED

  • Meals not marked Included in the day-by-day plan
  • Mahabodhi Temple camera or video permit fee, paid at the gate
  • Personal offerings and Pinda Daan ritual fees at Vishnupad Temple
  • Travel insurance and personal expenses

Requirements

What you'll need and key rules before you go.

What you'll need
Essentials
  • Valid government photo ID
  • Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees for all temple and monastery visits
  • Comfortable walking shoes for Dungeshwari's hillside caves and the Mahabodhi complex
  • Deposit phones and cameras at the counter before entering the Mahabodhi Temple sanctum
Optional
  • A standalone camera for temple interiors, since phones aren't permitted inside Mahabodhi
  • Cash for Bodh Gaya's Tibetan handicraft and prayer-flag market
  • Light fleece for cool October-February mornings
Rules & entry
  • Mobile phones and electronic gadgets are banned inside the Mahabodhi Temple sanctum
  • Cameras need a paid permit at the Mahabodhi gate for exterior photography
  • Footwear must be removed before entering all temple and cave sanctums, including Vishnupad

Policies

Cancellation & Refunds Policy

Effective date: 15 Oct 2026

This policy applies to all Journeys booked on Evynx, unless a specific journey page clearly states a different policy ("Special Policy"). By booking a Journey, you agree to the terms below. Full policy (V1): evynx.com/cancellation-refund.

Paying for your trip

Tours and Journeys: Full Payment or Part Payment (30% at booking, 70% due 21 days Private / 14 days Group before travel). Part Payment not available inside balance window. Guided Experiences: full price at booking only.

If you cancel

Cancellation charge on package price; cash refund from amount paid; never pay the difference if charge exceeds amount paid.

If you cancel within 24 hours of booking

Cash: everything except platform fee. Travel Credit: everything paid. Private/Group: travel at least 7 days after booking. Guided Experiences: start at least 48 hours after booking.

Private Journeys

Part Payment balance due 21 days before travel.

  • Within eligible 24-hour window: platform fee only
  • After 24 hours up to 21 days before travel: 10% of package price
  • After 21 up to 7 days before travel: 50% of package price; Travel Credit 55% of the package price, or your cash refund plus Rs. 5,000, whichever is lower
  • Under 7 days, at least 48 hours before: no cash; 10% of the package price, up to Rs. 10,000.
  • Under 48 hours or no-show: no refund or credit

Group Journeys

Part Payment balance due 14 days before travel.

  • Within eligible 24-hour window: platform fee only
  • After 24 hours up to 14 days before travel: 10% of package price
  • After 14 up to 7 days before travel: 50% of package price; Travel Credit 55% of the package price, or your cash refund plus Rs. 5,000, whichever is lower
  • Under 7 days, at least 48 hours before: no cash; 10% of the package price, up to Rs. 10,000.
  • Under 48 hours or no-show: no refund or credit

Guided Experiences

Not applicable to Journeys.

A quick example

Part Payment cancellation example and charge-exceeds-paid rules on evynx.com/cancellation-refund.

Travel Credit

Use on any eligible Evynx booking. Book within 3 months; travel within 12 months after that. One conversion per cancelled booking. Late-cancellation credit bands on evynx.com/cancellation-refund.

Changing your travel date

First date change free at least 7 days before travel (same operator and trip). Second change or change within 7 days: 10% of the package price plus unrecoverable costs where applicable. Cancellation bands do not restart on reschedule.

If you do not pay the balance

Private balance due 21 days before travel; Group 14 days. Unpaid after reminders: cancelled at 10% of the package price; no extra bill if charge exceeds amount paid.

Platform fee

Once per package; not refundable to cash except where operator cancels. Evynx absorbs payment-provider refund charges.

Costs that may not be refundable

Non-recoverable permits, tickets, passes and third-party reservations once committed in your name.

If some travellers withdraw

No fixed percentage; operator assessment within 3 working days; recovered amounts passed to you in full.

If you add travellers

Additional travellers at price when added; platform fee not charged again.

If your operator cancels

Full refund including platform fee, or reschedule at no additional cost.

If the trip cannot go ahead

Reschedule first where possible; otherwise refund rules in policy section 16.

Changing a traveller's name

Private/Group: up to 48 hours before departure. Guided Experiences: 24 hours before start.

How to cancel and when your refund arrives

My Bookings or contact from booking page. Confirmation within 1 working day; refund released within 24-48 hours; bank/UPI 3-10 business days.

Dates availability & Investment

SELECT START DATE

October 2026

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Adult (12+)
Child (5–12)
Infant (0–4)
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