Things to do in Bodh Gaya

The place of the Buddha's enlightenment, with two days in it: the Mahabodhi and the sites of the years before, then Rajgir and Nalanda to the north.

Getting around Bodh Gaya

Ride-hailing is thin to absent here. The temple and monasteries are close together, but Sujata Garh is across the river, the Dungeshwari caves are half an hour out, and Rajgir and Nalanda are two hours away with nothing to bring you back. Every experience below includes the vehicle, a local driver and the parking.

Experiences

• Rajgir and Nalanda from Bodh Gaya: Vulture's Peak, the Peace Pagoda and the ruins of the great university
• Mahabodhi, Sujata Garh and the Dungeshwari caves: The Bodhi tree at dawn, then the places of the six years before it

Best months

October to March, the main pilgrim season. April to June is very hot, and winter mornings can be foggy.

Getting there

Gaya airport is a short drive from Bodh Gaya; Gaya Junction railway station is about 30 minutes by road.