Bihar Tour Packages
Bihar is where the Buddha attained enlightenment and where ancient India's great university at Nalanda flourished. Bodh Gaya, Rajgir and Nalanda form the core of the Buddhist circuit, visited by pilgrims from across Asia.
Bihar at a glance
- RegionEast India, India
- CapitalPatna
- Time zoneIndian Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
- Driving sideLeft
- Calling code+91
- CurrencyIndian rupee (INR)
- LanguagesHindi, Maithili, Bhojpuri
- Emergency112 (all emergencies)
Best time to visit: October to March
Top Bihar travel packages
A few of our Bihar itineraries in different travel styles. Every one is private and can be changed to suit you.
Pilgrimage toursVaranasi · Bodh Gaya · Nalanda & RajgirBuddhist Circuit: Varanasi to Bodh Gaya6 Days | 5 Nights
Pilgrimage toursBodh Gaya · Nalanda & RajgirBodh Gaya Pilgrimage4 Days | 3 Nights
Pilgrimage toursBodh Gaya · VaranasiBodh Gaya & Varanasi5 Days | 4 Nights
Pilgrimage toursPrayagraj · Varanasi · GayaKashi, Prayag & Gaya Tristhali Yatra6 Days | 5 NightsEssential tips for travelling to Bihar
UPI and cards are widely accepted in cities and hotels; keep some cash for small shops, rural areas, hill towns and tips.
Tipping is not compulsory; around 5–10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and guides is appreciated.
Drink bottled or filtered water; it is cheap and easy to find.
112 (all emergencies)
Languages spoken: Hindi, Maithili, Bhojpuri.
Gaya and Patna have airports. Bodh Gaya is about 15 km from Gaya, and Rajgir and Nalanda are 2–3 hours away by road.
Winter is peak season for Buddhist pilgrims, especially around December–January teachings; book early.
Dress modestly and walk clockwise around the stupas at Bodh Gaya.
General guidance. Local rules and services change; we confirm details for your dates.
Where is Bihar?
Open a larger map → · The map frames the 4 places we cover in Bihar.
- Bodh Gaya24.70°, 84.99°
- Nalanda & Rajgir25.03°, 85.42°
- Gaya24.79°, 85.00°
- Patna25.59°, 85.14°
Who should visit Bihar?
Plan your Bihar trip
Everything you need to know about Bihar
Bihar is where the Buddha attained enlightenment and where ancient India's great university at Nalanda flourished. Bodh Gaya, Rajgir and Nalanda form the core of the Buddhist circuit, visited by pilgrims from across Asia.
We plan trips to 4 destinations in Bihar: Bodh Gaya, Nalanda & Rajgir, Gaya and Patna. Highlights include Mahabodhi Temple, Nalanda Mahavihara ruins, Vishnupad Temple and Takht Sri Patna Sahib. Local food worth trying: Tilkut (winter), Litti chokha, Tibetan food and Khaja from Silao. Our Bihar itineraries run from 3 to 7 days and every one can be changed to suit you.
When to go
October to March. Pleasant winter days and the main pilgrimage season, especially December and January.
Getting around
Gaya and Patna have airports. Bodh Gaya is about 15 km from Gaya, and Rajgir and Nalanda are 2–3 hours away by road.
View all Bihar packages
Private, customisable itineraries with prices quoted for your dates, hotel category and group size.
6D / 5NVaranasi · Bodh Gaya · Nalanda & RajgirBuddhist Circuit: Varanasi to Bodh Gaya
Sarnath, Bodh Gaya's Mahabodhi Temple, Rajgir's Vulture's Peak and the ruins of Nalanda's ancient university.
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4D / 3NBodh Gaya · Nalanda & RajgirBodh Gaya Pilgrimage
The Mahabodhi Temple and international monasteries, then Rajgir's Vulture's Peak and Nalanda's ruins.
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5D / 4NBodh Gaya · VaranasiBodh Gaya & Varanasi
Where the Buddha was enlightened and where he first taught, with Varanasi's ghats as a bonus.
View itinerary →6D / 5NPrayagraj · Varanasi · GayaKashi, Prayag & Gaya Tristhali Yatra
The three holy places for ancestral rites: a dip and shraddh at the Triveni Sangam, Kashi Vishwanath and the ghats, then pind daan at Gaya's Vishnupad Temple and the Akshayavat.
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3D / 2NGayaGaya Pind Daan Yatra
Two nights in Gaya for pind daan on the Phalgu ghats, the Vishnupad Temple and the Akshayavat with a family panda, plus the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya.
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7D / 6NRameswaram · Prayagraj · Varanasi · GayaRameswaram–Kashi Yatra
The traditional Tamil Kashi yatra: begin at Ramanathaswamy in Rameswaram, carry its sand to the Triveni Sangam, pray at Kashi Vishwanath and perform pind daan at Gaya, then bring Ganga water home to Rameswaram.
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4D / 3NPatna · Bodh GayaPatna Sahib & Bodh Gaya
Langar at Takht Sri Patna Sahib, birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, then the Mahabodhi Temple and monasteries of Bodh Gaya.
View itinerary →7 itineraries
Places to visit in Bihar
BiharBodh Gaya
Bodh Gaya is where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and became the Buddha.
BiharNalanda & Rajgir
Nalanda was one of the world's first residential universities, flourishing from the 5th to 12th centuries; its excavated ruins are a UNESCO site.
BiharGaya
Gaya, on the Phalgu river in Bihar, is one of Hinduism's most important places for pind daan, the offering made for the peace of departed ancestors.
BiharPatna
Patna, the ancient Pataliputra, is the capital of Bihar and home to Takht Sri Patna Sahib, birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh and one of the five takhts of Sikhism.
Top attractions in Bihar
Wildlife in Bihar
Sightings depend on season and luck and are never guaranteed. Keep your distance, stay with licensed guides and never feed wild animals.
Cultural experiences in Bihar
Heritage and landmarks
Experiences
- Darshan at Vishnupad Temple
- Bihar Museum visit
- Ganga aarti at Gandhi Ghat
On the menuFood to try
- Tilkut (winter)
- Litti chokha
- Tibetan food
- Khaja from Silao
- Tilkut (sesame sweet)
- Anarsa
- Khaja
- Sattu sharbat
Outdoor activities in Bihar
Many activities are seasonal. Best time for Bihar: October to March. We check operating seasons for your dates.
Bihar travel tips
Visa and entry
Indian citizens do not need a visa; carry a government photo ID such as Aadhaar or a passport for hotels and flights.
Health and safety
Travel insurance is a good idea, especially for adventure activities. Carry prescription medicines in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription.
Currency and tipping
The currency is the Indian rupee (INR). Tipping is not compulsory; around 5–10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and guides is appreciated.
Best time to visit
October to March. Pleasant winter days and the main pilgrimage season, especially December and January.
Getting around
Gaya and Patna have airports. Bodh Gaya is about 15 km from Gaya, and Rajgir and Nalanda are 2–3 hours away by road.
Local etiquette
- Dress modestly at temples, churches and mosques, and remove footwear where asked.
- Ask before photographing people, and follow photography rules at religious sites and museums.
- Dress modestly and walk clockwise around the stupas at Bodh Gaya.
What to pack
Pack modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees for religious sites and comfortable walking shoes.
Phone and internet
Mobile data is good in towns and cities.
Budget
We don't publish fixed prices because the season, hotel category, flights and group size change the cost. Your written quote lists exactly what is included, so you can compare like for like.
Bihar FAQs
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More destinations in East India
East IndiaWest Bengal
West Bengal stretches from the Bay of Bengal's mangrove forests to the Himalayan foothills.
East IndiaOdisha
Odisha's golden triangle of Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark holds hundreds of Kalinga-style temples, the Jagannath temple and the UNESCO-listed Sun Temple.
East IndiaJharkhand
Jharkhand is a forested plateau state of waterfalls, tribal villages and important pilgrimage sites.
Plan your Bihar holiday
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