Travel guide · Varanasi & Ayodhya
Varanasi & Ayodhya Travel Guide
Varanasi and Ayodhya tour packages cover Kashi's ghats on the Ganga — the evening aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, a sunrise boat and darshan at Kashi Vishwanath — Sarnath, where the Buddha first taught, Ayodhya's Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple and Saryu aarti, and the Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj, with Chitrakoot and Shringverpur, Chunar and the Vindhyachal Shakti Peeth, Naimisharanya, Gorakhpur, the Nawabi city of Lucknow, and Bodhgaya and Nalanda in Bihar. Our itineraries run 3 to 7 days, with standard / 3-star equivalent hotels and breakfast.
By Holiday Guru Travel · Updated 8 Oct 2026
In short: The ghats of kashi, two great pilgrimages, sarnath and short trips. The Ganga aarti every evening and the ghats at sunrise, seen from a boat. October to March is the best time to visit Varanasi and Ayodhya; summer is very hot, and in the monsoon the Ganga rises over the lower ghats.
Varanasi & Ayodhya quick facts
- Trip length
- 3–7 days (17 itineraries)
- Best time
- October to March is the best time to visit Varanasi and Ayodhya; summer is very hot, and in the monsoon the Ganga rises over the lower ghats.
- Key places
- Varanasi, Sarnath, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, Bodhgaya
- Tours start in
- Varanasi, Prayagraj, Lucknow
- Hotels
- Standard / 3-star equivalent on all 17 itineraries
- Meal plans
- Breakfast on all 17 itineraries
- Suits
- Pilgrims, Families, Culture lovers
Best places to visit in Varanasi & Ayodhya
Varanasi, Sarnath, Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Chitrakoot are the places our Varanasi & Ayodhya itineraries are built around.
Varanasi
The ghats of the Ganga, the evening aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
Sarnath
The Dhamek Stupa and the museum with the Lion Capital of Ashoka (closed on Fridays).
Ayodhya
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple, Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan and the Saryu ghats.
Prayagraj
The Triveni Sangam of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, and the Bade Hanuman temple.
Chitrakoot
Ramghat on the Mandakini and the Kamadgiri parikrama.
Bodhgaya
The Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi tree, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Things to do
- Watch the Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Take a sunrise boat along the ghats (paid locally)
- Have darshan at Kashi Vishwanath
- Visit the Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath
- Have darshan at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya
- Attend the Saryu aarti at Ram Ki Paidi
How many days do you need?
Three days covers Varanasi or Ayodhya; 4–5 days adds Sarnath, or combines Varanasi and Ayodhya; allow 6–7 days to add Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, Naimisharanya, Lucknow or Bodhgaya.
| Trip length | What it covers | Our itinerary |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | Varanasi: aarti, sunrise boat and Kashi Vishwanath | Varanasi (Kashi) Spiritual Tour |
| 4 days | Varanasi with Sarnath and Ramnagar Fort | Varanasi and Sarnath Tour |
| 3 days | Ayodhya: Ram Janmabhoomi, Hanuman Garhi and the Saryu | Ayodhya Ram Mandir Tour |
| 6 days | Prayagraj, Varanasi and Ayodhya | Prayagraj, Varanasi and Ayodhya Yatra |
| 7 days | Ram Van Gaman: Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot and Ayodhya | Ram Van Gaman Yatra: Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot and Ayodhya |
Best time to visit Varanasi & Ayodhya
October to March is the best time to visit Varanasi and Ayodhya; summer is very hot, and in the monsoon the Ganga rises over the lower ghats.
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| October – March | Best season | Pleasant days; Dev Deepawali in November lights up the ghats. |
| April – June | Summer | Very hot; plan temple visits early in the morning. |
| July – September | Monsoon | The Ganga rises; boat rides and the aarti location can change. |
Suggested Varanasi & Ayodhya routes
Routes from our own Varanasi & Ayodhya itineraries, by trip length.
- 2 Nights / 3 Days: Ayodhya → Ram Janmabhoomi → Hanuman Garhi → Saryu — Ayodhya Ram Mandir Tour
- 3 Nights / 4 Days: Prayagraj → Chitrakoot — Prayagraj, Shringverpur and Chitrakoot
- 4 Nights / 5 Days: Varanasi → Ayodhya — Varanasi and Ayodhya Pilgrimage
- 5 Nights / 6 Days: Lucknow → Ayodhya → Varanasi — Lucknow, Ayodhya and Varanasi Tour
- 6 Nights / 7 Days: Delhi → Ayodhya → Varanasi — Ayodhya and Varanasi from Delhi
Things to consider
Getting there and around: Tours start at Varanasi or Ayodhya airport or railway station, with transfers and sightseeing as specified on each package. The old lanes near the ghats are reached on foot or by cycle-rickshaw.
Where you stay: Standard / 3-star equivalent hotels with breakfast as listed on each package.
- Mobile phones and bags are not allowed inside Kashi Vishwanath or the Ram Janmabhoomi temple; lockers are available.
- Dress modestly for temples; carry little cash and a small bag.
- Festival days are very crowded; book early for Dev Deepawali and Diwali.
Varanasi & Ayodhya travel questions
What is Varanasi & Ayodhya known for?
The ghats of kashi, two great pilgrimages, sarnath and short trips. The Ganga aarti every evening and the ghats at sunrise, seen from a boat.
How many days should I spend in Varanasi & Ayodhya?
Three days covers Varanasi or Ayodhya; 4–5 days adds Sarnath, or combines Varanasi and Ayodhya; allow 6–7 days to add Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, Naimisharanya, Lucknow or Bodhgaya. Our Varanasi & Ayodhya itineraries run 3–7 days.
What is the best time to visit Varanasi & Ayodhya?
October to March is the best time to visit Varanasi and Ayodhya; summer is very hot, and in the monsoon the Ganga rises over the lower ghats.
Which places should I include in a Varanasi & Ayodhya trip?
Varanasi, Sarnath, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot and Bodhgaya. Varanasi: The ghats of the Ganga, the evening aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
Which Holiday Guru Travel packages cover Varanasi & Ayodhya?
17 itineraries: Ayodhya Ram Mandir Tour (2 Nights / 3 Days); Lucknow: the City of Nawabs (2 Nights / 3 Days); Prayagraj: Triveni Sangam (2 Nights / 3 Days); Varanasi (Kashi) Spiritual Tour (2 Nights / 3 Days); Prayagraj, Shringverpur and Chitrakoot (3 Nights / 4 Days); Varanasi, Chunar and Vindhyachal (3 Nights / 4 Days); and 11 more listed below.
Can a Varanasi & Ayodhya itinerary be customised?
Yes. Any of our Varanasi & Ayodhya itineraries can be changed — add or remove nights, change the hotel category or add sightseeing. Tell us what you need and we send a quote for your dates.
Varanasi & Ayodhya holiday packages
All 17 Holiday Guru Travel itineraries for Varanasi & Ayodhya, shortest first. Each can be customised.
| Package ID | Package | Duration | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0232 | Ayodhya Ram Mandir Tour | 2 Nights / 3 Days | Ayodhya → Ram Janmabhoomi → Hanuman Garhi → Saryu |
| 0543 | Lucknow: the City of Nawabs | 2 Nights / 3 Days | Lucknow → Bara Imambara → Rumi Darwaza → Residency |
| 0539 | Prayagraj: Triveni Sangam | 2 Nights / 3 Days | Prayagraj → Triveni Sangam → Bade Hanuman → Alopi Devi |
| 0230 | Varanasi (Kashi) Spiritual Tour | 2 Nights / 3 Days | Varanasi → Dashashwamedh Ghat → Kashi Vishwanath |
| 0540 | Prayagraj, Shringverpur and Chitrakoot | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Prayagraj → Chitrakoot |
| 0541 | Varanasi, Chunar and Vindhyachal | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Varanasi → Vindhyachal → Varanasi |
| 0231 | Varanasi and Sarnath Tour | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Varanasi → Sarnath → Ramnagar |
| 0233 | Varanasi and Ayodhya Pilgrimage | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Varanasi → Ayodhya |
| 0235 | Varanasi and Bodhgaya Tour | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Varanasi → Bodhgaya |
| 0237 | Lucknow, Ayodhya and Varanasi Tour | 5 Nights / 6 Days | Lucknow → Ayodhya → Varanasi |
| 0234 | Prayagraj, Varanasi and Ayodhya Yatra | 5 Nights / 6 Days | Prayagraj → Varanasi → Ayodhya |
| 0542 | Varanasi, Ayodhya and Gorakhpur | 5 Nights / 6 Days | Varanasi → Ayodhya → Gorakhpur |
| 0241 | Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj Tour | 5 Nights / 6 Days | Varanasi → Ayodhya → Prayagraj |
| 0240 | Ayodhya and Varanasi from Delhi | 6 Nights / 7 Days | Delhi → Ayodhya → Varanasi |
| 0238 | Varanasi, Ayodhya and Naimisharanya Yatra | 6 Nights / 7 Days | Varanasi → Ayodhya → Naimisharanya → Lucknow |
| 0239 | Varanasi, Bodhgaya, Nalanda and Prayagraj Tour | 6 Nights / 7 Days | Varanasi → Bodhgaya → Prayagraj |
| 0236 | Ram Van Gaman Yatra: Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot and Ayodhya | 6 Nights / 7 Days | Varanasi → Prayagraj → Chitrakoot → Ayodhya |