4‑Night Varanasi Adventure – Road Trip from Kolkata

Day 1: Departure & Arrival

Morning: Depart Kolkata early, cruising south‑east along NH 19. The scenic stretch past Bardhaman and Durgapur offers ample photo stops.

Afternoon: Cross the Ganges at Farakka, continue through Murshidabad; stop for a quick lunch and a glimpse of the historic Hazrat Shah Jahan Mosque.

Evening: Arrive in Varanasi, check into your hotel near the ghats and unwind with a leisurely walk along the Dashashwamedh Ghat as the evening lights sparkle.

Day 2: Sacred Sites

Morning: Visit the ancient Buddhist site of Sarnath, exploring the Dhamek Stupa and the archaeological museum.

Afternoon: Return to the city for a visit to the iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple, followed by a stroll through the bustling Chowk market.

Evening: Board a traditional boat for a sunset cruise on the Ganges, culminating in the magical Ganga Aarti at the ghats.

Day 3: Culture & Heritage

Morning: Tour the historic campus of Banaras Hindu University, including the picturesque Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum.

Afternoon: Cross the Ganges to explore Ramnagar Fort, known for its vintage toy train and royal museum.

Evening: Experience a vibrant cultural program at Kaladharmi Theatre, featuring classical music and folk dance.

Day 4: Local Life & Leisure

Morning: Wander through Vishwanath Gali market, sampling street snacks like kachori and jalebi.

Afternoon: Participate in a hands‑on cooking class to learn the secrets of authentic Banarasi cuisine.

Evening: Enjoy a relaxed dinner by the river, reflecting on the journey before preparing for the return drive.

Day 5: Return to Kolkata

Morning: Check out of the hotel and begin the scenic drive back, stopping at Gaya for a brief temple visit.

Afternoon: Continue the journey, with a lunch break near Patna, and enjoy the countryside vistas.

Evening: Arrive in Kolkata, concluding the memorable road‑trip experience.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Fuel (round trip ~1,400 km @ 14 kmpl) – 100 L × ₹100/L ≈ ₹10,000 (≈ 8 hrs driving)
• Accommodation (4 nights) – ₹3,000/night × 4 = ₹12,000 (≈ 8 hrs stay each night)
• Food & Drinks – ₹1,500/day × 5 = ₹7,500 (≈ 3 hrs/day)
• Sarnath (archaeological museum) – 2 hrs, entry ₹250
• Kashi Vishwanath Temple – 2 hrs, donation ₹200
• Ganga Aarti (Dashashwamedh Ghat) – 1 hr, free
• Ramnagar Fort & Museum – 3 hrs, entry ₹150
• Banaras Hindu University tour – 2 hrs, free
• Kaladharmi Theatre show – 2 hrs, ticket ₹500
• Cooking class – 3 hrs, ₹1,200
• Local market & street food – 2 hrs, ₹300
• Miscellaneous (parking, tolls, tips) – ₹2,000
• Total Estimated Cost: ₹45,400

Tips

To extend the trip, add an extra day to explore nearby pilgrimage towns such as Varanasi’s sister city – Prayagraj (Allahabad) or take a river‑front cycling tour. If you need to shorten the itinerary, skip the cooking class and the evening cultural show, focusing only on the main religious sites; this will still give a rich experience while saving a few hours and roughly ₹1,700 in costs.