3‑Day Budget Road Trip: Lucknow → Ayodhya → Naimisharanya → Chitrakoot → Prayagraj → Varanasi

Day 1: Ayodhya & Naimisharanya Exploration

Morning: Depart Lucknow at 7 AM and drive ~130 km to Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya, then visit the nearby Hanuman Garhi temple; both sites are free and offer rich mythology.

Afternoon: Continue 30 km to Naimisharanya, wandering the sacred forest and stopping at the historic Mrigendra Temple; a brief walk along the river provides a peaceful break.

Evening: Return to Ayodhya for a sunset view at the Sarayu River ghats, enjoy a simple street‑food dinner, and rest at a budget guesthouse.

Day 2: Chitrakoot & Prayagraj

Morning: Drive to Chitrakoot (≈150 km, 3 h). Begin at Ramghat on the Mandakini River, where pilgrims bathe and chant.

Afternoon: Explore the cliff‑top Kamadgiri Temple and the nearby Bhaktasthal site; enjoy a modest local thali for lunch.

Evening: Head to Prayagraj (≈90 km, 2 h), settle into a hostel, and stroll along the illuminated Triveni Sangam where the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati converge.

Day 3: Varanasi Highlights

Morning: Leave Prayagraj early for Varanasi (≈200 km, 3 h). Check into a clean budget hotel near the ghats.

Afternoon: Visit the iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple, then wander to the historic Durga Temple and the bustling lanes of the old city.

Evening: Take a sunset boat ride on the Ganges, watching the lamps flicker on the Ghats while hearing the evening aarti; finish with a simple dinner of kachori‑sabzi.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Ram Janmabhoomi & Hanuman Garhi (Ayodhya) – 2 hrs – ₹0 entry
• Naimisharanya & Mrigendra Temple – 2 hrs – ₹0 entry
• Ramghat (Chitrakoot) – 1 hr – ₹0 entry
• Kamadgiri Temple (Chitrakoot) – 1.5 hrs – ₹0 entry
• Triveni Sangam (Prayagraj) – 1.5 hrs – ₹0 entry
• Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Varanasi) – 2 hrs – ₹50 (dharmashala donation)
• Durga Temple (Varanasi) – 1 hr – ₹0 entry
• Ganga Boat Ride (Varanasi) – 1 hr – ₹200 per person
• Fuel (≈550 km total, 12 km/l, ₹110/l) – 46 L – ₹5,060
• Tolls & Parking – Approx. ₹300
• Meals (budget ₹150 per meal, 3 days × 3 meals) – ₹1,350
• Accommodation (₹600/night × 2 nights) – ₹1,200
• Miscellaneous (snacks, water) – ₹400
• **Total Estimated Cost:** ₹8,560

Tips

To extend the trip, add an extra day in Varanasi to explore Sarnath and take a sunrise yoga session on the ghats. If you need to shorten it, skip the evening boat ride in Varanasi and combine Ayodhya and Naimisharanya into a single half‑day, allowing an early departure for Varanasi on Day 2.