Road Trip Itinerary: Rajahmundry → Visakhapatnam → Varanasi

Day 1: Rajahmundry – Visakhapatnam

Morning: Depart Rajahmundry early and enjoy a scenic drive along the Godavari River, stopping at the historic Gautami Ghat for sunrise photos. The 310 km journey takes about 6‑7 hours, with a brief coffee break at Gopalapatnam.

Afternoon: Arrive in Visakhapatnam and savor a coastal lunch at Jewel of India Seafood Restaurant. Afterward, stroll along the lively RK Beach and explore the nearby Submarine Museum.

Evening: Head up to Kailasagiri Hill Park for panoramic sunset views of the Bay of Bengal. Conclude the day with a relaxed dinner at the hilltop café.

Day 2: Visakhapatnam – Bhubaneswar

Morning: Begin the 460 km drive northward, crossing into Odisha. Stop at the tranquil Srikakulam Beach for a quick walk and fresh sea breeze.

Afternoon: Continue to Bhubaneswar, checking into your hotel before visiting the magnificent Lingaraj Temple, a masterpiece of Kalinga architecture.

Evening: Explore the vibrant Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, illuminated for evening tours, then enjoy a traditional Odia dinner at Trident Hotel's restaurant.

Day 3: Bhubaneswar – Kolkata

Morning: Depart early and drive through the historic town of Cuttack, pausing at the Barabati Fort for a brief heritage walk.

Afternoon: Cross the Mahanadi River and continue toward Balasore, stopping at the Balasore Naval Air Station Museum. After lunch, head to the West Bengal border.

Evening: Arrive in Kolkata, check into your accommodation, and unwind with a leisurely walk along the iconic Princes Street (Park Street) lit up at night.

Day 4: Kolkata – Patna

Morning: Explore Kolkata’s cultural heart: visit the historic Victoria Memorial and the bustling College Street Book Market.

Afternoon: After a hearty Bengali lunch at 6 Ballygunge Place, begin the 560 km drive to Patna, crossing the Ganges via the Mahadevi Bridge.

Evening: Check into a Patna hotel, then stroll along the riverfront of the Ganga Ghat to watch the evening aarti and sample local street snacks.

Day 5: Patna – Varanasi

Morning: Depart Patna and drive the final 250 km to Varanasi, stopping at the ancient Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya for a quick pilgrimage.

Afternoon: Arrive in Varanasi, check in, and enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Ganges River, witnessing the vibrant ghats and daily rituals.

Evening: Conclude the journey with a mesmerizing view of the sunset from Manikarnika Ghat, followed by a traditional dinner of Banarasi cuisine at Kashi Chat Bhandar.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Gautami Ghat (Rajahmundry) – 0.5 hr – ₹0 (public)
• RK Beach (Visakhapatnam) – 1 hr – ₹0
• Submarine Museum – 1 hr – ₹150
• Kailasagiri Hill Park – 2 hr – ₹100 (ropeway)
• Srikakulam Beach – 0.5 hr – ₹0
• Lingaraj Temple (Bhubaneswar) – 1.5 hr – ₹50 (donation)
• Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves – 2 hr – ₹200
• Barabati Fort (Cuttack) – 1 hr – ₹50
• Balasore Naval Air Station Museum – 1 hr – ₹100
• Victoria Memorial (Kolkata) – 2 hr – ₹200
• College Street Book Market – 1 hr – ₹0
• Mahadevi Bridge (Ganges crossing) – 0.5 hr – ₹0
• Ganga Ghat (Patna) – 1 hr – ₹0
• Mahabodhi Temple (Bodh Gaya) – 1 hr – ₹0
• Ganges Boat Ride (Varanasi) – 2 hr – ₹400
• Manikarnika Ghat (Varanasi) – 1 hr – ₹0
• Food, fuel & accommodation (estimate) – 5 days – ₹12,000
• Total Estimated Cost: ₹15,050

Tips

To extend the trip, consider adding a day in Varanasi to explore nearby Sarnath and the Banaras Hindu University campus, or spend an extra night in Bhubaneswar to visit the Konark Sun Temple. If you need to shorten the itinerary, you can skip the Patna leg and fly from Kolkata to Varanasi, reducing the journey by two days while still enjoying the key highlights of Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar.