Take a morning flight from Kempegowda International Airport to Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, allowing roughly three hours in the air and another 1–1.5 hours for airport formalities and the transfer into town. Pre-arrange a hotel pickup if possible; the airport is about 25–35 km from central Varanasi, and the drive can take 45–90 minutes depending on traffic. Drop your luggage at the hotel, freshen up, and have a light meal before heading into the old city. Auto-rickshaws and app cabs generally cannot enter the narrow lanes around Godowlia, so ask your driver to leave you near Godowlia Crossing and walk the final stretch.
Make Kashi Vishwanath Temple your first stop, allowing at least 1.5 hours for security, locker arrangements, and darshan. Temple timings are generally from early morning until late evening, but entry procedures and queue conditions can change, so verify the latest slot or pass information through the official temple channels or your hotel. Phones, cameras, large bags, and electronic items are restricted; use an authorised locker rather than accepting help from unsolicited touts. From Godowlia, the temple is a short but busy walk through the lanes—wear comfortable footwear and keep some small notes for offerings, drinking water, and cycle-rickshaw rides.
Walk towards Dashashwamedh Ghat after the temple visit, allowing 15–25 minutes through the crowded lanes. For the evening Ganga Aarti, arrive around 5:00–5:30 PM for a reasonable riverside position; the ceremony usually begins around sunset, though the exact time changes through the year. You can watch from the steps for free, or take a short shared boat ride if the riverfront is not too crowded—agree the fare before boarding and avoid unlicensed operators. Finish at Kashi Chat Bhandar near Godowlia for an early dinner of kachori, tamatar chaat, and local sweets; budget approximately ₹150–350 per person. It is popular and informal, so expect a queue, limited seating, and a quick meal rather than a relaxed restaurant experience.
Begin at Assi Ghat around 5:45–6:00 AM, when the riverfront is calmer and the light over the Ganges is beautiful. Take a slow walk along the steps and, if the water and weather conditions are suitable, arrange a short sunrise boat ride from the ghat; allow about 1½ hours and expect roughly ₹300–800 per boat, depending on duration and negotiation. Afterward, take an auto-rickshaw or e-rickshaw to Banaras Hindu University in Lanka, usually 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. Spend about 1½ hours exploring the broad, leafy campus and landscaped avenues—keep your pace relaxed, as the grounds are best enjoyed on foot. Short auto rides within this part of town generally cost ₹80–200; agree on the fare before starting.
Continue inside the university to Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum, ideally arriving before noon. Its collection of miniature paintings, sculptures, textiles, coins, and archaeological pieces makes this one of the most worthwhile quieter stops in Varanasi. Check the day’s opening schedule locally, as museum hours and weekly closures can change; budget approximately ₹20–100 for entry and allow 1½ hours. For lunch, eat near Lanka rather than returning to the ghats—there are plenty of simple vegetarian thalis and South Indian options, usually ₹150–350 per person.
After lunch, hire a cab or auto to Ramnagar Fort, allowing 30–45 minutes each way depending on traffic and the bridge approach. The fort is best treated as an atmospheric riverside excursion rather than a polished museum: explore the courtyards, old palace buildings, and views toward Varanasi for about two hours. Entry is commonly in the low hundreds of rupees, but confirm the current ticket and closing time before leaving; carry water and sun protection, particularly in the exposed courtyards. A private auto or taxi for the half-day round trip is usually easier than negotiating separate rides, roughly ₹700–1,500 depending on vehicle and waiting time.
Return to Assi before dusk and finish at Kashi Café, a relaxed spot for dinner and coffee away from the busiest main ghats. Allow about an hour and budget ₹300–600 per person. The surrounding lanes are pleasant for a final unhurried walk, but keep valuables secure and use a cycle-rickshaw or auto for the last stretch if the lanes feel too crowded.
Leave your Varanasi hotel around 6:00 AM in a private car for Ayodhya, taking the NH27/NH330 route. The drive usually takes 4–5 hours, with a tea and breakfast stop along the way; keep some cash for roadside facilities. On arrival, ask the driver to use the designated parking area outside the central temple zone, as vehicles are restricted near the old town. Leave your luggage at the hotel or cloakroom before beginning the afternoon visits.
Start at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ramkot, allowing about two hours for security checks, walking, and the darshan queue. Entry procedures and permitted items can change, so check the official booking and advisory information shortly before visiting; avoid carrying large bags, food, or electronic items beyond what is allowed. From here, walk or take an e-rickshaw—roughly 10–15 minutes depending on the access restrictions—to Hanuman Garhi, where a short climb leads to the hilltop shrine. Continue on foot through the old lanes to Kanak Bhawan, about 10 minutes away; late afternoon light works well for appreciating its colourful façade and ornate interior. Dress modestly, carry water, and expect barefoot sections at each temple.
Take an e-rickshaw or auto toward Saryu Ghat at Naya Ghat, allowing 15–20 minutes in traffic. Spend an unhurried hour by the river and stay for the evening aarti; arrive 20–30 minutes early if you want a clear view, particularly on weekends or festival dates. Afterward, walk or take a short e-rickshaw ride toward the restaurants near Ram Ki Paidi for a simple vegetarian dinner—budget around ₹250–500 per person. Choose a busy, well-reviewed establishment, order freshly cooked thali or North Indian dishes, and keep the evening flexible since the riverside lanes can become crowded after the ceremony.
Leave your Ayodhya hotel at around 6:00 AM in your pre-booked private car, allowing roughly 4–5 hours to reach Prayagraj via NH330. After a roadside breakfast and hotel check-in or luggage drop, have lunch near George Town before visiting Anand Bhavan. The former Nehru family residence is best explored at an unhurried pace; allow about 1½ hours for the rooms, photographs, and adjoining exhibits. Check the museum’s opening day and ticket availability before leaving, as timings can change.
From Anand Bhavan, take a 10–15-minute taxi or auto-rickshaw ride to the Allahabad Museum in Civil Lines. Allow another 1½ hours for its archaeological objects, regional art, miniature paintings, and freedom-movement material. Tickets are generally inexpensive—around ₹20–100, depending on current visitor categories—and the museum is usually closed on Mondays, so confirm the schedule for your date. Later, continue by auto or cab toward Prayagraj Junction; Khusro Bagh is a peaceful place to slow down after the museum, with shaded paths and elegant Mughal-era sandstone tombs. Spend about an hour here, preferably before dusk, and wear comfortable shoes because the garden paths can be uneven.
Around 5:00 PM, take a cab to the Arail side of Triveni Sangam for the sunset boat ride and river viewpoint. A boat typically takes about 1–1½ hours; negotiate the fare and confirm whether the price is per boat or per person before boarding. Expect roughly ₹300–1,000 per person, or more for a private boat, depending on duration and demand. The river is wide and exposed, so carry a light layer and keep phones secured; avoid unofficial operators who cannot clearly explain the fare. Finish with dinner in Civil Lines at Sagar Ratna, a dependable vegetarian South Indian option, or Shree Rathnam nearby; budget approximately ₹300–600 per person. A cab back to your hotel generally takes 10–20 minutes, depending on the area and evening traffic.
Treat this as a transfer day rather than trying to add sightseeing. The most practical option is a pre-booked overnight train from Prayagraj Junction toward Puri, ideally in 2AC or 3AC for the long journey; depending on the exact service and timetable, the trip takes about 14–17 hours and may place you in Puri later today or the following morning. Check the running days carefully on IRCTC before booking, as services and timings can change. If a suitable train does not fit the itinerary, compare a flight from Prayagraj Airport or Varanasi Airport to Bhubaneswar, followed by a 1½–2-hour taxi ride to Puri. Keep water, light food, a shawl, and offline hotel directions with you, and arrange a hotel transfer in advance—Puri’s busy lanes around Swargadwar can be awkward for larger cars.
After checking in and resting, walk to Puri Beach for about an hour. The stretch near Swargadwar is lively at sunset, with food stalls, families, and fishermen bringing in the day’s catch; stay on the firm, busy section of sand and avoid entering the sea unless lifeguards indicate that conditions are safe. From the beach, continue into the Puri Beach Market around Swargadwar, where you can browse appliqué work, palm-leaf craft, shell items, wooden souvenirs, and snacks. Bargaining is normal, but compare two or three stalls before buying, and carry small notes for vendors.
Have dinner at Wildgrass Restaurant in Swargadwar, a convenient short walk or auto-rickshaw ride from the market. Allow around an hour and budget approximately ₹500–900 per person; try an Odia preparation if available, along with familiar Indian dishes if you have had a tiring travel day. Restaurants in this area can become busy after 8:00 PM, so arriving around 7:30–8:00 PM is easier. Autos may quote inflated fares near the beach—agree on the price before boarding, or ask your hotel to arrange a local ride.
Start before sunrise, around 5:00–5:30 AM, for Shri Jagannath Temple on Grand Road. The temple complex generally opens early, but darshan timings and crowd controls can change, so confirm locally the evening before. Allow about two hours, including security and queues. Phones, cameras, leather items and large bags are not permitted inside; use the cloakrooms near the temple, and dress modestly. Only Hindus may enter the main temple—non-Hindu visitors can view the spires from the Raghunandan Library rooftop area or other approved viewpoints nearby. Have breakfast after darshan at a simple vegetarian place around Grand Road, rather than delaying the village visit.
Take a pre-booked auto-rickshaw or car to Raghurajpur Artist Village, roughly 15–20 km from central Puri and usually 35–45 minutes each way. The village is best visited between 9:00 AM and noon, when artisans are at work in their homes. Walk slowly along the painted façades and ask before entering a workshop; you will see Pattachitra paintings, palm-leaf engraving and traditional wooden toys. Prices vary widely, from a few hundred rupees for small souvenirs to several thousand for detailed paintings. Carry cash, wrap purchases carefully, and allow around two hours without feeling obliged to buy.
Hire a car for the rest of the day, as combining Dhauli Shanti Stupa and Pipili appliqué village by public transport is inconvenient. From Raghurajpur, the drive toward Dhauli takes about 1½–2 hours depending on traffic. Reach Dhauli Shanti Stupa in the afternoon for roughly an hour: the hilltop is exposed, so carry water and a hat, and be prepared for bright sun. Continue to Pipili, about 30–40 minutes away, for an hour of browsing its colourful appliqué canopies, lamps and wall hangings along the main market road. Agree on a return fare with the driver before leaving; the journey back to Puri usually takes around 1½ hours. Finish with dinner at Bhai Bon Restaurant, where a straightforward vegetarian meal costs about ₹250–500 per person. Ask for local Odisha-style preparations, and arrive slightly before the usual dinner rush if you prefer quicker service.
Leave Puri around 6:00 AM in a pre-booked taxi via Marine Drive Road; the drive to Konark takes about 1–1½ hours. Ask the driver to wait for the full circuit, with a return fare usually around ₹2,500–4,000. Begin at Konark Sun Temple soon after opening, allowing about two hours to appreciate the enormous stone chariot, carved wheels, and sculpted panels before the heat becomes intense. Wear covered, comfortable footwear, carry water, and keep small cash for parking and refreshments. The complex is generally open from morning until evening, but confirm the day’s timings locally.
Walk next to the Archaeological Museum, Konark, beside the temple complex, for roughly an hour. Its collection of detached sculptures and architectural fragments helps explain details you may miss outdoors; photography rules and museum hours can vary, so follow the posted instructions. Afterward, drive about 15 minutes to Chandrabhaga Beach for a relaxed coastal walk of around an hour. This is better for scenery than swimming—currents can be strong—and the midday sun is fierce, so use the shaded stalls near the approach road for coconut water rather than planning a long beach stay.
Continue by taxi for roughly 20–30 minutes to Ramachandi Temple, set near the mouth of the Kushabhadra River. Allow an hour to see the small local shrine and enjoy the quieter riverside surroundings; modest clothing is appropriate, and leave footwear where requested. Return to Puri in the late afternoon, allowing about 45–60 minutes depending on traffic, then rest at your hotel before dinner. For seafood near Puri Beach, choose a busy, well-reviewed hotel restaurant or established beachfront dining room rather than an unattended stall; budget ₹500–1,000 per person, with preparations such as prawn, fish, or crab alongside vegetarian thalis. Avoid raw seafood and confirm the price by weight before ordering, then keep the evening easy for the following day’s return journey.
Leave your Konark hotel around 5:30–6:00 AM for the private-car transfer to Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar. The drive is usually around 2–3 hours, depending on traffic and the route through Puri and onward to Bhubaneswar; allow at least two hours at the airport for baggage drop, security, and boarding. Ask your hotel to arrange a reliable car the previous evening, and keep your passport or identification, tickets, medicines, and valuables in your hand luggage. A one-way transfer generally costs about ₹2,500–4,500, depending on the vehicle and pickup time.
Take a nonstop flight from Biju Patnaik International Airport to Kempegowda International Airport when available; flying time is typically about 2 hours 15 minutes, though some schedules require a connection. For a late-morning or afternoon departure, leave enough margin for the road journey from Konark, especially if travelling on a weekday. On arrival in Bangalore, use the airport taxi counter or a pre-booked cab; the ride into the city can take 45 minutes to 1½ hours, depending heavily on traffic and whether you are heading toward Hebbal, Indiranagar, or Electronic City. This is best kept as a straightforward travel day rather than adding sightseeing before the flight.