7-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary for Varanasi in October 2023

1. Day 1: Sarnath Archaeological Museum
   20 minutes (7.5 km) from Varanasi Railway Station

   The museum houses a rare collection of Buddhist artifacts. Take a guided tour to learn about ancient India's rich Buddhist history. Afternoon, take a dip in the Ganges and witness the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony.

2. Day 2: Kashi Vishwanath Temple
   15 minutes (5 km) from Sarnath Archaeological Museum

   Begin your day with a prayer at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Enjoy breakfast at nearby eateries, visit the Tulsi Manas Temple and the Bharat Mata Temple. In the evening, take a boat ride at Dasaswamedh Ghat and witness the Ganga Aarti ceremony.

3. Day 3: Ramnagar Fort
   1 hour 30 minutes (9.8 km) from Kashi Vishwanath Temple

   Spend the morning exploring the historic Ramnagar Fort, home to the Maharaja of Varanasi. Afternoon, visit the Durga Temple and Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple. In the evening, enjoy a music and dance performance at the Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts.

4. Day 4: Manikarnika Ghat
   20 minutes (5.5 km) from Ramnagar Fort

   Visit the Manikarnika Ghat, one of the oldest and most significant ghats on the Ganges. Take a boat ride to see more of the ghats and learn about Varanasi's history. In the afternoon, visit the BHU Museum and the Banaras Ghats.

5. Day 5: Assi Ghat
   30 minutes (6.5 km) from Manikarnika Ghat

   Visit the Assi Ghat for a peaceful and serene atmosphere. Take a dip in the holy waters of the Ganges, and enjoy the local delicacies at nearby cafes. In the afternoon, visit the Ramnagar Fort Museum and the Kriti Gallery.

6. Day 6: Chunar Fort
   1 hour 30 minutes (40 km) from Assi Ghat

   Visit the historic Chunar Fort, which dates back to the 11th century. Explore the fort's various chambers and learn about the fort's rich history. In the afternoon, visit the Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary.

7. Day 7: Banaras Hindu University
   20 minutes (5 km) from Chunar Fort

   Visit the Banaras Hindu University, which is the largest residential university in Asia. Explore the vast campus, visit the Bharat Kala Bhawan Museum and the New Vishwanath Temple. In the evening, enjoy the local delicacies at nearby eateries.

Recommendations

Don't miss out on the opportunity to witness the Dev Deepavali, one of the most significant festivals in Varanasi, which usually takes place in November. Consider taking a day trip to Sarnath to explore the ancient Buddhist site further. To make your trip more fun, consider renting a bike or taking a rickshaw ride to explore the city.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Sarnath Archaeological Museum (2 hours, INR 20)
• Kashi Vishwanath Temple (2 hours, free entry)
• Tulsi Manas Temple (1 hour, free entry)
• Bharat Mata Temple (1 hour, free entry)
• Boat ride at Dasaswamedh Ghat (2 hours, INR 150)
• Ramnagar Fort (2 hours, INR 50)
• Durga Temple (1 hour, free entry)
• Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple (1 hour, free entry)
• Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts (2 hours, ticket prices vary)
• Manikarnika Ghat (1 hour, free entry)
• BHU Museum (1 hour, INR 50)
• Banaras Ghats (1 hour, free entry)
• Assi Ghat (1 hour, free entry)
• Ramnagar Fort Museum (1 hour, INR 30)
• Kriti Gallery (1 hour, free entry)
• Chunar Fort (2 hours, INR 100)
• Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary (2 hours, INR 100)
• Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary (2 hours, INR 100)
• Banaras Hindu University (2 hours, free entry)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 770