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7-Day Itinerary for Varanasi in October 2023

  1. Day 1: Dashashwamedh Ghat
    20 minutes (5.2 km) from Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport

    Start your day with a boat ride at sunrise on the Ganges River. Later, visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Manikarnika Ghat. In the evening, watch the Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

  2. Day 2: Sarnath
    40 minutes (10 km) from Dashashwamedh Ghat

    In the morning, visit the Tibetan Temple and the Deer Park in Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon. Later, explore the Archaeological Museum and the Chaukhandi Stupa.

  3. Day 3: Ramnagar Fort and Museum
    20 minutes (7.6 km) from Sarnath

    Visit the Ramnagar Fort and Museum in the morning, showcasing a collection of vintage cars, weapons and paintings. After lunch, explore the Durga Temple, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple and the New Vishwanath Temple.

  4. Day 4: Bharat Kala Bhavan and Banaras Hindu University
    10 minutes (3.4 km) from Ramnagar Fort and Museum

    Visit the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum in the morning followed by the Banaras Hindu University, which houses the famous Birla Mandir. Foodies can sample some local street food at the Lanka market.

  5. Day 5: Ghats and Temples of southern Varanasi
    30 minutes (7 km) from Banaras Hindu University

    Explore the Harishchandra and Assi Ghats in the morning, followed by the Tulsi Manas Temple and the Durga Kund Temple. In the evening, take a boat ride to witness the cultural and religious importance of the ghats.

  6. Day 6: Rani Ki Vav and Chunar Fort
    1 hour 45 minutes (75 km) from southern Varanasi

    In the morning, head to the Rani Ki Vav stepwell in Gujarat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing intricate carvings and sculptures. After lunch, visit the Chunar Fort and take a boat ride on the nearby river.

  7. Day 7: Dev Deepawali Festival and Shopping
    20 minutes (2.5 km) from southern Varanasi

    Attend the Dev Deepawali Festival, a grand celebration of the gods and goddesses in Varanasi. In the afternoon, head to the local markets to buy souvenirs, handicrafts and silk products. End your evening with some local street food.

Recommendations

If you have extra days, consider visiting Vindhyachal, Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary and Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary. You can also indulge in local activities like Ayurvedic massages, boat rides, and yoga classes.

To maximize your fun, try planning your itinerary around the festivals and events in Varanasi such as the Ganga Mahotsav, Mahashivratri, and Diwali.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Kashi Vishwanath Temple (2 hours, free)
  • Manikarnika Ghat (1 hour, free)
  • Sunrise boat ride on Ganges River (2 hours, INR 200-300)
  • Tibetan Temple and Deer Park (2 hours, free)
  • Archaeological Museum (1.5 hours, INR 5-10)
  • Chaukhandi Stupa (1 hour, free)
  • Ramnagar Fort and Museum (2 hours, INR 50-100)
  • Durga Temple (1 hour, free)
  • Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple (1 hour, free)
  • New Vishwanath Temple (1 hour, free)
  • Bharat Kala Bhavan (1.5 hours, INR 10-20)
  • Banaras Hindu University (2 hours, free)
  • Tulsi Manas Temple (1 hour, free)
  • Durga Kund Temple (1 hour, free)
  • Rani Ki Vav (3 hours, INR 20-50)
  • Chunar Fort (2 hours, INR 20-50)
  • Dev Deepawali Festival (3 hours, free)
  • Shopping (2 hours, INR 500-1000)
  • Total Estimated Costs: INR 800-1500
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