7-Day Cultural Immersion Itinerary: Coimbatore to Varanasi in July 2023

  1. Day 1: Coimbatore - Cochin - Varanasi
    2h 30min flight from Coimbatore to Cochin, then 3h 25min flight from Cochin to Varanasi

    Arrive in Varanasi, one of the holiest cities in India, and check into your hotel. Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, a major Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and witness the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges River.

  2. Day 2: Varanasi
    20-minute drive from your hotel to Sarnath

    Explore Sarnath, the site where Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Visit the Dhamekh Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, and Sarnath Archaeological Museum. In the evening, take a boat ride on the Ganges River and witness the illuminated ghats.

  3. Day 3: Varanasi
    15-minute drive from your hotel to Tulsi Ghat

    Take a walking tour of the old city of Varanasi, including the Kachori Gali, Manikarnika Ghat, and Tulsi Ghat. Visit the Bharat Mata Temple, a unique temple dedicated to Mother India, and the Durga Temple, dedicated to the goddess Durga.

  4. Day 4: Varanasi - Allahabad
    3h 30min drive from Varanasi to Allahabad

    Travel to Allahabad, one of India's oldest cities and a major pilgrimage destination. Visit the Allahabad Fort, the site of the 1857 Indian Rebellion, and the Khusro Bagh, a Mughal garden with tombs of Mughal princes. In the evening, witness the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.

  5. Day 5: Allahabad
    10-minute drive from your hotel to the Anand Bhavan Museum

    Explore the Anand Bhavan Museum, the former ancestral home of the Nehru-Gandhi family and now a museum dedicated to India's struggle for independence. Visit the All Saints Cathedral, a beautiful Gothic-style church, and the Kalyani Devi Temple, a popular temple dedicated to the goddess Kali.

  6. Day 6: Allahabad - Lucknow
    3h 30min drive from Allahabad to Lucknow

    Travel to Lucknow, the capital city of the state of Uttar Pradesh. Visit the Bada Imambara, a grand monument with a maze-like Bhul Bhulaiya and a stunning Asafi Mosque. Explore the Chota Imambara, a beautiful mausoleum complex with intricate decorations, and the Rumi Darwaza, a grand gateway built in the Mughal style.

  7. Day 7: Lucknow - Coimbatore
    2h 25min flight from Lucknow to Coimbatore

    Before departing for Coimbatore, visit the Bara Imambara, another grand monument with a huge hall, a mosque, and a labyrinth. Explore the La Martiniere College, a historic school with a beautiful white building and lush gardens. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Coimbatore.

Time and Costs Estimates:

  • Kashi Vishwanath Temple (1-2 hours, free)
  • Ganga Aarti Ceremony (1 hour, free)
  • Sarnath (3-4 hours, ₹50 for Indians, ₹300 for foreigners)
  • Boat ride on the Ganges River (1-2 hours, ₹100-200 per person)
  • Old city walking tour (3-4 hours, ₹300-500 per person)
  • Allahabad Fort (1-2 hours, ₹15 for Indians, ₹200 for foreigners)
  • Khusro Bagh (1-2 hours, free)
  • Triveni Sangam (1-2 hours, free)
  • Anand Bhavan Museum (1-2 hours, ₹10 for Indians, ₹50 for foreigners)
  • All Saints Cathedral (30 minutes-1 hour, free)
  • Kalyani Devi Temple (30 minutes-1 hour, free)
  • Bada Imambara (1-2 hours, ₹50 for Indians, ₹500 for foreigners)
  • Chota Imambara (1-2 hours, ₹25 for Indians, ₹200 for foreigners)
  • Rumi Darwaza (30 minutes-1 hour, free)
  • Bara Imambara (1-2 hours, ₹50 for Indians, ₹500 for foreigners)
  • La Martiniere College (1-2 hours, free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: ₹1,070-2,235 per person
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