7-Day Itinerary for Varanasi in August 2023

1. Day 1: Assi Ghat
   10 minutes (2.4 km) from Varanasi Junction

   Explore the Assi Ghat early in the morning and watch the sunrise. Enjoy the boat ride, and experience the serenity of the Ganges. Visit the Shri Durga Temple, and have breakfast at the Blue Lassi shop.

2. Day 2: Kashi Vishwanath Temple
   15 minutes (3.2 km) from Assi Ghat

   Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, also known as the Golden Temple, early in the morning. Take a tour of the temple and learn about its rich history. Have lunch at the Baati Chokha restaurant. Explore the lanes around the temple in the evening.

3. Day 3: Sarnath
   30 minutes (10.7 km) from Kashi Vishwanath Temple

   Visit the ancient Buddhist site of Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon. Explore the ruins of the ancient monasteries and stupas. Visit the Sarnath Museum and learn about the rich history of Buddhism. Have lunch at the nearby Nirmala Kitchen restaurant.

4. Day 4: Ramnagar Fort
   50 minutes (14.1 km) from Sarnath

   Visit the Ramnagar Fort, a beautiful fortification located on the banks of the Ganges. Explore the museum inside the fort and learn about the rich history of the fort. Enjoy the scenic view of the Ganges from the fort. Have lunch at the nearby Ksheer Sagar restaurant.

5. Day 5: Manikarnika Ghat
   20 minutes (4.6 km) from Ramnagar Fort

   Visit the Manikarnika Ghat early in the morning and witness the rituals of death. Take a boat ride across the river Ganges and experience the beauty of the ghats. Have lunch at the nearby Brown Bread Bakery.

6. Day 6: Bharat Kala Bhavan
   30 minutes (7.8 km) from Manikarnika Ghat

   Visit the Bharat Kala Bhavan, a museum of art and archeology located inside the Banaras Hindu University. Explore the rich collection of paintings, sculptures, and textiles. Have lunch at the nearby Midpoint Cafe.

7. Day 7: Chunar Fort
   2 hours (41.6 km) from Bharat Kala Bhavan

   Visit the Chunar Fort, a majestic fort located on a hilltop overlooking the Ganges. Explore the fortification and learn about its rich history. Enjoy the scenic view of the Ganges from the top. Have lunch at the nearby Sagar Ratna restaurant.

Recommendations:

You may also visit the Tulsi Manas Temple, the Alamgir Mosque, and the Banaras Hindu University. You can take a day trip to the nearby town of Allahabad and visit the Triveni Sangam and the Allahabad Fort.

To maximize your fun, you can take a cycling tour of the city, take a food tour, or attend a classical music concert.

Some other suggestions include visiting the Dashashwamedh Ghat for the evening aarti, exploring the winding lanes of the old city, and shopping for Banarasi silk sarees and handicrafts.

Time and Costs Estimates:

• Assi Ghat (2 hours, free)
• Kashi Vishwanath Temple (2 hours, free)
• Sarnath (4 hours, ₹300)
• Ramnagar Fort (3 hours, ₹200)
• Manikarnika Ghat (2 hours, free)
• Bharat Kala Bhavan (3 hours, ₹100)
• Chunar Fort (5 hours, ₹500)
• Total Estimated Costs: ₹1,100