Varanasi Ayodhya Prayagraj Bodhgaya 5 Nights 6 Days Tour Package Divya Dham at an Easier Pace, with a Full Day in Bodh Gaya

This is the written version of the Varanasi Ayodhya Prayagraj Bodhgaya 5 nights 6 days tour package, for anyone who likes to read every detail before deciding. It follows the same plan as the itinerary above, stop by stop, with what happens at each place, roughly how long it takes and what to carry or avoid.

In short: Day 1 is the old city of Varanasi and the evening Ganga Aarti. Day 2 is the southern temples, Banaras Hindu University and Sarnath. Day 3 is the drive to Prayagraj and the Sangam, with a night there. Day 4 is the drive to Ayodhya, Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan and the Saryu, with a night in Ayodhya. Day 5 is the Ram Mandir darshan and the long drive to Bodh Gaya. Day 6 is a full day at the Mahabodhi Temple and the monasteries, followed by your drop. The order here is the one we recommend, and we adjust it to your arrival and departure times.

Day 1 in Detail: Arrival, old-city temples & the Ganga Aarti

This is the old-city day. After you arrive and check in, the three temples that are always visited together — Kal Bhairav, Kashi Vishwanath and Annapurna — are all in the same area, so they fit into a single stretch of the day. The evening belongs to the river: the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, with a boat ride if you want one.

The exact order depends on when you land. An early arrival leaves room for the temples before the aarti; on a late arrival we move the temple visits around and keep the evening aarti.

1. Pick-up and hotel check-in

Your driver meets you at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, or at Varanasi Junction or Manduadih railway station, and drives you to your hotel. Share your flight or train details and arrival time when you message us, so the driver is waiting when you come out.

Once you have checked in, freshen up and rest. The first day is planned around your arrival time, so tell us early if you are landing late in the day.

2. Kal Bhairav Temple

Baba Kal Bhairav is the kotwal, or guardian, of Kashi, and by tradition visitors seek his permission first and then go on to Kashi Vishwanath and Annapurna. The temple is in Bharonath, in the Visheshwarganj area of the old city, and the silver face of the deity is what you see at the shrine.

Published timings are roughly 5:00 AM to 1:30 PM and 4:30 to 9:30 PM. Darshan is free and 30 to 45 minutes is enough. The last stretch is through narrow lanes, so the driver leaves you at the nearest practical point and you walk. Our Kal Bhairav Temple guide has the full details.

3. Mritunjay Mahadev TempleOptional

This is an optional extra darshan for those who have the time and energy before the main temples. It is not part of the fixed plan: tell us if you would like it included and we will fit it into the route.

4. Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva and the centre of Varanasi’s temple trail. The present temple was built in 1780 by Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, and it is reached today through the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, which was inaugurated in December 2021.

Phones, cameras, smartwatches and power banks are not allowed inside, so leave them at the hotel or use the lockers, and wear modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees. General darshan is free and the queue decides the time: allow roughly 1.5 to 3 hours. Mondays, the month of Shravan and Maha Shivaratri are the busiest times. Read the Kashi Vishwanath Temple guide for timings and rules.

5. Annapurna Temple

Annapurna Devi, the goddess of food and a form of Parvati, has her temple about 15 metres from Kashi Vishwanath. It was built in 1729 by the Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I. Kashi Vishwanath represents Shiva, the lord of Kashi, and Annapurna the nourishment that sustains the city, which is why the two temples are visited together.

Published hours are roughly 4:00 to 11:30 AM and 7:00 to 11:00 PM, so the temple is closed for much of the afternoon; that is why we plan the order of the temples around your arrival. Darshan is free and takes 20 to 30 minutes. See the Annapurna Temple guide.

6. Rest, or browse Vishwanath Gali

With the temples done, the afternoon is yours. Rest at the hotel, or walk through the narrow Vishwanath Gali and the Godowlia market, which are known for silk sarees, jewellery and handicrafts. Banarasi silk is the classic Varanasi buy. There is no pressure to shop: a slow walk and a cup of tea is a good way to spend the break before the evening.

7. Boat ride on the GangaAdd-on

A boat ride shows the ghats of Varanasi from the river, and it is the most comfortable way to watch the Ganga Aarti, with more room than the crowded steps. Boats leave from ghats such as Assi, Dashashwamedh, Namo and Kedar.

The boat ride is not part of the package, so you add it only if you want it. You can book it on the spot at the ghat or ask us to arrange it: use the WhatsApp button and tell us how many of you there are, and we will plan the timing so that you are on the water before the aarti begins. You can also see our Ganga boat ride booking page.

8. Evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat

The Ganga Aarti is the daily evening worship of the river, performed with lamps, chants and conch shells. The main aarti is at Dashashwamedh Ghat. It begins around dusk, at roughly 5:45–6:00 PM in winter (October to March) and 6:45–7:00 PM in summer (April to September), and lasts about 45 minutes.

Watching from the ghat steps is free and atmospheric but crowded, so arrive at least 45 minutes early to get a place on the steps. From a boat you get a wider view and more space. Tuesdays and religious festivals bring special aartis, and on Dev Diwali the ghat is far more crowded. Our Ganga Aarti guide compares all the venues.

9. Manikarnika Ghat

Manikarnika is the main cremation ghat of Varanasi, where cremation is believed to lead to moksha. It stands on the ghats near the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and the Annapurna Temple, and the most comfortable way to see it is from a boat, at a respectful distance.

This is a place of mourning. Do not photograph the cremations, and keep a respectful distance. If you would rather not see it, tell us and we will skip the stop. Allow 20 to 30 minutes. See the Manikarnika Ghat guide.

10. Dinner and street food

Varanasi’s street food is part of the trip: tamatar chaat, rabri and lassi are local favourites. Dinner is not included in the package, so you choose what and where you eat. Ask your driver or message our team if you would like suggestions.

Overnight stay in Varanasi. Your hotel category is agreed with our team when you book.

Questions about Day 1? Message our team

Day 2 in Detail: Southern temples, BHU & Sarnath

This day covers the southern part of the city and Sarnath. Be ready by 7 AM, because the temples in the south are calmest in the morning and Sarnath is kept for the afternoon. It is a full day, and the evening is left free to rest before you travel on.

1. Sunrise aarti at Assi GhatOptional

Early risers can begin the day at Assi Ghat, at the southern end of the ghats where the Assi stream meets the Ganga. Subah-e-Banaras is a free morning programme started in 2014 by the Uttar Pradesh government, and the morning aarti takes place around sunrise, at about 5:30 AM. The time moves with the season.

This stop is optional. Tell us in advance so that we plan an early pick-up, and read the Assi Ghat guide for what to expect.

2. Durga Temple, Durgakund

The Durga Temple is a red Nagara-style temple beside Durga Kund on Sankat Mochan Road, built in the 18th century by Rani Bhabani of Natore. It is also called the Monkey Temple, so keep food and small items out of the monkeys’ reach.

Published hours are roughly 4:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 to 9:00 PM. Darshan is free and about 30 minutes is enough. The temple is extremely busy during Navratri. See the Durga Temple guide.

3. Tulsi Manas Mandir

Tulsi Manas Mandir, also known as the Tulsi Birla Manas Mandir, stands in the Durgakund area right next to the Durga Temple, so it is a short walk from the previous stop. It is dedicated to Lord Rama, and inside you see statues of Ram, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman.

The temple was built on the spot where the saint Goswami Tulsidas is said to have written the Ramcharitmanas, the epic that gives it its name. Published timings are roughly 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM in winter and 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM in summer. Our Tulsi Manas Mandir page has more.

4. Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is dedicated to Hanuman as the reliever of troubles, and the founding of the temple is traditionally credited to the poet-saint Tulsidas. It stands in southern Varanasi, near Assi Ghat and Banaras Hindu University. The prasad is besan ke laddu.

Phones and cameras are not allowed inside, so use the lockers. Tuesdays and Saturdays are the busiest days. Opening hours are roughly 4:30–5:00 AM to 10:00–10:30 PM, but some sources report a mid-day closure, so we confirm on the day. Allow 30 to 45 minutes, and longer on the busiest days. See the Sankat Mochan guide.

5. BHU campus and the New Vishwanath Temple

Banaras Hindu University is one of the largest residential universities in Asia, known for its architecture and its green campus. The drive through the campus is part of the visit, and the highlight is the New Vishwanath Temple, also called the Birla Temple.

If time allows, add the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum on the campus to learn more about the history and culture of Varanasi. It may close on some holidays, so we check before we plan it in.

6. Breakfast, paan and the saree market

Breakfast at the hotel is included in the package. If you would like to eat like a local instead, kachori-sabzi and jalebi on the street is the Varanasi breakfast, followed by a Banarasi paan.

If you want to shop, this is the time to browse the local handloom and handicraft market for Banarasi sarees. Otherwise, use the break to rest before the drive to Sarnath.

7. Sarnath

Sarnath is about 10 km from the city and can be explored in half a day. It is the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon after his enlightenment, to his five disciples, and it is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world.

The main sights are the Dhamek Stupa, a massive cylindrical structure about 43 metres tall; the Chaukhandi Stupa, which marks where the Buddha met his five disciples; the Deer Park and the ruins around it; and the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar temple, known for its murals of the Buddha’s life. The Archaeological Museum holds sculptures, coins and inscriptions, some dating back to the 3rd century BCE, and there is an 80-foot Buddha statue. The museum keeps its own days and hours, so we check them before you go. Read our full Sarnath guide.

8. Dinner and rest

After a full day, return to the hotel for dinner and rest. Dinner is not included in the package, so you can eat where you like; Varanasi’s street food and local restaurants are close to most hotels. Tomorrow you travel on, so an early night helps.

Overnight stay in Varanasi.

Questions about Day 2? Message our team

Day 3 in Detail: Varanasi to Prayagraj: the Sangam and the city’s landmarks

Today you leave Varanasi for Prayagraj, about 130 km away, and spend the rest of the day at the Sangam and the landmarks around it. The stops are spread across the city, so we go in an order that keeps the driving between them short.

The Sangam is the reason most people come to Prayagraj. We plan the day around a comfortable time at the water, and we keep Khusro Bagh as a calm ending if there is time.

1. Drive from Varanasi to Prayagraj

After breakfast and check-out, you drive from Varanasi to Prayagraj, about 130 km away. The drive takes roughly 2.5 to 3 hours, so you arrive in time for a full day of sightseeing.

Prayagraj was known as Allahabad until 2018. It sits at the Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga and Yamuna meet the mythical, invisible Saraswati. Our Prayagraj travel guide has more.

2. Lete Hanuman Mandir

The Lete Hanuman Mandir is a unique temple near the Sangam, with a large reclining Hanuman idol. It is said that the idol is partly submerged each year when the Ganga rises in the monsoon.

The temple is close to the Sangam, so we visit it just before the boat ride. Darshan is a short, calm visit.

3. Triveni Sangam: boat ride and holy dipAdd-on

The Triveni Sangam is where the Ganga and Yamuna rivers meet the mythical, invisible Saraswati. It is considered one of the holiest bathing sites in Hinduism, and taking a dip here is the centrepiece of most visits to Prayagraj.

A boat ride on the Yamuna and out to the Sangam is part of the usual visit. It is not included in the package, so you add it only if you want it: book it at the ghat or ask us to arrange it with the WhatsApp button. Bring a change of clothes and a towel if you plan to bathe, and leave valuables at the hotel.

Prayagraj hosts the Kumbh Mela on a rotating cycle, including the Maha Kumbh of 2025, and the smaller Magh Mela every January or February. At those times the Sangam is far more crowded and the plan changes, so message us if your dates line up with one.

4. Anand Bhavan

Anand Bhavan is the Nehru family’s ancestral home, and it is now a museum on India’s independence movement. It is a good stop for anyone interested in the freedom struggle.

Museums keep their own days and hours, so we check them for your date before we plan the visit.

5. Allahabad Fort

Allahabad Fort was built by Akbar in 1583 near the Sangam. Much of the fort is under military use today, so public access is limited; the parts open to visitors include the Ashoka Pillar, the Saraswati Koop and the Patalpuri Temple.

The fort complex also holds the Akshaya Vat, a sacred, centuries-old banyan tree believed to be indestructible. Which parts are open can change, so we confirm what you can see on your date.

6. Khusro BaghOptional

Khusro Bagh is a walled Mughal-era garden with the tombs of Prince Khusrau and his mother. It is a calm place for a stroll at the end of a full day, and we include it if time allows.

7. Check in and rest in Prayagraj

Your driver takes you to your hotel in Prayagraj, where you stay the night. Dinner is not included, so you can eat where you like; ask us or your driver for suggestions.

Overnight stay in Prayagraj. Your hotel category is agreed with our team when you book.

Questions about Day 3? Message our team

Day 4 in Detail: Prayagraj to Ayodhya: Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan & the Saryu

You leave Prayagraj after breakfast and reach Ayodhya around the middle of the day. The afternoon is for Hanuman Garhi and Kanak Bhawan, and the evening for the ghats of the Saryu. The Ram Mandir itself is kept for the next morning, so that you can go early and without rushing.

1. Drive from Prayagraj to Ayodhya

After breakfast and check-out, you drive from Prayagraj to Ayodhya. Allow roughly four hours on the road, and more if the traffic is heavy. We leave early so that you reach Ayodhya before the afternoon.

Prayagraj, Ayodhya and Varanasi are commonly combined on one trip, and the drive links two of the most important places on the Rama pilgrimage circuit.

2. Arrive in Ayodhya and check in

Ayodhya sits on the banks of the Saryu river and is revered as the birthplace of Lord Rama, one of Hinduism’s seven most sacred cities. Your driver takes you to your hotel, where you check in, freshen up and rest. The hotel category is agreed with our team when you book.

3. Hanuman Garhi

Hanuman Garhi is a hilltop temple to Hanuman, and by tradition it is visited before the Ram Mandir. You climb a flight of steps to reach it, so wear comfortable footwear. The hilltop position gives a wide view over the city.

Tuesdays and Saturdays, Hanuman’s days, are usually busier. Keep your belongings light and follow the temple’s instructions about phones and bags.

4. Kanak Bhawan

Kanak Bhawan is dedicated to Lord Rama and Sita, and it is believed to have been gifted to Sita by Kaikeyi. It is known for its richly adorned Ram–Sita idols, its architecture and its peaceful atmosphere.

Temple hours change through the year, so we sequence the visit around the timings on your date.

5. Dasharath MahalOptional

Dasharath Mahal is traditionally associated with King Dasharatha, Rama’s father, and it is an optional extra on the Ayodhya circuit. Tell us if you would like it included and we will fit it in if time allows.

6. Ram ki Paidi and the Saryu aarti

Ram ki Paidi is a series of bathing ghats on the Saryu, popular for the evening aarti. The Saryu riverfront runs through the city and is a peaceful place for an evening walk.

The aarti follows sunset, so its time changes with the season. We plan the day so that you are at the river in good time, and we confirm the timing for your date.

Overnight stay in Ayodhya. Your hotel category is agreed with our team when you book.

Questions about Day 4? Message our team

Day 5 in Detail: Ram Mandir darshan, then the drive to Bodh Gaya

The morning is for the Ram Mandir. After the darshan you set out for Bodh Gaya, which is the longest drive of the tour, so the rest of the day is on the road. You reach Bodh Gaya in the evening, and the sightseeing is kept for the next day.

1. Ram Janmabhoomi Temple (Ram Mandir)

The Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, the Ram Mandir, stands at the site revered as the birthplace of Lord Rama, and it was consecrated in January 2024. It is the centrepiece of any Ayodhya visit, and pilgrims come from across India.

Security is strict. Mobile phones, bags and similar items are generally not allowed inside, so travel light and wear modest clothing and easy footwear. Entry arrangements, such as darshan slots and passes, are set by the temple trust and change, so we check the current rules for your date before you travel. Expect queues and a fair amount of walking. Our Ayodhya travel guide has more.

2. Drive from Ayodhya to Bodh Gaya

After the Ram Mandir darshan and check-out, you drive to Bodh Gaya. This is the longest drive of the tour, so plan for the rest of the day in the vehicle, with a meal and rest stops on the way. You reach Bodh Gaya in the evening, and the day is given to the journey and a night’s rest.

Bodh Gaya is in the Indian state of Bihar, about 250 km from Varanasi. The next day is given to the Mahabodhi Temple and the monasteries.

3. Arrive in Bodh Gaya and check in

Your driver takes you to your hotel in Bodh Gaya, where you check in, freshen up and rest. The hotel category is agreed with our team when you book.

Overnight stay in Bodh Gaya. Your hotel category is agreed with our team when you book.

Questions about Day 5? Message our team

Day 6 in Detail: Bodh Gaya: Mahabodhi Temple, the Great Buddha and the monasteries

Today is given to Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment. We begin at the Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi Tree, then the Great Buddha Statue and the monasteries built by different Buddhist countries, and the museum if you would like it. Your drop at Gaya is planned around your departure.

1. Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree and Vajrasana

Bodh Gaya is where Gautama Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi Tree, which makes it one of Buddhism’s four most important pilgrimage sites, alongside Lumbini, Sarnath and Kushinagar.

At its centre is the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built around a descendant of the original Bodhi Tree. The Vajrasana, the “Diamond Throne”, marks the exact spot of the enlightenment. Modest clothing and a quiet manner are appropriate, and the rules on phones and cameras inside the complex can change, so we check them for your date.

2. Great Buddha Statue

The Great Buddha Statue is an 80-foot statue of the Buddha in meditation posture, consecrated by the Dalai Lama in 1989, and it is surrounded by smaller statues. It is one of the landmarks of Bodh Gaya and a quiet place to spend some time.

3. Thai, Japanese, Tibetan and Chinese temples

Around the Mahabodhi Temple, several countries have built their own monasteries and temples in their native architectural styles. The Thai Monastery is a golden-roofed temple in traditional Thai style. The Japanese temple, Indosan Nippon-ji, is a serene Japanese-style temple. The Tibetan Monastery is home to a large prayer wheel and vividly painted murals. There is also a Chinese temple with a tranquil prayer hall.

Each keeps its own hours, so we visit those that are open on your date. Dress modestly, and remove your footwear where you are asked to.

4. Archaeological MuseumOptional

The Archaeological Museum houses ancient sculptures and artefacts recovered from the Bodh Gaya region, and it is worth a visit if you are interested in the history of the site. Museums keep their own days and hours, so we check them for your date.

5. Drop at Gaya Airport or Gaya Junction

We take you to Gaya Airport or Gaya Junction railway station, with time in hand, and the tour ends there. If you would rather return to Varanasi by road, tell us in advance so that we plan the drive and the timing of the day.

Tour ends with your drop at Gaya Airport or Gaya Junction.

Questions about Day 6? Message our team

Good to Know Before You Go

• Phones and cameras are not allowed inside Kashi Vishwanath and Sankat Mochan. Travel light and use the lockers.
• Dress modestly for the temples, with shoulders and knees covered, and wear footwear that is easy to take off.
• The old-city lanes are walked on foot. Vehicles stop outside the pedestrian zone, so the last stretch to Kal Bhairav, Annapurna and Kashi Vishwanath is walking.
• Arrive early for the Ganga Aarti — at least 45 minutes before the start — if you want a place on the ghat steps.
• Do not photograph cremations at Manikarnika Ghat.
• The Ram Mandir has strict security. Phones, bags and similar items are generally not allowed inside, and entry arrangements are set by the temple trust, so we check the current rules for your date.
• Hanuman Garhi is reached up a flight of steps. Wear comfortable footwear, and tell us if anyone finds steps difficult.
• At the Sangam, the boat ride out to the confluence is an add-on. Bring a change of clothes and a towel if you plan to bathe.
• Allahabad Fort has limited public access, because much of it is under military use. We confirm what is open on your date.
• The monasteries of Bodh Gaya keep their own hours. Dress modestly and remove your footwear where you are asked to.
• Long drives: carry water and a snack, and tell us if anyone in your group gets travel-sick. We plan meal and rest stops on the way.
• Meals: breakfast at the hotel is included; other meals are not, and you can choose freely.
• Timings in this itinerary come from published visitor guides and change on festival days, so we confirm them for your dates.
• Tell us your arrival and departure times when you message us, so that we can set the order of the stops for you.
• Day 5 is a long drive. You reach Bodh Gaya in the evening, and the sightseeing is kept for Day 6.