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PROPOSED ITINERARY

Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot and Gaya 7 nights, 8 days.

Varanasi, Prayagraj and Chitrakoot, back through Varanasi to Gaya, with a visit to Bodh Gaya

This extended pilgrimage joins four places that families often hope to visit together. It begins in Varanasi with the evening aarti seen from the river, darshan at Kashi Vishwanath and an afternoon at Sarnath, then runs west to bathe at the Sangam in Prayagraj and on to Chitrakoot for Ram Ghat and Kamadgiri. After a night back in Varanasi the journey ends at Gaya, where Pind Daan at the Vishnupad Temple is individually planned with a priest and the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya is a short drive away.

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Boats on the Ganges in morning mist, Varanasi
Boats on the Ganges in morning mist, Varanasi
WHERE YOU STAY
  1. 2NVaranasi
  2. 1NPrayagraj
  3. 1NChitrakoot
  4. 1NVaranasi
  5. 2NGaya or Bodh Gaya
AT A GLANCE

Who it suits, and how it moves.

Families combining the sacred rivers of Kashi, the Sangam and the forest places of the Ramayana with ancestral rites at Gaya, who are comfortable with several road days.

Proposed duration
7 nights · 8 days. 7N/8D, starting in Varanasi and ending at Gaya. The last day can end in Varanasi instead, with a drive or train back from Gaya.
Travel style
Private journey by road with four bases, a rites day planned with a priest, and rest kept between the long drives.
Arrive
Varanasi: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport at Babatpur, or Varanasi Junction railway station.
Depart
Gaya Airport or Gaya Junction railway station; or Varanasi airport or station, about five to six hours back by road.

Gaya's scheduled flights are limited, and many guests leave by train or fly from Patna, about three to four hours by road. During Pitru Paksha, usually in September or October, Gaya is extremely crowded and rites must be booked well ahead. Magh Mela in January and February crowds Prayagraj, and winter fog can delay flights and trains.

DAY BY DAY

The days, with time to breathe.

A proposed programme with its travel and rest built in. We adjust the order to your arrival, the season and your pace.

Day 1Varanasi ArrivalOvernight in Varanasi
Colourful boats and temples on the ghats of Varanasi
  1. On arrivalArrival
    Pick-up and check-in

    Your driver meets you at the airport or railway station, with an arrival host in Premium and Luxury.

  2. AfternoonRest
    Rest

    Time to settle in before the evening.

  3. EveningExperience
    Boat ride and Ganga aarti

    A boat along the ghats at dusk, then the aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat watched from the water: a shared boat in Standard, a private boat in Premium and Evening on the Ganges in Luxury. Boats run only when river levels and local administration allow.

Overnight · Varanasi

Day 2Varanasi Temples & SarnathOvernight in Varanasi
The golden spire of Kashi Vishwanath seen through a carved arch
  1. Early morningVisit
    Kashi Vishwanath darshan

    A planned visit through the temple corridor before the crowds build. Phones and bags are deposited before security. In Luxury, darshan is booked through the temple's official Sugam darshan or protocol arrangements where they are available.

  2. Late morningRest
    Breakfast and rest

    Back to the hotel.

  3. AfternoonOn the road
    Drive to Sarnath

    About 10 km, usually 30 to 45 minutes.

  4. AfternoonVisit
    Sarnath excursion

    The deer park where the Buddha gave his first teaching: the Dhamek Stupa, the excavated monasteries and the Sarnath Museum, which is closed on Fridays. Premium and Luxury include a specialist guide.

Overnight · Varanasi

Day 3Varanasi to PrayagrajOvernight in Prayagraj
Crowds at the Mahakumbh Festival, Prayagraj
  1. After breakfastOn the road
    Varanasi to Prayagraj

    About 120 km, generally three hours by car.

  2. AfternoonExperience
    Snan at the Sangam

    A boat out to the Triveni Sangam, the meeting of the Ganga and Yamuna, for a holy dip from the boat platform, with a priest for the sankalp: a shared boat in Standard, private in Premium and Luxury. River conditions permitting.

  3. Late afternoonVisit
    Bade Hanuman Temple

    The temple of the reclining Hanuman near the fort, close to the Sangam.

Overnight · Prayagraj

Day 4Prayagraj to ChitrakootOvernight in Chitrakoot
Boats along the riverbank at Chitrakoot
  1. After breakfastOn the road
    Prayagraj to Chitrakoot

    About 125 km, generally three hours by car.

  2. AfternoonVisit
    Kamadgiri

    The parikrama of about five kilometres around Kamadgiri hill, past small temples, walked in full or in part.

  3. EveningVisit
    Ram Ghat

    The evening aarti on the Mandakini at Ram Ghat.

Overnight · Chitrakoot

Day 5Chitrakoot to VaranasiOvernight in Varanasi
A white Toyota Innova Crysta, the kind of car used for private transfers
  1. After breakfastOn the road
    Return drive to Varanasi

    About 270 km, generally six to seven hours with a lunch stop.

  2. EveningFree time
    A free evening

    Nothing is planned.

Overnight · Varanasi

Day 6Varanasi to GayaOvernight in Gaya
The Falgu riverbed and ghats at Gaya
  1. After breakfastOn the road
    Varanasi to Gaya

    About 250 km by road, generally six to seven hours with a lunch stop, or by train where timings suit.

  2. AfternoonArrival
    Check in at Gaya or Bodh Gaya

    Bodh Gaya, about 15 km from Gaya, often has the wider choice of hotels.

  3. EveningRest
    Preparation for the rites

    The priest or your coordinator explains tomorrow's rites, timings and what your family needs to bring.

Overnight · Gaya

Day 7Gaya Ancestral Rites & Bodh GayaOvernight in Gaya or Bodh Gaya
The stone shikhara and dome of the Vishnupad Temple, Gaya
  1. Morning to early afternoonExperience
    Pind Daan at the Vishnupad Temple

    Rites at the Vishnupad Temple and, where your family's tradition asks for them, at the Falgu riverbank and Akshayavat. The exact rites and number of altars are agreed with the priest in advance.

  2. AfternoonRest
    Rest

    A quiet hour after the rites.

  3. Late afternoonVisit
    Mahabodhi Temple

    A short drive to Bodh Gaya for the Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi Tree. Phones are left at the deposit counter near the entrance.

Overnight · Gaya or Bodh Gaya

Day 8DepartureDeparture day
The facade of Varanasi Junction railway station
  1. As your ticket requiresDeparture
    Transfer for departure

    To Gaya Airport or Gaya Junction, or the drive back to Varanasi airport or station, about five to six hours, planned into the day and shown in your quotation.

Overnight · Departure

BEFORE YOU DECIDE

Walking, early starts and the season.

Walking and steps

The rites day involves standing and sitting on the ground for much of the morning. Varanasi ghats have many steps, and the Kamadgiri parikrama is about five kilometres, walked in full or in part.

Early starts

Early starts for Kashi Vishwanath on Day 2 and the rites on Day 7.

Boats and boarding

The boats in Varanasi and Prayagraj need ghat steps and a step down. Boats run only when river levels and local administration allow.

Mobility

Two long road days, Days 5 and 6, and two shorter ones on Days 3 and 4. Mobility needs are assessed for each site before quoting; the rites can be adapted for elderly relatives.

Season

October to March is most comfortable. Pitru Paksha crowds Gaya; Magh Mela in January and February crowds Prayagraj; summer is very hot.

CHOOSE YOUR COMFORT

Standard, Premium or Luxury.

The same journey at three levels of comfort and support. The quotation names the actual hotels, vehicle and inclusions before you pay anything.

Level 2 of 3

Premium

Better stays and more help: private boats, escorted darshan, a stronger car.

  • 4-star hotels where available↑ Upgrade from Standard
  • Air-conditioned Innova Crysta↑ Upgrade from Standard
  • Rites with a verified purohit at the Sangam and Gaya↑ Upgrade from Standard
  • Private boats at Varanasi and the Sangam↑ Upgrade from Standard
Everything included in Premium · 11
Get a quote
Level 3 of 3

Luxury

The finest stays, a luxury car and every special session handled for you.

  • 5-star and top heritage properties where available↑ Upgrade from Premium
  • Luxury chauffeur-driven SUV↑ Upgrade from Premium
  • Private officiant for the rites, VIP darshan where allowed↑ Upgrade from Premium
  • Private boats at Varanasi and the Sangam
  • Butler-style personal host throughout+ New, not in Premium
Everything included in Luxury · 15
Get a quote

Every level: a named coordinator on phone and WhatsApp, and one complete quotation before any payment.

Compare every detail, row by row
StandardPremiumLuxury
HotelsSelected 3-star hotels in Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot and Gaya or Bodh Gaya, subject to availability and named in your quotation.Selected 4-star hotels where available; Chitrakoot and Gaya have limited choice, so the best suitable option there is named and described in your quotation. Subject to availability.5-star and top heritage properties where the town has them, and the best available premium property elsewhere, including Chitrakoot. Subject to availability; the actual property and room at each stop are named in your quotation.
VehiclePrivate air-conditioned sedan for the whole journey, or a Tempo Traveller for larger groups, subject to availability and named in your quotation.Air-conditioned Toyota Innova Crysta, or an equivalent MPV, subject to availability and named in your quotation.A luxury SUV such as a Toyota Fortuner, or a suitable alternative, used only by your party, subject to availability and named in your quotation.
MealsBreakfast on all seven hotel nights.Breakfast daily.Breakfast daily and lunches on the road days; other meals reserved but not included.
BoatA shared boat for the aarti in Varanasi on Day 1 and a shared boat to the Sangam on Day 3, river conditions permitting.Private boats for the aarti in Varanasi on Day 1 and to the Sangam on Day 3.Evening on the Ganges on Day 1, with the aarti watched from a private boat, and the most suitable private boat to the Sangam on Day 3.
DarshanPlanned visits with clearly stated arrangements at Kashi Vishwanath and the main temples. No priority entry.Accompanied darshan assistance at Kashi Vishwanath on Day 2. No priority entry.Kashi Vishwanath darshan booked through the temple's official Sugam darshan or protocol arrangements, where they are available, with dedicated coordination and accompaniment within each temple's rules.
AssistanceA named remote coordinator. No accompanying host.Remote coordinator, an arrival host and a travel host on Days 2, 3, 4 and 7.Dedicated travel concierge and a butler-style personal host from Day 1 to Day 8, for the hours agreed in your quotation.
GuidingNo sightseeing guide unless added. The priests at the Sangam and at Gaya conduct the rites and are not guides.A specialist guide at Sarnath on Day 2; other visits are accompanied by your host. The purohits conduct the rites and are not guides.A specialist guide at Sarnath on Day 2; other visits are accompanied by your host. Your ritual officiant conducts the rites and is not a guide.
AdmissionsTemple entry is generally free, and Sarnath site entry is included. Priest dakshina, materials and offerings are stated in your quotation.Temple entry is generally free, and Sarnath site and museum entry is included. Purohit dakshina and materials are stated in your quotation.Temple entry is generally free, and Sarnath site and museum entry is included. The officiant's dakshina and materials are stated in your quotation.
PhotographyOptional: a professional photographer can be added on request.Optional: a professional photographer can be added on request.One professional session of about two hours in Varanasi where photography is permitted; never during the rites unless your family asks.
SecurityOn request, arranged and quoted separately.On request, arranged and quoted separately.Included when you request it, it applies to your route and it is expressly accepted in your final quotation, through a confirmed professional provider. It never means queue-clearing or access privileges.
Everything Premium includes, day by day
More services you can add to Premium · 19

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ADD TO THIS JOURNEY

Add them to My Journey. If something is already part of your tier it shows as included, and nothing is charged twice.

Marigold garlands at a flower market in BengaluruWalks

Varanasi old city, lanes and shrines near the Kashi Vishwanath Dham

Sacred Kashi Walk

A guided walk through the lanes and shrines of old Kashi, explaining the beliefs, rituals and etiquette behind them, and where darshan begins and this walk ends.

Boats lined up along the Ganges, VaranasiOn the river

Varanasi, the Ganga between the southern ghats and Dashashwamedh

The River Wakes

A guided sunrise boat experience

A guided sunrise boat on the Ganga, with the boat, guide, timing, capacity and boarding ghat stated in advance, as the ghats of Varanasi come to life.

A lamp ritual by night on the ghats of VaranasiSacred & ritual

Varanasi, on an agreed ghat

Ganga Puja Experience

A hosted puja to the Ganga on the ghats of Varanasi, with a priest, materials and scope defined in advance and each stage explained as it happens.

An older couple on a boat at Varanasi

Family, senior & accessible travel · Quoted for your journey

Senior travel companion

A companion for older guests who sets a comfortable pace, helps with steps and crowds, and keeps family informed with consent, within a defined non-medical scope.

A wheelchair-accessible ramp beside a heritage building in India

Family, senior & accessible travel · Quoted for your journey

Wheelchair and mobility assistance

Wheelchairs, walking aids and assistants requested separately, with each part of your route assessed for steps, ramps and boarding before anything is confirmed.

A Vande Bharat express at Varanasi Junction

Stays, tickets & insurance · Quoted for your journey

Flight and train booking assistance

Help finding and booking flights and trains that fit your journey, with fares and terms shown separately and nothing treated as confirmed until tickets are issued.

GOOD TO KNOW

Questions, answered.

Does this journey include Bodh Gaya?

Yes: a visit to the Mahabodhi Temple on the afternoon of Day 7, after the rites at Gaya. Gaya and Bodh Gaya are separate places about 15 km apart, and you may stay at either.

Who arranges the priest at Gaya?

We arrange a priest in advance and agree the rites, timing, dakshina and materials with your family before the quotation is final.

Why does the route return to Varanasi?

Chitrakoot and Gaya are far apart, and Varanasi lies between them. A night there on Day 5 breaks the long drive, so your family reaches Gaya rested for the rites.

Availability and cancellation. Hotels, vehicles, boats, guides and temple arrangements are confirmed when we prepare your quotation, and they depend on dates, weather, river levels and the rules of each site. Cancellation terms follow the suppliers in your journey and are set out in the quotation. Booking terms

This is a request for a personalised quotation, not a booking. No payment is required to send your preferences.

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