Day 01: Varanasi Arrival/Experience of Ganga Aarti
Arrive in a city that embodies centuries of tradition and culture, Varanasi. You will be met at either the airport or railway station upon your arrival and taken to your hotel, where you may check in and freshen up.
In the evening, you will make your way to Dashashwamedh Ghat, where you will participate in one of the most famous ceremonies of India — the Ganga Aarti ceremony along the banks of the Ganges River. This ceremony involves many priests conducting a ritual that requires synchronizing their efforts using candles, incense, and recited prayers, resulting in an inspiring spiritual setting on the banks of the river.
An optional way to experience this ceremony from a different view is through a paddle boat while the ceremony occurs (at your expense).
At the end of this wonderful experience, you will be taken back to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Aarti Timings (Approximate):
Winter Months: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Summer Months: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Day 02: Temple Tour, Sunrise Boat Ride & Sarnath
Start your adventure early this morning with a wonderful boat ride along the Ganges river as you watch the beauty of the sunrise over the city and participate in observing people offering their prayers while taking in the peaceful retreat of the city’s rhythm of life along the ghats.
The sunset boat ride will also provide you with the opportunity to see some of the more famous ghats along your journey such as Manikarnika Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, and Assi Ghat. (Boat rides are optional and at your expense)
After breakfast is completed, continue on with your full day experience by beginning with visiting many of Varanasi’s temples, including Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Annapurna Temple, Bharat Mata Temple, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple and Tulsi Manas Mandir as well as exploring the large Banaras Hindu University campus.
Next, you will drive to Sarnath (the exact location within Deer Park where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon) where you will be able to visit several places of interest such as Dhamek Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa and the Archaeological Museum.
Dinner & overnight stay will be back in Varanasi.
Day 03: Varanasi – Vindhyachal – Allahabad Journey
Varanasi to Vindhyachal to Allahabad via road. After finishing breakfast your driver will take you to Vindhyachal which is a well-known pilgrimage site. Your first stop will be at the Vindhyavasini Devi Temple, a temple dedicated to the goddess Durga, who is said to have appeared here after slaying Mahishasura.
Next on your journey, you will visit the Sita Kund and Ashtabhuja Devi Temples, then continue on to the Gangeshwar Nath Temple and Durga Cave Temple.
Your journey will continue on to Prayagraj (formerly known as Allahabad) where you check into your hotel for an overnight stay. You will enjoy an evening meal before retiring for the night.
Day 4: Sightseeing in Prayagraj and Back to Varanasi
To begin your day, take a holy dip at Triveni Sangam (the place where Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical river Saraswati all join). While doing this, you can participate in rituals as well as witness how important it is to the people who believe in and use it for all of their religious ceremonies.
You will next visit other places of interest in Prayagraj. These include the reclining Hanuman Temple, Chandrashekhar Azad Park, and Anand Bhawan (Jawaharlal Nehru’s former residence). You will also visit Swaraj Bhawan, the birthplace of Indira Gandhi.
After an evening in Prayagraj, return to Varanasi for dinner and a night’s rest at your hotel.
Day 5: Departing Varanasi (Post Breakfast)
After you’ve finished breakfast, check out from the hotel then make your way to either the airport or railway station for your onward journey as you depart with an abundance of magnificent experiences and beautiful memories from this sacred tour.
