Overview
Tour overview
This 7 day tour takes you along one holy line across Uttar Pradesh. You start in Lucknow, the old Nawabi city of the Imambaras and the famous bhul-bhulaiya maze. You then drive to Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama on the bank of the Saryu river. Next you reach Prayagraj, where the Ganga, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati meet at the Sangam. You finish in Varanasi, the city of Lord Shiva, with its Kashi Vishwanath temple and the evening Ganga aarti. Sarnath, where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon, sits close by. You travel east the whole way, so you never cover the same road twice. This tour suits families, senior pilgrims and NRI travellers who want a calm and well planned yatra. Every fee and timing here is marked with about, and you should reconfirm each one before you travel.
What this tour is
This is a 7 day tour across one state, Uttar Pradesh. You travel east in one straight line. You start in Lucknow and end in Varanasi. This way you never cover the same road twice. Lucknow to Ayodhya is about 125 km. Ayodhya to Prayagraj is about 177 km. Prayagraj to Varanasi is about 121 km. Sarnath sits about 11 km from Varanasi. Please reconfirm each road distance and time before you set out.
Lucknow the Nawabi city
Lucknow is your first stop, the old capital of Awadh. You visit Bara Imambara, built in 1784. Its arched hall has no beams, and the bhul-bhulaiya maze sits above it. You should enter the maze only with an official guide, for your own safety. Budget about INR 300 for the guide per group, and reconfirm the set fee at the gate. Entry to Bara Imambara is about INR 25 for Indians and about INR 300 for foreign visitors. The same ticket covers Chota Imambara too. The monument stays closed on Monday and opens about 6 am to 5 pm. You also see the Rumi Darwaza and the Husainabad Clock Tower, said to be the tallest in India. The next day you visit the Lucknow Residency, the site of the 1857 first war of independence. You can shop for chikan embroidery at Aminabad and Hazratganj.
Ayodhya and Lord Rama
Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Rama, on the bank of the Saryu river. It is one of the seven holy Saptapuri cities. You visit Ramkot, the Nageshwarnath temple and Treta ke Thakur. You see Kanak Bhawan and climb the 76 steps to Hanuman Garhi. You also visit Swarg Dwar. Most sites open from dawn to dusk. You may also visit the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, consecrated in January 2024. Darshan there is free. Book only on the official portal, online.srjbtkshetra.org, and treat any paid darshan offer as a scam. Slots open about 15 days ahead and fill fast. Please reconfirm all darshan rules and timings before you travel.
Prayagraj and the Triveni Sangam
Prayagraj is also called Allahabad. Its heart is the Sangam, where the Ganga, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati meet. This is the site of the great Kumbh Mela. The boat ride out to the meeting point is the main thing to do. It is also the most overcharged ride in the city. Fix the price and the number of people before you step in. Decide too whether you want any puja, so a boatman cannot surprise you on the water. Remember that 2026 and 2027 are Magh Mela years, not Kumbh years. The last full Maha Kumbh came in early 2025, so please reconfirm the mela calendar. You also visit the Allahabad Fort, which needs army permission, and Anand Bhavan, closed on Monday.
Varanasi Kashi Vishwanath and the Ganga
Varanasi is the city of Lord Shiva, also called Kashi and Banaras. The Kashi Vishwanath temple holds one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva. The new Vishwanath Dham corridor, opened in December 2021, links it to the river. General darshan is free. A faster Sugam Darshan ticket is about INR 250 to 300 per person. The pre dawn Mangala aarti near 3 am needs a separate ticket, about INR 500. You book these on the official portal, shrikashivishwanath.org. In practice the temple admits foreign and non Hindu visitors through a set gate. The temple may ask foreign visitors to wear traditional Indian dress. You cannot carry phones or cameras inside, and free cloakrooms sit at the gates. Please reconfirm the current rules before you go.
The Ganga and Sarnath
The Ganga is the soul of Varanasi. Your early morning boat ride is the gentlest way to see the ghats. A small boat for two to four people costs about INR 250 to 300, so fix the price on the bank first. In the evening you watch the Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. At Manikarnika, the open cremation ground, please watch in silence and take no photos. Some people there ask for a wood donation, which is a long running scam, so ignore it. Sarnath sits about 11 km away, where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. You see the Deer Park, the Buddhist monuments and the Archaeological Museum. The museum stays closed on Friday, so plan around that day. Its ticket is about INR 5, and the Dhamek Stupa site costs about INR 25 for Indians and about INR 300 for foreign visitors.
The best time to travel
October to March is the calm and cool window on this route. April to June turns very hot on the plains. The monsoon from July to September can raise the rivers and stop the Varanasi boats. The great festivals are grand but bring huge crowds and high prices. These are Ram Navami and the Deepotsav in Ayodhya, the Magh Mela at the Sangam, and Dev Deepawali on the Varanasi ghats. Please plan those dates far ahead, or pick a quiet winter week for your yatra.
For seniors families and NRI travellers
This tour suits older pilgrims and family groups well. Book the free darshan slots early to cut down your waiting time. Take the steps at Hanuman Garhi and the ghats slowly. A private car for the whole loop keeps your parents in comfort. Lucknow has direct flights from the Gulf, from Dubai, Muscat, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. So many NRI travellers start the tour there and fly out of Varanasi. Foreign visitors book the temple passes with a passport. An OCI card often gets the Indian rate at monuments, so carry the physical card and reconfirm at the counter.
Tour highlights
Destinations covered
Best Time
N/A
Ideal For
N/A
Route & distances
Your journey, stop by stop
Accurate distances and travel times for every leg: 452 km by road. Road times include a traffic buffer; distances marked “aerial” are straight-line for flight, helicopter, ropeway and water legs.
- 1Lucknow
- 2Ayodhya139 km · ~2h 40m
- 3Prayagraj168 km · ~3h 40m
- 4Varanasi127 km · ~2h 10m est.
- 5Sarnath9 km · ~25m
- 6Varanasi9 km · ~25m
| # | Leg | Mode | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucknow → Ayodhya | By road | 139 km | ~2h 40m |
| 2 | Ayodhya → Prayagraj | By road | 168 km | ~3h 40m |
| 3 | Prayagraj → Varanasi | By road | 127 km | ~2h 10mest. |
| 4 | Varanasi → Sarnath | By road | 9 km | ~25m |
| 5 | Sarnath → Varanasi | By road | 9 km | ~25m |
Day by day
Day-by-day itinerary
A carefully paced plan, day by day. Tap any day for the stay, meals and altitude detail.
You arrive at Lucknow airport today. Your driver meets you and takes you to your hotel. After you settle in, you start your Lucknow sightseeing. You visit Bara Imambara, the great hall built in 1784. Its arched central hall stands with no beams to hold the roof. Above it sits the famous bhul-bhulaiya, a maze of narrow passages. Entry is about INR 25 for Indian visitors and about INR 300 for foreign visitors. The same ticket also covers Chota Imambara. Bara Imambara stays closed on Monday, and opens about 6 am to 5 pm. Please reconfirm the fee and timing before you go. You then see the Rumi Darwaza, the tall Nawabi gateway close by. You also see the Husainabad Clock Tower, said to be the tallest in India. In the evening you may shop for chikan embroidery at Aminabad and Hazratganj. You stay overnight in Lucknow.
You spend more time in Lucknow today. You visit the Lucknow Residency in the morning. This is the site of the 1857 first war of independence. Entry is about INR 5 for Indian visitors and about INR 100 for foreign visitors. It opens about 7 am to 5 pm, so please reconfirm before you go. You then take a heritage drive through the old city. You pass La Martiniere College, the Cathedral and the University of Lucknow. In the evening you enjoy the famous Awadhi and Mughlai food. You can try tikka, kebab, chaat and kachauri. You can end with sweets like halwa, kulfi and imarti. You stay overnight in Lucknow again.
You drive from Lucknow to Ayodhya today, about 125 km. Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Rama. It is one of the seven holy Saptapuri cities. It sits on the bank of the Saryu river. You visit Ramkot, the old fort area of the town. You see the Nageshwarnath temple and Treta ke Thakur. You visit Kanak Bhawan, the gilded temple of Lord Rama and Sita. You climb the steps to Hanuman Garhi, about 76 of them, so take them slowly. You also visit Swarg Dwar. Most of these sites open from dawn to dusk. You may also see the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, consecrated in January 2024. Darshan there is free. You should book only on the official portal, online.srjbtkshetra.org. Slots open about 15 days ahead and fill fast, so book early. You cannot carry phones or large bags inside, and a free locker sits at the entry. Please reconfirm all darshan rules before you travel. You stay overnight in Ayodhya or Faizabad.
You drive from Ayodhya to Prayagraj today, about 177 km. Prayagraj is also called Allahabad. You visit the Allahabad Fort, which Akbar built long ago. The army holds much of it, so you need army permission to enter. It opens about 7 am to 6 pm, and entry is by donation. You then visit Anand Bhavan, the old Nehru family house. It opens about 9:30 am to 5 pm and stays closed on Monday. You may watch a sky show at the Jawahar Planetarium, about INR 40. You walk through Chandrashekhar Azad Park nearby. You also see the Allahabad Museum, about INR 5, open about 10 am to 5 pm. In the evening you reach the Sangam. This is the holy meeting of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. It is the site of the great Kumbh Mela. Please reconfirm every fee and timing before you go. You stay overnight in Allahabad.
You drive from Allahabad to Varanasi today, about 121 km. Varanasi is also called Kashi and Banaras. You visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The temple may ask foreign visitors to wear traditional Indian dress here. You then walk along the old ghats by the Ganga. You see Manikarnika Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat and Assi Ghat. In the evening you watch the Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. A row of young priests offer lamps to the river at dusk. Please reconfirm the temple rules before you go. You stay overnight in Varanasi.
You start early today with a boat ride on the Ganga. A small boat for two to four people costs about INR 250 to 300. You watch the ghats wake up in the soft morning light. You then drive to Sarnath, about 11 km away. Here Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. You visit the Deer Park and the old Buddhist monuments. You also see the Archaeological Museum. Back in Varanasi, as time allows, you may see more of the city. You can visit the Banaras Hindu University campus. You can see the Durga Temple and the Kaal Bhairav Temple. You may also drive out to Chunar Fort. You can shop for Banaras silk sarees if you wish. Please fix any boat or shopping price before you agree. You stay overnight in Varanasi.
You reach the end of your tour today. Your driver takes you to the Varanasi airport or the railway station. You say goodbye to Kashi and carry your memories home. We wish you a safe journey back. Your yatra ends here.
Temples on the way
Sacred temples you can visit
On this journey you come close to 3 holy temples of India, from the Jyotirlinga, Shakti Peetha circuits. Below you can see each temple and how far it is from where you stay, so you can plan your darshan with a calm mind and enough time.
Where you stay
Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga
Jyotirlinga · Shiva · Uttar Pradesh
While you stay at Varanasi, you can have darshan at Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga.
Vishalakshi Shakti Peetha
Shakti Peetha · Shakti · Uttar Pradesh
While you stay at Varanasi, you can have darshan at Vishalakshi Shakti Peetha.
An easy day trip from your stay
Vindhyavasini Shakti Peetha
Shakti Peetha · Shakti · Uttar Pradesh
Vindhyavasini Shakti Peetha is an easy day trip from your stay at Varanasi (about 54 km).
Travel tips
Lucknow, Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Varanasi: the honest guide to the great Uttar Pradesh yatra
This is your caring, day-by-day guide to the Lucknow, Ayodhya, Allahabad and Varanasi circuit. It shows you how to book your free Ram Mandir darshan and skip the fake sites. It tells you what a Sangam boat should really cost. It shows you which day the Imambaras and the Sarnath museum close. And it helps you keep your parents comfortable through the darshan queues. We check everything here. Where a fee or a timing can change, we tell you plainly and ask you to reconfirm.
The shrines
Swipe →How to plan the Lucknow, Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Varanasi loop
This is a 7 day circuit across Uttar Pradesh. The smart way is a straight line, not a back and forth. You start in Lucknow and travel east, city by city. This way you never cover the same road twice.
Reaching the loop and moving between the cities
Uttar Pradesh has good trains and several airports on this route. So you can fly into one end and out of the other. For families and returning NRI travellers, the direct flights make this an easy trip to reach.
Ram Mandir darshan done right, and the wider Ayodhya
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir was consecrated in January 2024. It is the reason most families make this trip. The single most important thing to know is that darshan is completely free. Anyone charging you for it is running a scam. Beyond the main temple, a calm one to two days lets you see the older heart of the town too.
The Triveni Sangam, and Prayagraj beyond it
The Triveni Sangam is the confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. The boat ride out to the meeting point is the heart of a Prayagraj visit. It is also the single most overcharged thing in the city. So know the fair price before you step in. Beyond the meeting point there is a fine old city, with a few honest truths that save your plans.
Kashi Vishwanath: the corridor, the tickets, and the truth about access
The Kashi Vishwanath temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. That is why it anchors the whole yatra. The new Vishwanath Dham corridor has changed how you visit. A few plain facts save you time and money.
The Ganga at Varanasi: the sunrise boat and the evening aarti
The river is the soul of Varanasi. Two experiences are unmissable: the sunrise boat ride along the ghats and the evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Both are easy to do well once you know the real rates.
Lucknow: the Imambaras, the maze, and which day they close
Lucknow is your first stop and a fine one, the old capital of Awadh. The traps here are a copied wrong closure day and a maze you should not enter alone. So read this before you fix your Lucknow day.
Sarnath: the Friday museum closure and the Lion Capital
Sarnath is about 8 to 11 km from Varanasi. It is where the Buddha gave his first sermon. It makes a calm half-day add-on. The one fact that ruins many trips is a Friday closure. So plan around it.
The best months, and the great festivals to plan around
The comfortable window across all four cities is the cool, dry winter, roughly October to March. The great festivals are wonderful but bring enormous crowds. So plan those far ahead or avoid the peak dates.
Awadhi kebabs, chikankari, and genuine Banarasi silk
This trip feeds you well and sends you home with beautiful things. But two crafts have well-known fakes: chikankari in Lucknow and Banarasi silk in Varanasi. Here is how to buy the real thing.
Keeping seniors and families comfortable on the yatra
This is a wonderful trip for older pilgrims. Many families make it precisely to bring their parents for darshan. With a little planning, the queues, the steps and the heat are all easy to manage.
For NRI and OCI travellers: flights, the OCI rate, and darshan booking
Since the Ram Mandir opened, this yatra has drawn huge interest from the diaspora. It is an easy one to reach from the Gulf. A few pointers make the trip from abroad smooth.
A realistic budget, hotels, and staying safe
None of this is an expensive trip by big-city standards. A few honest numbers help you plan. These are rough daily figures, and they leave out your room and long-distance transport.
From the Nawab's maze to the eternal city of light
The Saryu at dusk, the confluence at dawn, and the lamps of Kashi that never go out.
The real keepsake of this trip is the line you trace across one state. You also trace it across the living faith of a whole people. You begin in Lucknow. Here a Nawab raised a great hall to feed a famine, and wove a maze above it that still delights everyone who enters. You travel east to Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram on the banks of the Saryu. Rows of lamps still light its homecoming every year. You reach Prayagraj, where the Ganga meets the Yamuna and the unseen Saraswati. Tradition calls this confluence the king of holy places. And you end in Kashi, the city of light where Shiva, they say, never leaves. The Buddha's first sermon ground at Sarnath is a short drive away. Four cities, one road east, and the whole long memory of a civilisation held between the rivers.
What's included
What's included
Included
- ✓Accommodation on double/twin-sharing basis in the hotels.
- ✓Meals, as mentioned in the detailed itinerary and costing that, shall be shared with you.
- ✓All transfers and sightseeing as per itinerary by Vehicle as per the number of persons(Only land transfers).
- ✓Driver allowance, parking, toll, interstate taxes.
- ✓Goods & Service Tax at the prevailing rates.
Not included
- ✕Items of personal nature like drinks, laundry, telephone calls, tips etc.
- ✕Any other meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions.
- ✕Any guide fee, entrances, camera fee etc.
- ✕Liability for change in itinerary due to reasons beyond our control.
- ✕Any other item not specifically mentioned above in 'Prices Include'
- ✕Any air/rail/coach/ferry fares.
- ✕Any change in package price due to hike in fuel prices and government taxes.
- ✕Any surcharges for super peak season.
What travellers say
What travellers say
“A big thanks to Way To India for organising such a truly memorable and spiritually fulfilling experience during our 12 Jyotirlinga Darshan pilgrimage from 1st May to 18th May. They organized the entire journey exceptionally well, ensuring that every aspect of the trip was smooth, comfortable, and hassle-free. From transportation and hotel arrangements to darshan planning and coordination, everything was managed professionally. Despite the extensive travel across multiple destinations, the itinerary was well-structured, allowing us to complete all the Jyotirlinga darshans comfortably. Thanks to staff of Way To India, especially, Ms Neha, who was supportive, responsive, and attentive throughout the journey, always ready to assist whenever needed. Her dedication and careful planning made this sacred pilgrimage stress-free and enjoyable. I sincerely appreciate their excellent service, commitment, and hospitality. Highly recommend Way To India to anyone planning a spiritual tour, especially for the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra. Thank you for making this divine journey so special and memorable.”3 months ago · Google
“We have successfully completed the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra, with Waytoindia and it was a truly blessed and unforgettable journey. Every aspect of the tour was well planned and professionally organized, from transportation and accommodations to temple visits and sightseeing. Visiting all twelve sacred Jyotirlingas was a deeply spiritual experience. The itinerary was designed efficiently, allowing us to have darshan at each shrine comfortably while enjoying the cultural and religious significance of every destination. We sincerely appreciate the excellent support and coordination throughout the trip. The team was always available to assist, ensuring a smooth and stress-free pilgrimage. Thank you Waytoindia for making our dream of completing the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra a reality. We highly recommend this tour to anyone seeking a well-organized and spiritually enriching pilgrimage experience. Har Har Mahadev! 🙏🕉️”3 months ago · Google
“We recently entrusted our honeymoon planning to 'Way to India', and it turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. From itinerary finalization to on-ground execution, everything was handled with remarkable professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail. Every aspect of our trip — flights, hotels, transfers, experiences, and even the small thoughtful touches — was perfectly curated. The itinerary was balanced, well-planned, and tailored exactly to what we wanted. We never had to worry about a single thing; all arrangements were seamless and absolutely hassle-free. What truly stood out was their responsiveness and genuine care. They were always available, always patient, and consistently went the extra mile to ensure our journey was special. Special thanks to Neha Ma'am for planning everything. We are incredibly grateful and wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone looking for a stress-free, personalised, and delightful travel experience. Thank you for making our honeymoon truly magical!”6 months ago · Google
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
This is a 7 day tour across Uttar Pradesh. You travel east in one line, so you never repeat a road. You start in Lucknow and go to Ayodhya, about 125 km. Then you drive to Prayagraj, about 177 km. Then you reach Varanasi, about 121 km, with Sarnath close by. Please reconfirm the road times before you set out.
Yes, the darshan is free. You should book only on the official portal, online.srjbtkshetra.org. Slots open about 15 days ahead and fill fast, so book the moment your date opens. Treat any paid darshan offer as a likely scam. Please reconfirm the current rules before you travel.
A shared boat is roughly INR 150 to 200 per person once it fills. A private family boat is often INR 1,200 to 2,000 or more. Fix the price and the number of people before you step in. Decide too whether you want any puja, and say a polite firm no if you do not. Please reconfirm the rate on the day.
No, these are Magh Mela years, not Kumbh years. The last full Maha Kumbh came in early 2025. So you will see the annual Magh Mela at the Sangam instead. Please reconfirm the official snan calendar before you travel.
Bara Imambara in Lucknow stays closed on Monday. Anand Bhavan in Prayagraj also stays closed on Monday. The Sarnath Archaeological Museum stays closed on Friday. So plan your Mondays and Fridays with care. Please reconfirm each timing before you go.
Yes, in practice the temple admits them through a set gate. The temple may ask foreign visitors to wear traditional Indian dress. On the busiest days the temple limits close access to the inner sanctum for everyone. Please reconfirm the current rule before you go.
General darshan is free. A faster Sugam Darshan ticket is about INR 250 to 300 per person. The pre dawn Mangala aarti near 3 am needs a separate ticket, about INR 500. You book these on the official portal, shrikashivishwanath.org. Please reconfirm the fees before you travel.
You set out early, as the light on the ghats is soft then. A small boat for two to four people costs about INR 250 to 300. Fix the price on the bank before you board. There is no boating in heavy monsoon rain or high water. Please reconfirm the rate on the day.
Lucknow airport has direct flights from Dubai, Muscat, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. So many NRI travellers fly straight in without a Delhi change. You can then fly home from Varanasi at the other end. A private car links all the cities in comfort. Please book your trains or flights well ahead in season.
Yes, with a little planning it suits them well. Book the free darshan slots early to shorten the queues. Take the steps at Hanuman Garhi and the ghats slowly. A private car for the whole loop avoids station strain. Please keep each day gentle and rest in the midday heat.
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