10 Days Haridwar Mathura Ayodhya Prayagraj Varanasi Tour

Your yatra begins today. Our driver will pick you up from your hotel or home in Delhi, or from Haridwar railway station / airport. The drive from Delhi takes about 5–6 hours. After check-in at your Haridwar hotel, take some rest.

In the afternoon, visit Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi Temple. Both are on hilltops, and you can reach them easily by ropeway, so there is no need to climb. Then see Bharat Mata Mandir, an eight-floor temple dedicated to Mother India, and the old Daksh Mahadev Temple in Kankhal, linked to the story of Sati and Lord Shiva.

In the evening, go to Har Ki Pauri for the famous Ganga Aarti at sunset. Hundreds of lamps, bells and chants make this the most special moment of the day. Overnight stay in Haridwar.

Tip: Reach Har Ki Pauri 45 minutes before aarti to get a good place to sit. Keep your slippers and bags with you, as the ghat gets very crowded.

After breakfast, drive about 1 hour to Rishikesh, a peaceful town in the Himalayan foothills known as the Yoga Capital of the World.

Walk across Ram Jhula, the long iron bridge over the Ganga, and see the famous Laxman Jhula area, where Lord Laxman is believed to have crossed the river on a jute rope. Visit the colourful temples and ashrams nearby, such as Parmarth Niketan and Gita Bhawan. Then go to Triveni Ghat, a calm spot to sit by the river, offer flowers and take a holy dip.

If time permits, enjoy the evening aarti at Triveni Ghat or Parmarth Niketan before returning to Haridwar. Overnight stay in Haridwar.

Tip: The Ganga is cold and fast in Rishikesh, so take a dip only at ghats with chains and railings. Try the local cafés for a simple sattvik lunch.

Today is a long travel day, so we start very early, around 4 AM, to avoid traffic. The drive to Mathura takes about 7–8 hours, with breakfast and tea stops on the way. Check in at your hotel and rest for a while.

In the afternoon, visit Gokul, the village where little Krishna grew up. See Raman Reti, a soft sandy ground where Krishna played as a child, Brahmand Ghat, where Mother Yashoda saw the whole universe in Krishna's mouth, and Chinta Haran Mahadev, a small Shiva temple on the Yamuna.

Back in Mathura, have darshan at Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, and the beautiful Dwarkadhish Temple. End the day with the peaceful Yamuna Aarti at Vishram Ghat. Overnight stay in Mathura.

Tip: Mobile phones, bags and cameras are not allowed inside Krishna Janmabhoomi. Leave them in the car or use the locker facility.

Today is fully for Vrindavan, the land of Radha and Krishna. Start the morning at Nidhivan, a sacred grove where people believe Krishna still performs Raas Leela at night. Then visit Shah Ji Temple, known for its twisted marble pillars.

Continue to Vrindavan's old and much-loved temples: Radha Raman, Radha Vallabh, Madan Mohan Ji, Govind Dev Ji and the most famous Banke Bihari Ji Temple. Also visit Chardham Temple, where you can see models of all four dhams in one place, and the peaceful ISKCON Temple, full of kirtan and bhajan.

In the evening, go to Prem Mandir. This white marble temple looks magical when its lights change colour after sunset, and the light and musical fountain show is a family favourite. Overnight stay in Mathura.

Tip: Most Vrindavan temples close from about 12 PM to 4–5 PM. Plan Banke Bihari for the morning and keep the afternoon for rest. Watch out for monkeys; keep glasses and phones inside your bag.

After breakfast, visit a few more Vrindavan temples. ISKCON is lovely in the morning, the South Indian-style Rangnath Ji Temple has a tall gold-plated pillar, and the seven-floor Pagal Baba Temple has interesting puppet shows of Krishna's life.

In the late afternoon, drive about 1 hour to Govardhan. This is the holy hill that Lord Krishna lifted on his little finger to save the people of Braj from heavy rain. Have darshan at the Giriraj Ji (Govardhan) Temple.

Then visit Radha Kund, considered the holiest pond in Braj, and Kusum Sarovar, a beautiful sandstone tank surrounded by old domes, perfect for sunset photos. Return to Mathura for overnight stay.

Tip: Devotees often do the 21 km Govardhan Parikrama. If you wish, you can do a short part of it by e-rickshaw. Tell our driver in advance.

After an early breakfast, check out and drive to Nandgaon, the village of Nand Baba where Krishna spent his childhood. Visit Nand Bhawan (Nand Mahal) on the hilltop, where Krishna lived with Mata Yashoda and Balram.

Next, go to Barsana, the birthplace of Radha Rani. Visit the hilltop Radha Rani Temple (Sri Ji Temple), famous all over the world for its Lathmar Holi, and the lovely Rangeeli Mahal.

Around 12 PM, start the drive to Ayodhya via the Yamuna and Agra–Lucknow Expressways. It is a long but smooth road with clean food plazas, and takes about 9–10 hours. Check in at your Ayodhya hotel late in the evening and rest well. Overnight stay in Ayodhya.

Tip: Barsana temple has many steps. Senior citizens can use the ropeway or a car up to the nearest point. Keep water, snacks and a light blanket or pillow in the car for the long drive.

Today is fully for Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram. After breakfast, start with Hanuman Garhi, a hilltop temple of Lord Hanuman. Devotees believe you should visit here first before Ram Lalla.

Then go for darshan at the grand new Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, where Ram Lalla is seated, followed by Kanak Bhawan, a palace-like temple said to be gifted to Mata Sita by Kaikeyi. Later, see Karsevak Puram, where carved stones for the Ram Mandir were prepared, and Tulsi Smarak Bhawan, built in memory of Goswami Tulsidas, who wrote the Ramcharitmanas.

In the evening, go to Ram Ki Paidi on the Saryu River to watch the peaceful Saryu Aarti with diyas floating on the water. Overnight stay in Ayodhya.

Tip: Mobiles, bags and footwear are not allowed in Ram Mandir; use the free locker counters. Go early in the morning to avoid long queues. Try the famous besan laddoo prasad at Hanuman Garhi.

After breakfast, check out and drive about 4 hours to Prayagraj (Allahabad). Check in at your hotel.

Go to Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna and hidden Saraswati rivers meet. Take a boat to the exact Sangam point, where you can clearly see the two coloured waters meet, and take a holy dip. Local pandits can help with puja and pind daan if you wish.

Then visit the Bade Hanuman Ji Temple, where Lord Hanuman is in a rare lying position, the Patalpuri Temple inside Allahabad Fort, and Alopshankari Devi Temple, a Shakti Peeth. Also see Anand Bhawan, the Nehru family home, and Azad Park, where Chandrashekhar Azad gave his life. Evening free. Overnight stay in Prayagraj.

Tip: Carry a spare set of clothes and a towel for the Sangam dip. Fix the boat fare before you sit; share a boat to save money.

After breakfast, check out and drive about 3 hours to Varanasi (Kashi), one of the oldest living cities in the world. Check in at your hotel and rest.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on the Ganga to see the long line of ghats from the river. You will pass Manikarnika Ghat and Harishchandra Ghat, where the sacred fire never stops, and the lively Assi Ghat.

In the evening, watch the grand Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Priests in matching robes perform the aarti with big brass lamps, conch shells and music. It is the most famous sight of Varanasi. Overnight stay in Varanasi.

Tip: You can watch the aarti from a boat for a clear front view. Please do not take photos at the cremation ghats out of respect.

Start very early with a walk along Dashashwamedh Ghat to see the morning prayers. Then go for darshan at Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The new Kashi Vishwanath Corridor makes the visit clean and easy. Also visit nearby temples like Annapurna and Vishalakshi.

After breakfast, visit Durga Kund Temple, a red temple of Maa Durga, and shop in the local market for Banarasi silk sarees, wooden toys and the famous Banarasi paan.

Later, drive 30 minutes to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha gave his first teaching. See the Dhamek Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, Buddhist temples and the Archaeological Museum, home to the Lion Capital, India's national emblem. In the evening, we drop you at Varanasi Airport or Railway Station with happy memories and blessings.

Tip: Phones and bags are not allowed inside Kashi Vishwanath; use the lockers. Sarnath Museum is closed on Fridays. Keep 3 hours before your flight for the airport drive.