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Varanasi Tour Itinerary 2 Nights / 3 Days · Varanasi – Sarnath

Varanasi trip plan for 3 days: Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Dashashwamedh Ganga Aarti, sunrise boat ride and Sarnath, with tips and FAQs.

Best timeOctober to March Ideal duration3 days Start fromVaranasi RegionNorth India
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About a Varanasi trip

Varanasi (Kashi) is one of the world's oldest living cities — a maze of lanes leading to more than 80 ghats on the Ganga, with the Kashi Vishwanath temple at its heart.

Two to three days is enough to see the evening Ganga Aarti, take a sunrise boat ride, walk the ghats and visit Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon.

Day-wise Varanasi itinerary (3 days)

Day 1: Arrive Varanasi

Check in; evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

Day 2: Kashi darshan

Sunrise boat ride, Kashi Vishwanath, Kaal Bhairav and Sankat Mochan temples.

Day 3: Sarnath & departure

Half-day at Sarnath, then shopping for Banarasi silk and departure.

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Top places to visit in Varanasi

  • Kashi Vishwanath TempleThe Jyotirlinga temple and the new Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor.
  • Dashashwamedh Ghat AartiThe grand evening Ganga Aarti.
  • Sunrise boat rideRowing past Manikarnika, Harishchandra and Assi Ghats.
  • SarnathDhamek Stupa, the museum and the Ashoka lion capital.
  • Assi Ghat & BHUSubah-e-Banaras morning programme and the Banaras Hindu University campus.

Best time to visit & how to reach

Best time: October to March.

How to reach: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is about 25 km from the city. Varanasi Junction and Banaras stations connect to all major cities, including Vande Bharat trains from Delhi.

Varanasi travel tips

  • Book Kashi Vishwanath Sugam Darshan online if you want to avoid long queues.
  • Mobile phones are not allowed inside the main temple — use lockers.
  • Watch the aarti from a boat for a better view.
  • Try kachori-sabzi, malaiyyo (winter) and Banarasi paan.

Varanasi trip FAQs

How many days are enough for Varanasi?

2 to 3 days. Add Prayagraj or Bodh Gaya for a longer spiritual circuit.

What time is the Ganga Aarti?

Around sunset — roughly 6:00–7:00 pm depending on season. Arrive 45 minutes early.

Is Varanasi good for elderly parents?

Yes, but lanes are crowded; use e-rickshaws and a boat to move between ghats.

Best time to visit Varanasi?

October to March. Dev Deepawali (November) is spectacular but crowded.