The Ganges, a Forest Exile, a Sacred Confluence & the Birthplace of Lord Rama
A 6-day journey through some of the most spiritually significant ground in North India — beginning at the eternal ghats of Varanasi, passing through the forest retreat of Chitrakoot associated with Lord Rama's exile, crossing to the sacred Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj, and concluding at Ayodhya, revered as Rama's birthplace.
Varanasi opens the circuit with the city's two defining rituals — the evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat on arrival, and a dawn boat ride along the ghats the following morning, followed by a tour of the city's ancient temples and an afternoon excursion to Sarnath, where the Buddha delivered his first sermon.
The drive from Varanasi to Prayagraj passes through Chitrakoot — according to the Ramayana, the forest where Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana spent a significant part of their fourteen-year exile, and a place of deep devotional resonance for Vaishnava pilgrims. At Prayagraj, the Triveni Sangam — the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati — anchors a half-day of sightseeing before the tour's final and most significant stop.
Two nights in Ayodhya allow proper time for darshan at the newly consecrated Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, along with the older shrines of Hanuman Garhi and Kanak Bhawan, and the evening aarti on the Saryu River — concluding a circuit that moves from the Ganges' eternal rhythms to the birthplace of one of Hinduism's most beloved deities.
What makes this journey special
Your journey, unfolded
Welcome to Varanasi, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Transfer to your hotel. In the evening, witness the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat — a choreographed fire ceremony performed by priests for thousands of onlookers gathered on the steps and in boats on the river.
Dawn boat ride along the ghats — pilgrims performing ritual bathing, sadhus in meditation, and the city waking, widely considered Varanasi's signature experience. Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, and other significant temples in the old city lanes. In the afternoon, an excursion to Sarnath (10 km), where the Buddha delivered his first sermon — the Dhamek Stupa and an excellent archaeological museum mark this pivotal Buddhist pilgrimage site.
Check out from your hotel and drive toward Prayagraj, passing through Chitrakoot en route — according to the Ramayana, the forest retreat where Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana spent a significant part of their fourteen-year exile, and a site of deep devotional importance for Vaishnava pilgrims. Continue the drive to Prayagraj. On arrival, check in to your hotel, and in the afternoon take a boat ride to the Triveni Sangam — the sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati rivers, and the site of the Kumbh Mela.
Morning sightseeing in Prayagraj — Akbar's Fort at the edge of the Sangam (limited public access to the Akshaya Vat tree and Saraswati Koop well), Anand Bhavan (the Nehru-Gandhi family home, now a museum of India's independence movement), and All Saints Cathedral. After breakfast, check out and drive to Ayodhya (approximately 165 km, ~3.5 hours). On arrival, check in to your hotel.
A full day of darshan in Ayodhya. Visit the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir — the grand new temple complex consecrated in January 2024 at the site long venerated as Lord Rama's birthplace (allow time for security screening and queues). Continue to Hanuman Garhi, a hilltop temple reached by climbing 76 steps, traditionally visited before other Ayodhya shrines, and Kanak Bhawan, richly decorated with idols of Rama and Sita adorned in gold. In the evening, witness the aarti ceremony on the banks of the Saryu River at Ram ki Paidi.
A relaxed final morning — perhaps a last visit to the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir for morning darshan, or some time at the Saryu ghats. Check out and transfer to Ayodhya Airport or railway station for your onward journey. Tour concludes.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included ✓
- ✓ 5 nights accommodation on twin/triple-share basis
- ✓ Buffet meals as specified in the itinerary
- ✓ Private chauffeur-driven AC vehicle for all transfers & sightseeing
- ✓ Sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, Varanasi
- ✓ Boat ride to the Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj
- ✓ 1 bottle of mineral water per person per day
- ✓ All applicable Indian GST
Not Included ✗
- ✗ International/domestic airfare or train fare to/from Varanasi or Ayodhya
- ✗ Visa charges
- ✗ Entrance fees / camera charges at monuments and museums
- ✗ VIP/Special darshan fees at Ayodhya or Varanasi (optional, payable locally)
- ✗ Tipping — an entirely personal gesture
- ✗ Laundry, drinks, and items of a personal nature
Your questions, answered
In this itinerary, Chitrakoot is visited as a same-day stop on the drive between Varanasi and Prayagraj, rather than an overnight stay — this keeps the overall trip to 6 days while still including this significant Ramayana-related site. If you would like to spend a full day or overnight in Chitrakoot itself, we can extend the itinerary by a day; please mention this when booking.
We recommend allowing at least half a day given current pilgrim volumes — security screening and darshan queues can take significant time, particularly on weekends and during festivals. We've built this into Day 5's schedule, but if you are visiting during a major festival period, additional time may be needed.
October to March offers the most comfortable temperatures (15–28°C) for the ghats, boat rides, and temple queues. April–June is hot on the Gangetic plain (up to 42°C); the monsoon (July–September) raises the Ganges considerably, which can affect ghat access in both cities.
The new Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir draws very large crowds, particularly on weekends and during festivals such as Ram Navami and Diwali. We schedule darshan with queue time built into the itinerary; carrying a valid photo ID is recommended, as security screening is in place at the main temple complex.
Absolutely. Every Discover India tour is fully private and built around your preferences. We can adjust the duration, add Lucknow, or swap Chitrakoot for additional time in Prayagraj. Submit an enquiry and our specialists will tailor it for you at no obligation.
Cancellations 60+ days before departure receive a full refund minus a small admin fee. 30–59 days: 75% refund. 15–29 days: 50% refund. Under 15 days: no refund. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance.
