What is a good 3-day Varanasi itinerary?
Day one: Kashi Vishwanath, Annapurna, Kal Bhairav and the Ganga Aarti. Day two: sunrise boat, Assi, Sankat Mochan, Durga Temple and BHU. Day three: Sarnath in the morning, Bharat Mata Mandir, a last ghat walk and a second evening on the river.
On this page
The itinerary
A suggested plan by our editors, not an official schedule. Times are approximate; check current temple timings and conditions on the day.
Day 1 — The heart of Kashi
7:00 AM
Early for calmer queues.
9:30 AM
Beside Vishwanath.
11:00 AM
The guardian of Kashi.
4:00 PM
Dashashwamedh and the northern ghats
Walk towards Manikarnika.
Sunset
From the steps or a boat.
Day 2 — The river and south Kashi
5:30 AM
Agree the route and fare first.
7:00 AM
Dawn programme; check timings locally.
9:00 AM
Sankat Mochan and Durga Temple
A short ride apart.
12:00 PM
BHU campus and its Vishwanath temple
Also the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum (check opening days).
5:00 PM
Two temples with strong local traditions.
Day 3 — Sarnath and a slower pace
8:00 AM
About 10 km away. Dhamek Stupa, Mulagandha Kuti Vihar and the museum (confirm opening days).
1:00 PM
Lunch and rest
3:30 PM
The marble relief map of India.
5:00 PM
A second evening on the river.
Evening
Shopping and a farewell darshan
Evening darshan runs until about 9 PM on the published schedule.
Why three days works well
Three days allow you to see Kashi at both ends of the day more than once, which is when it is at its most beautiful, and to add Sarnath without rushing.
Frequently asked questions
Should I include Sarnath?
Yes if you have three days — it's about 10 km away and makes an easy half-day trip.
Sources and further reading
We link to primary and authoritative sources. External links open in a new tab.
- Uttar Pradesh Tourism — Varanasi (opens in a new tab)
Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh — Government source, checked September 2026
- Archaeological Survey of India (opens in a new tab)
Archaeological Survey of India, Government of India — Government source, checked September 2026
Written and maintained by the KashiVishwanathTemple.net Editorial Team. Last updated . Found an error? Tell us — see our editorial policy.
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