Arrive at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) or Varanasi Junction Railway Station (BSB). Take a pre-paid taxi or a ride-sharing service to your hotel.

Check into a hotel with a view of the Ganges or one located near the main ghats for an immersive experience. Options range from heritage properties to comfortable guesthouses.

Savor a traditional vegetarian thali at a local restaurant. Try dishes like Baati Chokha or a simple yet delicious meal of dal, roti, and sabzi.

Witness the spectacular Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. This synchronized ritual of worship with fire, lamps, and chants is a mesmerizing and deeply spiritual experience. Arrive early to get a good spot on the steps or hire a boat to watch from the river.

Enjoy dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the illuminated ghats and the holy Ganges river. It's a perfect way to end your first day in Varanasi.

Experience the magic of Varanasi with a boat ride at dawn. Witness the city come to life as pilgrims perform morning rituals and the sun rises over the river. You will pass by various ghats, including the cremation ghats of Manikarnika and Harishchandra.

After the boat ride, head to a local eatery for a classic Banarasi breakfast of Kachori Sabzi and Jalebi. This is a staple food experience in the city.

Visit one of the most sacred Hindu temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple complex is vast and has recently been renovated (Kashi Vishwanath Corridor).

Take an auto-rickshaw or a cab for a half-day trip to Sarnath, the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment.

Visit the key sites in Sarnath including the Dhamek Stupa, the Chaukhandi Stupa, and the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar. Also, explore the Sarnath Archaeological Museum, which houses the iconic Ashoka Lion Capital.

Return to Varanasi for the evening. Explore the bustling markets around Godowlia for silk sarees, handicrafts, and souvenirs before having dinner.

Check out from your hotel and travel to Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) by a pre-booked private car for comfort and efficiency. The journey offers a glimpse into the countryside of Uttar Pradesh.

Arrive in Prayagraj and check into your hotel, preferably in the Civil Lines area, which is central and has good dining options.

Have lunch at a local restaurant in Civil Lines. Try some North Indian specialties.

Head to the Triveni Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Take a boat out to the confluence point to see the distinct colors of the Ganga and Yamuna waters meet. Many pilgrims take a holy dip here.

Visit Anand Bhavan, the ancestral home of the Nehru-Gandhi family, which is now a museum showcasing the history of India's independence movement and the lives of the family members.

Enjoy dinner back in the Civil Lines area, which has a wide range of restaurants to choose from.

After an early breakfast, check out and begin your road journey to Ayodhya, the sacred city believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram.

Arrive in Ayodhya and check into your hotel. Accommodation options are improving rapidly, with several new hotels available.

Have a simple and sattvic (pure vegetarian) lunch at a local restaurant. The cuisine in Ayodhya is predominantly vegetarian.

Visit the magnificent Ram Janmabhoomi Temple (Ram Mandir), the focal point of Ayodhya. Marvel at the grand architecture and soak in the devotional atmosphere of this highly significant site.

After visiting the Ram Mandir, climb the 76 steps to Hanuman Garhi, a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, offering panoramic views of the city. Then, visit Kanak Bhawan, a beautiful temple known as the 'Golden House' of Sita and Ram.

Conclude your day by witnessing the serene Saryu Aarti on the banks of the Saryu River. It's a beautiful and peaceful ceremony, different in scale but similar in spirit to the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi.

Enjoy a final breakfast in the holy city.

Depending on your flight schedule, you can use the morning to revisit a favorite temple, explore the local markets for religious souvenirs, or visit other sites like Nageshwarnath Temple.

Check out from your hotel and travel to Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO) in Lucknow for your flight home. Ayodhya has its own airport (AYJ), but Lucknow offers more flight connections.

Have lunch at a restaurant on the way to Lucknow or at the airport before your flight.