Below is the itinerary, which we followed, alongwith notes.

This Plan is to & fro Mumbai, started and ended with Prayagraj, because of fast Duronto train available from Mumbai, taking us faster than other trains. Flight cost is too high now-a-days.

Day 1 – Train from Mumbai to Prayagraj – 17:20 – 12:20

Day 2 – Reach Prayagraj around 1 PM, after lunch sightsee Prayagraj

Start with Kushroo Bagh (in which tombs of Prince Khusro, the eldest son of Emperor Jahangir and Sultan Begum are located), Akbar fort (Akshyavat tree – 1000 year old, Akshyavat Patalpuri Cave temple, old Hanuman Kuan, Jodha Mahal & Jodha Rasoi), Drop back near Khushroo for dinner

Note – Budget hotels are not that great, also we checked in Fabhotel near Khusroo, which itself was pathetic. Another information is Akbar fort is almost on verge of destruction, because too many renovations and modifications are going on, it was not much interesting.

I think it is high time, locals should understand the importance of monuments and how they can help themselves via tourism and keep it ancient structures safe from regional politics.

Night stay at Prayagraj

Day 3– Wake up by 5.30 am, Reach Triveni Sangam by boat – Sunrise at Sangam, take dip if needed, Bade Hanuman Temple, Back to hotel, fresh-up, pack-up, keep luggage at Reception Counter, visit Anand Bhawan, Library & Planetorium, Have lunch at Sagar Ratna opp. Anand Bhavan, come back, take bus from Bus stand to Varanasi. (instead of Bus, we hired auto to drop us, since, we were 5 of adults and 2 kids, all females.

Reach Banaras by 3 pm, Check in, Sankat mochan temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, Assi Ghat, evening Aarti view by Boat, Take boat from Assi to Dashashwamedh ghat, Godowlia market.

Night stay at Banaras

Day 4 – Whole day Varanasi Sightsee (if missed something in earlier day, that too can be covered)

Morning start with early morning Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, Man Singh Observatory, visit Kaal Bhairav, on the way Breakfast at Ram Bhandar, Malaiyo at Shreeji, Visit Kashi Vishwanath temple (takes almost half a day due to long line), Annapurna Temple, Lunch at Hotel Jaipuriya

After Lunch, visit Durga Temple, Ramnagar Fort, Evening aarti at Assi Ghat, etc.

Note – Durga Temple is bit away from the main city, it was closed, we could barely see from outside, Ramnagar fort was too crowded (more of picnic spot for locals), maintenance is required.

Night Stay at Banaras

Day 5-  Visit Sarnath – Sarnath Buddhist Temple, Japanese Temple, Korean Temple, Thai Temple, Chaukhandi Stupa, Dhamek Stupa, Mulagandha Kuti Vihara was built by Angarika Dharmapala, who was the founder of Mahabodhi society. 

Catch train at 4 PM till Gaya, reach by 9 PM (Train was very late in our case, we reached post 12 midnight, we had informed hotel regarding our late night arrival, thankfully, they kept dinner for us)

Night stay at Bodhgaya

Day 6 – Whole day Bodhgaya (Mahabodhi Temple, Buddha Statue, Bodhi Tree, Japanese, Tibetan & Chinese Temples (hire car/bike/cycle we hired bigger auto), on the way back to Gaya – visit Vishnupad temple.

If time is available, you can keep relaxed 2 day for Bodhgaya & Gaya. We covered entire bodhgaya in a day but missed out on Vishnupad temple. Also, staying at Bodhgaya is preferable.

Evening take overnight train to Lucknow. (18:50 – 05:05 am)

Day 7 – Whole day for Lucknow sightsee, evening Food and market (Hire Car & book night stay for two days in Lucknow)

Sightsee – Bada & Chota Imambada, Rumi Gate, Jama Masjid, Shahi Baoli, British Residency, Sathkhanda, after lunch Visit NWAS Zoological Park, Dilkhusha Kothi, La Martineire, back to Chowk for Chikankari shopping and later dinner at Aminabad Market for Tunday Kebabs and others.

Day 8 – One day trip to Ayodhya – Shri Ramjanmabhoomi Temple, Shri Hanuman Garhi Temple, Shri Ramlala Devasthanam Temple, Dashrath Mahal, Kanak Bhawan, Sarayu Ghat,Lakshman Ghat etc. Return by 04:00 PM.

Night at Lucknow market & Stay

Note: When we visited Ayodhya in Dec 2023, temple construction was going on, makeshift temple was created next to actual location. Also, you cannot carry anything (absolutely nothing, including your digital watch). There are lockers available to keep all you belongings. Too much of asbestos dust flying around due to construction activity.

Day 9 – After whirlwind trip, get up late, leave by 10:00 AM, Catch Train/bus to Prayagraj, reach by 2 PM, Leave your luggage in cloak room, Lunch (We visited the Anand bhawan area for Library, just to see the architecture of the building)

Take evening 18:15 train to Mumbai, reaching next day at 14:40, remaining day can be utilized for unpacking and washing clothes.😊