Best Of Uttar Pradesh

Arrival at Lucknow airport, transfer to a pre-booked hotel, and later drive to Lucknow city tour (Bada Imambada, Chota Imambada, Rumi Darwaza, Hazratganj Market, Dr. Ambedkar Park, Husainabad Clock Tower). Visit the SEWA Chikankari market in the evening. Overnight stay in Lucknow.

After an early breakfast day trip to Naimisaranya (Naimisharanya (Neemsar) is a land steeped with Hindu mythology linking it to Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Sati and Lord Shiva. The place is unique owing to the belief that it is the land where the pantheon of 33 Hindu gods & Goddesses reside. It is also believed to be the first most sacred of all pilgrim centres for Hindus. It is said that if one performs penance for 12 years on this land, one moves to Brahmaloka. The place is located on the banks of River Gomti in the Sitapur district at a distance of 94 Km from Lucknow. This place finds mentioned as a dense forest in several ancient scriptures, including the Mahabharata. It is definitely worth a day trip to visit the various shrines) Evening return to Lucknow. Overnight in Lucknow.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer to Ayodhaya (Ayodhya, also known as Saketa, is an ancient city in India, considered the birthplace of Rama and the setting of the epic Ramayana. It is located next to the city of Faizabad in the central region of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Ayodhya was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala. Due to the belief in the birthplace of Rama, Ayodhya (Awadh) is considered one of the seven most revered pilgrimage sites (Saptapuri) for Hindus. It is believed to be the birthplace of Rama). Return to the hotel and spend the night in Faizabad. Sights:- Ram Janam Bhoomi; Kanak Bhawan; Hanuman Garhi; Raj Darbar; Karsevak Sthal.

Following breakfast, check out of the hotel and proceed to Prayagraj. The city’s original name – Prayag, or “place of offerings” – comes from its position at the Sangam (confluence) of the Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati rivers. It is the second-oldest city in India and plays a central role in the Hindu scriptures. Allahabad was originally called Kaushambi (now a separate district) by the Kuru rulers of Hastinapur, who developed it as their capital. Since then, Allahabad has been the political, cultural and administrative center of the Doab region. Mughal emperor Akbar renamed it Allahabad, which the British changed to Allahabad. In 1833 it became the seat of the Ceded and Conquered Provinces region before its capital was moved to Agra in 1835. Allahabad became the capital of the North-Western Provinces in 1858 and was the capital of India for a day. The city was the capital of the United Provinces from 1902 to 1920 and remained at the forefront of national importance during the struggle for Indian independence. Overnight stay in Prayagraj. Places of interest: HOLY DIP IN SANGAM, Bada Hanuman Mandir, Akshayvat Tree (Akshayavat (“the indestructible banyan tree”) is a sacred fig tree mentioned in Hindu mythology. According to a legend, once the sage Markandeya asked Lord Narayana to show him a specimen of divine power. Narayana flooded the entire world for a moment, during which only the Akshayavat could be seen above the water level.) & Anand Bhawan (Birthplace of the first Prime Minister of Independent India Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru).

After breakfast, we took a day trip to Chitrakoot (“the hills of many wonders” is a gift of nature and the gods). Located in the Banda district of modern Uttar Pradesh(U.P), on the banks of river Paisuni(Mandakini), Chitrakoot is a tranquil retreat on the northern spur of the Vindhyas. Just 6 km south of Karvi and 72 km southeast of Banda district on the road to Allahabad, Chitrakoot Dham is one of the most ancient holy pilgrim places of India Legends have it that it was the abode of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshman for eleven years of their fourteen years of exile. This is also the place, where they came in contact with sage Atri and Sati Anasuya. This abode of the gods is credited to have seen the incarnations of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Chitrakoot, sacred with the touch of the Lord’s feet, was where Goswami Tulsidas, the creator of the epic “Shri Ramcharitmanas” spent many years of his life. Dotted with innumerable temples and shrines, nature’s splendor here is wrapped in peace and tranquility, permeated only by singing birds and gushing streams). Return hotel check-in and overnight stay in Prayagraj. Places of Interest:- Kamad Giri, Sphatik Shila, Hanuman Dhara, Ram Ghat, Janki Kund.

After breakfast checkout from the hotel and transfer to Varanasi. Later in the evening proceed to Ganges for Boating and Evening Ganga Aarti on the famous Dashashwamedh Ghat (Dashashwamedh Ghat is the main ghat in Varanasi on the Ganga River). It is located close to Vishwanath Temple and is probably the most spectacular ghat. Two Hindu legends are associated with it: According to one, Lord Brahma created it to welcome Lord Shiva. According to another legend, Lord Brahma sacrificed ten horses during the Dasa-Ashwamedha yajna performed here). Overnight in Varanasi.

Early morning Temple darshan (Kashi Vishwanath, Annapurna Mandir, Kala Bhairov Mandir) followed by Sankat Mochan Mandir, Durga Mandir, Tulsi Manas Mandir & Benaras Hindu University (BHU). After breakfast move to Sarnath (Sarnath is the place where Gautam Buddha after attaining enlightenment delivers his first sermon to 5 followers). Sightseeing of Sarnath including Sarnath Museum (Our National Emblem excavated from Sarnath is on Display built by Samrat Ashoka), Ancient ruins, Mahabodhi society Temple. The evening is free. Overnight in Varanasi.

After breakfast check out from the hotel and transfer to Bodhgaya (It is famous as it is the place where Gautama Buddha is said to have obtained Enlightenment (Pali: bodhi) under what became known as the Bodhi Tree). Visit the Mahabodhi Temple before reaching the hotel. Return to the hotel for check-in and an overnight stay in Bodhgaya. Places of Interest: Mahabodhi Temple, Buddhist Temples, Vishnu Pad Temple, Sita Kund.

Early morning visit Vishnupad Temple for Pind DAAN, Akshayavat. Afternoon checkout from the hotel and transfer to Varanasi. Overnight in Varanasi.

Upon completing breakfast, checkout from the hotel and proceed to Varanasi airport for the onward journey.