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Two days in holy Varanasi give you enough time to explore the most important Hindu and Buddhist sights and visit a local silk-producing village. Here’s how to maximize your time in the sacred city.

Day 1: Spiritual Varanasi

Morning: Rise before dawn for a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges River; you’ll travel past riverside ghats and observe pilgrims performing early-morning rituals. Then, take a guided walking tour of Varanasi Old Town to learn about Hindu traditions and see ancient temples.

Afternoon: In the afternoon, head out to the most important temple in Varanasi; Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath), which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The best way visit the temple as part of a walking tour, which offers a more intimate glimpse into Varanasi Old Town than you’d get from a coach or car.

Night: Make your way to Dashashwamedh Ghat before dusk to observe the evening Aarti ritual, which starts right after nightfall. During this moving evening prayer ceremony, local priests use lanterns to give fire offerings to the Ganges River, while religious music plays in the background.

Day 2: Surrounding Areas

Morning: Devote the first half of your day to visiting the villages that surround Varanasi on a half-day tour, most of which stop at the villages of Chiraigaon and Sarai Mohana, which is celebrated for its silk production. Here, you’ll have time to shop for the famous Banarasi saris.

Afternoon: In the afternoon, make your way to Sarnath, one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India. Tours include hassle-free transfers and shed light on significant stupas such as the Dhamek Stupa, where Buddha allegedly gave his first sermon following enlightenment.

Night: While most people associate Varanasi with religion, it's also an important center for Indian classical music. A great way to spend your last night in town is to watch a classical music and dance performance, during which you'll hear a range of local instruments.

Three days in Varanasi gives you plenty of time to tick off important spiritual attractions, learn to cook an Indian meal, and explore further afield on a visit local villages. You’ll even have time for a day trip to Prayagraj, formerly Allahabad. Here’s how:

Day 1: Essential Varanasi

Devote your first day in Varanasi to the city’s essential sights. Start with an early-morning boat ride on the Ganges River, which reveals Hindu pilgrims performing sunrise prayers and rituals. After your boat ride, take an early-morning tour of old Varanasi with a local guide, during which you’ll learn the history of Dasaswamedh Ghat and Talang Swami Ashram. Spend the afternoon visiting some of the city’s holiest spots, which include Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath); it's believed that those who make a pilgrimage here gain liberation from the karmic cycle of death and rebirth. In the evening, head down to Dashashwamedh Ghat to watch the evening Aarti, an atmospheric ceremony during which priests make offerings to the Ganges River.

Day 2: Sarnath and Village Life

Dedicate your second day to exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sarnath, one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India, on a half-day tour. Visit the Dhamek Stupa, where the Buddha is reputed to have giver his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, and the Sarnath Archeological Museum, which houses almost 7,000 Buddhist artifacts. In the afternoon, head out on a tour of Varanasi’s rural villages; most tours stop at the town of Sarai Mohana, a great place to shop for silk saris, and Chiraigaon, where visitors can learn about rural life. Top off your day of exploration with a cooking class and dinner in a local home before turning in for the night.

Day 3: Day trip to Prayagraj

Spend your final day in Prayagraj, a 3-hour drive from Varanasi. Formerly known as Allahabad, Prayagraj is the second-oldest inhabited city in India and an important pilgrimage site; it’s also one of four destinations for Kumbh Mela, the largest spiritual gathering in the world. Start your day with a visit to the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati Rivers, before heading to the Allahabad Fort, a 16th-century Mughal Fort with great riverside views. Other popular attractions include the Anand Bhavan, an old museum that was once the headquarters of the Indian National Congress, which is worth a stop for anyone interested in political history. Finish your day with a visit to Khusro Bagh, a beautifully-manicured Mughal garden with a number of well-preserved Mughal mausoleums.

Celebrated for its Islamic and British architecture and fantastic food scene, there's a lot to experience in the city of Lucknow. With one day in the city, you'll be able to see some of the most important historic sites and get your fill of local fare. Here's one way to plan your day.

Morning: Historic Imambaras

Lucknow is known for its hussainiyas (known locally as imambaras ), Shia congregation halls. The most celebrated is the 18th-century Bara Imambara, also known as the Asfi Mosque. It’s a good spot to start your day of sightseeing, and its Rumi Darwaza (Turkish Gate) on the northern part of the complex is easily the city's best-known landmark. From here, it's a short walk to the Chota Imambara, known for its extensive crystal chandeliers. Both sites are best visited with a guide for historical context, and both are frequent stops on half- and full-day city tours and area walking tours.

Afternoon: Colonial Lucknow

In the afternoon, visit Lucknow's two most important colonial-era attractions: the British Residence and La Martinière College. The former, now in ruins, was built at the end of the 18th century, and the main reason to visit is to learn about the Siege of Lucknow, part of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Guided tours go into detail about the historic event. From here, it’s a short drive to La Martinière College, an excellent example of British colonial architecture. Most day tours stop here, but for something more in-depth you can prearrange a historic campus tour that goes into greater detail.

Night: Culinary Adventures

Lucknow is known for its food, particularly grilled meats cooked in the Awadhi style (though, like everywhere in India, there’s plenty for vegetarians, too). There are a lot of local specialties to try, and with only one day in town, you have to be strategic is you want to sample a lot of different items. A good way of doing this is by joining a food walk, which allows you to sample dishes at a variety of different restaurants with a guide on hand to help narrow your choices.

Three days in Agra will give you plenty of opportunity to visit the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri, with time left over to explore off-the-beaten-path parts of the city and visit smaller attractions. Here’s how to make the most of your time.

Day 1: The Taj and the Baby Taj

Start your first day in Agra with a visit to the Taj Mahal. Book a skip-the-line tour to avoid long waits, and visit right at sunrise for the best lighting. Then make your way over to the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, otherwise known as the Baby Taj because of its white-marble exteriors. From here, head across the River Yamuna to Mehtab Bagh, a Mughal garden with great sunset views of the Taj. When night falls, head to the Kalakriti Cultural & Convention Center to watch Mohabbat the Taj, a theatrical retelling of the story of the Taj. Prebook a combo package that includes dinner, transportation, and tickets for the best value.

Day 2: Yoga, Food, and Agra Fort

Start your second day in Agra in a healthy way, at a yoga class with the Taj Mahal in the distance. Then, instead of grabbing breakfast, sign up for a cooking class in the home of a local and learn how to make Indian food yourself. Alternatively, join a street-food walking tour that will take you through parts of Agra that few tourists see. In the afternoon, visit Agra Fort, home to generations of Mughal emperors and the site where Shahjahan, who commissioned the Taj Mahal, lived out his last days under captivity from his grandson. Stick around for an evening sound-and-light show; if you book an Agra Fort tour, your guide will be able to help you arrange tickets.

Day 3: Fatehpur Sikri and Abhaneri

On your last day, visit Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site about a 25-mile (40-kilometer) drive out of town. This red-sandstone ghost town, home to the Mughal empire for 14 years, is one of the most magnificently preserved examples of Mughal architecture in the region. If Jaipur is your next stop, you can book a transfer from Agra that includes a stop at Fatehpur Sikri followed by a visit to the Chand Baori, a stepwell in the town of Abhaneri that's known for its exquisite symmetry. Alternatively, if you’re headed back to Agra and it happens to be one of the five nights around the full moon, visit the Taj Mahal by moonlight.

With two days in Agra, you’ll be able to hit up all the highlights, including the Taj Mahal and other UNESCO World Heritage sites, at a relaxed pace and still have time left over for some evening exploration. Here’s how to get the most out of 48 hours in Agra.

Day 1: The Taj and the Baby Taj

Morning: Start your morning bright and early with a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, Agra’s most important attraction. Try to get there right before it opens and book a skip-the-line ticket or ticket-and-tour combo so that you can get inside before the big crowds.

Afternoon: In the afternoon, head over to the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, commonly referred to as “Baby Taj” because of its compact size and beautiful white-marble edifice. From here, make your way to Mehtab Bagh, a pleasingly symmetrical Mughal garden that offers great views of the Taj Mahal from across the River Yamuna.

Night: Spend your first evening out on the town with a visit to the Kalakriti Cultural & Convention Center to watch Mohabbat the Taj, a musical theater production that tells the story behind the Taj Mahal. You’ll get the most for your money if you book a combo package that includes transportation and dinner.

Day 2: Fatehpur Sikri and the Agra Fort

Morning: On your second morning, take a half-day tour out to Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage ghost town situated about a 25-mile (40-kilometer) drive from Agra. The capital of the Mughal empire for 14 years, it is among the best-preserved examples of Mughal architecture on Earth.

Afternoon: In the afternoon, return to Agra for lunch followed by a visit to the Agra Fort UNESCO World Heritage Site, a sprawling fortified complex that generations of Mughal emperors called home. Shahjahan, who commissioned the Taj Mahal, was held captive here by his grandson in a chamber with direct Taj Mahal views.

Night: After visiting Agra Fort, stick around for an educational sound-and-light show. Alternatively, if you happen to be visiting during the five days around the full moon, you can prearrange a night visit to the Taj Mahal complex, where you can see the marble monument under the light of the moon.

With three days in Lucknow, you'll have enough time to take a full-day tour of the city's highlights, do some shopping and eating, and take a day trip to the Buddhist sites at Kushinagar or even see the Taj Mahal. Here's how to do it.

Day 1: History and Architecture

Devote your first day in Lucknow to visiting some of the city’s most important historic sites. Signing up for a full-day tour is ideal if you want to see as much as you can in one day while learning about history from a local guide. Most tours include visits to some of the city’s most important colonial attractions, notably the ruins of the British Residence and La Martinière College, and Islamic sites such as the city’s famous imambaras, Shia congregation halls. Finish your day with a food tour and try out some of the city’s famous Awadhi cuisine.

Day 2: Local Culture

On your second day in town, learn about Lucknow’s chikan embroidery and meet craftspeople on a tour focused on local handicraft traditions. If you want to pick up some embroidery to take home, head to the Janpath Market near popular Hazratganj. Another attraction worth considering is Kaiserbagh, a 19th-century palace complex filled with period ephemera. It's best visited with a guide to learn about life in Lucknow when it was still part of the Awadh state. Finish your day with a culinary experience in a local home; cooking classes are also available for those who want to learn how to make Awadhi food themselves.

Day 3: Day Trip to Kushinagar or the Taj Mahal

Consider taking a day trip on your last day in town. If Lucknow is your main destination in India and you were hoping to see the Taj Mahal, it can easily be done as a day trip. Your best bet is to book a package tour to Agra that includes round-trip transportation and guide services rather than try to deal with separate bookings yourself. If you’ve already seen the Taj or prefer something off the beaten path, consider a day trip to the Buddhist pilgrimage town of Kushinagar; many people believe that Gautama Buddha died and was cremated in the town, and Emperor Ashoka, who was instrumental in spreading Buddhism in India, commissioned a stupa here. Today the town has numerous stupas and museums, many commissioned by Buddhist delegations from other countries.

Although Agra is best-known for the Taj Mahal, the area is home to two other UNESCO World Heritage sites, both of which are excellent examples of Mughal architecture. Here’s the best way to see all three in one day and still have time left over for dinner and a show.

Morning: The Taj Mahal

Wake up before the crack of dawn and make your way to the Taj Mahal, Agra’s principal attraction. Lines begin to form early, so it’s best to book a skip-the-line ticket or tour package to avoid long waits (though you’ll still want to get there early for the best photography conditions). Spend your morning exploring the beautiful Mughal gardens that lead to the Taj before entering the ancient mausoleum. Audio guides are available, but going with a guide is useful if you want a more in-depth understanding of the story behind the Taj (or help getting great photographs). 

Afternoon: Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri

Grab lunch before making your way to nearby Agra Fort, the city’s other UNESCO World Heritage Site. Made primarily of red sandstone, this gargantuan fortification was the primary residence of generations of Mughal emperors, and Shahjahan (who built the Taj) was imprisoned here by his own grandson. After your visit, head to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fatehpur Sikri, a magnificently preserved ghost town that served as the capital of the Mughal empire for 14 years. It’s a 25-mile (40-kilometer) drive from Agra, and while you can hire guides right at the site, it’s easiest to book a tour from Agra that includes transportation. 

Night:Mohabbat the Taj at Kalakriti

Wrap up your day in Agra with dinner and a show. Held on most nights at the Kalakriti Cultural & Convention Center,Mohabbat the Taj is a theatrical performance, complete with music and dance, that recounts the story of Shahjahan (the emperor who commissioned the Taj Mahal) and his beloved wife Mumtaz, in whose honor the monument was built. It’s an entertaining way to learn about the history behind the Taj. Grab dinner after the performance, or, for the best value, book a combo tour that includes theater tickets, dinner, and hotel transfers. 

With two days in Lucknow, you can check out the city's most important historic sites, learn about traditional embroidery techniques, and eat plenty of rich Awadhi dishes for which the city is known. Here's how to best plan your time.

Day 1: Historic Highlights

Morning: Devote your morning to visiting Lucknow’s historic imambaras, Shia congregation halls. Start with Bara Imambara complex, an important city attraction, making sure to check out the landmark Rumi Darwaza gate. Then head to nearby Chota Imambara, known for its crystal chandeliers. Most tours of the area cover both.

Afternoon: In the afternoon, make your way to the British Residence, the site of the 1857 Siege of Lucknow, one of the events that led up to India's independence a century later. From here, continue to La Martinière College, the city's finest example of British colonial architecture.

Night: For dinner, consider skipping a sit-down restaurant experience in favor of a food-focused walking tour, which gives you the chance to try out some of Lucknow’s most beloved dishes and desserts while exploring the city on foot with a local guide.

Day 2: Cultural Immersion

Morning: Spend your second morning learning about Lucknow’s most celebrated craft: embroidery. While locals will tell you that Janpath Market is one of the best places in town to pick up embroidered fabric, a more immersive way to learn about the tradition is by signing up for an embroidery tour.

Afternoon: In the afternoon, take a tour of Kaiserbagh, a 19th-century palace complex filled with all sorts of old treasures, from historic maps to period furniture. Tours here generally finish with the chance to watch scenes from Umrao Jaan, a 1981 film set in Awadhi Lucknow.

Night: Spend your last evening taking a cooking class followed by dinner in a local home. If you’d rather stay out of the kitchen—but still want the chance to eat homemade food in a local home—choose to book a meal-only dining experience instead.

Due to its position on the banks of the sacred Ganges River, Varanasi is considered the holiest place in India for devout Hindus. Even with just one day, you’ll have time to experience the pulse of this city and check out some of Varanasi’s top attractions. Here’s how to do it.

Morning: Sunrise on the Ganges

Wake before dawn and prepare yourself for the quintessential Varanasi experience: a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges River. You’ll be paddled along the sacred river—passing pilgrims performing early-morning rituals along riverside ghats (riverside steps)—just as the sun is beginning to rise. After your boat ride, continue exploring the area around the river with a guide; walking tours help you navigate the labyrinthine lanes of Old Varanasi and lead you to some of the city’s most important temples and ghats, which include the Golden Temple (Kashi Vishwanath), Pillars of Ashoka, and Kedar Ghat.

Afternoon: A Journey to Sarnath

In the afternoon, head out to Sarnath, a small town that’s only 30 minutes from Varanasi by car. As one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage centers in India, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is full of beautiful old stupas and temples. Guided tours, which provide crucial historical and religious context, typically cover the Chaukhandi Stupa and the Dhamek Stupa, which commemorates where the Buddha allegedly gave his first sermon. The Sarnath Museum, home to almost 7,000 Buddhist art and artifacts, is also worth a visit.

Night: Evening Aarti

In the evening, make your way back to Varanasi in time for Aarti, an evening prayer ceremony on the banks of the Ganges River. Starting just after sunset, this hour-long ritual takes place at Dashashwamedh Ghat and involves a group of traditionally-clad Hindu priests paying their respects to the holy river. Witnessing the priests play large brass lanterns to the tune of traditional religious hymns is a magical experience that’s best experienced with a guide for context. After the ceremony, grab dinner at one of the many rooftop restaurants in the area for a final glimpse of the Ganges River.