Plan 01
1 day in Gorakhpur
- 01
Day 1: Temples, books and the lake
Begin at Gorakhnath Temple in the morning, then drive to Gita Press and Gita Vatika for the painted gallery and bookshop. Have a long lunch and rest. In the late afternoon go to Ramgarh Tal for the promenade, and stay for sunset. If you have energy, finish with an evening stroll and a chaat or sweet stop at Golghar.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Gorakhnath Temple 1 to 1.5 hours; longer on festival days Easy Early morning or the evening aarti; avoid the weeks around Makar Sankranti unless the mela is the point Gita Vatika 45 minutes Easy Morning or late afternoon; winter months are most pleasant Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.
Plan 02
2 days in Gorakhpur
- 01
Day 1: Temples and books
Visit Gorakhnath Temple early, then Gita Press and Gita Vatika. After lunch and a rest, see the Imambara estate and finish with an easy evening at Golghar for chaat and peda.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Gorakhnath Temple 1 to 1.5 hours; longer on festival days Easy Early morning or the evening aarti; avoid the weeks around Makar Sankranti unless the mela is the point Gita Vatika 45 minutes Easy Morning or late afternoon; winter months are most pleasant Imambara Estate 45 minutes Easy During Muharram for the tazias; otherwise any quiet morning Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.
- 02
Day 2: Lake side and a memorial
Start at the zoo at opening time, take a midday break, then see the planetarium show at 1 or 3 pm. Use the late afternoon for Ramgarh Tal at sunset. If you prefer history, swap the zoo for a half-day to the Chauri Chaura Shaheed Smarak.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Chauri Chaura Shaheed Smarak 1 hour on site, plus about an hour each way Easy Morning, October to March Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.
Plan 03
3 days in Gorakhpur
- 01
Day 1: Temples and books
Gorakhnath Temple in the morning, Gita Press and Gita Vatika before lunch, a rest in the afternoon and an unhurried evening at Golghar.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Gorakhnath Temple 1 to 1.5 hours; longer on festival days Easy Early morning or the evening aarti; avoid the weeks around Makar Sankranti unless the mela is the point Gita Vatika 45 minutes Easy Morning or late afternoon; winter months are most pleasant Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.
- 02
Day 2: Kushinagar
Leave by about 7 am for Kushinagar, roughly 50 to 55 km away, and spend the day at the Mahaparinirvana Temple and one or two others. Return by evening.
- 03
Day 3: Lake, craft and memorial
Visit the terracotta village in the morning to watch potters at work, then the Chauri Chaura Shaheed Smarak, or the zoo and planetarium if you prefer something lighter. End at Ramgarh Tal at sunset.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Chauri Chaura Shaheed Smarak 1 hour on site, plus about an hour each way Easy Morning, October to March Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.
Read before you go
Guides for the stops on these routes
Pacing
Pacing a Gorakhpur trip for parents and children
- Plan one main sight in the morning, a rest at midday and a gentle evening activity such as the lake promenade.
- Gita Press, Gita Vatika and the planetarium are the easiest sights; the zoo is manageable with battery vehicles.
- Avoid April to September, and be ready for winter fog from December to January, which can delay trains and flights.
- Hire a car with a driver for Chauri Chaura, the terracotta village and Kushinagar, rather than relying on public transport.
- Dress modestly and be ready to remove footwear at temples and the Imambara; carry socks for hot floors.
- Heat: April to June is very hot, with highs near 37 to 38 degrees in the long-term averages. Start sights at opening time and rest through the afternoon.
Book the pieces
Stay close to the route
Pick a base near the first day's sights. Our guide to where to stay in Gorakhpur compares the areas.
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