Prayagraj itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Prayagraj

1. 01

   Day 1: Sangam dawn, museum and fort afternoon

   Hire a car for the day. Begin at the Triveni Sangam before sunrise to see the aarti and pilgrims bathing in the mist. If you wish to bathe, wear sturdy shoes for the steep ghat steps, and bring a change of clothes. Return to your hotel for breakfast and rest for a few hours through the heat. In the late afternoon, visit the Allahabad Museum to see sculptures and paintings spanning two millennia, then drive to the Allahabad Fort to walk the ramparts and see the Sangam from above. Finish with an evening visit to the Akshaya Vat, a sacred banyan tree enshrined within the fort, and return for dinner near your hotel.

Guides for the stops on this route

Plan 02

2 days in Prayagraj

1. 01

   Day 1: The Sangam and fort

   Wake early and go to Triveni Sangam before dawn for the aarti and morning light. Bathe if you wish, or sit on the ghat and watch the pilgrims. Return for breakfast and a rest. In the afternoon, visit Allahabad Fort and climb to the top for views of the confluence, then spend an hour at the Akshaya Vat temple inside the fort grounds. In the evening, walk through Godaulia, the old bazaar, for spices, textiles and sweets, with a stop for tea or chikhalwali at a small shop.

2. 02

   Day 2: Museums, gardens and a river view

   Start at Anand Bhavan, the former home of Jawaharlal Nehru and his family, which is now a museum of the independence movement. Spend two hours here to see the rooms, personal effects and photographs. Have lunch at a sit-down restaurant near the Cantonment. In the late afternoon, visit Alfred Park, a peaceful garden where you can rest and see the Shastri Bridge spanning the rivers. If energy permits, visit the Allahabad Museum if you did not on Day 1. Finish with a walk along the Saraswati Ghat in the late light.

Guides for the stops on this route

Plan 03

3 days in Prayagraj

1. 01

   Day 1: The Sangam and sacred ghats

   Rise before dawn and go to Triveni Sangam for the sunrise aarti. Watch the pilgrims, bathe if you wish, and meditate on the confluence. Return for breakfast, then rest through the hottest hours. In the late afternoon, visit the Saraswati Ghat and the Shastri Bridge. In the evening, visit the Bade Hanuman Temple, where a massive idol sits in a sanctum within the river itself, accessible by a narrow causeway.

2. 02

   Day 2: Forts, museums and monuments

   Spend the morning at Allahabad Fort, walking the ramparts and seeing the Akshaya Vat. Have a long lunch and rest. In the afternoon, visit Anand Bhavan to explore the independence movement and see the rooms of the Nehru family. Walk through the grounds and see the rose garden. Return to your hotel by late afternoon.

3. 03

   Day 3: Gardens, temples and shopping

   Visit Alfred Park in the cool morning for a peaceful walk and tea. Then go to the Allahabad Museum to see the sculptures and art collections. Spend an hour at the Chandra Shekhar Azad Park, named after a freedom fighter, which offers shade and views. In the afternoon, explore Godaulia Bazaar for textiles, spices and local sweets, or visit the smaller Katra Bazaar if you prefer fewer crowds. Finish with an evening visit to a temple of your choice and dinner at a local restaurant.

Guides for the stops on this route

Pacing

Make the plan work for everyone

• Visit the Sangam at dawn, before the heat and crowds. If you plan to bathe, wear sturdy shoes for the steep ghat steps, and bring helpers to support you on the uneven stone.
• Hire a car and driver for the full duration. Allahabad is hot and distances between sights are manageable by car but tiring on foot.
• Plan one major activity per morning (Sangam aarti, fort, or museum) and rest through the hottest hours (12 pm to 4 pm). Use late afternoons and early evenings for lighter activities.
• Temples and ghats have no lifts and involve steps or uneven ground. The Allahabad Museum, Anand Bhavan and Alfred Park are level and comfortable. Plan accordingly.
• Stay in the Cantonment area or near Shastri Bridge, where hotels have lifts, restaurants serve diverse cuisines, and hospitals are accessible.
• Carry water, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen and a walking stick. Wear light cotton clothes and slip-on shoes, as you may need to remove footwear at temples.