Routes · Asia

Lagos to northern India: Varanasi, Sarnath and Khajuraho

Lagos → Varanasi → Sarnath → Khajuraho

The holy Ganges & carved temples Best season (general guide): Oct–Mar

Varanasi, on the Ganges, is one of the holiest cities in India, and Khajuraho's temples are some of the most remarkable carvings in the country. This route spends six nights between Varanasi, Sarnath and Khajuraho. From Lagos you'll connect via the Gulf or Delhi to Varanasi.

How to pace it: Spend days one to three in Varanasi: day one, the evening aarti; day two, dawn boat on the Ganges; day three, old city lanes and silk weavers. Then spend day four in Sarnath: Sarnath stupa and museum. Then spend days five and six in Khajuraho: day five, fly to Khajuraho, then Western Group; day six, eastern temples.

Varanasi's ghats, stone steps down to the river, are the centre of life. At dawn, boats drift past pilgrims bathing, and every evening a fire ceremony, the Ganga Aarti, is held at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

The old city is a maze of narrow lanes, shrines and shops. Varanasi is known for its silk saris, woven in workshops around the city.

Sarnath, just outside the city, is where the Buddha gave his first sermon. The Dhamek Stupa and the ruins of monasteries stand in a quiet park.

Khajuraho is a small town with a group of Hindu and Jain temples built about a thousand years ago, listed by UNESCO. Their walls are covered with detailed sculptures of gods, people and animals.

October to March is the cool, dry season. Summers are very hot.

Good to know: Varanasi is intense, so take breaks. Ask before photographing people, and do not take pictures at the cremation ghats.

In Varanasi, a local guide helps you understand the rituals at the ghats and find your way through the lanes. Book the dawn boat the evening before. Sarnath is a calm half day after the crowds of the river. Khajuraho is a small, quiet town, and the temples are easiest to visit early, before the heat. A sound and light show is held at the Western Group in the evening. Dress modestly, remove shoes at temples, and carry a scarf. Flights link the two places, and are much quicker than the road.

Safety: Canada advises a high degree of caution in India because of terrorism; its regional warnings cover Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur and the Pakistan border, far from this route (advisory updated 13 Jul 2026). The US rates India Level 2 (issued 16 Jun 2025).

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