Uttar Pradesh is India’s stage for both imperial grandeur and timeless spirituality. Here the Mughal legacy of Agra meets the sacred rhythms of Varanasi, where dawn prayers and dusk aartis color the Ganges with flame and song. This 7-day itinerary distills the state’s greatest hits—Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, ghats, and Sarnath—into a thoughtful, unhurried journey.

Expect a tapestry of UNESCO World Heritage sites, centuries-old temples, bustling bazaars, and irresistible street food. Taste bedhai and jalebi in Agra’s old lanes, sip a thick mango lassi near Varanasi’s Chowk, and break bread in family-run eateries that have fed pilgrims for generations. We’ve woven in skip-the-line tours, comfortable transfers, and flexible time to wander.

Practical notes: summers can be hot—start early for outdoor sights, carry water, and dress modestly for temples and ghats. Trains and short flights connect major hubs; card payments are common but small notes help at snack stalls. This plan assumes your arrival to Agra on Day 1 afternoon and departure from Varanasi on Day 7 afternoon.

Agra

Mughal emperors poured their ambition into Agra, leaving marble poetry in stone and red-sandstone citadels along the Yamuna. Beyond the postcard-perfect Taj Mahal, Agra rewards lingerers with river gardens, intricate inlay workshops, and hearty Awadhi and Mughlai cooking.

• Top sights: Taj Mahal (UNESCO), Agra Fort (UNESCO), Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj), Mehtab Bagh (sunset views).
• What to eat: bedhai-poori and jalebi breakfasts, rich kebabs and kormas, thali-style vegetarian meals, and aromatic masala chai.
• Where to stay: Riverside and Taj-view neighborhoods place you near sunrise starts and evening garden strolls.

Getting to your first city (Agra): Most travelers land in New Delhi, then continue to Agra. Consider the morning Gatimaan Express (about 1h40), or a private car via Yamuna Expressway (3–4 hours). Search and book India trains and flights on Trip.com Trains and Trip.com Flights. Typical costs: Delhi–Agra train ~INR 1,000–1,600 ($12–$20); private car INR 4,500–7,000 ($55–$85).

Agra stays: Compare hotels and homestays on Hotels.com (Agra) or browse whole homes on VRBO (Agra). Look near Taj East Gate for quick sunrise access or near Sadar Bazar for food and night markets.

Day 1: Arrive in Agra, river gardens, and Taj views

Afternoon: Check in and decompress. For a gentle first look, head to Mehtab Bagh across the Yamuna for a garden-framed, crowd-free Taj Mahal view—especially photogenic near sunset.

Evening: Dinner at Pinch of Spice (dependable North Indian staples; their butter chicken and dal makhani are local favorites). For rooftop vibes and tandoori platters, try The Salt Cafe Kitchen & Bar near the Taj East Gate. Early night—tomorrow begins before dawn.

Day 2: Sunrise Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and old-city eats

Morning: Enter the Taj as gates open to watch marble change hues at sunrise. To skip queues and dive into symbolism and craftsmanship, book the Skip-the-Line Taj Mahal Private Guided Tour with Mausoleum Entry.

Post-visit breakfast: Deviram Sweets & Restaurant for Agra’s classic bedhai-poori (spiced lentil puri) with aloo sabzi and a hot jalebi.

Afternoon: Explore Agra Fort, a red-sandstone maze of royal pavilions and throne rooms with river vistas back to the Taj. Continue to Itimad-ud-Daulah (the “Baby Taj”) to admire delicate pietra dura that foreshadowed the Taj’s inlay work. Lunch nearby at Jahanpanah (soft galouti kebabs and ulta tawa paratha) or a simple thali at Shankar Ji Restaurant.

Evening: Wander Sadar Bazar for leather goods and petha (candied ash gourd). Cap the night at Peshawri (ITC Mughal) for smoky dal Bukhara and tandoor meats, or keep it casual at Tea’se Me rooftop for chaat and city lights.

Day 3: Full Agra highlights or optional side trip

Option A (recommended, full day tour): Cover the icons efficiently with the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Baby Taj & Mehtab Bagh Private City Tour, ideal if you want a driver and expert guide in one go.

Option B (DIY + taste trail): Start at Akbar’s Tomb in Sikandra (mughal architecture meets serene deer-filled grounds), then return for a late lunch at Bon Barbecue (value buffet for tandoori and curries). Spend late afternoon browsing marble-inlay workshops—watch artisans place semi-precious stones by hand.

Evening: Sweet stop at Gopaldas Petha for saffron and paan-flavored varieties. Dinner at Taj Terrace (Taj-view tables and North Indian classics). If your dates align with the full moon, consider the magical Full Moonlight Taj Mahal Tour for a rare nocturnal glimpse.

Optional add-on: Vrindavan/Mathura temple night (instead of DIY Day 3). Travel 1–1.5 hours to Vrindavan/Mathura for evening aartis at Banke Bihari or Dwarkadhish Temple and traditional sweets. If you prefer to stay over: in Mathura consider Brijwasi Lands Inn, Hotel Ganpati Palace, or Clarks Inn Mathura. In Vrindavan look at Nidhivan Sarovar Portico, Hotel Shubham Holidays, or Ananda Krishna Van.

Day 4: Agra to Varanasi (morning travel), evening Ganga Aarti

Morning: Travel to Varanasi. Easiest combo: early train to New Delhi (~1h40) then a midday flight to Varanasi (~1h20 flight; 4–6 hours total including transfers). Book on Trip.com Trains and Trip.com Flights. Expect ~$45–$120 for the flight. Prefer rail? Overnight Agra–Varanasi trains take ~10–12 hours; reserve AC classes ahead.

Afternoon: Check in near the ghats for easy walking. Drop bags and recharge with masala chai and a plate of kachori at Kashi Chaat Bhandar.

Evening: Experience the Varanasi Evening Ganga Aarti Tour—a guided boat ride and riverside ritual with bells, lamps, and chanting.

Dinner afterward at Baati Chokha (UP–Bihar homestyle: smoked chokha, dal, and ghee-brushed baati), or try Aum Cafe near Assi Ghat for lighter vegetarian plates and fresh juices.

Varanasi

Older than legend itself, Varanasi (Kashi) has welcomed seekers for millennia. Dawn boats drift past bathing ghats; narrow alleys pulse with silk looms, temple bells, and sweet-shop aromas. This is India at its most intimate—rituals lived, not performed.

• Top sights: Dasashwamedh and Assi Ghats, Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Manikarnika Ghat (observed respectfully), Sarnath (Buddha’s first sermon), and the bustling Chowk.
• Experiences: sunrise boat ride, silk-weaving workshops, classical music soirees, and temple aartis.
• Food: kachori-sabzi, tamatar chaat, malaiyyo in winter, creamy lassis, and apple pie at riverside cafes.

Varanasi stays: For river access and heritage vibes, compare options on Hotels.com (Varanasi) and whole-home stays via VRBO (Varanasi). Aim for Assi to Dashashwamedh stretch for walkability.

Day 5: Sunrise on the Ganges, old-city walk, and Sarnath

Morning: Pre-dawn boat ride from Assi or Dashashwamedh Ghat—watch the river wake as priests offer prayers and wrestlers train in riverside akharas. After, fuel up at Kashi Chaat Bhandar (tamatar chaat is a must) or try Blue Lassi Shop for thick, fruit-topped lassis served in earthen cups.

Afternoon: Explore the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor (dress modestly; leave leather items at your stay) and weave into the Chowk’s lanes for silk brocades—visit a family-run loom to see zari threads become Banarasi saris. Late lunch at Baati Chokha (if not last night) or at Vishnu Tea Emporium’s small cafe for chai and snacks.

Evening: Head to Assi Ghat for a more intimate evening aarti and live classical music on certain nights. Dinner at Vaatika Pizzeria (river-view terrace; surprisingly good thin-crust and their famous apple pie) or at The Great Kashi Chaat for a second round of street bites.

Day 6: Guided deep dive—Varanasi sunrise to sunset

Prefer to bundle the essentials with a knowledgeable guide? Spend today on The Ultimate 1 Day in Varanasi - How to Spend 13 Hours - Private Guided Tour. It covers a dawn boat ride, major temples and ghats, old-city alleys, and often Sarnath—perfect if you like context and logistics handled.

Day 7: Slow morning, last bites, and departure

Morning: Gentle walk along the ghats, then breakfast at Aum Cafe (scrambled paneer wraps, lemon-ginger tea) or Shree Cafe near Dashashwamedh (simple dosas and coffee).

Afternoon: Pick up last-minute souvenirs—handloom stoles, wooden toys, copper diyas—before your flight or train. For outbound travel, compare schedules and fares on Trip.com Flights and Trip.com Trains. Leave buffer time for traffic to Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport.

Food favorites cheat sheet (for both cities):

• Agra breakfasts: Deviram Sweets (bedhai-jalebi), Ram Babu Paratha Bhandar (stuffed parathas, chutneys).
• Agra dinners: Pinch of Spice (crowd-pleasing classics), Peshawri (iconic dal and kebabs), Tea’se Me (rooftop grills and chaat).
• Varanasi snacks: Kashi Chaat Bhandar (chaat varieties), Blue Lassi Shop (seasonal fruit lassis), Kashi Kulfi for rich kulfi sticks.
• Varanasi meals: Baati Chokha (regional comfort), Aum Cafe (veg-light), Vaatika (river-view pie and pizza).

Good to know: Dress conservatively for temples and ghats; photography is restricted at some rituals and cremation areas—ask your guide. Tips for boatmen and priests are customary (carry small notes). In warmer months, plan outdoor sightseeing at sunrise and post-4 pm, saving midday for museums, cafes, or rest.

With this 7-day Uttar Pradesh itinerary, you’ll trace Mughal arcs in Agra and devotional currents in Varanasi—two halves of North India’s soul. From Taj Mahal sunrise to Ganga-lit evenings, expect grand monuments, intimate alleys, unforgettable flavors, and the kind of travel stories that stay with you.