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Our most recommended Varanasi Tours

Varanasi: Full Day Varanasi & Sarnath Guided Tour By Car

1. Varanasi: Full Day Varanasi & Sarnath Guided Tour By Car

Experience the spiritual essence of Varanasi and the historical significance of Sarnath on this comprehensive full-day tour. Your day begins with a convenient pick-up from your hotel, the airport, or the railway station. Embark on a scenic drive to Sarnath accompanied by an insightful tour guide who will enrich your journey with captivating commentary. Upon arrival in Sarnath, explore the sacred grounds where Buddha delivered his first sermon. Engage with the tour guide's enlightening narratives as you absorb the historical and spiritual significance of this revered site. The visit continues with an exploration of the renowned Sarnath Museum, which houses an impressive collection of ancient artifacts. Returning to Varanasi, delve into the city's vibrant religious tapestry. Visit the iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the serene Monkey Temple, the poignant Tulsi Manas Mandir, and the grand Birla Temple, each offering a unique perspective on Varanasi's diverse religious landscape. Throughout the day, you have the flexibility to enjoy lunch as per your preferences (lunch not included in the package). As the sun begins to set, embark on a mesmerizing boat ride along the holy Ganges River. Witness the enchanting panorama of ghats, witness the rituals, bathing, and cremation ceremonies that unfold along the riverbanks. The experience is further heightened by the profound spiritual aura that envelops the surroundings. Concluding the day, immerse yourself in the captivating Ganga Aarti ceremony, where lamps and incense create a mesmerizing spectacle on the ghats. As the tour comes to an end, your guide and driver will ensure you are dropped off at your desired location, leaving you with memories of an enriching and transformative day exploring the spiritual heart of Varanasi and the historical treasures of Sarnath.

Varanasi: Private City Highlights Day Tour & Ganges Cruise

2. Varanasi: Private City Highlights Day Tour & Ganges Cruise

Varanasi Remembrances : After early morning pickup at 5:30am from your hotel, take a sunrise boat ride on the sacred Ganges River. Witness morning rituals performed at the riverside. Kashi Vishwanath Temple : Afterward, follow your guide on a short walking tour of the old city's alleyways and catch sight of the Kashi Vishwanath, one of the holiest Hindu temples Banaras Hindu University : Banaras Hindu University (Pass By) Stop for breakfast (own expense), then head to Banaras Hindu University at 10am. Established in 1916, BHU is the largest university campus in Asia. Tour the campus and see the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum and the new Vishwanath Temple (Birla Temple), which is an exact replica of the original Vishwanath Temple. Bharat Mata Temple : Mother India Temple, built in 1918 and housing an unusual marble relief map of the Indian subcontinent. At 12:30pm, learn about the silk weaving traditions of Varanasi, then take a break for lunch (own expense). Afterward, drive about eight miles (13 km) to Sarnath to take in Dhamekh Stupa, known as the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon. You'll also visit the Archaeological Museum, which features treasures that date to the 3rd-century BC (closed Fridays). Dasaswamedh Ghat : At 5pm Ganges to view the cremation grounds, then return to Dashashwamedh Ghat to watch the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony. Your tour ends with return to your hotel around 8pm. Sarnath : Sarnath is a place located 10 kilometres north-east of Varanasi near the confluence of the Ganges and the Varuna rivers in Uttar Pradesh, India. The deer park in Sarnath is where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna.

Varanasi: Sunrise Boat Ride w/ Ghats & Morning Rituals

3. Varanasi: Sunrise Boat Ride w/ Ghats & Morning Rituals

Early morning between 05:00 to 06:00, your assistant and the driver will report to your hotel lobby. Drive to Ganga Ghat on arrival and board the boat to explore the beautiful ghats and temples with morning rituals. This morning boat ride tour will give you a real view of holy Varansi, where you will see the morning rituals, special features of the various ghats that you will pass along the way such as the burning ghat where the dead are cremated. See the various activities and professions related to the religious death ceremonies. During your boat ride, your guide will give you a brief detail about ghats and holy things. Boats will pass away through burning ghat where the dead bodies are cremated. See the various activities and professions related to the religious death ceremonies. After your 1-hour boat ride, you will be dropped back off at the ghat and then driven back to your hotel.

Delhi: 6-Day Golden Triangle & Varanasi Private Tour

4. Delhi: 6-Day Golden Triangle & Varanasi Private Tour

Begin the first day of your trip with a pickup from your hotel or other desired place in Delhi, Noida or Gurugram. Start with a half-day city tour of Delhi. Visit Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, and India Gate. Drive by Parliament House and the President's Palace. After that, proceed to Agra via a 4-hour drive. Upon arrival in Agra, check in to your hotel.  On day 2, you will get up before sunrise, and head to the Taj Mahal to watch the sun come up over this world-famous monument. You will spend two hours exploring the site. After that, return to your hotel for breakfast and to check out, and then spend an hour visiting the Agra Fort. You will then start the 5-hour drive to Jaipur. After breakfast the following day, you will enjoy a guided tour of the Amber Fort. Next, visit the Jal Mahal, a palace located in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake, followed by the Maharaja’s City Palace. Drive past the beautiful Hawa Mahal, a large structure built so the women of the royal household could observe the streets outside whilst remaining hidden.  After breakfast on day 4, you will be transferred to Jaipur airport for your domestic flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi airport, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel to check in. The rest of the day is free at your leisure.  In the morning of day 5, you will be driven to Assi Ghat, where you will watch the Hindu fire ceremony rituals performed by women priests. Next, enjoy a sunrise boat tour on the River Ganges to see the Ghats of this ancient city. After breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Varanasi which includes the Banaras Hindu University and its temple, a traditional school where children are learning an ancient version of Sanskrit, and a historical wrestling ground.  On day 6, if you have not chosen the option with a return flight to Delhi, you will be transferred to a location of your choice in Varanasi. If you have chosen the option with the flight, upon arrival at Delhi airport, you’ll be dropped off at a location of your choice in Delhi, Noida or Gurugram.

From Varanasi: Sunrise Boat Tour and Heritage Walk

5. From Varanasi: Sunrise Boat Tour and Heritage Walk

One of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities and one of the most holy for Hindus, Varanasi is the true embodiment of culture, mythology, heritage, and a real face of India. A city situated at the banks of the holy Ganges and known for its many ghats (embankments made in stone steps where pilgrims perform rituals) and large number of temples, this is definitely one of the best places to get to know India. Set off on an early-morning tour and explore this ancient city at dawn. Enjoy a boat ride past many colorful ghats and to where you can see people practicing their many rituals. One popular ghat is the Manikarnikaghat, where Hindu cremation takes place. Witness a funeral pyre there. Your tour will start with a pickup from your hotel by your guide at 5:00 AM in the summer or 6:00 AM in the winter. After reaching the ghat, get into the boat for a memorable ride on the Ganges where you’ll get to watch the city come alive with the sun. Once the boat ride is complete, walk through the oldest part of Varanasi and experience the rich culture and heritage of this mystical city firsthand. Get dropped off at your hotel at the end of the tour.

Varanasi: 3-Hour Evening Aarti Tour with Boat Ride

6. Varanasi: 3-Hour Evening Aarti Tour with Boat Ride

Start your journey through Varanasi with hotel pickup and travel to Dasaswamedh Ghat. Here, board the boat for a tour of the Ganges river. During the 1-hour boat ride, experience the beautiful sunset as you and watch traditional ceremonies taking place on the riverbank, performed by Hindu priests and devotees. Observes the traditional cremation ceremony at Manikarnika Ghat, where the human body is brought to its final rest. Later, walk through the narrow lanes of Varanasi as your guide shares stories of the city's culture and history. After this, finish your tour with drop off back at your hotel.

Private Tour :Holy Ganges River & Varanasi Guided Tour

7. Private Tour :Holy Ganges River & Varanasi Guided Tour

Start your day early and head to the Dasaswamedh Ghat to take a boat ride on the Ganges River. This is one of the best ways to experience the city's morning rituals and see the ghats (riverfront steps) come to life. You'll get to see locals taking a dip in the holy river, performing puja (prayers), and offering flowers and sweets to the gods. You can also spot the famous Manikarnika Ghat, where Hindu cremations take place. Explore the old city: After your boat ride, take a walk through the old city of Varanasi, also known as the Kashi. The streets are narrow and chaotic, but they're full of energy and color. You'll see vendors selling flowers, sweets, and souvenirs, and you can stop at a chai stall for a cup of tea. Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is one of the most famous temples in Varanasi. Visit the Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum: For a dose of culture and history, head to the Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum, located on the Banaras Hindu University campus. This museum houses a large collection of art and artifacts from ancient India, including sculptures, paintings, and textiles. You can learn about the region's rich cultural heritage and admire the intricate craftsmanship of the objects on display. Enjoy a vegetarian lunch: After all that walking and exploring, it's time for a lunch break. Varanasi is known for its delicious vegetarian food, so find a local restaurant and try some of the city's specialties, such as chaat (savory snacks) or thali (a meal served on a platter with various dishes). You can also opt for a lassi (yogurt drink) to cool off from the heat. Visit the Sarnath Museum: If you have time, make your way to the Sarnath Museum, located about 10 km from Varanasi. This museum houses artifacts from the ancient Buddhist site of Sarnath, which is where the Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. You can see the famous Ashoka Pillar, which features the Lion Capital of Ashoka, and explore the ruins of the monasteries and stupas at the site. Later afternoon drop at your pre-booked Hotel In Varanasi.

Private Full-Day Varanasi Tour & Monkey Temple

8. Private Full-Day Varanasi Tour & Monkey Temple

Start your full-day of exploration with a convenient pick-up at your accommodation. You will meet your driver/guide at 11:00 AM in the lobby of your hotel and set off on your adventure to find out why the city holds such religious importance in the Hindu mythology.  Your tour will start with a visit to Kashi Vishwanath Temple - a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Witness the beauty of a temple that is considered to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (the holiest Shiva temples) in India. Here, in the Hindu belief system, visiting the temple and dipping yourself in the waters of the holy Ganga River is considered to be the way of achieving Moksha (liberation). Continue on your tour to visit the famous Monkey Temple, also called Durga Temple. Marvel at the temple's beautiful carvings, inlaid stones and the holy water pond called 'Kund'. Follow your temple trip with a visit to 'Tulsi Manas Mandir', where Hindu scripture Ramayana was originally translated by Tulsidas from the Sanskrit language to Awadhi dialect in 16th-century. Admire the temple walls that display scenes and pictorials from the Ramayana in the form of paintings. You will also get the chance to see Bharat Mata Temple, also called Mother India temple. Here you can see the undivided relief map of India carved out of marble.  Add to the list of beautiful temples visited with a trip to Birla Temple, also known as Marble Temple, another famous architectural structure dedicated to Lord Shiva. After a fascinating full day tour of Varanasi city, the tour will complete and you will be safely dropped back at the hotel.

Varanasi: Full-Day Tour of Temples, Sarnath and Aarti

9. Varanasi: Full-Day Tour of Temples, Sarnath and Aarti

Your private tour will start early with 5:00 AM pickup from your hotel. See the morning aarti ceremony as the sun rises, a magical spiritual experience. After this you’ll visit the main temples in Varanasi, including Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Monkey Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, and Birla Temple. These are famous for their ornate carvings and historical significance.  Continue to Sarnath, a must-see in Varanasi. Your guide will teach you the history of this Buddhist pilgrimage site, as you explore the beautiful ruins of Buddhist monuments. See the incredible Dhamekha Stupa, where Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Then visit the Sarnath Archeological Museum, the Lion Capital of Ashoka, and at a monastery with beautiful wall paintings.  Head back into town to watch the evening aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges. Watch the ceremony, where a supreme priest offers prayers o the holy river with a sacred brass lamp. The ceremony involves lights, cymbals, incense, and people singing hymns and chanting. After an amazing day of sightseeing, you will be dropped safely back at your hotel. 

Morning Aarti and Private Varanasi City Tour

10. Morning Aarti and Private Varanasi City Tour

Begin your tour bright and early at 5:00 AM. You will be picked up from the lobby of your hotel to proceed towards Assi Ghat where the Morning Aarti (Subh e Banaras) takes place. The vibrant sound of the mantras, recited by the pundits during Aarti, will leave you spellbound. After that, proceed back to the hotel for morning breakfast. Later, leave for a city tour of Varanasi. During this part of the tour you will visit Banaras Hindu University, Asia's largest residential university, Birla Temple (Vishwanath Temple), the Bharat Kala Bhawan museum, Monkey Temple, Durga Temple and Bharat Mata Temple.  Hotel drop-off at the end of the tour.

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What people are saying about Varanasi

Great tour! Rajat was professional, informative, accommodating, and friendly. Each part of the tour was worth it, and we enjoyed the one-of-a-kind beauty of Varanasi. Recommend for travelers who are up for a unique adventure!

On time. Informative. Incredible experience. Highly recommended.