Varanasi
Tours

Our most recommended things to do in Varanasi

Varanasi : Full Day City Highlights Day Tour & Ganges Cruise

Varanasi : Full Day 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. Durga Temple : Durga Mandir, also known as Durga Kund Mandir and Durga Temple, is one of the most famous temples in the holy city of Varanasi . 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). 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. 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.

Varanasi: Sunrise Boat Tour with Arti Ceremony

Varanasi: Sunrise Boat Tour with Arti Ceremony

A boat tour in the morning is a must-do activity in the city of Varanasi. It begins every morning from the Assi Ghat. First, we watch the Arti ceremony and the havan, which is one of the oldest rituals performed by the Hindus. During the boating, we pass about 55 of the most important ghats as you float on the waters of the Ganges. Listen to stories about different ghats and monuments on the bank. After reaching the Manikarnika Ghat, the most venerated crematorium, we slowly return to the Assi Ghat. This tour provides a picturesque, panoramic view of this beautiful city.

Varanasi: Fully Day Tour with Sarnath and Boat Ride

Varanasi: Fully Day Tour with Sarnath and Boat Ride

Morning: Morning Boat Ride on the Ganges: 5:30 am: Sunrise Boat Ride on the Ganges River Begin your day early with a serene boat ride on the Ganges River. Witness the magical spectacle of sunrise over the ghats (riverfront steps) of Varanasi. Capture the soft hues of dawn as they illuminate the ancient cityscape and the rituals taking place along the riverbanks. Photograph the devotion of pilgrims as they perform their morning rituals, and the shimmering reflections of the temples and ghats in the holy waters. Enjoy breakfast. 1hour (at your own expense). Exploration of Varanasi's Old City: Take a stroll through the narrow lanes and alleys of Varanasi's Old City, a maze-like network of streets lined with ancient temples, traditional homes, and vibrant bazaars. 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 new Vishwanath Temple (Birla Temple), Photograph the architectural splendor of temples like iconic Monkey Temple (Durga Temple). Capture the vibrant street life, including bustling markets, chai stalls, and the timeless rhythm of everyday life in this ancient city. Visit the Bharat Mata Temple, Admire the unusual marble relief map of the Indian subcontinent. Learn about the silk weaving traditions of Varanasi. Afternoon: Take a break for lunch 1 hour (at your own expense). Visit to Sarnath: After lunch, proceed to Sarnath, located just a short drive from Varanasi. This sacred site is where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Explore the ruins of ancient Buddhist monasteries, stupas, and the Ashoka Pillar, which bears inscriptions commemorating Emperor Ashoka's visit to Sarnath. Capture the serene ambiance of the landscaped gardens and the spiritual significance of this revered pilgrimage site. Evening: Tea Break Time 1Hour Sunset at Dashashwamedh Ghat: Return to Varanasi in the late afternoon to witness the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat, one of the city's most sacred and bustling ghats. Capture the elaborate rituals performed by priests, accompanied by chanting, music, and the rhythmic waving of oil lamps. As the sun sets and the evening descends, photograph the ethereal atmosphere and the flickering lights reflected on the surface of the Ganges River.

Varanasi: Private city sightseeing & Ganges Cruise(with car)

Varanasi: Private city sightseeing & Ganges Cruise(with car)

In the morning 5:30 Am we will start our tour with Ganga Aarti at subah-ae-banaras, after that we will go for a boat ride (1 hours ) there we will see the entire ghat where there is a burning ghat (Harishchandra Ghat, manikarnika ghat). After that we will come for breakfast approx 9 am (not included). After breakfast we will go to at 10 am Durga temple Banaras Hindu University and Sarnath (living 15 km away outside from Varanasi), after that you will have lunch in the afternoon approx 2 pm (not included). After lunch you will get some rest. After resting we will pick you up from hotel at 5:30 you will see the evening Ganga Aarti at ghat. Varanasi Full-Day Private Tour: Spirituality, Heritage & Serenity Duration: Full Day Includes: Private Car, Boat Cruise, Local Guide – Subah-e-Banaras: Sunrise Ganga Aarti - Begin your journey with the mesmerizing Subah-e-Banaras at Assi Ghat, where chants, conch sounds, and devotional music fill the air. - Experience the spiritual energy as the city wakes up with the first light. – Grand Boat Ride Across All Ghats - Board a private boat for a serene Ganges cruise covering all major ghats, including: ✅ *Dashashwamedh Ghat* – The main ghat, famous for its rituals. ✅ *Manikarnika Ghat* – The sacred cremation site. ✅ *Harishchandra Ghat* – Another important cremation ghat. ✅ *Raja Ghat & Other Historic Ghats* – Witness centuries-old traditions. and many more – Kashi Vishwanath Temple - Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. – Visit BHU & Durga Temple - Banaras Hindu University (BHU) – Explore the campus and visit the New Vishwanath Temple. - Durga Temple – A famous temple dedicated to Goddess Durga. -Traditional woven & Handicrafts - learn about silk traditions of Varanasi –Sarnath Excursion - Drive to Sarnath, the sacred Buddhist site where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. - Visit: ✅ Dhamek Stupa – Marks the spot of Buddha’s first sermon. ✅ Mulagandha Kuti Vihar – A beautiful Buddhist monastery. ✅ Sarnath Museum – Home to the famous Ashoka Pillar and relics. – Evening Ganga Aarti - Witness the grand Ganga Aarti, an awe-inspiring ritual with fire lamps, chanting, and music. - Experience the devotion as priests perform synchronized movements to honor the Ganges. ✨ Why Choose This Tour? ✔ Private & Customizable – Enjoy Varanasi at your own pace with a local expert. ✔ Ultimate Spiritual Experience – Witness both morning & evening Aarti rituals. ✔ Comprehensive Coverage – Includes boat cruise, ghats, temples, and Sarnath. ✔ Comfort & Convenience – Travel in an air-conditioned private car. Book Now for an Unforgettable Varanasi Experience!

Varanasi: Hidden Secrets of Vibrant Tradition (Guided Tour)

Varanasi: Hidden Secrets of Vibrant Tradition (Guided Tour)

Discover the most important historical and religious sites of Varanasi on a guided walking tour. Visit the Ghats, crematorium, temples, narrow streets, markets, and popular food stalls, as well as less touristic spots that are key to understanding the reality of modern Varanasi Learn about the history of the city and its religious significance. Visit the Vishalakshi Temple, also known as Vishalakshi Gauri Temple, dedicated to the Hindu Divine Mother, Adi Shakti. Continue to the Nepali Temple, also known as the Shri Samrajeswar Pashupatinath Mahadev Mandir, dedicated to the Lord Shiva. Visit the Manikarnika Ghat, one of the holiest cremation grounds among the sacred riverfronts (Ghats), alongside the river Ganges. In Hinduism, death is considered a gateway to another life marked by the result of one's karma. It is believed that a human's soul attains moksha, and hence breaks the cycle of rebirth when cremated here. End your tour at the Manikarnikeshwar Mahadev Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to Lord Vishnu, devotees who take a bath in Manikarnika and worship Manikarnikeshwar will not see mother’s womb again, meaning there will be no rebirth. After that we will be back to meeting point from where we started the tour.

Tourist Guide English & Spanish Varanasi/Benares

Tourist Guide English & Spanish Varanasi/Benares

Boat ride on the Ganges River at dawn Without a doubt, one of the magical moments of Varanasi will be taking a boat ride on the Ganges River as the sun rises. We will have to get up quite early but sleep will be forgotten when we contemplate the ghats first thing in the morning, when the city awakens and numerous Hindu faithful go down to the river to take ritual baths. On the ghats we will see people meditating and doing yoga in groups or alone. Without a doubt, the view of Varanasi from the river will remain etched in our hearts. Varanasi Old Town Walking Tour We will visit from a traditional gym or Akhara, which follows very ancient training practices, to the vegetable market in the old city or we will have a cup of masala tea while they explain the applications of aromatherapy and essential oils. We will stop at some important temples in the city, such as the Golden Temple, the most important for Hindus, the Nepalese temple, with its carvings representing scenes from the Kamasutra, the temple of Hanuman, the monkey god, and other very interesting temples in Varanasi. . We will also walk through the two ghats where the cremations of deceased Hindus take place (Manikarnika ghat and Raja Harishchandra ghat) as well as the Kedar ghat, the second most important ghat for pilgrims to take ritual baths. We will also visit one of the 270 workshops where the famous silk fabrics of Varanasi, some of the best in all of India, are made on handlooms, following Mughal designs. And, of course, if you feel like having a delicious lassi in a clay cup, we will stop at one of the best places in the city. 1. Lolark Kund. 2. Durga Mandir Navigation. 3. Mata Anandomayi Ashram. 4. Jain Temple 5. Kashi kamkotisher Temple 6. Shav Shiva Kali Mandir. 7.Tara Bari Mandir. 8. Purana Durga Bari. 9. Chousatti Mandir. 10. Nav Grah Mandir. 11. City center. 12. Vishalakshi Mandir. 13. Dharm Kund. 14.Hanuman Mandir. 15. Old town. 16.Refreshes the old Ayurvedic home. 17. Flower market 18. Blue lassi. 14. Local Market Boat ride on the Ganges River at dawn Without a doubt, one of the magical moments of Varanasi will be taking a boat ride on the Ganges River as the sun rises. We will have to get up quite early but sleep will be forgotten when we contemplate the ghats first thing in the morning, when the city awakens and numerous Hindu faithful go down to the river to take ritual baths. On the ghats we will see people meditating and doing yoga in groups or alone. Without a doubt, the view of Varanasi from the river will remain etched in our hearts.

Varanasi: Mysticism Tour with Boat Ride & Ganga Aarti

Varanasi: Mysticism Tour with Boat Ride & Ganga Aarti

Enjoy an amazing tour outing which is a combination of walking tour and boat ride. Experience Varanasi with a storyteller and guide and discover the life energies of the Ganga Aarti, a destination not to be missed. Follow your guide as you watch the setting of the sun on the horizon. Be mesmerized with the stunning beauty of colorful old buildings, ashrams, and places. Bear eyewitness to the mystic Ganga Aarti; one of the five rituals performed for the worship of sacred river Ganga. See the rituals performed by local brahmins and sadhus, devotees walking down to the Ghats to offer their prayers to the Mother Ganges. Enjoy an evening boat ride around Manikarnika Ghat. View the city's most wonderful scenes with great conversation to understand the importance of Kashi and the significance of different ghats.

Varanasi: Private Prayagraj Triveni Sangam day tour

Varanasi: Private Prayagraj Triveni Sangam day tour

Prayagraj covering its historical, spiritual, and cultural highlights. -Triveni Sangam Begin your day at Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Take a holy dip or a boat ride to witness the serene sunrise. -Saraswati ghat -Bade Hanuman Ji Temple Visit the Bade Hanuman Ji Temple, famous for its reclining Hanuman idol. -Anand Bhavan Anand Bhavan, the ancestral home of the Nehru-Gandhi family, now a museum. -Shri Adi Shankar Vimana Mandapam, Sangam There you can see the view of sangam -Allahabad Fort

Varanasi: 3-Hour Evening Aarti Tour and Boat Ride

Varanasi: 3-Hour Evening Aarti Tour and 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.

Varanasi Landmark Evening City Tour - Aarti & Boating

Varanasi Landmark Evening City Tour - Aarti & Boating

It’s a city with deep cultural experience, The sacred river of Ganga preserves the memory of thousands of years in her motherly water which flows just in the center of the city. Our tours will take you to a magnificent Sunset with Ganga Aarti (Praying to the God of the river –The Ganges) where life starts at the bank of Mother Ganga with morning eye-opener prayers by the scared priest, you can enjoy these spectacular scenes on the boat. This is a lifetime cultural experience to not MISS! While at the same places while exploring cultural heritage you will find THE END of life at Manikarnika Ghat where people are burning the dead body of loved ones. Our tours will bring you to the life and death experiences at the cultural heritage sites of Mother Ganges.

Top activities

All activities

265 activities found
Sort by:
Recommended

Go beyond Varanasi

Frequently asked questions about Varanasi

What are the best day trips and excursions from Varanasi?

The best day trips and excursions from Varanasi are:

See all day trips and excursions from Varanasi on GetYourGuide

What are the best inexpensive tours in Varanasi?

These are the best activities when you are visiting Varanasi on a budget:

See all inexpensive activities in Varanasi on GetYourGuide

Other Sightseeing Options in Varanasi

Want to discover all there is to do in Varanasi? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Varanasi

Overall rating

4.1
(61 reviews)

Anmol introduced us to the peculiarities of the ghats and then led us to the boat, which took us for a ride on the Ganges. We were able to see cremation ceremonies, monasteries, purification rituals - in short, an impactful and powerful expression of Hindu culture and religiosity. I recommend it!

vikash was very knowledgable and informative.he provided detail information a out the history of varanasi and cultural events. i totaly recommend him

The guide was wonderful and showed us some amazing Temples, including the monkey temple, definitely a highlight, everything was great though.

Akash was great in collecting us in the crowds and afterwards in showing us the hidden gems of Varanasi. Definitely recommend!

very imformative and knowledgable., delicious food. i recommend him.