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Varanasi UNESCO sites

Our most recommended Varanasi UNESCO sites

From Varanasi: Sunrise Boat Tour and Heritage Walk

1. 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.

Delhi: 6-Day Golden Triangle & Varanasi Private Tour

2. 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.

Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer

3. Private Varanasi Heritage Walk with Hotel Transfer

Start your day of discovery with a convenient pick-up from your accommodation. After a short meet and greet with your driver you will set-off on your adventure to explore the hidden gems of the spiritual city of Varanasi.  Start your tour at 9:00 AM with a short, scenic drive to the old city of Bangali Tola, in the South Eastern part of the old wing. From here you will start your walking tour, exploring all the mystical narrow lanes and experiencing the spiritual essence of Varanasi. Witness the locals and get a chance to see their lifestyles. Sit back and observe the pleasant chaos of the lively markets where you can approach vendors selling vegetables, spices and, clothes.  As you stroll through the many alleys you will get to see some particular highlights, like the Dalmandi Muslim area, a famous wholesale market selling garments and other exotic items. You will also get to discover the local market of Chowk the Pakka Bazar of Varanasi, Gold Dina Nath the spice market and Lohatiya the utensils market. After a day of walking and excitement, you will be conveniently returned back to your accommodation. 

Private Sarnath Excursion with Evening Ganaga Aarti

4. Private Sarnath Excursion with Evening Ganaga Aarti

Start your spiritual tour of Sarnath with a convenient pick-up at your accommodation. Meet your driver at 2:00 PM in the lobby of your hotel. After a short meet and greet, you will take a scenic 10 km drive to Sarnath, one of India's main pilgrimage sites for Buddhists.  Upon arriving in Sarnath, your guide will immediately take you on an architectural tour of all the most historically important buildings in the area. Marvel at the truly unique Buddhist architecture and learn about some of the buildings' history. This location is sacred and considered to be the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment.   Next, visit Chaukhandi Stupa where Buddha met his first disciples. Peruse through excavated artefacts and striking Ashoka Pillars at Sarnath Archeological Museum. Admire the fine paintings on the walls of the monastery that was built in the 1930s at Mulagandhakuti Vihara. After your tour of Sarnath, you will be driven back to Varanasi to attend the grand evening Ganga Aarti at the famous Dashashwamedha Ghat. Be a part of the spiritual evening Aarti where you will witness something truly special. Be in awe of vividly decorated stages with flowers, cloths, brass lamps, musical instruments and, holy offerings. Hear the soulful hymns and prayers accompanied with mantras and immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere. After the evening Ganga Aarti, you will be dropped back to your hotel in Varanasi city.

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

Bhawna was an amazing tour guide: knowledgeable, professional, sweet and calm. She made all three of us feel very comfortable and we learnt a lot about the city and the culture. Her English was very good and it was easy to understand everything. She was open to questions about the society as well as the thing we did and saw. She was also flexible for changes in the program as we had already done a few thing that she had planned for us to do. Would highly recommend to anyone visiting Varanasi!

We had a great tour, everything was nicely planned. Our guides provided us with interesting insights and the drivers were also very helpful and reliable. Would definitely recommend this tour!

On time. Informative. Incredible experience. Highly recommended.