Day trip

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

3.6 / 5

5 reviews

Activity provider: INDIATOR
Day trip

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

Activity provider: INDIATOR

From US$ 86 per person

Discover the spiritual beauty of India on this private day tour of Varanasi and the surrounding areas. See both the morning and evening aarti ceremonies and visit every key spiritual site in the area, with a knowledgeable tour guide.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 12 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English

Experience

Highlights
  • See the key spiritual sites of Varanasi on this full-day tour
  • Marvel at the magical beauty of the morning and evening aarti ceremonies
  • Visit the sacred pilgrimage site of Sarnath and learn about Buddhism
  • Explore many sacred temples in the area
Full description
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. 
Includes
  • Private full-day tour
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • English-speaking tour guide
  • Mineral water
  • Personal expenses
  • Food and drinks

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Customer reviews

Overall rating

3.6 /5

based on 5 reviews

Review summary

  • Transportation
    3/5
  • Value for money
    2/5
  • Safety
    5/5
  • Service
    4.5/5

Sort by:

Traveler type:

Star rating:

Very good tour from sunrise to sunset

Very good full day tour from sunrise to sunset with virtually all the essential places of Varanasi and Sarnath: both aarti ceremonies, boat ride, visit to numerous temples and the archaeological site of Sarnath. As our hotel was close to the Ganges, we were able to take breaks for breakfast and lunch (and they really are needed after the early morning). I recommend it for those who only have one day to see the city and want to cover as much as possible. As an inconvenience I would put its price, although it is true that there are many guide hours, all the places visited (except Sarnath) are free admission

Read more

March 24, 2019

The tour was interesting but really overpriced for what it offers. Most things are free anyway, for other one pays anyway. Guide fixed us good seats so watching ceremonies was very enjoyable.

February 16, 2023

From the description of the tour it was stated that you experienced both morning and evening aarti-ceremonies, which is why the tour start at 5 am, but according to the guide, nothing happened in the morning, which is why he suggested the tour start at 10.30 am That is, there was no boat trip, which otherwise could have been a fantastic experience in the morning. At the hotel I was offered a similar trip at 40% of the price of what I had paid. You have therefore paid a significant overprice for the trip.

Read more

November 5, 2019

Product ID: 180611