Experience Varanasi Tour: 2 Days Private Guided Tour

Experience Varanasi - Private Guided Tours - At 10:00 am, an accredited guide will meet guests at their hotel and accompany them to the old city, explaining the day’s sightseeing itinerary.

Godowlia - Bazaar Walk: Discover the hidden wholesale markets in the old city, including Paan (betel leaf), spices, toys, flowers, and more.

Walking through the narrow alleys of these markets, filled with a variety of scents and sights, provides guests with a phenomenal experience.

After the walking tour, enjoy lunch at a quality local restaurant.

Lallapura Muslim School Road - Weaver’s District Tour: Stroll through Varanasi’s weavers district to learn about the weavers’ lives and the hand-weaving process of the renowned silk brocades and Banarasi sari.

Banaras’s handloom weaving traditions are mentioned in Vedic and Buddhist literature.

Banaras Hindu University - This internationally renowned temple of learning is celebrated for its academic history and cultural significance. Banaras Hindu University ranks among India’s top universities and is one of Asia’s largest residential universities. Drive through the lush green campus and visit the new Vishwanath temple within the campus.

Monkey Temple (Durga Temple) - After the university drive, visit the famous Durga Temple, a beautiful red-painted temple built in the 18th century by a queen from Bengal.

It holds particular significance for the worship of Goddess Durga and is considered one of Kashi’s most powerful and mystical temples.

Ganges River - Evening Boat Ride: Enjoy an evening boat ride at sunset, witnessing the riverside activities, including the cremation at Manikarnika Ghat from the boat.

Finally, stop at Dasaswamedh Ghat to enjoy the Ganga Aarti ceremony from a private boat.

The Aarti, or offering of lamps, is performed at specific times of the day and night to invoke the Gods. Lamps are revolved before the idols in a clockwise manner, accompanied by hymn chanting, drums, conch-shell blowing, and temple bell tolling.

After this experience, guests will be dropped back at their hotel, concluding the day’s tour.

Experience Varanasi Tour: 2 Days Private Guided Tour

Varanasi - The tour guide will meet guests at their hotel and accompany them to the old city, explaining the day’s sights. Guests will walk down to the ghats (banks of the River Ganga), where the guide will describe the morning activities, including pilgrims heading to the river, vendors selling flowers, and priests along the temple lane.

Ganges River - Morning Boat Ride: A dawn boat ride along the Ganges is a quintessential Varanasi experience. The early-morning light is particularly inspiring, and the vibrant scene of pilgrims bathing and performing puja unfolds before guests.

An hour-long trip from Dashashwamedh Ghat to Harishchandra Ghat and Manikarnika Ghat and back is popular, with the possibility of witnessing a burning corpse at Harishchandra and Manikarnika Ghat.

People bathing, performing rituals, practicing yoga and meditation, and worshiping the rising Sun all occur here.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple - After the boat ride, embark on a walking tour through the old city’s alleyways leading to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

This is one of the most important Shiva temples, with over 850 kilograms of real gold on top. The tour guide will explain its significance and share stories about the temple’s heritage.

Guests can request the guide to take them to a popular street food joint to explore traditional local breakfast with a cup of masala chai (tea). Return to the hotel to freshen up, rest, and have breakfast.

Varanasi - Return to the hotel to freshen up, rest, and have breakfast before proceeding with other tours during the day. It’s time to recharge and perhaps upload and share beautiful pictures from the sunrise boat ride experience with friends and family.

Sarnath - After breakfast, drive to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. Walk around the beautiful garden and see the ruins of various monasteries and temples.

Visit the main temple, excavated ruins, and the archaeological museum (closed on Fridays).

Dhamek Stupa - The Dhamek Stupa is a massive and prominent Buddhist monument located at the Deer Park in Sarnath. It is a highly sacred site for Buddhists worldwide, marking the precise spot where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon.

The stupa is a solid cylindrical structure, approximately 43.6 meters (141 feet) in height and 28 meters (92 feet) in diameter at its base.

The lower stone portion of the stupa is adorned with exquisitely carved floral designs, geometric patterns, and figures of humans and birds, characteristic of the Gupta architectural style.

Ashoka Pillar - The Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath is originally a 3rd century BCE polished sandstone pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka, with its most famous feature being the Lion Capital, now the official emblem of India.

The top portion of the pillar, known as the Lion Capital, consists of four lions standing back-to-back, symbolizing strength, courage, and unity.

Sarnath Museum - The Archaeological Museum at Sarnath is India’s oldest site museum, housing findings and excavations from the archaeological site of Sarnath by the Archaeological Survey of India.

In 1904, the Government decided to construct a site museum adjacent to the excavated site at Sarnath to preserve the antiquities found there.

After visiting Sarnath, drive to a quality local restaurant for lunch and return to the hotel for some rest before finally visiting the old city for an evening street food tour.

Godowlia - Flavors of Varanasi Tour: Banaras offers a rich history paired with exceptional cuisine. The streets feature a wide range of eateries offering delicious food sure to satisfy every traveler’s appetite.

Guests will visit several popular street food joints, offering a wide variety of food and beverages. After the food tour, guests will be returned to their hotel.

Please note: Dinner will not be needed after the food tour.

• Two private boat rides with a boatman
• All fees and taxes included
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Street food and beverages on the 2nd day food tour

• Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
• Food and drinks, unless specified
• Gratuities
• Airport transfers (to & from the hotel).
• Entrance tickets for Kashi Vishwanath temple. This is an optional visit

The Explore Varanasi journey is a venture to connect travelers with the city. It is designed to familiarize visitors with Varanasi’s local customs.

Unearth Varanasi’s jewels in two days. In addition to the sunrise and sunset boat voyages, you’ll have the opportunity to delve into various religious facets of the city such as Buddhism. Get a behind-the-scenes glance at the city’s numerous wholesale bazaars, saunter around residential sectors of the ancient city, and delight in delectable street food.

• Children must be accompanied by an adult

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.