• Experience Varanasi - Private Guided Tours - An accredited guide will greet guests at their hotel and accompany them to the old city, providing insights into the day’s sights. Visitors will stroll down to the ghats (banks of the River Ganga), where the guide will explain the morning activities, such as pilgrims heading to the river, vendors selling flowers, and priests along the path to the temple.

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

An hour-long journey from Dashashwamedh Ghat to Harishchandra Ghat and Manikarnika Ghat and back is popular. Be prepared to witness a cremation at Harishchandra and Manikarnika Ghat.

People bathe, perform rituals, practice yoga and meditation, and worship the rising sun—it’s all part of the experience.

• Kashi Vishwanath Temple - After the boat ride, enjoy a walking tour through the old city’s alleyways leading to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. This is one of the most significant Shiva temples, with over 850 kilograms of real gold on its top. The tour guide will explain the temple’s significance and share stories about its heritage.

Guests can request their guide to take them to a popular street food spot 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 continuing with other tours during the day. It’s a great time to recharge and perhaps upload and share beautiful pictures from the sunrise boat ride with friends and family.

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

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

• Dhamek Stupa - The Dhamek Stupa is a massive and prominent Buddhist monument located in the Deer Park at Sarnath. It is a highly sacred site for Buddhists worldwide, marking the exact 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 a 3rd century BCE polished sandstone pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka. Its most famous feature is the Lion Capital, which now serves as 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.

After visiting Sarnath, drive to a good local restaurant for lunch.

• Lallapura Muslim School Road - Walk through the weavers’ district of Varanasi to learn about the life of the weavers and the hand-weaving process of the famous silk brocades and Banarasi sari. Banaras’s handloom weaving traditions are mentioned in Vedic and Buddhist literature.

• Banaras Hindu University - Banaras Hindu University is an internationally renowned institution known for its academic history and cultural significance.

BHU is one of India’s top-ranking universities and the largest residential university in Asia. Drive through the lush green campus, and visitors may explore the new Vishwanath temple within the campus.

• Durga Temple - After driving through the university, visit the famous Durga Temple, a beautiful temple painted in red. It was constructed in the 18th century by a queen from Bengal.

The temple is particularly significant for the worship of Goddess Durga and is considered one of the most powerful and mystical temples in Kashi.

• Dasaswamedh Ghat - Finally, walk down to Dashashwamedh Ghat to witness the famous Ganga Aarti ceremony from the shore. The Aarti is performed by a group of young priests facing the river.

The Aarti, or offering of lamps, is observed at specific hours of the day and night to invoke the Gods. The lamps are revolved before the idols in a clockwise manner, accompanied by the chanting of hymns. This recitation is accompanied by drums, the blowing of conch shells, and the tolling of temple bells.

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

• Knowledgeable guide with local insights on dining, museums, attractions, and festivals
• Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off service
• Exclusive private tour experience
• Complimentary bottled water provided
• Two exclusive private boat rides included
• Travel comfortably in a private vehicle

• Food and drinks
• Gratuities
• Airport transfers (pick up & drop from the airport/train station to the hotel).
• Entrance tickets for Kashi Vishwanath temple. This is an optional visit

This tour is ideal for guests with just one day to explore Varanasi. It offers the best experiences of Varanasi in a single day.

• An accredited guide will greet you at your hotel in Varanasi and accompany you to the old city.

• Begin with a morning boat ride. Observe as people take an early morning dip to cleanse their sins, perform rituals, and worship the rising sun.

• Enjoy a guided walk through the old city, which helps you acclimate to the local culture and visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple corridor.

• Return to your hotel to freshen up, have breakfast, and rest.

• Travel to Sarnath (approximately 10 km from Varanasi). Sarnath is a sacred site for Buddhism, as Buddha delivered his First Sermon here. Visit the main temple, the excavated ruins, and the Archaeological Museum (the museum is closed on Fridays).

• Lunch break.

• Visit Banaras Hindu University and the Durga Temple.

• Conclude the day by attending the Ganga Aarti ceremony from the shore.

• Children must be accompanied by an adult

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