Varanasi Walking Tours: Explore Sacred Temples, Ghats, Markets and Narrow Alleys
5.0
20 Ratings
Varanasi
Experience the vibrant and spiritual city of Varanasi through a guided walking tour. Explore sacred temples, bustling markets, narrow alleys, and witness religious activities along the banks of the Ganges River.
Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Godowlia - On the way to the Dashashwamedh Ghat (Main Ghat), we will pass from Godowlia Crossing, its the most busy/crowded crossing..
  • Dasaswamedh Ghat - Dashashwamedh Ghat, is divided into two parts in between the two parts is Prayaga Ghat- which is replicates the holy city of Prayagraj (Allahabad). This ghat is presumed to be the first historically recorded site associated with the horse sacrifice performed by the Shiva Nagas king around the 3rd century. Walking around here you can get an idea of religious activities and the associated shops selling ritual items.
  • Man Singh Observatory - Man Mandir Ghat, on which stands a palace built by the king of Amber (Rajasthan), Savai Man Singh in 1585-1605. It is known primarily for the magnificent building with exquisite, ornately carved windows carving, and on the roof the Hindu Observatory built by Savai Jai Singh in 1710. The giant’s stone instruments were once used to study the movement of the sun, the moon, the stars, and other heavenly bodies.
  • Meer Ghat - Meer Ghat, named in 1735 after the Muslim commander Mir Rustam Ali, provides access to the Vishalakshi temple, and Dharma Kupa. At the top of the Ghat a conservative Brahmin (Swami Karapatri-ji) built New Vishwanath temple in 1956.
  • Nepali Temple (Kathwala Temple) - Nepali Ghat, close to the bank is a pretty little shrine of the goddess Ganga River, and from the bank a staircase lead to the Nepalese temple (Replica of Pashupati Nath Temple), a very picturesque building, built chief of wood and brick, and known for its erotic sculptures in wood. All four gateways and the doors of the temple are fully decorated with symbolic and archetypal architecture. You we can have short stop here..
  • Manikarnika Ghat - Manikarnika Ghat- famous for cremation ground (photography of the cremation area is prohibited), where one can watch the cremation and related rituals.
  • Alamgir Mosque - Alamgir Mosque, which was built on the location of a 11th century Vishnu temple. After its first destruction in the 15th century, it was re-made by the king of Amber (Rajasthan), but finally demolished and transformed in mosque in 1673 by the bigoted Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The original image of black-marble Lord Vishnu is kept in the nearby house of Lakshmanabala, now known as Vindu Madhav Temple, and attracts thousands of devotees and pilgrims. To the left of the entrance gate is an image of Lord Vishnu’s vehicle Garudda, a divine bird, and to the right is Hanuman, Lord Rama’s devotees. These are pieces of the original temple and are excellent example of miniature and column architecture. Inside the temple, straight ahead one can see the image of Vishnu Madhava. While enjoying the flight of stone steps, on the left you pass through the monastery of Ramananda, a 14th century saint who was the guru of the great Saint Kabir (1398-1518).
  • Maa Sankata Devi Temple - From here we continue our walks, as we enter the lanes of the northern part of the old city, we will get to peep through the galiya (Alley ways), and lives of people who have never left the street for years. Seeing the life style of Varanasi is distinct in nature, and referred to as Banarasipan. It is an art of living, both passionate and carefree, what the Varanasi dwellers call Masti (“Joie de vivre”), Mauj (“Delight, festivity”), and Phakarapan (“Care freeness”). Some point, we all enjoy a very famous local snacks and drinks
  • Blue Lassi Shop - We can stop here for one who likes to drink a very famous lassi (on own expenses) ..
  • Kashi Vishwanath Temple - Kashi Vishwanath Temple, is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Its also known as Golden temple..
  • Godowlia - Passing by Local Markets, shops, and one more famous temple, we will end our tour here..
What's Included
  • Eco-friendly tour guide
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Tea and coffee provided
What's Not Included
  • Vehicle for pickup and drop from/to any hotel..
  • Any monument entrance fee..
Additional Information

Varanasi, the place where many faiths intersect, is a vibrant burst of colors, scents, sounds, and flavors, a fusion of incredible characters intertwined with ancient architecture & carvings. It’s in this city that the richness of the Indian culture fully resides. As you move through its bustling neighborhoods, you’ll undeniably experience a strong sense of unity and vitality that permeates every corner. People from all corners of India call Varanasi’s historic district home, and taking a trek through its tight labyrinth-like lanes is an exhilarating experience you shouldn’t overlook..

What the tour includes:

  • Spiritual activities on the banks of the Ganges River
  • Key Ghats
  • Sacred Shrines
  • Tight passageways
  • Local Bazaars
  • Cremation Sites
  • A few ideal spots for snapshots

Just as a heads up: Our journeys on foot are always centered around one specific theme – hence, we warmly welcome you to join us in our explorations..

Location
Girja Ghar Chauraha
In front of St. Thomas Church at Girja Ghar Crossing..
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(20 Ratings)
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971geetesha
May 12, 2024
Wonderful Varanasi walking tour - If you truly want to experience the essence of Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India, a walking tour with Rajeev is an absolute must. My wife and I visited Varanasi in May 2024, along with my wife's parents, a trip we have always hoped to take them on. Rajeev seamlessly wove together intricate details about the ancient ghats, temples, and rituals with deeper philosophical meanings and personal anecdotes. His explanations were not mere recitations of facts but illuminating stories that transported us back in time. What sets Rajeev apart is his ability to navigate the chaotic and labyrinthine streets of Varanasi with ease. He has many local connections, granting us access to hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path destinations that most miss. The great benefit of this is that the city can be enjoyed in peace, away from the busiest parts of the city. He allowed us ample time to soak in the spiritual energy, encouraging us to pause, reflect and connect with the space on a deeper level. I cannot recommend this tour highly enough for anyone seeking an authentic and immersive experience in the timeless city of Varanasi (Kashi).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Expedition508457
Apr 14, 2024
Amazing Kashi Tour! - What a divine experience for our group of seven family members from Africa & USA. Rajeev & Rohit organized an itinerary that showcased the most amazing history of Kashi and Vishwanath temple over our 3 day stay in Varanasi. It was meticulously planned and they were always punctual and there with us throughout the day. We had gone for the final funeral rites and Asthi Visarjan for my late father. The ceremony was set against the background of an early morning sunrise from a boat with a priest accompanied by the soft tunes of a flute player. The morning and evening Aartis on the Ghats were phenomenal! So very professionally organized! We would highly recommend Rajiv & Rohit for organizing any guided tours in the region. Thank you both for giving us a most enjoyable and memorable experience. 🙏🏻 Smita & Dinshi Amin Malawi
Review provided by Tripadvisor
444utkarshs
Oct 7, 2023
Best Walking Tour - Really informative and wonderful experience on the walking tour. I learnt a lot about the Ghats. Had a great time
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Jasonwy3683wl
Jul 17, 2023
Ask for Mukesh! - Had a wonderful time with Kashi Journeys! Our guide, Mukesh, was very patient, kind, and knowledgeable about Varanasi. He took us around the old town, sharing the history and culture of the city while also making sure we were having a good and safe time. He provided helpful recommendations while also taking into consideration what we wanted to do. When we got caught in a large crowd of people returning from the Ganga Aarti, he made sure we were safe and could find the way back to our car. He also went above and beyond to help us navigate to our restaurant after the tour, essentially guiding our tuk tuk driver all the way there. Highly recommend Kashi Journeys and be sure to ask for Mukesh! Our driver, Ajit, was also very kind and made sure we got around in a fast and safe way.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nurbanu_k
Jun 24, 2023
He was the best guide... - He was the best guide ever in all India. Anubis was so knowledgeable and sophisticated and the friendliest person. We thank him so much.
Review provided by Viator
Klamoia
Jan 9, 2023
Incredible Tour with Rajeev - My tour with Rajeev was incredible to say the least. I was lucky to have a tour with him and just 1 other person. Im usually not a big "tour" person, I like to explore alone. But it was my first day in Kashi and I wanted to learn about the city. It was the best decision I could have ever made... India is fast paced, but Rajeev has such a calming presence. He beautifully explained that this tour isn't about just simply seeing monuments or things, it's about feeling. We saw some incredible things, but more importantly he encouraged us to take as much time and space as we needed to process what we were experiencing. He is of course, extremely knowledgeable about the city, its history and the Hindu practices that take place there. I learned SO much. The whole day was something I will never forget.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sssingh444
Jul 23, 2022
Kashi Tour! - Kashi Tours with Rajeev Ji was one of my favorite parts of my India trip. I didn’t know much about Kashi prior to going, I had watched a video or two but Rajeev Ji was able to show us things that really embodied the heart of Kashi rather than just the normal touristy things. My favorite part was the Ganga Aartis, both morning and night which I 10/10 recommend. Definitely had some early mornings but in the end it was so worth it to really get a feel of what makes Kashi so special.
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Mosingh2964
Jul 14, 2022
Wonderful Kashi Experience - Mr. Rajeev Rastogi is an awesome tour guide. He knows how to put together a tour based on your preferences. Very flexible in adding and subtracting items from the agenda as needed. Very informative and has an excellent sense of humor - makes the whole tour a joyful experience. Looking forward to doing an off-beat tour with Rajeevji in the near future.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sasiradhakrishnan
Mar 31, 2022
Safe,comfortable and enjoyable Varanasi pilgrimage - We, a group of 15 members, mostly senior citizens had a safe, comfortable and enjoyable pilgrimage trip with Sri. Rajeev Rastogi of Kashi Journeys as our tour guide/escort. We chose him based on his professional ratings and found him much more than a guide. When we contacted him, we explained our requirements, concerns, length of stay, and approximate budget and asked him to prepare an itinerary suiting us and all other related arrangements. The very next day he came up with all details and we had no hesitation to confirm the plan. Starting from airport pickup till airport drop off, he was with us and everyone of us were very pleased with his services. During our stay we found him very honest, committed to his work, punctual and enjoys moving with guests and quite often exceeds our expectations. If anyone plans Varanasi pilgrimage tour and looking for a good guide/escort, you can confidently call him and I am sure that you will not be disappointed. I wish him good health and Lord Viswanathan's blessings throughout his life. We are again planning for a long stay at Varanasi and definitely Rajeev will be our host.
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Lakshmiprabha
Mar 2, 2022
Thank you Rajeev ji - It was a wonderful journey, and we took a lot of memories back to our home. The itinerary was fantastic. The food and accommodation was very good. Rajeev was most caring and brilliant tour guide. He took care of everything from food, stay, travels, finding out best eateries, shopping stops. He cared for each one of us. He was more like a son. Every step of the trip is tailored in comfortable way. Thank you Rajeev ji for making this trip a memorable one. Wishing you all the best. Our blessings and prayers are with you. Thank you, Lakshmi Prabha
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up to 12 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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