• Dasaswamedh Ghat - Depart 30 minutes before sunrise for a boat ride on the Ganges River. In addition to the sunrise, view the palaces along the riverbank, the crematoriums (Manikarnika and Harishchandra), and various activities such as pilgrims taking holy baths to cleanse their sins, offering candles with flowers, shaving their heads for rituals, and laundry workers washing clothes. Enjoy a 1-hour private rowing boat ride on the Ganges.

• Varanasi Old Town Tour - Spend 30 minutes at Dasaswamedh Ghat observing pilgrims and morning rituals, followed by a 30-minute walk through the narrow lanes of the old city.

• Banaras Hindu University - After the boat ride, travel by car to Banaras Hindu University, which boasts the largest university campus in Asia. The campus is lush and beautiful.

• Monkey Temple (Durga Temple) - Next, visit the 200-year-old Durga Temple, dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Durga. Known as the Monkey Temple due to the many monkeys that once inhabited it, the temple is painted red.

• Bharat Mata Temple - Proceed to the Mother India Temple to see a relief map of India crafted from white marble on the floor. Return to the hotel for breakfast and a 2-hour break to freshen up.

• Sarnath Deer Park - After breakfast, head to Sarnath, located 8 km from Varanasi. Sarnath is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment. Visit the Sri Lankan temple, which features a Buddha statue and beautiful wall paintings depicting Buddha’s life.

• Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath - Explore the archaeological site to see the massive Dhamekh Stupa, constructed by Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. Visit the Archaeological Museum to view India’s national emblem and numerous statues of Buddha and Hindu deities. See the 25-meter high Buddha statue created by the Thai monastery. Return to Varanasi, observing the traditional silk weaving art (handloom) along the way. Take a 2-hour lunch break.

• Ganga Aarti - Embark on a walking tour and attend the evening Aarti ceremony. Experience the lifestyle of generations living in the old city. Visit a bustling market selling clothes, vegetables, and fruits, and take a long walk through narrow lanes to see old houses, shrines, and the exterior of the Golden Temple of Shiva. Observe the cremation process, including the purchase of wood and the construction and lighting of funeral pyres. Walk along the Ganges to Dasaswamedh Ghat to witness the Aarti ceremony, a daily prayer ritual performed by seven Hindu priests using incense, flowers, and fire. The ceremony lasts one hour. Return to the hotel with cherished memories as the tour concludes.

• Manikarnika Ghat - The guide will explain the Hindu cremation process.

• Bottle of water per person
• Guided tour with an official guide
• Transportation in a comfortable car (Etios, Desire, or similar)

• Sarnath monument entrance ticket INR 305/- per person.

This comprehensive Varanasi experience from dawn until dusk is split into three segments: starting the day at Dashashwamedh ghat observing morning rituals like the sacred bath of devotees and temple tours, then on to Sarnath, the location of Buddha’s first sermon, and finally, a walk through ancient Varanasi in the evening that concludes with a stunning Aarti ceremony. Accompanying the tour will be a knowledgeable guide sharing insights into Varanasi’s cultural fabric, along with teachings about Hinduism and Buddhism.
Varanasi is the essence of India, brimming with life beyond its historic structures. The tour will bring to light the significance of the river Ganges in the lives of Hindus. Assuredly, you will return with a heart full of indelible memories.

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