Varanasi Private Guided Tour: One Day Exploration of Ancient Temples and Holy Ghats

Experience the ancient temples and holy ghats of Varanasi on a private guided tour. Witness morning rituals, explore winding lanes and temples, visit Sarnath, and attend the vibrant Ganga Arti ceremony.

Duration: 14 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Ganges River - Begin your day with an early morning pick-up from your hotel at 6 AM for a sunrise boat ride.

Experience a boat ride on the Ganges River at sunrise, starting from the main Ghats, known as Dashaswamedh Ghat, to Harishchandra Ghat, and then down to Manikarnika Ghat. The boat ride begins as the sun rises, which is the main attraction of Varanasi. Before that, observe the various activities at the Ghats. The lively atmosphere makes it one of the best places to visit. The early morning light casts a magical glow over the river and its ghats. Witnessing the sunrise from a boat provides a unique perspective as the sky transitions from darkness to light, painting the surroundings in hues of orange and pink. Pilgrims and locals gather along the ghats to perform their morning rituals, including taking a holy dip in the river, offering prayers, and participating in Aarti. The chants, bells, and fragrance of incense add to the spiritual ambiance. Observe locals starting their day, children playing, and people practicing yoga.

  • Sarnath - After breakfast, proceed to Sarnath, a place of great historical and spiritual significance. It is where Lord Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon to his five disciples, marking the birthplace of the Buddhist religion. Visit the Thai Temple, which houses the tallest statue of Lord Buddha, standing at 80 feet 9 inches. Explore the archaeological site known as the Ruins, where you will see many stupas like Dhamekh, Dharamrajika, and Votive Stupa, as well as the Ashokan Pillar and a few deer. Then, proceed to the Archaeological Museum, which displays a rich collection of artifacts, including pottery, ancient coins, inscriptions, and architectural fragments dating back to the Maurya, Kushan, and Gupta periods. The most iconic piece in the museum is the national emblem of India, consisting of four Asiatic lions.

  • Dasaswamedh Ghat - In the evening, attend the Aarti ceremony held at Dashaswamedh Ghat, a well-organized event that takes place every day after sunset. It is a way of worship to thank the River Ganges. Unlike personal and private Hindu worship, the Ganga Aarti is performed publicly and openly for everyone, attracting thousands of people daily. The ceremony is a unique and energetic Hindu ritual of gratitude. It honors and shows reverence to the river, symbolizing the divine presence and sacred nature of the Ganges. During the Aarti, offerings of light, typically in the form of multi-oil lamps, are made to the river. This act represents the illumination of the soul and the removal of darkness and ignorance. The ceremony is known for its stunning visual appeal, with the synchronized movements of the priests. The best way to attend the ceremony is from a rooftop, where reserved chairs are available for guests, providing the best view and photo opportunities in a completely safe environment.

  • Manikarnika Ghat - Manikarnika Ghat has been a central site for cremation ceremonies for centuries. Its history dates back to ancient times and it has been mentioned in various religious texts and historical accounts. The ghat is considered a sacred place where the soul is believed to attain moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth) when cremated here. It is associated with the deity Lord Shiva and is closely linked to various Hindu myths and legends. The ghat is often bustling with activity, with numerous rituals and ceremonies conducted daily. Every day, more than a hundred bodies are cremated here, making it the largest cremation center in the world. Observe the spread pyres for the deceased.

  • Banaras Ghats - Sarnath is a significant historical and religious place for Buddhists. It holds immense importance in Buddhism as it is where Gautam Buddha gave his first teaching of the Dharma after attaining enlightenment. This event is known as the Dhammacakraparvartan Sutta or the setting in motion of the wheel of Dharma. Sarnath is also where the first Buddhist Sangha (community) was formed. Visit the Dhamek Stupa, a massive stupa marking the spot where Buddha is believed to have given his first sermon. It is one of the largest stupas in India. See the Ashokan Pillar, built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, which has an edict inscribed on it and is topped by the famous lion capital, now the national emblem of India. The Sarnath Archaeological Museum holds a rich collection of Buddhist sculptures, relics, and other artifacts excavated from Sarnath, including the unique lion capital. Visit the Thai Temple, which houses the tallest statue of Buddha, standing at 80 feet 9 inches.

  • Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple) - The temple’s origins are believed to date back over 3000 years and it is mentioned in ancient texts. The temple underwent several reconstructions due to invasions and destruction over the centuries. In the 18th century, the temple was rebuilt by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple remains a central pilgrimage site, attracting millions of devotees and tourists. It is also called the Golden Temple because it contains 820 kg of gold.

What's Included
  • Private air-conditioned car for full day
  • Government-approved professional tour guide
  • Private chair on rooftop balcony for Evening Aarti ceremony
  • All fees and taxes included
  • Private morning boat for sunrise ride
What's Not Included
  • Gratitudes ( tips )
  • Everything which is not mentioned in inclusions
Additional Information

Visitors with limited time who desire a comprehensive experience of Varanasi can take advantage of an encompassing one-day tour. The excursion begins with a pre-dawn 5 am pickup, leading to a visit to the primary ghat. Guests will engage in a privately conducted rowboat journey to intimately witness the morning ceremonies, witness the sunrise, and partake in sacred dips in the Ganges. The tour provides a panoramic view of the ghats, ranging from Dasaswamedh Ghat to Harishchandra Ghat, and progresses to Manikarnika Ghat, the world’s largest cremation ground where daily a minimum of 200 bodies are cremated. Following this, the tour meanders through the twisting alleys and venerable temples of the ancient city. After breakfast around 10 am, the tour continues to Sarnath, a pivotal site in Buddhism where the Buddha delivered his inaugural sermon to his earliest followers. The day concludes with an opportunity to observe the vibrant Evening Aarti ceremony from a rooftop vantage point, an ideal spot to fully appreciate the event. Guests benefit from the expertise of a seasoned guide, whose heartfelt dedication and forthright approach ensure a deeply engaging and genuine presentation of the city’s multifaceted heritage.

Location
Ganges River
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(96 Ratings)
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Miguelhl876ua
Sep 20, 2024
Very formal and correct - Great Guide. Well explained in Spanish. He knows Varanasi's secrets. Absolute availability to collaborate on everything requested
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Excursion53302395550
Sep 10, 2024
The best thing was definitely the guide Manish Pandei. - The best thing was definitely the guide Manish Pandei. Who showed up the night before the tour to finalize details and was very punctual throughout. A Very Pro, Dedicated Guide with Excellent Spanish. While there were some setbacks, Manish has resolved them in a great way. I recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ericodelacruz
Aug 24, 2024
Very good tour - Amazing tour, Arvind is an incredible guide. Lots of historical and cultural learning alongside the mainspots of Varanasi and Sarnath.
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Derekrph
Aug 10, 2024
Excellent guided tour that customized to our needs - Abhishek was on Time, very helpful and knowledgeable and catered to our needs very well. He adjusted the tour stops per our requests and was able to manage an evening Aarti even though the water level was very high and space limited. I would recommend him to anyone visiting Varanasi.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Grandtour01439523880
Aug 7, 2024
Safe and great experience - Guide abhishek was awsome for the. The hospitality given by him was fully satisfied to us. All service like fooding travelling transporting was good and worth for the money. Thanku for the safe and great trip....hope will meet soon
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V517trjordanr
May 13, 2024
Great way to see it all in a day - Enjoyed the tour with Arvind, he went out of his way for us and was very knowledgable . The highlights were the morning boat ride during sunset and the pace was relaxed.
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Ganeshsd1441wp
Apr 10, 2024
Good one! - Little bit on my the expensive side, but a well organised tour with a friendly tour guide. Aravind was fantastic as my tour guide and I would highly recommend him.
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E3961fimatthewr
Apr 7, 2024
Fascinating day out - Such a great insight into a fascinating city! Up early for the boat ride but well worth it, and finishes into the evening with an amazing religious ceremony attended by thousands. A number of breaks in between to freshen up before heading back into the madness of Varanasi. Arvind was very good and knew all the great viewing spots. Very knowledgeable and would recommend him. Great tour all up and a perfect way to sink your teeth into an amazing city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Martine_e
Mar 31, 2024
We did the 12h tour with... - We did the 12h tour with Ballu. Its was very informative and educational. Ended the day at the evening seremony by the river, it was amazing!
Review provided by Viator
Amit
Sep 6, 2024
Good day tour in hot & humid Sept Varanasi - I give four stars because 5/5 is perfect and that's not possible for anyone. I would happily give 4.5 if it was possible. We visited Varanasi early September 2024. The weather was hot and humid and Ganga river was flooded so almost all ghats were under water. Abhishek was a good tour guide. He was nice, had connections to organise visits, helpful, courteous, considerate. Good overall. I would recommend him. He managed to get us a spot on cruise when boats weren't allowed. He got us a spot to view evening arti which was at improvised rooftop because of flood. It wasn't the best location but I guess it was the best he could do in the given time. I would advise him to talk about more facts and dates an specifics about places of interest. There's also a lot of scope for improvement in spoken English. Also, think about opening a museum on history of Varanasi - I'm surprised this doesn't exists. I would recommend this tour to anyone that happens to be short on time. If possible don't visit Varanasi in hot/warm/monsoon weather. February or November is probably the best time. And be prepared to experience crowd, noise and chaos like you've never experienced before unless you're from Varanasi.
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up to 6 guests
2 Adult
October 2024
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