• Dasaswamedh Ghat - Begin your day 30 minutes before sunrise with a boat ride on the Ganges. Besides the sunrise, you’ll see palaces along the riverbank, crematoriums (Manikarnika and Harishchandra), and various activities such as pilgrims taking holy baths, offering candles with flowers, shaving their heads for rituals, and laundrymen washing clothes. Enjoy a 1-hour private rowing boat ride on the Ganges.

• Varanasi Old Town Tour With Me - 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, take a 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. The red temple was once home to many monkeys, hence the nickname “Monkey Temple.”

• Bharat Mata Temple - Proceed to the Mother India Temple to see a relief map of India made from white marble on the floor. Then return to your 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 where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment, making it a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists. Start by visiting the Sri Lankan Temple, which features a Buddha statue and beautiful wall paintings depicting Buddha’s life.

• Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath - Next, visit the archaeological site to see the massive Dhamekh Stupa, built by Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. Then, explore the Archaeological Museum, home to India’s national emblem and numerous statues of Buddha and Hindu deities. You’ll also see a 25-meter high Buddha statue made by the Thai monastery. Return to Varanasi, stopping to observe the silk weaving art of Varanasi along the way. Take a 2-hour lunch break.

• Ganga Aarti - Conclude with a walking tour and the evening Aarti ceremony. Stroll through the old city to experience the local lifestyle, passing through a bustling market and narrow lanes with old houses, shrines, and the Golden Temple of Shiva (viewed from outside). Witness the cremation process, including the purchase of wood and the preparation of funeral pyres. Finally, walk along the Ganges to Dasaswamedh Ghat to watch the Aarti ceremony, a daily prayer ritual performed by seven Hindu priests using incense, flowers, and fire. The ceremony lasts for one hour. Return to your hotel with cherished memories.

• 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.
• Gratuities
• Tea/coffee and snacks

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.