Experience Varanasi - Same day Guided Tour. Discount Tickets

5.0
★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 44 reviews |
location pin icon Dashashwamedh Ghat Road, Godowlia, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221001, India
location pin icon Varanasi
5.0 /5
44 reviews
View all Experience Varanasi - Same day Guided Tour. photos
View all Experience Varanasi - Same day Guided Tour. photos

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12% OFF Refundable
Experience Varanasi Tour: 1 day Private Guided Tour
FROM

$58.71

REG. $67.00

Offer details

Pickup included

Overview

This tour is recommended for Guest having only one day for sightseeing in Varanasi. This tour gives you the best of Varanasi in a day. *Our accredited guide will meet you at your hotel inside Varanasi and accompany you to the old city * Start with the morning boat ride. Witness how people take a dip early in the morning to wash away their sins, perform the rituals and worship the rising Sun. * Go for a guided walk in the old city which helps you to acclimatize with the local culture and visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple corridor. * Return back to your hotel for freshen up, breakfast and some rest.. * Drive to Sarnath (which is around 10 Km from Varanasi). Sarnath is a holy spot of Buddhism, as Buddha preached here his First Sermon here. Visit the main temple, excavated ruins and the Archaeological Museum (Museum remains closed on Friday). *Lunch break. * Visit the Banaras Hindu University and the Durga temple. * Finally attend the Ganga Aarti ceremony from the shore.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Your guide will meet you at the hotel reception at the beginning of the tour and drop you back to the hotel after the tour. We do not have the pick up facility from the hotel. (1)Tree of Life (2) Ramada at Katesar, Ramnagar we Your guide will meet you at a decided point in the city.

Pickup Information

Your guide will meet at the hotel reception at the beginning of the tour and drop you back to the hotel after the tour. However for the captioned hotels (1)Tree of Life (2) Ramada at Katesar, Ramnagar we will send the car & driver to the hotel. Your guide will meet you at a decided point in the city since both the hotels are outside the city.

Language Offered

English-GUIDE

Itinerary

1. Experience Varanasi - Private Guided Tours
Our accredited guide will meet you at your hotel and accompany you to the old city explaining you what you will see during the day. You will walk down to the ghats (banks of the River Ganga). Your guide will explain you the morning activities happening along the way, pilgrims walking down to the river, vendors selling flowers, priests standing along the lane to the temple, etc.
Duration: 30 mins
2. Ganges River
Morning Boat ride: A boat ride at dawn along the Ganges is a quintessential Varanasi experience. The early-morning light is particularly inspiring, and all the colour and clamour of pilgrims bathing and performing puja unfolds before you. An hour-long trip south from Dashashwamedh Ghat to Harishchandra Ghat and to Manikarnika Ghat and back is popular and be prepared to see a burning corpse at Harishchandra and Manikarnika Ghat. People talking bath, performing rituals, practicing yoga and meditation, worshiping the rising Sun, … it all happens.
Duration: 60 mins
3. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
After the boat ride, go for a walking tour in the old city walking through the alley ways that leads to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. One of the most important Siva temples with more than 850 kilograms of real gold on the top. Your tour guide will explain the significance and share stories about heritage of the temple. You can always ask your guide to take you at a popular street food joint where you can explore traditional local breakfast along with a cup of masala chai (tea). Return back to your hotel for freshen up, some rest and breakfast.
Duration: 120 mins
4. Varanasi
Return back to your hotel for freshen up, some rest and breakfast before you proceed for the other tours during the day. Time to recharge and may be upload & share some beautiful pictures from the sunrise boat ride experience with friends & family.
Duration: 120 mins
5. Sarnath
Drive to Sarnath after breakfast. Lord Buddha preached his first sermon here after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. Walk around the beautiful garden and see the ruins of different monasteries and temples. Visit the main temple, excavated ruins & the archaeological museum (museum remains closed on Fridays).
Duration: 60 mins
6. Dhamek Stupa
The Dhamek Stupa is a massive and prominent Buddhist monument located at the Deer Park in Sarnath. It is a highly sacred site for Buddhists worldwide, as it marks the precise 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, which are characteristic of the Gupta architectural style.
Duration: 60 mins
7. Ashoka Pillar
The Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath is originally 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, is made up of four lions standing back-to-back, representing strength, courage, and unity. Drive to a good local restaurant for lunch after the visit to Sarnath
Duration: 60 mins
8. Lallapura Muslim School Road
Walk through the weavers district of Varanasi and learn about the life of the weavers and the process of hand weaving of the famous silk brocades and Banarasi sari. Banaras’s handloom weaving traditions have found mention in Vedic and Buddhist literature.
Duration: 60 mins
9. Banaras Hindu University
Banaras Hindu University is an internationally reputed temple of learning known for its academic history and cultural significance. BHU is one of the top ranking universities in India and the largest residential universities in Asia. Drive through the lush green campus. You may visit the new Vishwanath temple inside the campus.
Duration: 60 mins
10. Durga Temple
After the drive through the university, visit the famous Durga Temple. A beautiful temple painted in red. It was constructed in 18th century by a queen from Bengal. It is particularly significant for worship of Goddess Durga and is considered one of the most powerful and mystical temples in Kashi.
Duration: 30 mins
11. Dasaswamedh Ghat
Finally walk down to Dashashwamedh ghat to watch the famous Ganga Aarti ceremony from the shore. The Aarti is performed by a group of young priests facing towards the river. The Aarti or offering of lamps is observed at prescribed hours of the day and night to invoke the Gods. The lamps are revolved before the idols in a clockwise manner along with the chanting of hymns. This recitation is accompanied by drums, blowing of conch-shell and tolling of temple bells. After the experience, you'll be dropped back at your hotel, concluding the day’s tour.
Duration: 45 mins

Inclusion

Professional guide including recommendations for eating, drinking, museums, attractions, festivals and more!

Entrance fees

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Private tour

One private boat ride.

Exclusion

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

Cancellation Policy

Check mark icon Refundable tickets

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

  • 100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
  • 0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Supplied by Experience Varanasi Private Guided Tours

Reviews

5.0

★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 44 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

5 stars
44
4 stars
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3 stars
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2 stars
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1 stars
0

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