Private Full-Day Varanasi Tour with Boat Ride

Explore Varanasi on a private full-day tour that includes a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges River. Visit landmarks in and around Varanasi including Banaras Hindu University (BHU)'s Bharat Kala Bhavan museum, and Dhamekh Stupa in Sarnath — an important Buddhist site. Finally, watch the evening aarti ceremony .

1. 1

   Assi Ghat

   Pass by

   After early morning pickup at 5:30am from your hotel, take a sunrise boat ride on the sacred Ganges River. Witness morning rituals performed at the riverside.

2. 2

   Kashi Vishwanath Temple

   1 hour

   Afterward, follow your guide on a short walking tour of the old city's alleyways and catch sight of the Kashi Vishwanath, one of the holiest Hindu temples.

3. 3

   Banaras Hindu University

   1 hour

   Stop for breakfast (own expense), then head to Banaras Hindu University at 10am. Established in 1916, BHU is the largest university campus in Asia. Tour the campus and see the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum and the new Vishwanath Temple (Birla Temple), which is an exact replica of the original Vishwanath Temple.

4. 4

   Bharat Mata Temple

   Pass by

   Mother India Temple, built in 1918 and housing an unusual marble relief map of the Indian subcontinent. At 12:30pm, learn about the silk weaving traditions of Varanasi, then take a break for lunch (own expense). Afterward, drive about eight miles (13 km) to Sarnath to take in Dhamekh Stupa, known as the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon. You'll also visit the Archaeological Museum, which features treasures that date to the 3rd-century BC (closed Fridays).

5. 5

   Dasaswamedh Ghat

   Pass by

   At 5pm, take another boat ride on the Ganges to view the cremation grounds, then return to Dashashwamedh Ghat to watch the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony. Your tour ends with return to your hotel around 8pm.

6. 6

   Monkey Temple (Durga Temple)

   1 min

   Durga Mandir, also known as Durga Kund Mandir and Durga Temple, is one of the most famous temples in the holy city of Varanasi. This temple has great religious importance in Hinduism and is dedicated to Durga. Durga Mandir was constructed in 18th century by Rani Bhabani of Natore

7. 7

   Sankat Mochan Temple

   30 min

   Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is a Hindu temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India and is dedicated to the Hindu God Hanuman, in his form as "Sankat Mochan," meaning the "reliever from trouble

8. 8

   Sarnath

   3 hours

   Sarnath is a place located 10 kilometres north-east of Varanasi near the confluence of the Ganges and the Varuna rivers in Uttar Pradesh, India. The deer park in Sarnath is where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna.

9. 9

   Dasaswamedh Ghat

   1 hour

   At 5pm Ganges to view the cremation grounds, then return to Dashashwamedh Ghat to watch the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony. Your tour ends with return to your hotel around 8pm.

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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