India · Religious & Spiritual

2-Day Varanasi Spiritual Tour with Ganga Boat Rides and Sarnath

2 Days Round trip from Varanasi Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Travel to Banaras by one of India's most luxurious trains
  • 02 Witness morning and evening boat rides on the Ganga River
  • 03 Walk through thousand-year-old lanes and the old northern Ghats of Varanasi
  • 04 Experience the evening Aarti ceremony on the banks of the holy river Ganga
  • 05 Visit Sarnath's Deer Park, Buddha Temple, Archaeological Museum, and ruins

Get an opportunity to be immersed in local customs and traditions in one of the world's oldest living cities. Travel to Banaras by one of India's most luxurious trains, enjoy morning and evening boat rides on the Ganga River, and explore ancient Hindu and Buddhist sites and temples, including Sarnath.

Get an opportunity to be immersed in local customs and traditions in one of the world's oldest living cities.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Delhi, Varanasi, Sarnath
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival in Varanasi and Evening Aarti Walk

  • As this tour offers you a journey on the Vande Bharat train, boarding passes will be provided before your journey. After boarding the train on your own from New Delhi station, it will take approximately 8 hours to reach Varanasi city.

  • After reaching Varanasi station at 2 pm, you will be greeted by our representative there. After the long journey, you can choose to take a break at your hotel after checking in.

  • Later, start your tour by walking around and observing the evening Aarti on the banks of the holy river Ganga. During your walk, you will be taken through the old parts of the city, giving you a chance to step into thousand-year-old lanes and explore them. You will be guided through the old streets and temples of the northern Ghats, where you will find very old and unusual rituals that offer a totally different experience.

  • After the evening Aarti ceremony, you can return and relax at your hotel.

2
Day 02

Sunrise Boat Ride and Sarnath Visit

  • After waking up a little early to witness a view of its own kind, start your day on the banks of the River Ganga with a sunrise boat ride. It will begin at Dashashwamedh Ghat and end at Manikarnika Ghat. This is the most splendid way to experience the heritage of Varanasi, done at the perfect time when the sun is about to rise and spread its rays across the globe. It is an astonishing experience, as if the sun has spread its orange colour across the river to welcome you to the oldest city. Here, you will also see more Indian rituals.

  • After breakfast, you can check out from the hotel and go to see the Mother India Temple, Monkey Temple, and more.

  • End this magnificent tour with a visit to Sarnath, which is closed on Fridays.

  • See Deer Park, a Buddha Temple, an Archaeological Museum, and the Sarnath ruins.

  • At an ideal time, you will be taken back to Varanasi station at 1 pm to catch your Vande Bharat train back to Delhi.

Vande Bharat train, Ganga River boat rides, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Sarnath ruins

Where this trip takes you

Vande Bharat train, Ganga River boat rides, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Sarnath ruins

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Varanasi 3 cities · 2 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Convenient private AC vehicle throughout the tour

  • All entrance fees and train passes included

  • Private evening and morning boat ride to witness prayer ceremonies and tour to Sarnath with a local (Indian) guide

  • Explore the local areas and streets on foot

  • Visit pilgrims' stones and Ganga Ghats

  • All taxes, fees, and handling charges

  • Bottled water

  • Beverages

  • Professional art historian guide

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

  • Transport by private vehicle

  • Boat transport for sightseeing

What's Not Included

  • Gratuities

  • Any meals

  • Accommodation

  • Personal expenses, shopping, etc.

Know before you go

  • Dress code is smart casual.

  • Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level.

  • This tour is filled with surprises and deep insights into Varanasi city and also includes a visit to the well-known Kashi Vishwanath Temple (outer view), where you can also taste some typical Indian food at Kachauri Gali. The Indian guide will also take you through the perfume market, silk market, souvenirs market, and other places on the way to the Ganga Ghats (river banks) to experience the evening Aarti ceremony, also known as Arati, a Hindu ritual.

  • A professional local (Indian) guide will help you gain an in-depth experience of the culture that you may not discover on your own.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Tour start
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 2 days finish where they began, in Varanasi.

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Starting from

USD 294 /group
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