Varanasi: Sunrise to Aarti Full-Day Private Tour

About this activity

Varanasi: Sunrise to Aarti Full-Day Private Tour

🚗 Private transportation | Expert guide | Hotel/airport pickup included

ℹ️ About This Activity

• Free cancellation – Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

• Reserve now & pay later – Keep your plans flexible, book now & pay later

• Duration: 10 hours (check availability for starting times)

• Skip the ticket line

• Live tour guide: English, Spanish, Hindi, French, Italian, Japanese

• Pickup included: From hotel, Varanasi Airport, or preferred location

• Wheelchair accessible

🗓 Full-Day Itinerary

05:30 AM – Early Morning Spiritual Start

• Pickup from your hotel

• Sunrise boat ride on the Ganges River – Witness sacred morning rituals and the city awakening

• Short walking tour through old city alleyways

• View the Kashi Vishwanath Temple (from outside, as per temple entry regulations)

08:00 AM – Breakfast & Morning Exploration

• Stop for breakfast (own expense)

• Visit Banaras Hindu University (BHU) – Asia’s largest university campus

• Explore Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum & New Vishwanath Temple (Birla Temple)

10:30 AM – Temple Visits

• Visit Durga Temple (Durga Kund Mandir) – One of Varanasi’s most famous shrines

12:30 PM – Local Heritage

• Learn about Varanasi’s silk weaving traditions

• Break for lunch (own expense)

02:00 PM – Sarnath Excursion

• Drive to Sarnath (approx. 13 km)

• Visit Dhamekh Stupa – Site of Buddha’s first sermon

• Explore the Archaeological Museum (closed Fridays)

05:00 PM – Evening Rituals

• Visit cremation grounds on the Ganges

• Return to Dashashwamedh Ghat for the Ganga Aarti evening ceremony

08:00 PM – Tour Ends

• Drop-off at your hotel or preferred location

✅ Includes

• Hotel/airport pickup & drop-off

• Air-conditioned private vehicle

• Local guide

• Morning boat ride on the Ganges

• Bottled water

• Monument fees

• Lunch

• Gratuities

⚠️ Important Info

• Bring passport/ID card, comfortable shoes, and a towel

• Not suitable for pregnant women or people under 3 ft 9 in (120 cm)

• Photography allowed (no drones)

• Boat ride is subject to river conditions (not available during floods)

• Tour starts at 05:30 AM

✨ Highlights

• Private, air-conditioned transportation with hotel pickup/drop-off

• Sunrise boat trip on the Ganges River

• Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Durga Temple

• Explore Banaras Hindu University & Birla Temple

• Learn about Varanasi silk weaving traditions

• Half-day excursion to Sarnath – site of Buddha’s first sermon

• Witness Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat