Overview

Varanasi is a significant pilgrimage site and tourist destination. It is one of the world's oldest cities that is still populated. The city is relatively close to numerous tourist attractions including Sarnath and Ramnagar. The Ganges River flowing through Varanasi contributed to the city's prosperity in ancient times. Numerous rituals and activities are carried out along the river's banks because the locals worship the river as a goddess. Sarnath is a popular Buddhist tourist destination.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Varanasi + Evening Ganga Aarti

A representative will pick you up from the airport or railway station and take you to a pre-booked hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free. You can roam around the place or take up souvenir shopping tours around your hotel.

By evening, you would be taken to Dashashwamedh ghat to enjoy Ganga Aarti.

Ganga Aarti is an iconic ritual process done on the banks of the river, every evening to please River Ganges and God of Fire. The ghat will be very crowded during this ritual and you can choose to hire a boat during the ritual to watch the process from the river, on a boat. After Aarti, you will be taken back to your hotel.

Day 2: Varanasi

The tour starts early in the morning on the second day. You will be taken on an early morning Ganges cruise. This boat ride is the best way to enjoy top ghats and rituals performed in each ghat. You can find many people bathing in the river. The foggy morning is also the best time for photo enthusiasts. After the boat ride, you will be taken on a temple tour to enjoy the morning rituals in famous temples like Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple, Kashi Vishwanath temple, Annapurna temple, Manas Mandir BHU and others. Later, you will be taken back to the hotel for breakfast and rest.

By early afternoon, you will be taken on a road trip to Sarnath. Sarnath is the spot where Lord Buddha delivered his sermon after getting enlightenment. Top attractions visited in Sarnath are archeological museum, Buddha temples, stupas and others. You will be taken back to Varanasi by early evening and the rest of the day is yours. You can enjoy boat ride, shopping, temple visit or try delicacies of Varanasi.

Overnight stay in Varanasi.

Day 3: Varanasi - Ramnagar

By early afternoon, you would be taken back to Ramnagar where you can enjoy the Ramnagar Fort. You will be visiting the fort by Ferry if you are choosing the trip during monsoon season. Else, you will be taken to the fort via a bridge. The fort contains elephant traps, astrological clocks, museums and other attractions. This 17th century fort is the residence of kings of Varanasi. Even now, the royal residence of the current king is inside the fort but the area is restricted.

Day 4: Departure

After breakfast in your hotel, the rest of the day is free until it is time for your departure flight or train. The representative will take you back to the airport / railway station. You can also choose to stay back in the city or take up road trips to other destinations as per your plan.

Inclusions:

Accommodation in standard category of rooms at all hotels

Meal Plan on Bed & Breakfast at all places accordingly

Aarti ceremony in the evening

All Transfers & sightseeing as per itinerary by air-conditioned private vehicle for the entire tour

All applicable current taxes for hotels and transport

Exclusions:

Air Fare / Rail Fare

Boat Ride

Expenses of personal nature such as laundry / tips / shopping / telephones / Medical etc.

Any other expenses not mentioned in the inclusions mentioned above

Entry fees to Monuments specifically

Charges in hotels for additional services

Photography and video making fees at the sites

Personal insurance

Tips and gratuities

Unforeseen Expenses because of the weather conditions

Ganga Aarti

Early morning boat ride on the Ganga river

Spotting ghats, temples, shopping & delicacies of Varanasi

Sightseeing Sarnath

Enjoy the Ramnagar Fort.