Day Trips from Varanasi to Ganges River (Ganga)

There’s so much to see in Varanasi that it can be hard knowing where to begin. This private tour covers the best of the city and nearby Sarnath with a private guide. Highlights include a walking tour of the old town so you don’t get lost, boat rides on the Ganges River, and visiting Sarnath, a Buddhist pilgrimage site. Also watch the famous evening Ganga Aarti ceremony—a rich cultural experience.

Begin your day with an early morning boat ride on the sacred River Ganges. Witness the mystical sunrise, devotees offering water to the Sun God, and pilgrims taking a holy dip. Cruise past the famous ghats of Varanasi before returning to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, proceed for a Temple Tour covering the revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Bharat Mata Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple, Manas Mandir, and Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Around noon, visit Sarnath, the sacred place where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon. Explore the Buddha temples, Dhamek Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, and Archaeological Museum before returning to the hotel. In the evening, head to the sacred Ganges Ghats to witness the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti. Experience the spiritual atmosphere, devotional chants, ringing bells, and glowing lamps illuminating the river. After the ceremony, return to the hotel and retire for the night with cherished memories of Varanasi.

We provide you a very family friendly atmosphere so that you can be comfortable while enjoying this tour and getting to know about the history of our Banaras and get to know about various temples, ghats and rituals and the holy Ganges River.

Early morning you will be taken for a boat ride on the Ganges. It is a mystical and spiritual experience as you watch people offering water to the Sun God and devotees taking a holy dip in the Ganges. you will visit all the famous Ghats of Varanasi via boat and come back to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, see the “Temple Tour” most religious Kashi Vishwanath temple, the Bharat Mata temple, Sankat Mochan , Manas Mandir, and BHU. At noon you will be taken for an excursion to Sarnath. Sarnath is the place where Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples. The attractions at Sarnath are the Buddha temples, the Dhamekha stupa, the Chaukhandi stupa, and the archaeological museum, return to the hotel. Evening, get ready to experience one of the most memorable moments of your life, as you will be taken to the River Ganges. Enjoy Ganga Aarti. Get a glimpse of the spiritualism at the Ganga Ghats. Enjoy the Ganga Aarti from top After all you can retire for the night.

Early morning we will be taken for a boat ride on the Ganges. It is a mystical and spiritual experience as you watch people offering water to the Sun God and devotees taking a holy dip in the Ganges. We will visit all the famous Ghats of Varanasi via boat and come back to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, see the “Temple Tour” most religious Kashi Vishwanath temple, the Bharat Mata temple, Sankat Mochan , Manas Mandir, and BHU. At noon we will be taken for an excursion to Sarnath. Sarnath is the place where Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples. The attractions at Sarnath are the Buddha temples, the Dhamekha stupa, the Chaukhandi stupa, and the archaeological museum, return to the hotel. Evening, get ready to experience one of the most memorable moments of your life, as you will be taken to the River Ganges. Enjoy Ganga Aarti. Get a glimpse of the spiritualism at the Ganga Ghats. Enjoy the Ganga Aarti from top After all you can retire for the night.

Discover the spiritual heart of India with a government-licensed local guide in Varanasi. This private guided experience lets you explore the city’s sacred ghats, ancient temples, vibrant alleys, and spiritual traditions with expert local insight. Your guide will share fascinating stories about the history, rituals, culture, and daily life of Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest living cities, making your visit more meaningful. Guests can choose one of the following experiences for approximately 3 hours: ✅ Morning River Tour with optional sunrise boat ride on the Ganges and visit to the famous ghats ✅ Old City Walking Tour through narrow lanes, temples, and traditional markets ✅ Sarnath Tour, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon ✅ Evening Ganga Aarti Tour to witness the spiritual ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat ✅ Private guide service only ❌ Transportation, boat ride, entrance fees, and personal expenses are not included.

Varanasi and Sarnath are two of the most sacred locations in Hinduism and Buddhism, but without a guide offering insights and explanations, it is tough to grasp the significance of their various landmarks—and the rites of their pilgrims and devotees. Get a personalized deep dive on this full-day private tour, which offers an insider’s look at both destinations, Ganges boat ride and evening Aarti included.