Itineraries for Your Trip to Varanasi
3 Days in Varanasi for First Timers
On my first trip to India, I was both intimidated and intrigued by the thought of visiting Varanasi. I was barely an adult and backpacking solo, and while I never felt particularly unsafe in India, I thought that the holy city—known for its meandering lanes, massive crowds, and out-in-the-open funerals—might be a bit too much for me to handle.
I faced my trepidation and went anyway, taking a 16-hour train ride from Delhi to the sacred city. I fell in love with Varanasi within hours of my arrival, and it’s kept calling me back ever since, forcing me to find peace in this ancient—and exhilaratingly chaotic—city. Take the plunge and experience it for yourself by following this beginner-friendly three-day itinerary.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges River.
Keep cool on hot days while respecting local cultural conventions by opting for loose-fitting cotton clothes that cover at least your shoulders and knees.
There’s no better way to start your first day in Varanasi—and get a feel for the lay of the land—than on a sunrise boat ride along the Ganges River. Watch devotees as they say their morning prayers while your guide takes you down the sacred river under the light of the rising sun.
![Varanasi Morning Boat Tour [RowBoat]](https://media.tacdn.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-360x240/09/c3/3c/2d.jpg)
Once you're back to the shore, grab a meal before heading out to explore Varanasi on foot. Join a walking tour to learn more about Varanasi’s significance as one of the holiest pilgrimage destinations for Hindus, and to avoid getting lost in the city's labyrinthine lanes.
On your second day, be sure to try Varanasi street-food specialties such as chura matar (peas and flattened rice) and tamatar chaat spiced potatoes and tomatoes doused in chutney. However, eating street food here can be a gamble for your belly, so it’s best to join a street food tour and let your guide show you which places are safe bets.
As night falls, head to the banks of the Ganges River to watch the evening aarti ceremony, during which priests holding giant oil lamps with multiple flames lead large groups of devotees in chanting and prayer.
Wake up early on your final morning and attend a sunrise yoga class on the banks of the Ganges River led by a local instructor who can tailor the class to fit your level of experience and comfort.
Spend the rest of your day exploring the nearby town of Sarnath, a 20-minute drive away, to visit some of India’s most important Buddhist sights. It was here that the Buddha gave his first sermon, and the town is full of temples that draw in Buddhists from around the world.
