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Private Full-Day Varanasi Tour with Boat Ride

Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Varanasi, India
  • 12 hours (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Group discounts
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Enjoy the best parts of Varanasi on this private full-day tour that starts with an atmospheric early-morning boat ride on the River Ganga. Your guide will ensure you don't miss highlights—including Sarnath’s Dhamekh Stupa—and tailor the itinerary to your interests. Move at your own pace with private transportation and hotel transfers. Finish with a sunset boat ride to see the evening aarti ceremony.
  • Get around in private round-trip transportation with air conditioning
  • Includes hotel pickup and drop-off for easy transfers
  • Includes boat rides on the River Ganga; other entry fees are own expense
  • Bottled water will be provided to keep you hydrated

What's Included

  • Bottled water
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Private transportation
  • Local Guide
  • Hotel Pickup
  • Hotel Drop off
  • Morning Boat Ride
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities
  • Monument Fees

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

The airport, railway station or your hotel in Varanasi. For airport pick-up, please provide arrival information during booking.

Itinerary

Assi Ghat (Pass By)

1

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

1 hour Admission Ticket Not Included

2

Banaras Hindu University

1 hour Admission Ticket Not Included

Bharat Mata Temple (Pass By)

Dasaswamedh Ghat (Pass By)

3

Monkey Temple (Durga Temple)

1 minuteAdmission Ticket Free

4

Sankat Mochan Temple

30 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

5

Sarnath

3 hours Admission Ticket Not Included

6

Dasaswamedh Ghat

1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.9
based on 92 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Shiv was an amazing...

Luciano_P, Mar 2026
Shiv was an amazing guide! He was early to my hotel, walked with me in the city center, knew the answer to all my questions and on top of that also told me many stories of Hindu gods and the history of the city. I recommend this tour for anyone trying to see not the main attractions of the city but also the temples and interesting places around the city center.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thanks for your review. Your review is very important for us. I hope we get recommendations. Thank you very much for choosing us.

Comfortable experience in Varanasi!

Danielle_G, Feb 2026
Anmol was a fantastic tour guide. He was flexible, kind and did a wonderful job showing us his city. We highly recommend. Book the tour with Anmol!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thanks for your review. Your review is very important for us. I hope we get recommendations. Thank you very much for choosing us.

We had a wonderful time...

Priya_K, Dec 2025
We had a wonderful time at Varanasi. Much better than our expectations. Our guide Shiva was very professional and ensured we felt safe. He ensured we were comfortable with the tour sites and suggested ideas to enhance our experience. He was punctual and explained everything very well. I recommend Shiva if you are doing Varanasi tour.

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Thanks for your review. Your review is very important for us. I hope we get recommendations. Thank you very much for choosing us.

Highly recommend this...

Kylie_C, Sep 2025
Highly recommend this tour. It is a long day but well worth being amongst Varanasi’s culture and spirituality. Anmol was a fantastic guide, very knowledgeable and kind.

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Thanks for your review. Your review is very important for us. I hope we get recommendations. Thank you very much for choosing us.

Great tour

Sandra_H, Mar 2025
Enjoyed the morning boat trip. It was a trully facinating experience. Driver arrived promptly on time and car was well driven. Guide was very informative. Went to all the attractions of Varanassi and had a wonderful time. Would recommend this tour

Response from Host, Mar 2025

Thanks for your review. Your review is very important for us. I hope we get recommendations. Thank you very much for choosing us.

Girls trip

Taryn_B, Mar 2025
We had a great day! We had a similar tour the day prior, however our guide was wonderful and though we did see some similar sites, he did a great job of adding several new sites which were unique to Varanasi/India so we would have a well-rounded experience. Highly recommend and hope to be back soon!

Response from Host, Mar 2025

Thanks for your review. Your review is very important for us. I hope we get recommendations. Thank you very much for choosing us.

Trip to remember and cherish

ashoken_n, Mar 2025
It was a awesome trip and thanks to our Guide Anmol who is very knowledgeable and friendly. He has taken lot care to make our trip comfortable and enjoyable. Boat ride early in the morning is a great experience. Also night arthi is a must see event. AnmoI arrangements were perfect. I give 5 star rating to this trip and above 5 star to Anmol.

Response from Host, Mar 2025

Thanks for your review. Your review is very important for us. I hope we get recommendations. Thank you very much for choosing us.

Immersive Experience with Knowledgeable Varanasi Guide

velmapylaw, Dec 2024
I recently explored Varanasi with Ravi and Vijay who were both professional and highly knowledgeable. From the start, it was clear that they had a deep understanding of the city’s history, rituals, and spiritual significance. They expertly navigated the labyrinthine alleys and ghats, offering fascinating stories about the city's ancient heritage. Ravi’s expertise went beyond simple facts. He provided rich context, explaining the significance of key sites and local customs, while also highlighting lesser-known spots that most tourists miss. His respect for the city’s culture and traditions was evident, creating a respectful and enriching atmosphere throughout the tour. Thanks to their guidance, I experienced Varanasi in a way that felt both informative and immersive. Highly recommended to truly appreciate the depth and soul of this extraordinary city.

Response from Host, Dec 2024

Thanks for your review. Your review is very important for us. I hope we get recommendations. Thank you very much for choosing us.

Chaotic but informative and interesting.

Phil_S, Apr 2024
By far the best parts of the tour were the morning and evening sessions on the Ganges. The sights, sounds and smells were amazing, a real insight into the history and culture of the City.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thanks for your review. Your review is very important for us. I hope we get recommendations. Thank you very much for choosing us.

First timer in India

Fredrik, Jan 2024
I got what was advertised, I came here too see an historical part of India. I came here mostly on a whim so I did not really know what to expect. If you have a greater interest than me you will have a even better time than me.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thanks for your review. Your review is very important for us. I hope we get recommendations. Thank you very much for choosing us.
From
-10%

$63.00

per person
Was $70.00

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 46 days in advance.

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