Varanasi Boat Ride and Ancient Temples Day Tour with Breakfast

Varanasi, India

5 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Experience Varanasi on a sunrise cruise on the Ganges River followed by visits to several temples during a half-day tour accompanied by a private guide. Ride in a boat from Assi Ghat to Manikarnika Ghat, observe a puja ceremony at Kashi Vishwanath temple, and visit two more temples for a comprehensive overview of one of the world’s oldest living cities. Includes traditional vegetarian breakfast, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

View the sunrise over the ghats along the Ganges
Visit several popular temples
Witness a puja ritual and learn about Hindu customs
Includes light breakfast, transportation, private guide, and hotel pickup and drop-off

What's Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Light refreshments
Professional guide
Boat Ride
Morning Arti
Walking

Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Operating hours
.5:00 am

Itinerary

Start in the early morning with a hotel pickup and transfer to the boat.

Cruise along the Ganges River in the company of your guide, who shares informative commentary about Hindu mythology. From the water, you can view the sun as it rises over the enormous ghats of Varanasi. Starting at the city’s most prominent bathing ghat, Assi Ghat, and travel through the 5000-year history of Varanasi. The boat ride ends at Manikarnika, the cremation ghat.

Next up, visit Kashi Vishwanath, a 17th-century temple that is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in north India. Participate in the morning puja (ceremonial prayers), then stop at a local restaurant for a vegetarian breakfast.

After breakfast, head to Sankat Mochan Temple, dedicated to the monkey god Hanuman. Devotees offer yellow sweets to the temple deity at Sankat Mochan, which translates as 'the one who relieves you from all the troubles.' Your final stop takes in the new Vishwanath temple (aka Birla temple), a replica of the original temple that is decorated with intricately carved white marble.

Your tour ends with a transfer back to your hotel.

Assi Ghat

50 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Manikarnika Ghat

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple)

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Sankat Mochan Temple

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Birla Mandir

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Group discount is available
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Not wheelchair accessible
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Stroller accessible

A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

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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

4.0

based on 3 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Fun and very thorough tour of Varanasi

Donna_R, Sep 2023

Excellent tour and tour leader. Saw extra temples. Was a lovely experience. Anuj was a great guide. I recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Dear Donna, Thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience with us! We are thrilled to hear that you had an excellent tour and that our guide added to the enjoyment of your visit. Should you have any future travel plans or if there's anything else we can assist you with, please feel free to reach out. We look forward to welcoming you on another memorable tour in the future with us. Thank you once again for choosing our tour, and we hope to see you again soon.

The boat ride and the first 10mins...

Allan_B, Oct 2016

The boat ride and the first 10mins of the walking tour was good -but is mainly private temples not the big one as expected and breakfast was at the end of the walking tour and was just a cafe.