Arrival from Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi - Upon arriving at Varanasi Airport or railway station, you will be greeted by our Company Representative and transferred to your reserved hotel. Please note that our Representative cannot enter the baggage collection area. Kindly proceed towards the terminal building exit, where you will find a Sacred Varanasi Tour Representative holding a paging board with your name on it. After meeting, you will proceed to the hotel for check-in and then head out for sightseeing, including the vibrant and energetic evening aarti ceremony.

Banaras Ghats - Explore the oldest part of Varanasi around the Kashi Vishwanath Temple (also known as the Golden Temple). Remember to respect the religious and cultural significance of these places. Wander through the narrow, winding lanes of the city to experience its unique charm and explore the local markets. Visit the largest Flower Market, filled with fragrance, and the Blue Lassi perfume shop where you can enjoy masala tea. Afterwards, visit Manikarnika Ghat, the world’s largest cremation center, and witness the cremation process. Then, head to the main Ghat to walk along the Ganges and attend the evening aarti ceremony.

Ganga Aarti - The evening aarti ceremony at the Ganges is a beautiful and spiritual experience. It involves offering prayers and chanting mantras to the river, performed by seven priests, and includes the lighting of lamps, sandalwood powder, and incense. This deeply symbolic and serene ritual attracts many visitors seeking a connection with the sacred river. The ceremony is very colorful and energetic, and the best place to attend is from a rooftop seating area.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple - The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, also known as the Golden Temple, is located in the oldest part of the city along the western bank of the river. With 820 kg of gold, it attracts thousands of Hindu devotees daily. Believers hold that a visit to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and a dip in the Ganges can lead to liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The temple draws millions of pilgrims and tourists each year, making it a hub of religious and cultural activities in Varanasi.

Dashashwamedh Ghat

Ganges River - The next day, before breakfast, embark on a morning boat ride on the Ganges River at sunrise. This magnificent ride showcases the heritage of Varanasi as the boat sets off just as the sun rises. This is one of the city’s main attractions, offering a lively atmosphere at the Ghats. The experience is unforgettable, with fascinating sadhus adorned with face and body paint. Spend a few minutes watching the sunrise from a private hand-rowing boat. This guided boat ride provides a unique perspective of the city waking up, with views of worship rituals, bathing, yoga, and meditation. The reflection of the sun’s rays on the water brings a sense of peace. Visit the world’s largest cremation center and explore the oldest parts of the city on a heritage walk before returning to the hotel for breakfast.

Dashashwamedh Ghat - The old part of the city is home to more than a thousand Hindu temples, with almost every house containing one or two temples. Varanasi, known as the City of Temples, features three prominent temples and the century-old Banaras Hindu University, established in 1916. The university houses the Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, with beautiful architecture. Next, visit the ancient and vibrant red Durga Temple, also known as the Monkey Temple, followed by the Mother India Temple, which features a relief map of India built in 1936. Proceed to the Muslim area to visit Taana Baana, where you can see handloom weavers creating sarees, bed sheets, and scarves from silk thread, offering a genuine experience of traditional artistic saree weaving.

Sarnath - Proceed to Sarnath, a peaceful place where Lord Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon to his five disciples, marking the birthplace of Buddhism. Buddhist pilgrims visit Sarnath at least once in their lifetime. At Sarnath, visit the temple of Lord Gautama Buddha, the ruins where Buddha delivered his first sermon, and the archaeological museum housing valuable findings from the excavation of the ruins. The museum features the unique and antique national emblem of India, the four-lion statue, among other statues. Explore the Stupas, including the Dhamekh Stupa where Buddha taught his first sermon, and visit the two monasteries, Vihar and Chaitya. The Deer Park, home to many deer, and the main temple, Mulgandhakutivihara, with its Bodhi tree originating from the original banyan tree in Bodhgaya, are also highlights. Finally, visit the Thai Temple, which boasts an 80-foot, 9-inch tall statue of Buddha.

Sarnath Museum - The museum is organized into several galleries, each dedicated to a specific theme or time period, making it easy for visitors to navigate through the rich history. The museum displays a wide array of sculptures, artifacts, and antiquities excavated from the archaeological site of Sarnath, primarily from the Maurya, Kushana, Gupta, and later medieval periods. One of the highlights is the Ashoka Pillar with its famous Lion Capital, now the national emblem of India. This capital originally stood at Sarnath and is associated with Emperor Ashoka, who played a crucial role in the spread of Buddhism.

Banaras Hindu University - Visit the largest residential university in India, known for its beautiful architecture in the science and art departments. The university also features the tallest temple in the city, the Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi - Return to the hotel, check out, and proceed to the airport.

• Private transportation
• Government Approved English speaking Guide
• One Bottel Mineral Water Everyday
• All fees and/or taxes
• Pick Up & Drop with Sightseeing as per above itinerary by Air condition Etios Car or Innova
• Private Hand Rowing Boat

• Gratitude
• Food