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4-Hour Private Tour: Experience Morning Aarti & Boat Ride in Varanasi, the City of Ghats

4.8

21 Ratings

Varanasi

Experience the morning Aarti and boat ride in Varanasi, the city of Ghats. Witness the cultural capital of India come alive as Hindu pilgrims gather on the shores of the Ganges river for prayer and sacred rituals.

Duration: 4 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Assi Ghat - Begin your day with a 5:00 am pickup from your centrally located hotel in Varanasi. Start your morning at Assi Ghat, known as the soul of Varanasi, offering stunning views of the city from the Ghats. The western bank of the Ganga River provides the best sights and photogenic scenes. Witness the morning ‘Aarti’ at Assi Ghat, where a group of saints in saffron and white robes perform a ritual. Each saint takes a specific spot, offering flowers to the river and waving oil lamps in synchronized motion while chanting mantras. The scene of ‘Aarti’ at Assi Ghat is mesmerizing. After the Aarti, your guide will lead you through the narrow lanes to a restaurant.
Banaras Ghats - Head east for an enchanting boat ride from Dashashwamedh Ghat to Manikarnika Ghat, a must-see in Varanasi. Brace yourself to witness the continuous cremations at Manikarnika Ghat. Dashashwamedh Ghat is named after the ten horse sacrifices (ashwamedh) performed here by Lord Brahma to appease Lord Shiva. Explore Varanasi by walking through the narrow lanes towards Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which houses one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. The area is filled with devotees of Lord Shiva, known as sadhus, as well as cows and buffaloes. Your next stop is Varanasi’s famous Godaulia market, which you will visit on foot. The tour concludes with a drop-off back at your hotel.

What's Included

Private transportation
Boat Ride
English Speaking Tour Guide

What's Not Included

Arrival and Departure.
Gratuities

Additional Information

Famed for its beautiful riverfront steps known as Ghats, Varanasi, the cultural heart of India, is a city steeped in centuries-old temples. For Hindus, it is a sacred place of pilgrimage, often visited to seek Moksha - a concept of ultimate liberation and the highest aim for many. One of the most poignant and significant rituals practised here is gathering each morning on the banks of the revered ‘Mother Ganges’ river. Pilgrims come to offer prayers, retrieve holy water, bathe, and in some cases, even to die in this holy city. The Ghats are also the location for the Subah-e-Banaras, a unique and captivating cultural and religious event that draws large crowds every day. Honouring the sunrise holds immense value in Varanasi; its eastward orientation provides for a breathtaking morning view, with a morning boat ride being a popular activity. Activities like Ganga Aarti, a worship ritual of the rising sun accompanied by the chanting of mantras and slokas, promote a sense of peace and calm.

Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking.
Not wheelchair accessible.

Location

Assi Ghat

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Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.8

(21 Ratings)

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Anton_h

Nov 6, 2023

Special Varanasi Morning - Not sure if it’s worth waking up at 4:30 am to see the river and the city? Well, it was one of our best experiences so far! Starting with the morning Aarti you slowly get into that special feeling around the city of Varansi. Afterwards experiencing the scenic view from the boat ride gets you even more connected. Finally walking through the old town rounds up this beautiful morning. Also many many thanks to our great guide Sunny Khan who made this morning tour so special for us.

Review provided by Viator

Jonathan528

Oct 30, 2023

Sunrise Aarti Ganga - Arvind. Is an extremely competent guide who provides enough information while allowing you to simply absorb the experience. The early morning Aarti Ganga is well worthwhile. Have a cup of lemon chai. Go for a boat ride past the ghats. Walk through the narrow alleys of Varanasi and soak it all. up. Highly recommend this experience and Arvind.