Dawn to Dusk Varanasi [Day Tour]: Explore Iconic Sights, Landmarks and the Birth Place of Buddhism
5.0
9 Ratings
Varanasi
Experience the essence of Varanasi in just one day with the Dawn to Dusk Varanasi Day Tour. Explore iconic sights, landmarks, and the birthplace of Buddhism. Book now!
Duration: 14 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Banaras Ghats - Boating in the Ganges during the sun rise in Varanasi is main attraction. We can observe here the Hindu’s way of life on the bank of the river Ganges (Ghats)

Some of the prominent and popular Ghats at Varanasi are the Dasaswamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Harischandra Ghat & Kedar Ghat

  • Dasaswamedh Ghat - Dashashwamedh Ghat is the main ghat and most spectacular ghat in Varanasi on the Ganga River. Two Hindu legends are associated with it: According to one, Lord Brahma created it to welcome Lord Shiva. According to another legend, Lord Brahma Sacrifices ten horses during Dasa- Ashwmedha-Yajna.

  • Kedar Ghat - Kedar Ghat in Varanasi. Ghats in Varanasi are riverfront steps leading to the banks of the River Ganges

  • Manikarnika Ghat - Manikarnika Ghat, the main burning ghat, is the most auspicious place for a Hindu to be cremated. Dead bodies are handled by outcasts known as doms, and are carried through the alleyways of the old town to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher, swathed in cloth.

  • Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple) - Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Varanasi

  • Banaras Hindu University - Banaras Hindu University is an internationally reputed temple of learning, situated in the holy city of Varanasi. This Creative and innovative university was founded by the great nationalist leader, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, in 1916 with cooperation of great personalities like Dr Annie Besant, who viewed it as the University of India. Banaras Hindu University was created under the Parliamentary legislation - B.H.U. Act 1915. It played a stellar role in the independence movement and has developed into the greatest center of learning in India. It has produced many great freedom fighters and builders of modern India and has immensely contributed to the progress of the nation through a large number of renowned scholars, artists, scientists and technologists who have graced its portals. The area of the main campus of this premiere Central University is 1300 acres, having well maintained roads, extensive greenery, a temple, an air strip and buildings which are an architectural delight.

  • Durga Temple - Durga Temple: Durga Mandir was constructed in 18th century by Bengali Maharani- Rani Bhabani of Natore. The temple is dedicated to the Goddess Durga. Next to the temple, is a kund (pond) which was earlier connected to the river Ganges. It is believed that the existing icon of the goddess was not made by a man but appeared on its own in the temple.

  • Sankat Mochan Temple - Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is a Hindu temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India and is dedicated to the Hindu God Hanuman. The temple was established by famous Hindu preacher and poet saint Sri Goswami Tulsidas in the early 16th century and is situated on the banks of the Assi river. The deity was named “Sankat Mochan” meaning the “reliever from troubles”.

  • Bharat Mata Temple - Bharat Mata Mandir (meaning “Mother India Temple”) is located on the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith campus in Varanasi,Uttar Pradesh, India. Instead of traditional statues of gods and goddesses, this temple has a huge map of undivided India carved in marble. This temple is dedicated to Bharat Mata and claims to be the only one of its kind in the world.

  • Sarnath - Sarnath: Sarnath in Varanasi, is the place where Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon. It makes Sarnath one of the most venerated Buddhist places. Besides Buddhism, Sarnath is also connected with Jainism.
    There are many Buddhist monuments and edifices at Sarnath. Some of the important Buddhist monuments at Sarnath are the Dhamekha stupa, the Dharmarajika stupa and monasteries and temples of different schools of Buddhism from Japan, China, Thailand, Burma and others. The Mahabodhi Temple within the park has a tooth relic of the Buddha.
    There is also a vast expanse of ancient ruins at Sarnath. Several Buddhist structures were raised at Sarnath between the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD, and today it presents the most precious ruins amongst places on the Buddhist trail. The Lion Capital of Ashoka pillar at Sarnath is the National emblem of India, which is displayed in the archaeological museum in Sarnath.

  • Chaukhandi Stupa - The Chaukhandi Stupa is regarded as one of the most divine and important monuments of the Buddhist culture.

  • Dhamek Stupa - Dhamek Stupa Sarnath marks the spot where the Buddha preached his first message. Built by the great Mauryan king Ashoka in he 3rd century BCE

  • Dharmarajika Stupa - Dharmarajika Stupa. It was built over the relics of the Buddha by Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE

  • Ashoka Pillar - The pillars of Ashoka are a series of columns dispersed throughout the Indian subcontinent, erected or at least inscribed with edicts by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka during his reign in the 3rd century BCE

  • Sarnath Museum - Sarnath Museum is the oldest site museum of Archaeological Survey of India. It houses the findings and excavations at the archaeological site of Sarnath, by the Archaeological Survey of India.

  • Ganga Aarti - Aartis also refer to the songs sung in praise of the deity, when offering of lamps is being offered.
    Hindus in India worship the river Ganges as goddess. Every evening in Varanasi, aarti is performed at the Dashashwamedh ghat. We can watch it from the ghat or from the waterside in a boat. It is a beautiful, resonant, and majestic spectacle with a very precise choreography involving rituals performed by several priests with the sound of bells, drums, cymbals, and Sanskrit mantras. The river is also worshiped with flower petals.

What's Included
  • All taxes, fees and handling charges included
  • Convenient hotel pickup and drop off by private AC car
  • Enjoy tranquil boat rides in the evening and morning
  • TripAdvisor Experiences brokerage fee covered
  • Guided tour with a professional and licensed guide for safety and honor
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Tips
  • Entrance fee to Visit Temple/ Any personal expenses on Rituals.
Additional Information

The Varanasi One Day Tour provides a comprehensive exploration of Varanasi’s most significant sights all within a single day. This includes Subah -E- Banaras, a morning boat journey at sunrise followed by a tour of Varanasi’s ancient city, City Tour [visiting Banaras Hindu University and various other important temples], Sarnath Tour [the location where Buddhism began] and finally, an evening boat ride concluded by Ganga Aarti.

Please note: This tour can also be arranged across two days. For example, the first day could begin with an afternoon Sarnath tour or start with the Evening Ganga Aarti. The following day we’d then experience Subah -E- Banaras, a morning boat journey followed by an old city walk and post-breakfast, the Sarnath tour.

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
Location
Banaras Ghats
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(9 Ratings)
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Travelmaniac4
Jan 22, 2024
Life Changing Tour - Indrajeet with Varanasi Day Tours was the most incredible guide ever. He took us to the main temple and many other sites including a ride on the Ganges. He was extremely knowledgeable and had a palpable love of the city, which is my favorite city in the world. He brought the city to life and helped us to have a unique experience which we all treasured. I cannot imagine a better tour of Varanasi. I had chosen him because of all of the other rave reviews on TripAdvisor, and I can now say that they are all deserved.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kirstyb238
Dec 28, 2023
Best tour ever - Vinod was an amazing tour guide who was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about his city which made this tour all the more enjoyable. We split the tour over two half days which was great to really make the most of this wonderful city. If you have a short time in Varanasi or just want someone who can show you all the great sites of this place please book this tour. You see everything and in the comfort of someone who knows what they are doing. Thanks again to Vinod and our driver we have had the best time here and probably the best tour we have ever done,
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Cliffu
Apr 28, 2023
Great guide, very knowledgeable, highly recommend! - Vinod was the best guide that we had during our five weeks in India! He is so knowledgeable regarding Varanasi history, customs, religion and spirituality, and his ability to convey this information is outstanding. He also handled all the logistics perfectly, so we could just enjoy the experience. I highly recommend him!!
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Vera
Jan 1, 2020
Great experience - We had a great experience with Varanasi Day Tours and the morning boat ride. Great communication with Indrajeet before the day of the tour, who was also super flexible to change the schedule as our flight was delayed for several hours. The guide was super nice and knowledgeable as well.
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Kiantef15
Nov 14, 2019
Amazing Tour w/ JP Mishra! - My Aunt and I spent some time in India in October/November 2019, one of our favorite places visited was Varanasi. The city of Varanasi gives a feeling that is unexplainable...but our guide, Jai Prakash Mishra, helped to elevate our experience to another level! He was knowledgeable, funny, kind and accommodating! In the evening he took us through the old city to learn about it's history and culture, and to see the different stores, then we went to the Ganges to view the evening ceremony, which was nothing short of incredible! He went out his way to help us find items that we wanted to purchase, which wasn't easy. The next morning he accompanied us on the boat ride along the ganges to see the various activities occurring along the river, including the prayers and cremations. He was hands down one of our best guides during our time in India! Thanks so much JP...may we meet again in Varanasi!
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Warren_seah
Sep 28, 2019
Varanasi tour - I spent a day and a half in Varanasi with my guide Akash. We walked the small lanes and got to see the daily lives of the locals. Akash even arranged an excellent seat for me at the evening Arti and I got to snap quite a few good shots. What I was most impressed with was his knowledge of the city, its customs and its history and will definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a guide in Varanasi.
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Ajdodge
Feb 1, 2019
Superb tour with excellent informative guide and skilled driver - We split this over 2 days. A memorable experience enhanced by the very professional guide Mr Vineet Pandey who was informative and knowledgeable answered our questions and added authenticity to the trip
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Indianausi
Jan 15, 2019
Connecting to Varanasi by walk - Varanasi is folded in layers and layers. Hence, very first moment to be on Ganga Ghat is mesmerising with the sense of being rooted to this land. A whole city is like a live museum that has preserved centuries within and living heritage of traditions, culture and human science. I have spared 5 full days to cover all the aspects of Varanasi to inhale and absorb an essence of the gorgeous place on this planet. My hotel did recommended a guide named Prasann, I met him to discuss my way of exploring Varanasi. Over a small conversation Prasann did acknowledged my interests and intentions to assure me that he is the one who can take me accordingly. Since then he has been proactively informative, flexible and friendly throughout to me and my 11 year young boy, who’s expectations were different than mine. Prasann has offered 2 sessions of a few hours to attend my specifications that has helped me to catch insight of Varanasi. We had non-stop interaction during the tour and Prasann was highly approachable for anything related to Varanasi. Most of the locals I met are extremely friendly and talkative.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wilsonwanders
Dec 29, 2018
Varanasi in 1 Day - Six friends booked the Varanasi Day Tour in December 2018 The company made contact within hours of the booking to organize hotel pickups and were kind enough to do two separate pickups as we were staying at two different locations. We got picked up from the hotel promptly at 6am as expected. The guide, Satish was very knowledgeable and was happy to go at our pace as we took a lot of photos. Unfortunately the boats were on strike that day and we couldn’t do the morning and afternoon boat rides but the tour company arranged great seats for the evening ceremony and also refunded some of our money. This was a long tour to do all in one day but we were given an hour break at the hotel for breakfast and then two hours in the afternoon for lunch and a rest so essentially it was done in 3 parts. We only had one full day in Varanasi so this was an action packed way to see as much as we could and the tour was a great way to do that.
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