Varanasi: The Eternal City
Three nights on the banks of the Ganges, with the evening aarti, a dawn boat ride and Sarnath.
3 Nights, 4 Days
Duration
1
Destinations
A three-night extension in one of the oldest living cities on earth, with the ghats, the aarti and Sarnath.
Regions on this journeyUttar Pradesh
Overview
Three nights in Varanasi is time enough to slow down and truly feel one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth, where daily life and ancient ritual meet on the banks of the Ganges.
Guests arrive to settle in before a full day exploring the city's spiritual heart: a hushed sunrise boat ride past the bathing ghats, visits to the ghats themselves, Tulsi Manas Temple, Alamgir Mosque and Bharat Mata Temple, a stop at Banaras Hindu University, and an afternoon at Sarnath, where the Buddha is said to have preached his first sermon.
The final full day brings visits to two of the city's most revered shrines, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Sankat Mochan Temple, before the trip's signature moment: the evening Ganga Aarti, a ritual of fire, chant and devotion performed nightly on the ghats.
Designed as an extension to a longer India journey, this trip can also be booked as a standalone short break, with a choice of Heritage, Five Star or Luxury Five Star hotels, and private air-conditioned transport and a local English-speaking guide throughout.
Highlights
- A sunrise boat ride on the River Ganges past Varanasi's ancient bathing ghats
- The candlelit Ganga Aarti ceremony on the ghats, lamps and chanting against the night sky
- Sarnath, where the Buddha is said to have preached his first sermon, and the Dhamekh Stupa
- The golden Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the holiest Hindu shrines in India
- Sankat Mochan Temple and a guided visit to Banaras Hindu University
- Three full nights to soak up the atmosphere of one of the world's oldest living cities
Itinerary
A suggested journey
This is one way to experience the journey, not a fixed itinerary. Your specialist will adjust the pace, order and stops around you before anything is confirmed.
- Varanasi
Day 1Arrival in the City of Light
Arrive in Varanasi, where you will be met by your driver and transferred to your hotel to settle in after your journey. The rest of the day is free to relax, with the rhythm of the ghats and the city's ancient lanes waiting to be explored from tomorrow.
- Private airport transfer
Day 2Dawn on the Ganges and the Buddha's First Sermon
Rise early for a sunrise boat ride on the River Ganges, drifting past the string of bathing ghats that line the western bank of the river as the city wakes, one of Varanasi's truly unforgettable experiences. After breakfast, a guided city tour takes in the ghats, Tulsi Manas Temple, Alamgir Mosque and Bharat Mata Temple, along with a visit to the historic Banaras Hindu University. In the afternoon, journey out to Sarnath, celebrated for the Dhamekh Stupa and as the place where the Buddha is said to have preached his first sermon, laying down the principles of his teaching.
- Sunrise boat ride on the Ganges
- Guided city tour: the ghats, Tulsi Manas Temple, Alamgir Mosque, Bharat Mata Temple and Banaras Hindu University
- Afternoon excursion to Sarnath
Breakfast
Day 3Golden Spires and the Ganga Aarti
This morning, visit two of Varanasi's most revered shrines: the golden-spired Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the holiest sites in Hinduism, and the Sankat Mochan Temple, dedicated to Lord Hanuman and much loved by local pilgrims. As evening falls, make your way to the ghats for the Ganga Aarti, a mesmerising ceremony of fire, incense, chant and ritual performed nightly on the banks of the river, a fitting finale to your stay in Varanasi.
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple
- Sankat Mochan Temple
- Evening Ganga Aarti ceremony on the ghats
Breakfast
Day 4A Fond Farewell to the Eternal City
After breakfast, there is time to reflect on your stay before transferring to Varanasi airport for your onward flight, taking home lasting memories of one of India's most sacred cities.
- Private transfer to Varanasi airport
Breakfast
Accommodation
Where you'll stay
The hotels we recommend for this journey are shown below for Heritage, the standard you have chosen. Your specialist will confirm the most suitable options and availability when your journey is planned.
Varanasi
3 nights
A choice of 2
Or BrijRama PalaceFive Star
Or Taj Nadesar PalaceLuxury Five Star
Hotels are as listed or similar, subject to availability at the time of booking.
The detail
What the price covers
Included
- 3 nights' accommodation at the hotels listed, or similar, on a twin sharing basis
- Breakfast daily
- Airport transfers with staff assistance
- All transfers and sightseeing by private, air-conditioned Toyota Innova Crysta
- An early morning boat ride on the River Ganges, on a shared-seat basis
- A local English-speaking guide during sightseeing
- All entrance fees to monuments
- Two bottles of packaged water per person per day during drives and sightseeing
- All currently applicable taxes (5% GST at the time of writing, subject to change)
Not included
- Travel insurance and visa services
- Personal expenses such as drinks, telephone calls and laundry
- Tips and porter charges
- Any additional costs arising from flight delays or cancellations, weather, political closures or technical faults
- Any other service not listed as included
When to travel
October to March, when Varanasi is at its coolest and most comfortable for sightseeing, temple visits and river boat rides. Varanasi sits on the North Indian plains, with a hot, dry summer from April to June, a humid monsoon from July to September, and a pleasant, cooler winter from October to March that is by far the best time to visit. The tour is not offered from 15 December 2026 to 12 January 2027 (Christmas and New Year) or during Dev Deepawali, 22 to 27 November 2026, when a separate quote applies. Private departures from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, except 15 December 2026 to 12 January 2027 (Christmas and New Year) and 22 to 27 November 2026 (Dev Deepawali, quoted separately).
3 Nights, 4 DaysPrivate
Varanasi and Sarnath
Heritage hotels
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