Varanasi and Sarnath Cultural Trail with Sunrise Boat Ride

Varanasi, India
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Duration7h - 8h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of spirituality with the "Varanasi and Sarnath Cultural Trail with Sunrise Boat Ride." Commencing at 5:00 AM, you'll be whisked away from your hotel in Varanasi to partake in a magical sunrise boat ride along the sacred Ganges river. Witness the profound spirituality as locals engage in morning rituals along the ghats. Following the boat ride, a walking tour awaits, exploring the ghats and the revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Your cultural odyssey continues with a visit to Sarnath, the city where Buddha imparted his first sermon. Marvel at the ancient artifacts in the Sarnath Archaeological Museum, admire the Dhamek Stupa, and explore the modern Mulagandha Kuti Vihar. A delightful lunch at a local restaurant precedes your return to Varanasi, concluding with a visit to the illustrious Benares Hindu University. As the sun sets, your enchanting day concludes at 5:30 PM, leaving you with cherished memories of spiritual and cultural wonders.

Options

Car & Guide

Includes: Private Car with Driver + Private Guides.
Pickup included

Car, Guide, Entrance & Lunch

Includes: Private Car with Driver + Private Guides + Entrance & activities charges mentioned in the itinerary & Lunch.
Pickup included

Car, Guide & Entrance

Includes: Private Car with Driver + Private Guides + Entrance & activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.

Pickup included

Car Only

Includes: Private Car with Driver.

Pickup included

What's included

  • English speaking local guide, if option selected.
  • Entrance fees to monuments, if option selected.
  • Private AC car/van for pick up and drop off from/to your hotel.
  • Lunch, if option selected.
  • Government Taxes.
  • Bottled water in the car.
  • Camera charges at monuments.
  • Gratuities and optional activities.
  • Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.

What to expect

  1. Varanasi
    Pass by
    5:00 AM - Pick up from your hotel in Varanasi

    You'll be picked up from your hotel in Varanasi and taken to the river ghat to start your boat ride at sunrise.
  2. Varanasi
    1h
    5:30 AM - Early morning boat ride on the Ganges river
    You'll start your day by taking a boat ride on the Ganges river at sunrise. This is one of the best ways to experience the spirituality of Varanasi, as you'll see locals taking their morning dips in the holy river and performing various religious rituals on the ghats (riverbank steps).
  3. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
    30m · Admission ticket included
    7:30 AM - Walking tour of the ghats and temples
    After the boat ride, you'll take a walking tour of the ghats and temples along the Ganges river. This will include a visit to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the most important Hindu temples in Varanasi. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be one of the 12 jyotirlingas (lingams of light) in India. You'll also visit other temples and sites of historical and cultural importance.
  4. Sarnath
    30m
    10:30 AM - Visit Sarnath
    After exploring Varanasi, you'll head to the nearby city of Sarnath, where Gautama Buddha is said to have given his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Here are a few things you can do in Sarnath:

    Visit the Sarnath Archaeological Museum: This museum houses a collection of artifacts and sculptures from the ancient Buddhist site of Sarnath.
  5. Dhamek Stupa
    30m · Admission ticket included
    Visit the Dhamek Stupa: This is a massive, cylindrical-shaped stupa that's believed to have been built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. It's one of the most important Buddhist monuments in Sarnath.
  6. Mulagandha Kuti Vihar
    30m
    Visit the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar: This is a modern Buddhist temple that's built on the site where Buddha is believed to have spent his first rainy season after attaining enlightenment.
  7. Sarnath
    35m
    1:30 PM - Lunch
    After exploring Sarnath, you'll have lunch at a local restaurant.
  8. Varanasi
    Pass by
    2:30 PM - Return to Varanasi
    After lunch, you'll return to Varanasi.
  9. Banaras Hindu University
    30m · Admission ticket included
    3:30 PM - Visit the Benares Hindu University
    Your next stop will be the Benares Hindu University, one of the largest residential universities in Asia. Here, you can visit the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum, which houses a collection of ancient Indian art and artifacts.
  10. Varanasi
    Pass by
    5:30 PM - End of the tour
    Finally, your private tour of Varanasi and Sarnath will come to an end and you'll be dropped off at your hotel in Varanasi.

Meeting and pickup

Pickup details

Pickup is available from all hotels, residences, and other accommodations within 15 km of Varanasi city. Please provide your pickup location details at least 3 days before the tour. Your private chauffeur-driven air-conditioned vehicle will arrive at the scheduled pickup time. Driver and guide contact details will be shared one day prior to the tour.

Additional information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
From
$58.00 per person
Check availability & book
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
Operated by Agora Voyages Pvt. Ltd. · Booked through Viator
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From
$58.00 per person
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