All-Inclusive Private Varanasi City Tour with Ganges Boat Ride

4.4 (13 reviews) Varanasi, India
Duration12h - 14h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Experience the very best of Varanasi on this all-inclusive private city tour, featuring a comfortable private vehicle, expert local guide, and all entrance fees included for a seamless day of exploration. Start with a peaceful sunrise boat ride on the Ganges as the ghats come alive with rituals, chants and traditional morning prayers. Explore the newly restored Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, wander through atmospheric Old City lanes, and discover the sacred Buddhist site of Sarnath, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon.

Enjoy a lavish 5-star buffet lunch, followed by time to experience Varanasi’s vibrant culture, ancient temples, riverside traditions and spiritual rhythms. In the evening, witness the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti ceremony from your boat — a moving display of fire, music and devotion that becomes the highlight of many travelers’ journeys. Bottled water is provided throughout for your comfort, ensuring a smooth, enriching and unforgettable Varanasi experience.

Options

2 Travelers

Includes: Air-conditioned Vehicle + Live Tour Guide + Sunrise Ganges Boat ride + Entry Fees + 5★ Buffet Lunch + Bottled water
Pickup included

4 Travelers

Includes: Air-conditioned Vehicle + Live Tour Guide + Sunrise Ganges Boat ride + Entry Fees + 5★ Buffet Lunch + Bottled water
Pickup included

1 Traveler

Includes: Air-conditioned Vehicle + Live Tour Guide + Sunrise Ganges Boat ride + Entry Fees + 5★ Buffet Lunch + Bottled water
Pickup included

5 or more Travelers

Includes: Air-conditioned Vehicle + Live Tour Guide + Sunrise Ganges Boat ride + Entry Fees + 5★ Buffet Lunch + Bottled water
Pickup included

3 Travelers

Includes: Air-conditioned Vehicle + Live Tour Guide + Sunrise Ganges Boat ride + Entry Fees + 5★ Buffet Lunch + Bottled water
Pickup included

What's included

  • All parking, tolls, fuel charges, and taxes — no hidden costs
  • Private tour – only your group participates
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle for the full day (hotel pickup & drop-off included)
  • Entrance fees to all monuments and sites as per itinerary
  • Gourmet buffet lunch at a premium 5★ restaurant
  • Professional English-speaking local guide
  • Morning Ganges boat ride (included – no extra charges)
  • Bottled mineral water throughout the tour
  • Any Kind of drinks with lunch

What to expect

  1. Ganges River
    1h
    Your private tour guide pick you at 5.30 am from your hotel in Varanasi. Begin your journey comfortably in a private air-conditioned car. Enjoy a peaceful boat ride at sunrise along the Ganges, where you’ll see: Historic Ghats, Daily rituals & ceremonies, Holy bathers, Riverfront architecture, Beautiful photo-worthy scenes. This is often the highlight of the tour.
  2. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
    1h
    Visit the iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple complex and walk through the impressive new corridor connecting the temple to the Ganga ghats. Your guide explains the temple’s history, significance, and rituals.

    Later drive back to your hotel for breakfast.
  3. Banaras Hindu University
    1h
    Post breakfast Visit one of Asia’s largest universities and see the modern replica of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
  4. Bharat Mata Temple
    30m
    Bharat Mata Temple – A Unique Tribute to Mother India, dedicated not to a deity but to Mother India. Built in 1936, the temple houses a remarkable relief map of India carved in marble, showing the country’s mountains, rivers and geography in perfect scale.
  5. Varanasi
    1h
    Shopping in Varanasi (Optional, No Obligation to Buy), Enjoy an optional visit to Varanasi’s traditional craft shops, known for Banarasi silk, hand-woven textiles, wooden carvings and local handicrafts. Your guide will take you to reputable artisan workshops where you can see the craftsmanship up close. This stop is purely optional, and there is absolutely no pressure or obligation to purchase anything.
  6. 1h · Admission ticket included
    Relish a lavish multi-cuisine buffet lunch at one of Varanasi premium 5★ restaurant. Enjoy authentic local and international flavors in a royal ambiance.
  7. Sarnath
    1h · Admission ticket included
    Travel to Sarnath — where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon.
    See: Dhamek Stupa, Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, Deer Park, Buddhist temples from around the world, Archaeological Museum (closed Fridays)

    Sarnath offers serenity and a deep contrast to the city’s lively Ghats.
  8. Ganges River
    2h
    Evening witness the Ganga Aarti ceremony. The Aarti Ceremony is a devotional Hindu ritual performed at dusk on the banks of the Ganges, using fire as an offering to, the affectionately referenced, Maa Ganga, goddess of the holiest river in India.

    Your tour ends with a return to your hotel or other desired location in Varanasi.

Meeting and pickup

Pickup details

Your Hotel in Varanasi, Varanasi Airport, Railway Station, River Cruise Port or other desired location in Varanasi.

Additional information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Dress code: modest smart-casual; please ensure shoulders and knees are covered while visiting temples and Ghats.
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if this is required (meals are at your own expense)
  • Moderate walking and stair/climb at Ghats required — comfortable walking shoes recommended
  • The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
  • Please note: The Archaeological Museum in Sarnath is closed on Fridays
  • During rainy season (July to September), Boat ride is subject to availability due to Ganges river overflow.
  • Pickup and drop-off from any hotel or railway station in Varanasi included; private air-conditioned vehicle for your group only.

Cancellation policy

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

Reviews

4.4 (13)
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  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
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