3-Day Varanasi Tour: Ghats, Cremation & Sarnath
Three days tracing Varanasi's spiritual core, from river dawn to ancient temples and the birthplace of Buddhism
A 3-day private guided tour of Varanasi and Sarnath with an English-speaking guide, private AC vehicle and hand-rowed boat. You'll ride the Ganges at sunrise, walk through the old city's spice and flower markets, witness the evening Aarti ceremony from a rooftop, visit Manikarnika Ghat (the world's largest cremation center), explore over a dozen temples including the Golden Temple, and spend a full day in Sarnath seeing the Dhamekh Stupa, Deer Park and the 80-foot Thai Buddha statue where Gautama taught his first sermon. All monument entry, transfers and the boat are included. Lunch and dinner are on your own.
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Evening Ganga Aarti
- Arrive at Varanasi Airport or Station
- Transfer to hotel and check-in
- Visit local bazar and food shops
- Explore ancient temples in old city
- Visit Manikarnika Ghat cremation center
- Attend evening Ganga Aarti ceremony
- Visit Mother India Temple relief map
Day 2: Sunrise Boat Ride and City Tour
- Morning boat ride on Ganges at sunrise
- Visit prominent temples and Banaras Hindu University
- Visit Durga Temple and Monkey Temple
- Visit Mother India Temple artwork
- Explore Kaashi Vishwanath Golden Temple corridor
- Visit Sarnath Buddhist temples and stupas
- See Deer Park and Bodhi Tree
- Visit Monolithic Ashokan pillar and Thai temple
- Visit Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
Day 3: Departure Assistance
- Explore independently during the day
- Get assistance for airport departure
What’s included
- All monument entry fees.
- private AC vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing.
- hand-rowed private boat on the Ganges.
- English-speaking local guide for the full three days.
- rooftop seating for the evening Aarti ceremony.
- hotel pickup and airport or railway station transfer on arrival and departure.
- Every day 09:00 11:00 14:00 16:00
Information
Three days in Varanasi with private guide and boat: sunrise on the Ganges, Manikarnika cremation ghat, evening Aarti ceremony from a rooftop.
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The experience
Day one starts with pickup from Varanasi airport or railway station and a late-afternoon walk through the old city's busiest bazaar: the spice market, flower stalls and food vendors where the guide can point you toward lassi or masala tea if you want to stop. You'll then visit Manikarnika Ghat, where cremations happen around the clock, before heading to the main ghat for the evening Aarti ceremony. This prayer ritual involves seven priests carrying incense, lamps, flowers, bells and other sacred items, with chanting and the golden light of sunset reflecting off the Ganges. You'll watch from a rooftop to see the full ceremony, which lasts about 45 minutes to an hour.
Day two begins with a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges from Dashaswamedh Ghat in a hand-rowed private boat. You'll see sadhus, pilgrims performing rituals and the ghat's morning activity as the sun rises. After the boat, the guide takes you through the city's temples: Shri Vishwanath Temple (the Golden Temple, rebuilt in 2021 with a new corridor), the red Durga Temple, the Mother India Temple with its marble relief map of undivided India, and Sankat Mochan, established in the 16th century by the saint-poet Tulsidas. You'll also walk through the handloom weaver area where artisans make silk sarees and scarves. In the afternoon, you'll drive to Sarnath, about an hour away, where Buddha delivered his first sermon to five disciples after his enlightenment.
Sarnath holds multiple stupas and temples across a single site: the Dhamekh Stupa marks where Buddha taught, the Dharamrajika Stupa enshrines relics, and the Mulgandhakutivihara temple sits near the Bodhi Tree (a descendant of the original banyan in Bodhgaya). You'll see the Monolithic Ashokan Pillar, walk through the Deer Park where deer still roam, visit both Vihar and Chaitya monasteries, and end at the Thai temple with its 80-foot Buddha statue: built to the exact height of Buddha's age when he died. Day three is free to explore on your own. The guide will help arrange your airport or railway departure according to your flight or train time.
Top questions
What time does the sunrise boat ride on the Ganges start?
The sunrise boat ride departs from Dashaswamedh Ghat in the early morning as the sun comes up, in a hand-rowed private boat. Exact departure time depends on sunrise, which shifts with the season.
Can I watch the cremations at Manikarnika Ghat, or is it only for viewing from a distance?
Manikarnika Ghat is the world's largest cremation center, operating around the clock. The guide will take you to the ghat itself. Cremations happen continuously, and you'll see the pyres and the ritual from the ghat area.
Is the evening Aarti ceremony included, and where do I stand to watch it?
Yes, the Aarti ceremony is included. You'll watch from a rooftop for the best view of the seven priests performing the ritual with lamps, incense and flowers on the main ghat. The ceremony lasts 45 minutes to an hour around 6:00–7:00 pm depending on the season.
How long is the drive from Varanasi to Sarnath, and what will I see there?
Sarnath is about an hour from Varanasi. You'll visit the Dhamekh Stupa where Buddha taught his first sermon, the Dharamrajika Stupa with Buddha's relics, the Mulgandhakutivihara temple, the Deer Park, the Monolithic Ashokan Pillar, and the Thai temple with an 80-foot Buddha statue. Multiple stupas and monasteries are spread across the site.
Does the tour include meals?
Lunch and dinner are not included. The guide will recommend restaurants and food shops, including traditional spots in the old city where you can try local dishes.
What temples will I visit in Varanasi's old city?
You'll see the Shri Vishwanath Temple (the Golden Temple with its new 2021 corridor), the red Durga Temple, the Mother India Temple with its marble relief map of India, Sankat Mochan dedicated to Hanuman, and the handloom weaver area near the Kaashi Vishwanath Temple corridor. Banaras Hindu University, founded in 1916, is also on the itinerary.
Operated by Sacred Varanasi Tour. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated 13 days ago
3-Day Varanasi Tour: Ghats, Cremation & Sarnath
3d · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 121 per person
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