Varanasi day tour with Sarnath, boat rides & Ganga Aarti

Dawn on the Ganges, then the birthplace of Buddhism, all in one day

This private guided tour of Varanasi covers the city's Hindu and Buddhist landmarks in a single day, starting with a boat ride at dawn on the Ganges River and ending with reserved seating at the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony. The itinerary includes the old city walk, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Manikarnika Ghat, and a full tour of Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his first sermon, with two built-in breaks for meals and rest. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the guide speaks English or Spanish. Other languages available on request.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Varanasi Ghats4h
2. Ganges River4h
3. Kashi Vishwanath Templepassing by
4. Manikarnika Ghatpassing by
5. Dashashwamedh Ghat2h
6. Pillars of Ashoka1h · entry included
7. Dhamek Stupa1h · entry included
8. Chaukhandi Stupapassing by

Varanasi and Sarnath Full Day Tour

• Morning boat ride at dawn
• Walk through old city
• Breakfast break
• Visit Sarnath Buddhist monuments
• Lunch break
• Evening boat ride on Ganges
• Attend Ganga Aarti ceremony

The experience

The day starts before sunrise with an exclusive boat ride on the Ganges, moving through the Varanasi Ghats as the city wakes. After returning to shore, you walk the old city streets to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of Hinduism's most sacred sites dedicated to Lord Shiva, then continue to Manikarnika Ghat: the cremation ground where the river meets the city's spiritual core. A break follows for breakfast, and depending on your hotel's location, you can return to rest for around two hours before the next leg begins.

The afternoon takes you to Sarnath, about 10 kilometers north, where Buddha preached his first sermon after his enlightenment. You'll see the Dhamek Stupa, built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE to mark the exact spot of that teaching, the Chaukhandi Stupa, and the Pillars of Ashoka: one of which became India's national emblem. The site holds Buddhist monuments from multiple traditions and centuries of ruins spanning from the 3rd century BCE to the 11th century AD. After lunch and a rest period, you return to Varanasi for the evening.

The day closes with the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, the main ghat where priests offer light to the river in a Hindu ritual performed daily at dusk. Your reserved seating gives you a clear view of the ceremony without the crowd. The guide is a licensed professional who can speak French, German, Spanish or Italian on request. The tour accommodates groups of 2 to 10 people and includes hotel pickup and drop-off.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a licensed private guide speaking English or Spanish (other languages on request).
• exclusive boat during the morning Ganges ride.
• entrance tickets to Sarnath.
• reserved seating for the Ganga Aarti ceremony with a clear view of the ritual.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Varanasi Day Tours

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if you want both dawn and dusk boat rides plus the old city and Sarnath in one day, or split it across two days starting with afternoon Sarnath or evening Aarti instead.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What exactly happens during the Ganga Aarti ceremony at the end of the day?

The Ganga Aarti is a Hindu ritual performed at Dashashwamedh Ghat each evening where priests offer light to the Ganges River in songs of praise to the deity. You'll have reserved seating positioned for a clear view of the ceremony and the river.

How much time do I actually spend at Sarnath, and what will I see there?

Sarnath is the afternoon portion of the tour, where Buddha delivered his first sermon. You'll visit the Dhamek Stupa (built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE), the Chaukhandi Stupa, the Pillars of Ashoka, and walk through extensive Buddhist ruins and monuments from multiple traditions spanning over a thousand years of history.

Is there time to rest during the day, or is it non-stop walking and travel?

The tour includes two breaks built in: the first after the morning boat ride for breakfast, with the option to return to your hotel to rest for around two hours if it's nearby, and the second after Sarnath for lunch and relaxation before the evening Aarti.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay for separately?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, the professional guide, the exclusive morning boat ride, Sarnath entrance tickets, and reserved seating for the Ganga Aarti are all included. Food and drinks during the breaks are your own cost, as are any gratuities.

Can I do this tour over two days instead of one long day?

Yes, the tour can be split into two days. You could start with an afternoon Sarnath tour or the evening Ganga Aarti on day one, then continue with the morning boat ride, old city walk, and breakfast the next day.