Full-Day Varanasi Tour: Ghats, Temples & Sarnath

Manikarnika Ghat is a cremation ground, not a monument, and you'll see it twice: once from the boat and again on foot at dusk.

A full-day guided tour of Varanasi that covers the city's major sites in a single itinerary: a two-hour boat ride on the Ganga past Manikarnika, Dashashwamedh, Harishchandra and Assi ghats; the Buddhist temples at Sarnath; five Hindu temples including Birla Temple and Durga Temple; a walking tour through the old city streets; and the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat. The guide speaks English or French, water is included, and the day runs about eleven hours. Not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each3 stops

1. Dashashwamedh GhatEntry included2h
2. SarnathEntry included3h
3. Manikarnika GhatEntry included30m

Explore Varanasi's major attractions

• Boat ride from Dashashwamedh Ghat
• Visit Sarnath Buddhist Temple
• Visit Banaras Hindu University Birla Temple
• Visit Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
• Visit Tulsi Manas Temple
• Visit Durga Temple
• Walking tour of old Banaras street
• Watch cremation at Manikarnika Ghat
• Watch evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat

The experience

Dashashwamedh Ghat is where the boat departs for a two-hour ride down the Ganga. From the water you see Manikarnika Ghat (the cremation ground where bodies are burned on the riverbank) along with pilgrims bathing in the river and a string of other ghats receding into the city. The boat passes Harishchandra Ghat and Assi Ghat before returning to the starting point. This is the only way to see the scale and sequence of the ghats without walking the narrow lanes above them.

After the boat ride, the tour moves inland to Sarnath, about an hour's drive from the city center. This is where Buddha preached his first sermon after his enlightenment, and the Buddhist temples and ruins here take roughly three hours including the drive. The rest of the afternoon is spent at five Hindu temples: Banaras Hindu University's Birla Temple, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, and Durga Temple. Between the temples and before the evening ceremony, there's a walking tour through the old Varanasi streets (narrow lanes, small shops, residential courtyards) the texture of the city away from the main ghats.

The day ends with two ceremonies at Dashashwamedh Ghat. First, you watch the cremation at Manikarnika Ghat on foot, then return to Dashashwamedh for the evening Ganga Aarti: the ritual fire ceremony performed at the water's edge. This is the most crowded moment of the day and the one most visitors come to Varanasi to witness. A bottle of water is included. The guide speaks English or French and can answer questions about what you're seeing as the day unfolds.

What’s included

• Guided tour in English or French.
• two-hour boat ride on the Ganga from Dashashwamedh Ghat.
• entry to Sarnath Buddhist temples.
• visits to Birla Temple, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, and Durga Temple.
• walking tour of old Varanasi streets.
• viewing of the cremation at Manikarnika Ghat.
• evening Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
• bottle of water.

Information

Lasts 11h, runs every day at 06:00, from US$ 150 per person, with a live guide in English and French and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00Other times ›

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 50 years) · Senior (51 to 63 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years)

GroupUp to 303 private ›

Live guideEnglish and FrenchOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.3 with pickup ›

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Monu Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're in Varanasi for just one day and need the major sites (temples, ghats, old city, and evening ceremony) threaded together in a single guided sequence rather than pieced together separately.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 5 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is Manikarnika Ghat and why is it part of a tour?

Manikarnika Ghat is the main cremation ground in Varanasi, where bodies are ritually burned on the riverbank as part of Hindu practice. You see it from the boat during the morning ride and return on foot in the evening. It's central to understanding how Varanasi functions as a pilgrimage city.

How long is the boat ride on the Ganga?

The boat ride lasts around two hours and departs from Dashashwamedh Ghat. You'll pass multiple ghats and see pilgrims bathing in the river, but the ride itself is the main activity for that portion of the morning.

Is Sarnath far from Varanasi, and how much time do we spend there?

Sarnath is about an hour's drive from Varanasi. The visit takes roughly three hours total, including the drive there and back, so you'll have time to walk the Buddhist temples and ruins where Buddha delivered his first sermon.

What is the Ganga Aarti and when does it happen?

The Ganga Aarti is an evening ritual ceremony performed at Dashashwamedh Ghat where priests perform fire offerings at the water's edge. It happens at dusk and is the final event of the tour. It's the most crowded moment of the day.

What's included in this tour and what do I need to bring?

The tour includes a guide who speaks English or French, boat transport on the Ganga, entry to the temples, and a bottle of water. You'll walk through old city streets and stand for the ceremonies, so comfortable shoes and sun protection are practical. Dinner is not included.

Is this tour physically demanding?

The tour runs about eleven hours and includes a two-hour boat ride, walking through temples and narrow streets, and standing for ceremonies. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health. Moderate fitness is advised.