What to do and see in Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh: The Best City Tours

April 28, 2022 Deane Carmody

Discover the best top things to do in Varanasi District, India including Full Day City Tour of Varanasi visit Sarnath Including evening Ganga Aarti, Private 3-Day City Tour of Varanasi: Rickshaw & Boat Ride with Ganga Aarti, Varanasi Life, Death and Rebirth Walk, 10 Days Private Golden Triangle With Holy City Varanasi from Delhi, A walking tour in Varanasi : Understanding Death - The Salvation Walk, 1 Days Private Enchanting Varanasi, Private Full-Day Tour of Varanasi including the Kashi Darshan, Full day Guided City Tour of Varanasi in AC Car with a local, Private Half-Day Varanasi Walking Tour and Tuk-Tuk Ride at Sunrise, Walking Tour In Varanasi.
Restaurants in Varanasi District

1. Full Day City Tour of Varanasi visit Sarnath Including evening Ganga Aarti

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India Nikita Holidays
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Varanasi is the spiritual capital of India and also one of the oldest cities in the world. Visit the sacred city of Varanasi with the comfort of a private tour on a full day trip. On this tour, you will see the ancient, spectacular city of Varanasi full of history, visit the Sarnath, the city where the Lord Buddha gave his first sermon, and Evening witness the Aarti ceremony at the Ghats of the city Varanasi.

Inclusions: All Transfers/Sightseeing’s by air conditioned private vehicle, Professional private tour guide, Monument entrance fees, Rickshaw ride, Buffet Lunch

Exclusions: Drinks, Gratuities (recommended)

Reviewed By Sachin_7724

Hi Sharma ji, I had planned this trip to make my first marriage anniversary memorable. Have made all bookings and waiting from more than 2 months. Because of drastic increase in covid cases in Delhi during divali and formers protest I was in big tension and in confusion whether to travell or not. It was at high risk and not sure about anything till the last minute. But starting from when I book the cab to last hour of our onboard to trip you made it flawless without small error. We were safe And didn’t face single issue throughout the trip. Our driver Dharmendra Sharma was very cool and Happy person. He took care of us a lot and he was very friendly and gave many suggestions while visiting monuments. His driving is awesome. I have reached Delhi Airport back with so much of Satisfaction and Happiness. Thank you so much for your wonderful service I will cherish this forever. Keep up the good work and will refer my many friends here. I am taking many memories from here!! And a big Thanks you!!!

2. Private 3-Day City Tour of Varanasi: Rickshaw & Boat Ride with Ganga Aarti

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India Nikita Holidays
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Varanasi –the sacred ,soulful & ancient spectacular city. Visit of Sarnath, an interesting place where Lord Budhha gave his first sermon here. View magnificient stupas & monasteries. Evening witness the Aarti ceremony at the Ghats of the holistic city. Boat cruise at the River Ganges. Visit of ancient temples & Modern structured marble temple – Tulsi Manas Temple, walls engraved with the hindi version of the Ramayana.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Lunch, 2-night hotel accommodation on twin sharing basis with breakfast, All Transfers/Sightseeing’s by air conditioned private vehicle, Boat and Rickshaw ride in Varanasi, Professional private tour guide, Monument entrance fees

Exclusions: Drinks, Gratuities (recommended)

Reviewed By Sachin_7724

Hi Sharma ji, I had planned this trip to make my first marriage anniversary memorable. Have made all bookings and waiting from more than 2 months. Because of drastic increase in covid cases in Delhi during divali and formers protest I was in big tension and in confusion whether to travell or not. It was at high risk and not sure about anything till the last minute. But starting from when I book the cab to last hour of our onboard to trip you made it flawless without small error. We were safe And didn’t face single issue throughout the trip. Our driver Dharmendra Sharma was very cool and Happy person. He took care of us a lot and he was very friendly and gave many suggestions while visiting monuments. His driving is awesome. I have reached Delhi Airport back with so much of Satisfaction and Happiness. Thank you so much for your wonderful service I will cherish this forever. Keep up the good work and will refer my many friends here. I am taking many memories from here!! And a big Thanks you!!!

3. Varanasi Life, Death and Rebirth Walk

Varanasi Day Tours
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3 reviews

Birth and Death are words we chose to describe the doorways in and out of a cycle. This cycle is connected to a larger cycle which awaits our return. It is all just like breathing. Remove the fear and judgement to recognise the same pattern as a principle everywhere. Walk with us through the city of learning & burning and experience Varanasi the concept of life, death and rebirth: when it is known as ‘Mahashamstana’, "the great cremation ground" of Shiva.

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off in Varanasi, Professional licensed guide

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities

Reviewed By Janr20

It was so amazing and totally unexpected but delightful. It will not be forgotten and it will always be with me forever. Hints : warm clothing in December, good footwear, appropriate clothing and a good camera. If you want a good seat arrive early

4. 10 Days Private Golden Triangle With Holy City Varanasi from Delhi

New Delhi, New Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi Abyss Tours INC
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3 reviews

One of the most popular tour packages for India is a visit to cities falling in the golden triangle. Golden Triangle Tour With Varanasi offers you an opportunity to explore the popular cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur along with the ancient holy city of Varanasi.  During your visit, you will experience something different in each city. Delhi will offer a potpourri of everything, Agra will take you back in the Mughal times, Jaipur will offer you a sneak-peak into the erstwhile Rjaputana royalty and Varanasi will enlighten your religious spirits.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, 9 nights accommodation in 3 star hotel(Please note 4 and 5 star hotel can be arranged on request with additional cost), Professional English Speaking guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private tour

Exclusions: Lunch & Dinner, Any other language

Reviewed By agacoaching

very easy arrangements, including booking internal flights from Jaipur to Varanasi and Varanasi to Delhi, when flights were changed Abyss Tours took care of all, re-booking and sending us info, booking hotels, local guides. and so much more to make our trip EASY and Happy. Very comfortable car, very nice and helpful professional driver: Ali - the best driver ever, English speaking, who give us info about places we visited but also took care about car (kept it clean every day), small things like buying bottled water for us was very kind... suggesting good restaurants…up to our choice, quality shopping and visiting most interesting places. I personally was involved with choosing itinerary - communication was fast and easy- thank you Mr Sajad for patience and great advice as always. The beauty working with Abbys Tours is that in your package you can choose 3, 4 or 5 hotels up to your budget and up to your experience you like to have. I very much appreciate the service, it was my 3rd trip with Abbys Tours Inc and I highly recommend it. Each time incredible service, fit to our needs and exceeding our expectations.

5. A walking tour in Varanasi : Understanding Death - The Salvation Walk

Girjaghar Crossing, Misir Pokhra, Sidhgiribagh, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India Walk 2 Xplor
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

• Varanasi is known as the city of death along with that of life as well. • It is the best city to die, and we have many charitable houses where people stay and wait for their death. • The Hindu belief says that one can attain salvation here. • Death is not something to be sad here, it is at least a satisfaction if not a celebration. • The walk is mainly centered around the cremation ghats of the city.

Inclusions: GST (Goods and Services Tax), TripAdvisor Experiences brokerage fee, Driver/guide, Professional art historian guide, Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected)

Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option not selected)

Reviewed By raider5859

We were met in the foyer of our hotel by our guide for the day A.J. who we found to be very knowledgeable about the local customs and history of Varanasi. A.J. spoke excellent English and his gentle and patient manner made it very easy for us to enjoy our day.We highly recommend this tour and are very grateful to A.J for making our day tour in Varanasi a very memorable experience.

6. 1 Days Private Enchanting Varanasi

Varanasi Excursion
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Take a full tour of Varanasi on these 1-day vacations that are perfect for first-time visitors. I spent one days in the company of a guide and learned everything about one of India's holiest cities on the banks of the Ganges. Visit all the attractions to see and hear the history, religion, architecture and modern life of the city.  Highlights 1. City tour by Walk through the narrow lane.  2. One hour Ride from Dashashwamedh Ghat to Manikarnika Ghat.  3. Beautiful & Colorful view of Holy Mother Ganges River.  4. View of Manikarnika Ghat (The Burning Ghat).  5. Trip leader will explain the cultural and heritage of  Varanasi.  6. Light Refreshment.

Inclusions: English Speaking tour guide., Private Ride from Dashashwamedh Ghat to Manikarnika Ghat., Hotel pickup and drop-off., Mineral water per person., Tea, Heritage walk., Photography., All applicable taxes and service charges.

Exclusions: Arrival and Departure from the Airport/Railway station is not included., Any personal expenses during the tour.

Reviewed By deborahbP5501OO

Great tour!! Guides made it a lot of fun. Felt like I got to see the real India not the tourist only one. They went out of their way to make sure that I went to every place I wanted to go and constantly made sure I was doing well...

7. Private Full-Day Tour of Varanasi including the Kashi Darshan

Heritage Walk In Varanasi
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 4 reviews

This is a day tour of Kashi, also known as Varanasi or benaras.  This tour offers an inside look at the local customs and traditions in one of the world's oldest cities. This tour covers both Hindu and Buddhist sites with an expert guide, including the Ganga Ghats, where pilgrims come to absolve their sins; the Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his very first sermon; Kashi Vishwanath temple; and the world famous Ganga Arti along with boat ride.

Inclusions: Private transportation, Private tour ( Can be start with minimum 2 pax or more. ), Transport by private vehicle ( it will have heating/Air conditioning and wifi, but no bathroom., Professional guide ( English Speaking Guide) For any other language except Hindi/Eng. 500/-INR Extra, Bottled water, Evening Hygienic Snacks(Tea/Lassi/Local Varanasi Food), Driver and Guide will be two different guy., No dress code for this tour., Personal food is allowed/ Photography is allowed., Required one id proof for any one of team member for the group., Fuel surcharge

Exclusions: Gratuities, Lunch ( at any reputed restaurant. Cost will be directly to be paid., Entrance fees ( INR 10 for Indian/SAARC countries and INR 110 for others), Boat Ride cost( 1-4 Pax about 500/- INR || 5-8 Pax- 750 INR per boat exclusive for your group), Motor Boat cost extra 3000/- to 5000/- depends on group size, Vehicle & Guide charge will be extra in case of second time boat ride in same day.

Reviewed By MalinG366

We chose to book the Learning and Burning walking tour with this company because of the good recommendation on TripSavvy so we went for it hoping in a great tour. We were "welcomed" quite coldly by Mr. Ravi but we were quite glad to know it would've been a private tour. All went fine until after 2 hours on the gaths he says: "ok tour is finished if you want I can take you to an Ayurvedic shop to buy some stuff" even tho we never expressed the interest in buying nothing. 2000rupees for 2 hours of walking on the gaths???a bit crazy I think! We also realized that the program we read on internet had not absolutely been respected, visit to ashrams were included but guide said it was absolutely not possible with no explanation, even more he should've stooped half way to give water and traditional Indian snacks so when we told him that almost nothing of what was on the program had actually been done we went to a stall and bought us a packet of industrial crisps??? It was just hilarious and felt just scammed so our experience was totally ruined. A real pity and strange because this company gets very good reviews but this is India you never know what you get!

8. Full day Guided City Tour of Varanasi in AC Car with a local

Yo Tours Varanasi
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1 reviews

If you are running short on time or just come down to explore touristic destinations in and around city, full day city tour is the best option. We have picked up all the spilled pieces together and created a beautiful garland of it in our Trails of Varanasi tour, an unmatched heritage experience with awesome stories to understand a city's existence, culture and lifestyle. Highlights of the tour will be following 1. Bharat Mata Mandir and St. Mary's Cathedral 2. Sarnath Tour 3. Tomb of Lal Khan and Alamgir Mosque 4. Ramnagar Fort 5. Shastri Home and Bharat Kala Bhavan 6. Banaras Hindu University 7. Shri Durga Temple and Assi Ghat 8. Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple 9. St. Thomas Church, Man Mandir Observatory, Gyan Kupor Well 10. Dashashwamedh ghat and Ganga Aarti Lunch at Local's Favorite Spot (Complimentary)

Inclusions: 1. Friendly Storyteller/Guide, 2. Hotel pickup, 3. Great local tips and recommendations, 4. Experience the long history stretching back 2000 years, with well-developed industry, trade, agriculture, government and religion of Varanasi., 5. Great conversations with stories that you can't find on the internet, 6. Souvenir, Bottled water, Lunch

Exclusions: Entrance fees of any historical site

Reviewed By MariaCabreGil

We enjoyed a lot the Boat Ride in Varanasi! It is worth waking up early to enjoy the increadible sunrise in the river and the views of the ghats from the boats. RJ was our guide, he is very friendly and attentive. After the boat ride, we could enjoy the free tour arroud the streets of Varanasi with RJ. We had few time for the visit but he arraged it perfectly to our schedule. We ask him to visit “the street life in Varanasi” and he showed us small streets of the city with good explanations. Is was a very nice tour! Thank you!

9. Private Half-Day Varanasi Walking Tour and Tuk-Tuk Ride at Sunrise

City Tours India Varanasi

Walk on the steps of Ghats of Varanasi along with holy Ganges river with your personal guide. Enjoy a Tuk-Tuk ride to the holy city. Watch the pilgrims of the holy city in this jaw dropping one-of-a-kind 4-hour experience.

Inclusions: Private guide, Walking tour on the Ghats of Varanasi, Ride on a Tuk-Tuk, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Visit to old bazaars of Varanasi

Exclusions: Food and drinks

10. Walking Tour In Varanasi

Banaras Walk

START POINT- PICK UP FROM HOTEL DURATION- 04 HRS TRANSPORT- PRIVATE CAR FOR PICK UP AND DROP INCLUDED. We start from the Harischandra Ghat, and walk at the bank of River Ganges witnessing the activities of the people at the Ghats. looking to the beautiful monuments at the bank made by rulers of different princely states of India. Visit to burning ghat where the cremations are done.

Inclusions: Bottled water, guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities, Souvenir photos (available to purchase)

Reviewed By zzci

Me and my friend booked the tour from Banaras tour. They provided as a very excellent and a very nice guided tour. They have got a very good knowledge about hidden treasures of Varanasi. Highly recommended.

TAGS

Share on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterShare on LinkedInPin on PinterestShare on Google+Email this to someoneShare on VkontakteBookmark

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.