Full Day city tour of Varanasi including Sunrise Boat Cruise & Sarnath Budhist Temple

Day 1 Varanasi

Pick up from your Varanasi city hotel for full day city tour of Varanasi. Visit-

Early morning (5am approx) Sunrise Boat Cruise along the Ganges and catch the scene of devotees bathing and praying in the sacred water. Varanasi presents a unique combination of physical, metaphysical and supernatural elements. According to the Hindu mythology, Varanasi liberates soul from human body to the ultimate. It is the Ganga Ghats of Varanasi that complement the concept of divinity. Ghats of Ganga are perhaps the holiest spots of Varanasi. The Ganga Ghats at Varanasi are full of pilgrims who flock to the place to take a dip in the holy Ganges, which is believed to absolve one from all sins.

Walk on Ghats Of Varanasi - Dashashwamedh Ghat is the main ghat in Varanasi on the Ganga River. It is located close to Vishwanath Temple and is probably the most spectacular ghat. Close to the ghat, overlooking the Ganga lies the Jantar Mantar, an observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur in the year 1737. There are more than 100 ghats along side Ganga, some of the prominent and popular Ghats are the Dasaswamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Harischandra Ghat, Kabir Ghat and Assi Ghat.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple - There are temples at almost every turn in Varanasi, but this is the most famous. It is dedicated to Vishveswara Shiva as lord of the universe. The current temple was built in 1776 by Ahalya Bai of Indore; the 800kg of gold plating on the tower and dome was supplied by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Lahore 50 years later. (non-Hindus are not allowed to enter inside the main temple sanctum)

Return to your hotel for breakfast, then after proceed for city tour. Visit-

Banaras Hindu University - Banaras Hindu University, formerly Central Hindu College, is a public central university located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It was established in 1916 by Madan Mohan Malaviya and Annie Besant. With over 30,000 students residing in campus, it claims the title of largest residential university in Asia.

Bharat Kala Bhawan and University (Sunday closed) - On the Benares Hindu University campus is Bharat Kala Bhavan, a roomy museum with a wonderful collection of miniature paintings, as well as 12th-century palm-leaf manuscripts, sculptures and local history displays.

Bharat Mata Mandir - Bharat Mata Mandir is located on the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith campus in Varanasi, India. Instead of traditional statues of gods and goddesses, this temple has a huge map of undivided India carved in marble. This temple is dedicated to Bharat Mata and claims to be the only one of its kind in the world. 

Durga Temple - constructed in 18th century by Rani Bhabani of Natore its one of the most famous temples in the holy city of Varanasi. This temple has great religious importance in Hinduism and is dedicated to the Maa Durga.

Sarnath - about 10km from the holy city of Varanasi is the place where Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon. The celebrated Mantra, Buddham Sharanam Gachhami, owes its origin to Sarnath. It makes Sarnath one of the most venerated Buddhist places. Besides Buddhism, Sarnath is also connected with Jainism.

Archaeological Museum - Sarnath Museum is the oldest site museum of Archaeological Survey of India. It houses the findings and excavations at the archaeological site of Sarnath, by the Archaeological Survey of India. Sarnath is located near Varanasi. The museum has 6,832 sculptures and artifacts.

Evening Aarti Ceremony - Every evening, a magical aarti is performed at Dasashwamedh Ghat. The presiding priests stand on a wooden chauki in the water to chant Sanskrit mantras on the clash of cymbals and drums. The river is worshipped with flowers, incense, sandalwood, milk and vermilion. First the blazing camphor lamp and then the many- flamed aarti lamps are raised high and then arched back to the water, the dark river reflecting the golden flames as Ganga accepts the worship. 

After sightseeing drop off to your hotel.