Banaras Wala Tours
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 348 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Banaras Wala Tours worth booking?
Banaras Wala Tours is a 3-hour experience in Varanasi, India, from $12 per person. It scores 94 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “90+ Club”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 348 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing. It sits in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
- Outty Ranking
- 94 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (348)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $12 per person
My name is Vinay Singh. I was born and raised in Varanasi and have spent over a decade guiding visitors — from solo travelers to YouTubers and documentary crews — through its sacred streets. Living here all my life has g
What you get
- Bottled water
- Tea and coffee
About this experience
My name is Vinay Singh. I was born and raised in Varanasi and have spent over a decade guiding visitors — from solo travelers to YouTubers and documentary crews — through its sacred streets. Living here all my life has given me deep knowledge of Varanasi’s hidden corners, traditions, and spiritual rituals. Each tour is tailored to your interests: taste safe street food, see a sunrise at the ghats, wander old alleys, visit hidden temples, and experience how spirituality shapes daily life. Tours last three to four hours and cover major historical and religious sites, ghats, cremation grounds, narrow lanes, markets, and secret spots that reveal the real Varanasi. Along the way, I share not only history but also stories about daily life, local customs, and my own experiences growing up here. My goal is for you to leave with memories and insights you won’t find in any guidebook.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Tea and coffee
What you'll see and do
Assi Ghat
At 5 AM, gather at Assi Ghat to witness the morning cremation rites and the first prayers of the day. The ghat comes alive with chanting priests, the glow of ritual fires, and the steady rhythm of sacred offerings to the river. Against the backdrop of dawn over the Ganges, this ceremony embodies the city’s deep cycle of worship, life, and liberation.
30 minutes here
Tulsi Ghat
After Assi Ghat, we walk by Tulsi Ghat to briefly watch the traditional wrestling.
10 minutes here
Ganges River
We now begin on the sunrise boat portion of the tour. The journey passes more than 25 ghats, where you’ll see locals bathing in the river and morning rituals unfolding. Along the way, the boat pauses at Manikarnika Ghat to witness the cremation ceremonies, a powerful and sacred part of Varanasi’s life on the Ganges. The tour ends at Dasaswamedh Ghat, home of the city’s most vibrant activity.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Vishalakshi Temple
As we wander through the old city, we will stop and visit the Vishalakshi Temple, dedicated to the goddess and regarded as one of the sacred Shakti Peethas.
10 minutes here
Nepali Temple (Kathwala Temple)
Next on the old city portion of the tour is the Pashupatinath Temple near Lalita Ghat, built in the Nepali style by the King of Nepal. This shrine reflects Varanasi’s enduring role as a center of Shiva worship and its cultural ties across South Asia.
10 minutes here
Manikarnika Ghat
We then conclude at Manikarnika Ghat, the most sacred cremation ground in Varanasi. Here, funeral pyres burn day and night, symbolizing the Hindu belief in liberation from the cycle of rebirth. It is a profound place where the spiritual heart of the city is most visible.
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Options you can book
Sacred Sunrise Private Tour
See the sacred city Pickup included
Sacred Sunset Tour
Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- ja, en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Vinay Singh
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 348 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
348 verified traveler reviews for Banaras Wala Tours. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Varanasi Sunrise
He was excellent guide took us in Varanasi places we thought we would never see . We were a little reappointed that the Gangs river was at high tide during this time and could not take boat ride . But our guide did the best to please us seeing another side of Varanasi. Would highly recommended
via Tripadvisor
Personalized and informative tour with Vinay
I signed up to go to the morning aarti and boat ride and because of the water levels during the monsoon season Vinay was able to quickly pivot and do a walking tour instead. He made sure we had an excellent experience at the aarti and knew what was going on. I decided after I booked that I also wanted to go to Sarnath and he easily adding that to my itinerary. And when I told him I was looking for contemporary art nearby he worked quickly to find options and I found a piece I loved and am taking home! It is lovely to spend time with Vinay and he gives very good prices relative to other tours I looked at.
via Tripadvisor
Anybody who goes on this...
Anybody who goes on this experience should be prepared for a lot of meaningful information and education to what is important to their religion. Vinay was an excellent tour guide and helped us so that he made the experience as immersive as possible. He was so kind and really nice to have a chat with. Would highly recommend to anyone wishing to experience the process in which they use the ghats and the meaning behind everything they do.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 🙏 I am truly happy to hear that you found the experience meaningful and educational. It was a pleasure sharing the traditions, rituals, and spiritual significance of the ghats with you. Your curiosity and engagement made the tour even more enjoyable. Thank you for your kind words about my guiding. I always try to create an authentic and immersive experience while helping guests understand the deeper meaning behind what they witness in Varanasi. I greatly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again in the future. Wishing you safe travels and many wonderful memories from Varanasi! 😊🌅🕉️ Vinay
via Viator
Wonderful……
We had a 2 day private tour with Vinay. Met us at hotel both days. Tailored tour due to heat and ensuring we saw everything. Vinay has a wealth of knowledge which he shared with us over the 2 days. Highly recommend a private tour with Vinay. We would never have managed to see so much on our own. Thank you Vinay
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your wonderful review! 🙏 It was a real pleasure spending these two days with you and showing you the beauty, history, and traditions of Varanasi. I am glad we were able to adjust the itinerary to the weather and make sure you could comfortably experience all the important sites and local culture. Thank you for your kind words about my knowledge and guiding. Sharing the stories and traditions of this ancient city with interested travelers like you is something I truly enjoy. I greatly appreciate your recommendation, and I am delighted to hear that the private tour helped you discover much more than you would have on your own. Thank you again for choosing me as your guide. I wish you safe travels and many happy memories of Varanasi. 😊🙏 Warm regards, Vinay
via Tripadvisor
Dawn boat trip
Vinay organised a lovely dawn boat trip followed by an interesting tour of the Nepali temple and cremation site. I would recommend this tour.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind words! It truly means a lot 🙏 I’m really happy to hear that you enjoyed the dawn boat trip and the visit to the Nepali temple and cremation site—these are very special experiences in Varanasi. It was a pleasure organizing your tour, and I’m glad it left a good impression. Your recommendation is greatly appreciated and motivates me to keep providing the best experience possible. Hope to welcome you again in the future! 😊
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $12 to $40
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 122
- Verdict
- 90+ Club
Why this scores 94
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Banaras Wala Tours: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Varanasi.
How much does Banaras Wala Tours cost?
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Prices start at $12 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Varanasi usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Banaras Wala Tours take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Varanasi is not rushed.
Is Banaras Wala Tours worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 94 out of 100, which we label "90+ Club". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 348 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Varanasi, and how flexible the cancellation terms are. Scoring 90 or above puts it in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
Can I cancel or reschedule Banaras Wala Tours?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Banaras Wala Tours suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Banaras Wala Tours?
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Around 122 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Varanasi can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Varanasi and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Banaras Wala Tours start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Varanasi within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Varanasi?
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On Outty we rank every Varanasi experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Hidden Secrets of Varanasi: Vibrant Tradition (Guided Tour), Varanasi full day guided tour | Ranked 1 Tour Operator on Viator, A Journey of A lifetime. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Varanasi?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Varanasi?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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