
Highlights of the Varanasi & Sarnath (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car)
Traveler rating
4.0/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Highlights of the Varanasi & Sarnath (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car) worth booking?
Highlights of the Varanasi & Sarnath (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car) is a 8-hour experience in Varanasi, India, from $119 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 4/5 (3)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $119 per person
Varanasi has a different experiences to offer; gentle waters of the Ganges, ancient ghats, narrow serpentine alleys of city, the myriad temple spires, ashrams and devotional hymn. We coupled all these with an excursion to Sarnath which allows you to learn how this huge faith was founded and handcrafted the beautiful Highlights of Varanasi & Sarnath Tour in order to understand the true essence of Varanasi, its past, its spiritual journey & the roots of Buddhism. 1. Visit Sarnath's Buddhist Trails, and famous tourist destinations of Varanasi customized based on your requirement. 2. Capture the beauty of ancient ruins, stupas, ancient ghats, narrow serpentine alleys, the myriad temple spires of the city in your lens. 3. Understand a city's existence, diverse architectural style, tradition and religious legacy with lots of wonderful stories. 4. We follow a unique style of ‘infotainment’ to ensure that you enjoy the tour and don't get bored, irrespective of whether you love history or not.
What you get
About this experience
Varanasi has a different experiences to offer; gentle waters of the Ganges, ancient ghats, narrow serpentine alleys of city, the myriad temple spires, ashrams and devotional hymn. We coupled all these with an excursion to Sarnath which allows you to learn how this huge faith was founded and handcrafted the beautiful Highlights of Varanasi & Sarnath Tour in order to understand the true essence of Varanasi, its past, its spiritual journey & the roots of Buddhism. 1. Visit Sarnath's Buddhist Trails, and famous tourist destinations of Varanasi customized based on your requirement. 2. Capture the beauty of ancient ruins, stupas, ancient ghats, narrow serpentine alleys, the myriad temple spires of the city in your lens. 3. Understand a city's existence, diverse architectural style, tradition and religious legacy with lots of wonderful stories. 4. We follow a unique style of ‘infotainment’ to ensure that you enjoy the tour and don't get bored, irrespective of whether you love history or not.
What's included
Included
- Snacks
- Highly trained and friendly Storyteller/ Guide who can speak English & Hindi
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Airport or outside city limit transfer
- Lunch
- Bottled water
What you'll see and do
Sarnath
Sarnath; an important Buddhist pilgrim spot, where Buddha made his first sermon after getting enlightenment. In this excursion to Sarnath is the best way to know how this religion was born and explore one of its holy cities.
60 minutes here
We will visit the Sarnath Museum, which is the oldest site museum of Archaeological Survey of India. It houses the collection of Buddhist remains.
30 minutes here · Admission not included
Visit the Sarang Nath, dedicated to the god Shiva and whose name also famed as "deer lord".
30 minutes here
Dhamek Stupa
Visit the Dhamek Stupa as it was the exact spot of Buddha’s first sermon and it reveales the eightfold path leading to nirvana.
30 minutes here · Admission not included
Chaukhandi Stupa
Visit the Chaukhandi Stupa - the spot where Buddha was reunited with the panchavargiya bhikshus or his five companions.
30 minutes here · Admission not included
Ramnagar Fort
Explore this majestic palace which is a combination of architectural excellence and astronomical brilliance constructed by the King of Banaras in the year 1750 AD.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Banaras Ghats
Most of the Varanasi ghats are more than 300 years old and there nearly 88 ghats. Most Popular and oldest ghats of all these are the Dashashwamedh, Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghat.
60 minutes here
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Visit the holiest of Shiva temples where main deity is known by the name Vishwanatha meaning the Ruler of the universe. Explore the other small temples in the complex as well as a small well known wisdom well
30 minutes here · Admission not included
Assi Ghat
Visit the the furthest south of the main ghat and Shri Durga Temple
30 minutes here
Manikarnika Ghat
Visit the Burning Ghat where dead bodies are burnt here regularly. It is holiest among the sacred riverfronts, alongside the river Ganga, known for if a dead human cremated, the soul finds salvation/Moksha
30 minutes here
Dasaswamedh Ghat
Visit the Dashashwamedh Ghat which is the oldest and holiest ghat and heart of the action where the famous Ganga aarti takes place every evening. Walk around the other Ghats of Kashi and learn energy transformation techniques that will help you balance the energy system within you.
30 minutes here
Varanasi
Varanasi has a different experience to offer; gentle waters of the Ganges, ancient ghats, narrow serpentine alleys of city, the myriad temple spires, ashrams and devotional hymn—all offer a kind of mystifying experience that is unique to the city of Shiva.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Small Car (up to 3 person)
Budget Duration: 8 hours Snacks Sedan Car Pickup included
Premium SUV Car
Premium Duration: 8 hours Snacks Premium SUV Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- hi, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Yo Tours
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- 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 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
1 mentionPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for Highlights of the Varanasi & Sarnath (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Mark up too high!
This trip if organised from hotel drsk can at the mac take 5000 rupees, where as viator made me pay 14000! I don’t know where thos price gauging happens but this is a unfair rip off even if i consider that viator will be more expensive.
via Tripadvisor
great expirence
We have taken a city tour in varanasi .our guide was named Jain. He was great funny as well as knowledgable guide.he show us varanasi in true essence . His number+919125337798
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for the wonderful review, it was a pleasure having you on our tour, hope to see you again in next city.
via Tripadvisor
Very enjoyable tour with Jin
My wife and I enjoyed a great tour on 1 November 2019 with Jin, our very friendly guide. He showed us Sarnath first, which is very important for the history of Buddhism and a very tranquil place, before we hit Varanasi. The tour included plenty of interesting locations and Jin shared many interesting facts with us. We also got to see some unusual sights like the local wrestling pit (see if you can lift one of those weights!) and the area by the Ganges where Hindu men shave their heads. A great tour and highly recommended. Note: The tour does not include the Kashi Vishwanath Temple or the mosque.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for the wonderful review, it was a pleasure having you on our tour, hope to see you again in next city.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $119 to $13,699
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Yo Tours, who run 10 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 62.0.
See everything Yo Tours runsWhy this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Highlights of the Varanasi & Sarnath (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car): questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Varanasi.
How much does Highlights of the Varanasi & Sarnath (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car) cost?
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Prices start at $119 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 Highlights of the Varanasi & Sarnath (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car) take?
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Plan for about 8 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 Highlights of the Varanasi & Sarnath (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car) worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Varanasi, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Highlights of the Varanasi & Sarnath (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car)?
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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 Highlights of the Varanasi & Sarnath (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car) suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Highlights of the Varanasi & Sarnath (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car)?
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Around 1 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 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Highlights of the Varanasi & Sarnath (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car) 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), The Ultimate 1 Day in Varanasi - How to Spend 13 Hours - Private Guided Tour, 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.
What is included in Highlights of the Varanasi & Sarnath (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car)?
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Included: Snacks; Highly trained and friendly Storyteller/ Guide who can speak English & Hindi; All Fees and Taxes; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Airport or outside city limit transfer; Lunch; and Bottled water. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Highlights of the Varanasi & Sarnath (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car) include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 128 listed pickup locations in and around Varanasi. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Highlights of the Varanasi & Sarnath (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car) offered in?
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It is offered in Hindi and English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Highlights of the Varanasi & Sarnath (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car)?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Highlights of the Varanasi & Sarnath (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car) wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Highlights of the Varanasi & Sarnath (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car) if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Highlights of the Varanasi & Sarnath (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car)?
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Across 3 reviews averaging 4.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Highlights of the Varanasi & Sarnath (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour by Car)?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Small Car (up to 3 person), Premium SUV Car. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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