
Old City & Cremation Ghats Walking Tour with an Experienced Guide
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 18 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Old City & Cremation Ghats Walking Tour with an Experienced Guide worth booking?
Old City & Cremation Ghats Walking Tour with an Experienced Guide is a 2-hour experience in Varanasi, India, from $35 per person. It scores 67 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 18 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 67 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (18)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $35 per person
Taking a walking tour through the old city and along the ghats of Varanasi is a great way to experience the city's vibrant culture. You can explore narrow winding streets, visit temples, crematorium and witness daily life and death along the ghats. It's a unique and immersive way to discover the heart of Varanasi. I assure you will have a safe and hassle-free experience. The whole idea of this is to give you more in less time so that you can understand Varanasi. This guided walking tour can be beneficial as it allows you to learn about the history, culture, and significance of the places you visit from a knowledgeable guide. It's an immersive way to experience the traditions and spirituality that make Varanasi a unique and profound destination.
What you get
About this experience
Taking a walking tour through the old city and along the ghats of Varanasi is a great way to experience the city's vibrant culture. You can explore narrow winding streets, visit temples, crematorium and witness daily life and death along the ghats. It's a unique and immersive way to discover the heart of Varanasi. I assure you will have a safe and hassle-free experience. The whole idea of this is to give you more in less time so that you can understand Varanasi. This guided walking tour can be beneficial as it allows you to learn about the history, culture, and significance of the places you visit from a knowledgeable guide. It's an immersive way to experience the traditions and spirituality that make Varanasi a unique and profound destination.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Experienced Guide
Not included
- Admission fees
What you'll see and do
Varanasi Old Town Tour With Me
Varanasi is known as the oldest living city of the world, while walking in the old city you will feel and understand how people are living in the old city by generation to generation in the same place. First of all, you will see a big and colourful crowded market where local people come to buy daily needs. Then you will have a long walk in the narrow lane to see old houses, shrines and The Golden Temple of Shiva(outside only). Varanasi is the holy city of Hindus and it's a great pilgrimage centre, around 15000 pilgrims come every day to take bath in The Ganges river and to visit this Golden temple. While walking in the old city you will feel this is the most important place in Varanasi.
90 minutes here
Nepali Temple (Kathwala Temple)
Here you will see the wooden temple of Shiva with some erotic sculpture.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Manikarnika Ghat
In Manikarnika Ghat you will see The Hindu way of cremation. This is a cremation ground where every day around 150 bodies are cremated in public.
10 minutes here
Most of the Hindu pilgrims come here to take a bath and do prayer with priests, some pilgrims offer floating candles and some take off their hair to do rituals for ancestors. This is the most happening place in Varanasi, every evening around 12000 people gather here to take part in Aarti prayer.
30 minutes here
Harishchandra Ghat
This is less crowded crematorium so you can see the whole cremation process peacefully e.g. * How family members are buying wood, which types of wood it is. * Process of making funeral pyre and lighting fire.
10 minutes here
Market situated in the narrow lane with several small colourful shops were always crowded with locals.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Varanasi
In front of Hotel Ganges Grand, Godowlia(Centre of the city)
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
In front of Hotel Ganges Grand, Godowlia(Centre of the city)
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Guide Varanasi
Know before you go
- 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 18 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
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
18 verified traveler reviews for Old City & Cremation Ghats Walking Tour with an Experienced Guide. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Incredible private tour of Varanasi !!!
I completely enjoyed my custom private tour of Varanasi with Mr. Sahu. His prompt, professional, courteous, and informative service was exceptional, showing me an immersive bespoke experience into Varanasi. From pre-dawn pick up, walk and Ghat boat tour, to walking the old narrow winding alleyways of the city, visiting the key Temple sites, the Fort, and the Masjid, I got to see Varanasi in a way that organized group tours did not offer. His service is worth every penny !!
Response from the operator: Thank you very much sir for such a great review. Have a nice day.
via Tripadvisor
Varanasi with local eyes
Thanks to Ashok, we were able to understand not only what we were seeing, but also the spiritual and cultural meaning behind it. I definitely recommend anyone who wants to know Varanasi in a genuine and enriching way
Response from the operator: Muchas gracias
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Impressive visit if you come to. Benares
Benares' explanations have been very cultural. Explains in detail each place you walk It's worth it without hesitation
Response from the operator: Muchas gracias
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Knowing Sarnath hand in hand with Asok
The guided tour of Sarnath with Asok has been very pleasant. Super punctual, very friendly and attentive. He has made a tour taking us to the different places of interest of Sarnath and explaining the most important in a pleasant way.
Response from the operator: Muchas gracias por sus valiosos comentarios
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Private tour of Varanasi
Would really recommend Ashok if you are planning to take your family to Varanasi. It is not an easy place to navigate and having Ashok to guide us and arrange transportation, including the boat trip, seats at the Aaarti, fabulous places for lunch, drinks and lassi, made us feel very well looked after indeed.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your valuable feedback.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $35 to $3,200
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 6
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 67
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Old City & Cremation Ghats Walking Tour with an Experienced Guide: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Varanasi.
How much does Old City & Cremation Ghats Walking Tour with an Experienced Guide cost?
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Prices start at $35 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 Old City & Cremation Ghats Walking Tour with an Experienced Guide take?
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Plan for about 2 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 Old City & Cremation Ghats Walking Tour with an Experienced Guide worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 67 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 18 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 Old City & Cremation Ghats Walking Tour with an Experienced Guide?
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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 Old City & Cremation Ghats Walking Tour with an Experienced Guide suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Old City & Cremation Ghats Walking Tour with an Experienced Guide?
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Around 6 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 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Old City & Cremation Ghats Walking Tour with an Experienced Guide 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 Old City & Cremation Ghats Walking Tour with an Experienced Guide?
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Included: Bottled water; and Experienced Guide. Not included: Admission fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Old City & Cremation Ghats Walking Tour with an Experienced Guide include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 35 listed pickup locations in and around Varanasi. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Old City & Cremation Ghats Walking Tour with an Experienced Guide offered in?
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It is offered in English, French and Spanish. 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 Old City & Cremation Ghats Walking Tour with an Experienced Guide?
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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.
What happens to Old City & Cremation Ghats Walking Tour with an Experienced Guide 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 Old City & Cremation Ghats Walking Tour with an Experienced Guide?
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Across 18 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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