Sarnath Audio Tour on HopOn India App – Land of Buddha's First Sermon, Varanasi
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September 2026
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Age 13 and over
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5.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Sarnath Audio Tour on HopOn India App – Land of Buddha's First Sermon, Varanasi worth booking?
Sarnath Audio Tour on HopOn India App – Land of Buddha's First Sermon, Varanasi is a 1-hour experience in Varanasi, India, from $8 per person. It scores 53 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 1 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 53 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (1)
- Duration
- 1 hours
- From
- $8 per person
As you take the tour through HopOn India app you will walk on the very soil that the Buddha had walked. Sarnath is the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon. We will tell you the story of how Buddha spread his tea
What you get
- The tour can be accessed multiple times up to a certain validity period
- Audio Guided Walking Tour Through HopOn India App
About this experience
As you take the tour through HopOn India app you will walk on the very soil that the Buddha had walked. Sarnath is the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon. We will tell you the story of how Buddha spread his teachings and the full perspective of monuments and structure at Sarnath. The most special features of this experience are : 1. This is an end to end do it yourself App opens up new places and new stories for you in the same old cities 2. Each walk is crafted like a masterpiece to offer an immersive experience to the traveller with the correct mix of history, culture, myth, food. 3. There is no need for you to depend on a guide - the traveller can take the walk anytime as per will, at his/ her own pace 4. The content is developed by domain experts and curated with utmost care, leaving no room for dependence on the guide's knowhow 5.You pay once for three months and need not pay the guide repeatedly.
What's included
Included
- The tour can be accessed multiple times up to a certain validity period
- Audio Guided Walking Tour Through HopOn India App
Not included
- Headphones/Earphones (We request please carry your Headphones/Earphones)
- Hand Sanitizer (We suggest please carry Hand sanitizer)
What you'll see and do
This temple was built in the year 1939. It is a huge temple, built across acres of land. It is said that the stone used to make the statues of this temple were brought from China and Myanmar. This style of making statues is called brusni style, and Chinese artisans are experts in the art of carving. You can see the idol of Lord Buddha right in front of you. Along with the idol, you will also see pictures of the five main Chinese religious saints Mozi, Mencius, Lolaozi, Confucius and Zhuang Zhou. Here is a golden opportunity for you to sit before lord Buddha and reflect or meditate.
10 minutes here
During his visit to India, when Hiuen Tsang came to Sarnath, this temple was not there. The MulagandhaKutiVihara of that time was located at a little distancefrom this temple. Hiuen Tsang has provideda detailed description of that Vihara. He has written that its height was about 61 meters. On the basis of the remains of the temple and the style of brick-making and decorations, archaeologists believe that the vihara of that time was built in the Gupta period. With the passage of time that temple turned into ruins. The temple which you see today was built by AngarikaDharmapala, who came from Srilanka and founded Maha Bodhi Society in India. In the modern history of Sarnath, he has a special place.
10 minutes here
Sarnath Deer Park
MrigaVihara or deer park is a kind of mini zoo now, with lots of deer,and some other animals and birds as well. If you have children with you, then you must visit this zoo. But even otherwise, if you have an interest in birds and animals and like to spend some time in the lap of nature, don’t hesitate--go and visit the zoo.
10 minutes here
This stupa was initially built here by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC, who also build many other monuments here. Emperor Ashoka was one of the great kings of Indian history and the third king of the famous Mauryan dynasty. He was the son of king Bindusara and queen JanpadaKalyani. It is believed that he was born sometime around 297 BC. Ashoka was a chakravartin king, whose empire expanded to almost all of present-dayIndia and Pakistan and also stretched up to Hindukush and the border of Iran in the north- west. To expand his empire, he fought numerous battles and shed a lot of blood. Then the dreadful battle of Kalinga happened. Ashoka was shaken by the sight of such gore. His distressed heart foundsolace in Buddhism. He decided to give up violence and to move on the path of dharma. The teachings of Lord Buddha converted emperor Ashoka into saint Ashoka.
10 minutes here
If India’s history and archaeology pique your interest, then this place will turn out to be a treasure trove for you. Towards your right, you can see relics of an ancient civilization scattered all around. These relics are extremely important sources of historical information about the area — its society and culture. Across the enormous ground stretching to the right of the path you can catch glimpses of the ruins of an ancient Buddha Vihara, or monastery.
10 minutes here
The broken pillar that you will see here is what remains of the famous pillar of Ashoka now. When unbroken, the pillar, like Dharmarajikastupa, was very tall. Along with stupas, Ashoka had built many pillars in the whole of north India. The height of his stupas was between 40 to 50 feet, and they weighted around 50 tons. The broken upper part of this pillar is kept well-preserved in a museum, right here in Sarnath. A little later on this very walk, we will go to that museum.
10 minutes here
Archaeological excavation started in 1904 in Sarnath. Soon, such a large number of archaeological artefacts were unearthed that a need was felt to build an archaeological museum here. Consequently, this museum was founded in 1910. You can visit the museum between 10:00 am and 05:00 pm. I hope it’s not a Friday today, because the museum remains closed on Fridays. Cameras and mobile phones etc. are not allowed inside this museum; hence, pause my narration, deposite your electronic devices and then go inside. It is probably not the biggest museum you have seen, but it is an extremely important one, simply because the top of the Ashoka pillar is kept here. As soon as you enter the museum, you will be able to catch the first glimpse of this column head, made of sandstone. The entire museum is divided into many galleries. Each gallery has a touchscreen computer, which tells you about the artefacts displayed in that particular gallery.
10 minutes here
Buddhism is an important religion in South-east Asia, and many countries from the region have constructed their own temples in Sarnath. This temple that you see now was constructed by the government of Thailand, and it will give you a glimpse of the culture of Thailand.. The Thai temple you will observe thatthis temple stands right in the middle of a big open ground. The temple is not the only thing to see in this campus. There are many beautiful statues here as well. The moment you enter the temple campus, you will see an extremely large statue of Lord Buddha. This is the main attraction of this temple. At the time of its construction, this was the tallest statue of standing Buddha in India.
10 minutes here
It is said that this is the place where Buddha first met with his five disciples--Vappa, Mahanama, Kaundinya, Bhaddiya and Ashwavijit. From here, they went to the place where today stands the Dhamekhstupa, and there,Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. Here I must tell you one thing -- the day when Buddha gave his first sermon was the day of VaishakhPurnima. Call it a coincidence or a miracle -- the day when he was born and the day he died were also Vaishakhpurnimas. Today, in his honor, the day is also known as Buddha Purnima. As we move closer to the stupa, you should know that this is the same road bywhich we had come to Sarnath from Varanasi, which means that we have completed almost one full round of Sarnath. It is said that this stupa was originally built as a terraced temple. It was constructed in the 4th or 5th century. Hiuen Tsang, the famous Chinese traveler who visited Sarnath in the 7th century, has described this stupa in his writings. This 93 ft. tall stupa is constructed on a quadrilateral base. During the excavation around this stupa, numerous statues were found. Among them, the statue of the turning of the wheel of dharma -- or Buddha delivering his first sermon -- is the most important one
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Varanasi
At the Sarnath Chauraha or Crossing towards the Sarnath Station Road lane to Chinese Temple
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We will end our walk here at the Rishpattan Road
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- hi, ar, de, ru, ja, en, zh-CN, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- HopOn India
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 1 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- 8+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 53
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Sarnath Audio Tour on HopOn India App – Land of Buddha's First Sermon, Varanasi: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Varanasi.
How much does Sarnath Audio Tour on HopOn India App – Land of Buddha's First Sermon, Varanasi cost?
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Prices start at $8 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 Sarnath Audio Tour on HopOn India App – Land of Buddha's First Sermon, Varanasi take?
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Plan for about 1 hour 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 Sarnath Audio Tour on HopOn India App – Land of Buddha's First Sermon, Varanasi worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 53 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 1 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable food & drink in Varanasi, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Sarnath Audio Tour on HopOn India App – Land of Buddha's First Sermon, Varanasi?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Sarnath Audio Tour on HopOn India App – Land of Buddha's First Sermon, Varanasi suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 8. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 1-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Sarnath Audio Tour on HopOn India App – Land of Buddha's First Sermon, Varanasi?
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Around 0 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 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Sarnath Audio Tour on HopOn India App – Land of Buddha's First Sermon, Varanasi 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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