Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 25 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride worth booking?
Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride is a 10-hour experience in Varanasi, India, from $86 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 25 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (25)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $86 per person
Early morning you will be taken for a boat ride on the Ganges. It is a mystical and spiritual experience as you watch people offering water to the Sun God and devotees taking a holy dip in the Ganges. you will visit all the famous Ghats of Varanasi via boat and come back to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, see the “Temple Tour” most religious Kashi Vishwanath temple, the Bharat Mata temple, Sankat Mochan , Manas Mandir, and BHU. At noon you will be taken for an excursion to Sarnath. Sarnath is the place where Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples. The attractions at Sarnath are the Buddha temples, the Dhamekha stupa, the Chaukhandi stupa, and the archaeological museum, return to the hotel. Evening, get ready to experience one of the most memorable moments of your life, as you will be taken to the River Ganges. Enjoy Ganga Aarti. Get a glimpse of the spiritualism at the Ganga Ghats. Enjoy the Ganga Aarti from top After all you can retire for the night.
What you get
About this experience
Early morning you will be taken for a boat ride on the Ganges. It is a mystical and spiritual experience as you watch people offering water to the Sun God and devotees taking a holy dip in the Ganges. you will visit all the famous Ghats of Varanasi via boat and come back to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, see the “Temple Tour” most religious Kashi Vishwanath temple, the Bharat Mata temple, Sankat Mochan , Manas Mandir, and BHU. At noon you will be taken for an excursion to Sarnath. Sarnath is the place where Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples. The attractions at Sarnath are the Buddha temples, the Dhamekha stupa, the Chaukhandi stupa, and the archaeological museum, return to the hotel. Evening, get ready to experience one of the most memorable moments of your life, as you will be taken to the River Ganges. Enjoy Ganga Aarti. Get a glimpse of the spiritualism at the Ganga Ghats. Enjoy the Ganga Aarti from top After all you can retire for the night.
What's included
Included
- Meal (if option selected)
- Monument entry fees (if option selected)
- Boat ride in the morning (subject to weather conditions)
- Mineral water
- Hotel pickup and drop-off Private air-conditioned transportation
- Govt Approved Guide
- Personalized full-day excursion
Not included
- Tips for your driver and guide
- Kashi Vishwanath donations
What you'll see and do
Ganges River
Early Morning pick up from your hotel at 05 Am and start your day with sun rise boat ride. Boat ride on the Ganges river for sunrise from the main Ghats as called Dashaswamedh Ghat to Harishchandra ghat then down to manikarnika ghat. boat ride start when the sun is about to comes up the skyline this is the main attraction of Varanasi. before that will see other activity at Ghat. Very lively atmosphere makes it one of the best places to visit in India. very admirable and unforgettable along the Ganges river. A boat ride on the River sounds lovely! It can be a peaceful and refreshing way to start the day. As for other activities and rituals. You might consider enjoying a picnic by the riverside, meditating or participating in some yoga or stretching exercises. You could also explore local tradition or customs to make your morning even more enriching and meaningful. Just remember to appreciate the beauty of nature and take in the peacefulness of the River surrounding. Enjoy your day
120 minutes here · Admission included
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Kashi Vishvanath Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva temples.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Banaras Hindu University
Stop for breakfast (own expense), then head to Banaras Hindu University at 10am. Established in 1916, BHU is the largest university campus in Asia
60 minutes here
Sarnath
Sarnath is a place located 10 kilometres north-east of Varanasi near the confluence of the Ganges and the Varuna rivers in Uttar Pradesh, India. The deer park in Sarnath is where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna
60 minutes here · Admission included
Ashoka Pillar
The Ashoka Pillars in India are structures erected by the Mauryan King Ashoka between 268 to 232 BC across the Indian subcontinent. They are a representation of his dynamic rule and conquests across India. While most of the pillars have either withered away or destroyed by his future rulers, 20 pillars still stand tall in India. The pillars are the earliest known stone scriptures in India and demonstrate the culture of the advanced Mauryan civilization
60 minutes here · Admission included
Dhamek Stupa
Dhamek Stupa is one of the most important sights in Sarnath and its mostly due to its antiquity and significance of being the exact spot of Buddha’s first sermon. It was here that he revealed the eightfold path leading to nirvana. The stupa is composed of a cylindrical tower that rises around 43m and the diameter of the monument is a formidable 28m. The arched niches halfway on the monument may have once held statues of the Buddha. There are lovely elaborate carvings halfway on the monument on some sides.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Ganga Aarti
Later just before sunset, you are going to get the most memorable moment of your life, because you will be taken to the River Ganges and embark to witness the Ganga aarti ceremony with Boat Ride (if option) a grand event that starts at 7.00 pm and you experience a great rapture during this process at Dasashwamedh Ghat. Aarti, written as Aarti, is a Hindu ritual performed by a group of young clergymen well garbed in silk saffron and white robes holding lamps which are waves in a synced motion with the sound of bells drums cymbals, and chanting some Sanskrit mantras takes up a specific spot in the Ghat and start the rituals by offering flowers to the river Ganga and light is offered to one or more deities. In India, Hindus worship the Ganges River as a goddess. . After this, you will return back to the hotel, and services will end here. The tour ends with pleasant memories of the trip. We will drop you at the hotel.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
All Inclusive Tour (Transfers)
Pickup included: This option includes transport, driver, guide, entrance fees, and 5* Meal. Pickup included Pickup included
Transport & Guide Only Service
Pickup Included:: This Option Includes Transport and Guide Service with Transfers. Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- ja, en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- BEST VARANASI TOUR
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 25 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
25 verified traveler reviews for Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Happy to be with our guide
We had a wonderful experience with our guide, Mr. Suraj; he was very funny and highly experienced. We hope to return to Varanasi.
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thanks for sharing your experience you had during the service we will be happy to service you more services in future. Regards Best Varanasi Tour
via Tripadvisor
Highly Recommended
I was in Varanasi it was fantastic tours. I enjoyed a lot. The guide and driver were very nice. I recommend this tours every one.
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thanks for sharing your experience you had during the service we will be happy to service you more services in future. Regards Best Varanasi Tour
via Tripadvisor
Excellent Service...
Thank you so much for providing me an excellent tours services. I really appreciate a Guide and Driver. I highly recommend this tours to everyone who wants to visit Varanasi..
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thanks for sharing your experience you had during the service we will be happy to service you more services in future. Regards Best Varanasi Tour
via Tripadvisor
Recommended this tours.
It was fantastic trip in varanasi. Guide was extremely knowledgeable. And the driver was very nice with us. Thank you so much for your best services. Highly Recommend👍
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thanks for sharing your experience you had during the service we will be happy to service you more services in future. Regards Best Varanasi Tour
via Tripadvisor
Awesome experience 💗😘
Visited a month ago my experience is very gud ..I like every thing about banaras...I prefer everyone to come and feel the vibee..guiding person is also awesome 💯♥️
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thanks for sharing your experience you had during the service we will be happy to service you more services in future. Regards Best Varanasi Tour
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $86 to $43,950
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 9
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Varanasi.
How much does Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride cost?
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Prices start at $86 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 Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride take?
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Plan for about 10 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 Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 25 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 Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride?
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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 Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride?
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Around 9 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 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride 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 Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride?
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Included: Meal (if option selected); Monument entry fees (if option selected); Boat ride in the morning (subject to weather conditions); Mineral water; and Hotel pickup and drop-off Private air-conditioned transportation. Not included: Tips for your driver and guide; and Kashi Vishwanath donations. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 1771 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 Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride offered in?
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It is offered in Japanese, 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 Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride?
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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 Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Varanasi. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride?
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Across 25 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including All Inclusive Tour (Transfers), Transport & Guide Only Service. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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