Banaras Photography Tours

Would highly recommend this tour. I opted for an all day photography tour with some street food sampling along the way. Both were good highlights. We started the day off on the river and exploring the ghats, followed by a boat ride on the river, then flower markets, more ghats, a small community (please rather donate useful supplies rather than sweets eg:pens and books) Then back to the city for the evening river prayer. The day was filled non stop. I never felt rushed with the photos and was guided in good ways to take pictures and dealing with the locals. All in all. Epic day was had.

Following the Banarasiwara tour the day before, they joined the Photograph Tour. I'm glad I participated in it, too. The price is a little higher, but it is acceptable based on the photography skills, sense and tour experience that Vinay has developed. It started with Assigart, then with a narrow alley, then with entertainment, then with people dressed uniquely with gungers. I left my iPhone in Vinay's hands and just had my picture taken. There are about 300 of them left on the album. There were some interesting scenes where I took pictures along the way, but that was also a plus in that I was able to feel a unique culture coming to India. Photographs of people's lives and events that are a little bit unsettling are scenes that cannot be taken without him. I also think the focus on the angle of view and the skill to shoot in a natural way is amazing. He is considered to be a skilled influencer from other countries and because he asks him to work for him. Personally, this tour is dedicated to filming, so if you want to get a proper explanation of the different regions, you might want to join another Varanasiwara tour as a set.

I did the Banaras Photography Tour with Vinay and it was honestly one of the most memorable experiences of my whole India trip. From the very beginning, communication was clear and easy. Vinay picked me up on time and immediately made me feel safe and comfortable. As a photographer and someone interested in Buddhist/spiritual practice, this tour was perfect: we started at the ghats in the soft morning light, moved through small alleys and local markets, and Vinay always knew exactly where the atmosphere and light were best. What really makes this tour special is Vinay himself. He is kind, respectful and very knowledgeable about Varanasi, its culture and rituals. He has a wonderful way of connecting with local people – thanks to him, I was able to take portraits and street photos in situations where, alone, I would never have dared to lift my camera. The people we met were open and welcoming, not annoyed by the camera, which makes a huge difference. I also appreciated that Vinay doesn’t just “tick off” sights. He shares stories, answers questions with patience, and adapts the tour to your interests and pace. We had chai together, talked about life in Varanasi, spirituality, and everyday reality behind the tourist surface – it felt more like spending time with a friend than being on a standard tour. If you are into photography (from phone to pro camera) and want to see a more authentic side of Varanasi, I can highly recommend this tour. You’ll come home not only with strong images, but also with a deeper understanding of this intense, beautiful and complex city. Thank you, Vinay, for your time, your heart and this unforgettable morning. 🙏📷

A fantastic photography shoot with Vinay who organised a practising sadhu (holy man) and blue Lord Shiva child for a photo shoot on the Ganges. Vinay went out of his way to organise everything and ensured that the time was used effectively. We also did some photography on the backstreets of Varanasi and went to a local village to meet the people and see how they live, which is simply and happy!

I had an incredible photo tour with Vinay. He took me to so many amazing spots and even brought me into his own neighborhood, where the locals were warm and welcoming and allowed me to photograph them, such a special experience. Vinay is extremely kind, knowledgeable, and clearly knows Varanasi inside and out. We even sat for coffee together, and he shared so many insights about the city and its culture. I couldn’t have asked for a better guide. There are definitely some spots you would not be able to find on your own. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Varanasi!

Our tour started at 3:00 PM. First, Vinay took us to Manikarnika Ghat. My child stood there, watching the cremation with a serious expression, staring intently at the people. Unfortunately, unlike when I visited this place in the past, it was not possible to walk along the river from Manikarnika Ghat to the other ghats. So we took a boat from Manikarnika Ghat. From the river, we could enjoy beautiful views of the ghats and the sunset. We got off the boat and walked along the ghats, enjoying the local scenery. Even though we arrived quite late for the evening ceremony, Vinay quickly found us a seat near the center of the boat with an unobstructed view, as if we had reserved it. Varanasi itself was much more touristy than the last time I visited. I was surprised to see that the river and roads were much cleaner than before. It was a wonderful experience to be able to wade through the river. Some of the ghats (stone steps) had been demolished and replaced with new ones. I'm a little sad that the nostalgic atmosphere is fading, but I'm grateful that Vinay was able to show my child some old-fashioned scenery. I'm glad I was able to come to India with my child. Just like when I visited India back then, Varanasi left the biggest impression on me of all the places we visited this time. Thank you very much.

Vinay was an excellent guide. The experience was so meaningful for me. It went beyond accessing off-the-beat places for a good shot. I was able to appreciate the real Varanasi whose genuine people are caring and open hearted. It was an amazing experience, and tailored to what I wanted - within the limits of Mother Nature (water levels due to Monsoon season). Thank you Vinay! The memories, as well as the photos will stay with me forever. Don't hesitate to book.

Vinay was the perfect guide! Had a wonderful time, and Vinay went above and beyond! Very kind and friendly and speaks very good English. You will definitely need someone with you to take the perfect pic or show you around Varanasi!.. and I would highly recommend Vinay! Perfect for everyone as Vinay will adapt to your needs! Thank you Vinay x

I never do tours, but I am so glad I did this one!! You will definitely need someone to show you around Varanasi or you will miss so much! Vinay is the perfect guide, friendly, knowledgeable on everything in Varanasi, from best places to eat, to where to get the perfect picture! He speaks very good English and many other languages. He was very kind and went above and beyond to show me around Varanasi! Would highly recommend, don’t consider booking with anyone else!! Worth every penny! Thank you Vinay.

The tour was good overall. Unfortunately we couldn't start until 10am as we had to move to a different hotel. When we met Vinay he immediately disappeared for 20 minutes to have breakfast which was annoying. He found a number of Sadhus for me to take photos of, though their poses could have been improved. There were not many ideas of other interesting people/ places to photograph. It was interesting to see the wholesale flower market and the wrestlers training. There was a lot of walking in the heat. I think we should have taken a tuk tuk or rickshaw and stopped at some point for refreshment.