Varanasi and Sarnath Cultural Trail with Sunrise Boat Ride
Description
Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of spirituality with the "Varanasi and Sarnath Cultural Trail with Sunrise Boat Ride." Commencing at 5:00 AM, you'll be whisked away from your hotel in Varanasi to partake in a magical sunrise boat ride along the sacred Ganges river. Witness the profound spirituality as locals engage in morning rituals along the ghats. Following the boat ride, a walking tour awaits, exploring the ghats and the revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Your cultural odyssey continues with a visit to Sarnath, the city where Buddha imparted his first sermon. Marvel at the ancient artifacts in the Sarnath Archaeological Museum, admire the Dhamek Stupa, and explore the modern Mulagandha Kuti Vihar. A delightful lunch at a local restaurant precedes your return to Varanasi, concluding with a visit to the illustrious Benares Hindu University. As the sun sets, your enchanting day concludes at 5:30 PM, leaving you with cherished memories of spiritual and cultural wonders.
Tour Options
Itinerary
5:00 AM - Pick up from your hotel in Varanasi You'll be picked up from your hotel in Varanasi and taken to the river ghat to start your boat ride at sunrise.
5:30 AM - Early morning boat ride on the Ganges river You'll start your day by taking a boat ride on the Ganges river at sunrise. This is one of the best ways to experience the spirituality of Varanasi, as you'll see locals taking their morning dips in the holy river and performing various religious rituals on the ghats (riverbank steps).
7:30 AM - Walking tour of the ghats and temples After the boat ride, you'll take a walking tour of the ghats and temples along the Ganges river. This will include a visit to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the most important Hindu temples in Varanasi. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be one of the 12 jyotirlingas (lingams of light) in India. You'll also visit other temples and sites of historical and cultural importance.
10:30 AM - Visit Sarnath After exploring Varanasi, you'll head to the nearby city of Sarnath, where Gautama Buddha is said to have given his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Here are a few things you can do in Sarnath: Visit the Sarnath Archaeological Museum: This museum houses a collection of artifacts and sculptures from the ancient Buddhist site of Sarnath.
Visit the Dhamek Stupa: This is a massive, cylindrical-shaped stupa that's believed to have been built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. It's one of the most important Buddhist monuments in Sarnath.
Visit the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar: This is a modern Buddhist temple that's built on the site where Buddha is believed to have spent his first rainy season after attaining enlightenment.
1:30 PM - Lunch After exploring Sarnath, you'll have lunch at a local restaurant.
2:30 PM - Return to Varanasi After lunch, you'll return to Varanasi.
3:30 PM - Visit the Benares Hindu University Your next stop will be the Benares Hindu University, one of the largest residential universities in Asia. Here, you can visit the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum, which houses a collection of ancient Indian art and artifacts.
5:30 PM - End of the tour Finally, your private tour of Varanasi and Sarnath will come to an end and you'll be dropped off at your hotel in Varanasi.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pickup is available from all hotels, residences, and other accommodations within 15 km of Varanasi city. Please provide your pickup location details at least 3 days before the tour. Your private chauffeur-driven air-conditioned vehicle will arrive at the scheduled pickup time. Driver and guide contact details will be shared one day prior to the tour.
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
