My name is Vinay Singh. I was born and raised in Varanasi and have spent over a decade guiding visitors — from solo travelers to YouTubers and documentary crews — through its sacred streets. Living here all my life has given me deep knowledge of Varanasi’s hidden corners, traditions, and spiritual rituals.
Each tour is tailored to your interests: taste safe street food, see a sunrise at the ghats, wander old alleys, visit hidden temples, and experience how spirituality shapes daily life.
Tours last three to four hours and cover major historical and religious sites, ghats, cremation grounds, narrow lanes, markets, and secret spots that reveal the real Varanasi. Along the way, I share not only history but also stories about daily life, local customs, and my own experiences growing up here. My goal is for you to leave with memories and insights you won’t find in any guidebook.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
5:00 AM and 3:00 PM
Next available
Sat, Oct 10
Adult (ages 18+)
$30
Youth (ages 10–17)
Free
Child (ages 5–9)
Free
Infant (ages 0–4)
Free
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $40.
Larger groups pay less per person.
Out at sunset: the 3:00 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 5:25 PM in the coming weeks.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 9.
Tour Options
Sacred Sunrise Private Tour
See the sacred city
Pickup included
Sacred Sunset Tour
Pickup included
Itinerary
Assi Ghat
30 min
At 5 AM, gather at Assi Ghat to witness the morning cremation rites and the first prayers of the day. The ghat comes alive with chanting priests, the glow of ritual fires, and the steady rhythm of sacred offerings to the river. Against the backdrop of dawn over the Ganges, this ceremony embodies the city’s deep cycle of worship, life, and liberation.
Tulsi Ghat
10 min
After Assi Ghat, we walk by Tulsi Ghat to briefly watch the traditional wrestling.
Ganges River
Admission included60 min
We now begin on the sunrise boat portion of the tour. The journey passes more than 25 ghats, where you’ll see locals bathing in the river and morning rituals unfolding. Along the way, the boat pauses at Manikarnika Ghat to witness the cremation ceremonies, a powerful and sacred part of Varanasi’s life on the Ganges. The tour ends at Dasaswamedh Ghat, home of the city’s most vibrant activity.
Vishalakshi Temple
10 min
As we wander through the old city, we will stop and visit the Vishalakshi Temple, dedicated to the goddess and regarded as one of the sacred Shakti Peethas.
Nepali Temple (Kathwala Temple)
10 min
Next on the old city portion of the tour is the Pashupatinath Temple near Lalita Ghat, built in the Nepali style by the King of Nepal. This shrine reflects Varanasi’s enduring role as a center of Shiva worship and its cultural ties across South Asia.
Manikarnika Ghat
30 min
We then conclude at Manikarnika Ghat, the most sacred cremation ground in Varanasi. Here, funeral pyres burn day and night, symbolizing the Hindu belief in liberation from the cycle of rebirth. It is a profound place where the spiritual heart of the city is most visible.
What's included
Included
Bottled water
Coffee and/or Tea
Pickup Locations & Times
Radisson Hotel
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
353 reviews
5
323
4
20
3
6
2
1
1
3
How it compares in Varanasi
No. 2 by number of reviews among 484 tours in Varanasi
Starting price $30 is close to the typical $30 for tours of similar length in Varanasi
Excurgo comparison of 484 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Banaras Wala Tours take?
Banaras Wala Tours lasts about 3–4 hours. The itinerary has 6 stops.
How much does Banaras Wala Tours cost?
Prices start at $30 per person for this Varanasi experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $40. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Banaras Wala Tours run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 5:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
How much does Banaras Wala Tours cost for children?
Children aged 5–9 pay nothing, adults from $30. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Banaras Wala Tours for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Radisson Hotel Pickup points include OYO 7622 Varanasi Stays, Goroomgo D S Residency Varanasi.
What languages is Banaras Wala Tours offered in?
The experience is available in JA, EN, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Banaras Wala Tours worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 353 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Vinay Singh.
Reviews(353)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
A
Abhi_B
September 29, 2026 · via Viator
Exceptional, thoughtful guide in Varanasi.Vinay is absolute gold for families!
Touring Varanasi with Vinay from Banaras Wala Tour was hands-down one of the highlights of our trip. We were a family of five, including two elderly members, and navigating the bustling ghats and alleys of Kashi could have easily become overwhelming. Vinay made the entire experience seamless, comfortable, and deeply memorable.
He customized the itinerary entirely to our convenience, paying close attention to our family’s needs and pacing every walk so our elders never felt rushed or tired. Beyond his deep local knowledge and warm hospitality, his language skills are phenomenal—he communicates effortlessly in English, Japanese, and Spanish.
If you are visiting Varanasi—especially if traveling with multi-generational family or seniors do yourself a favor and book with Vinay. You will be in the most caring, capable hands. Highly, highly recommended!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your incredibly kind and heartfelt review! It was truly a pleasure and an honor to spend time with your family and show you the beauty, spirituality, and living traditions of Varanasi.
I’m especially happy to know that the customized itinerary and relaxed pace made the experience comfortable for your elderly family members. For me, every guest and every family has different needs, and I always try my best to make the journey enjoyable, stress-free, and meaningful for everyone.
Your kind words about my local knowledge, hospitality, and language skills mean a lot to me. I’m very grateful that I could be part of such a special family trip.
Thank you again for your trust and recommendation. It was a pleasure meeting all five of you, and I sincerely hope to welcome you back to Varanasi someday. 🙏❤️
Warm regards,
Vinay Singh
Banaras Wala Tours
L
L_L
September 24, 2026 · via Viator
Dry informative. Vinay...
Very informative. Vinay has been very helpful. Told me a lot of great stories and good arrangement of the trip. Better than expected.
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 🙏😊 It was a pleasure guiding you through Varanasi and sharing the stories, culture, and traditions of this beautiful city with you.
I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed the experience and that the arrangements were better than expected. Your kind words truly mean a lot to me.
Thank you again for choosing Banaras Wala Tours. I hope to welcome you back to Varanasi someday! 🇮🇳✨
Warm regards,
Vinay Singh
T
toczekt
September 22, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great guide
Good man. Great guide. I recommend.
1 people found this helpful
Y
Yuna_S
September 21, 2026 · via Viator
Varanasi sightseeing
I was guided to the crematorium in Varanasi and the evening prayer ceremony!
Because of the monsoon, the water level was high and we couldn't ride the boat in Varanasi, but they were kind enough to suggest the boat for the next day as an alternative!!
He was excellent guide took us in Varanasi places we thought we would never see . We were a little reappointed that the Gangs river was at high tide during this time and could not take boat ride . But our guide did the best to please us seeing another side of Varanasi. Would highly recommended
1 people found this helpful
A
avid242
August 27, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Personalized and informative tour with Vinay
I signed up to go to the morning aarti and boat ride and because of the water levels during the monsoon season Vinay was able to quickly pivot and do a walking tour instead. He made sure we had an excellent experience at the aarti and knew what was going on. I decided after I booked that I also wanted to go to Sarnath and he easily adding that to my itinerary. And when I told him I was looking for contemporary art nearby he worked quickly to find options and I found a piece I loved and am taking home! It is lovely to spend time with Vinay and he gives very good prices relative to other tours I looked at.
V
V9072VZadrianc
August 11, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Ghats
The guide spoke Spanish quite well and was very attentive throughout the entire excursion. They pick you up directly at the door of your accommodation, which is very convenient, and the excursion is quite complete. In general, a good experience and totally recommended.
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
Muchas gracias por compartir su experiencia y por sus amables palabras. 😊
Me alegra mucho saber que disfrutó de la excursión y que se sintió cómodo y bien atendido durante todo el recorrido. Fue un placer acompañarle y compartir con usted la historia, la cultura y la espiritualidad de Varanasi.
También me alegra saber que el servicio de recogida y la excursión completa fueron de su agrado. Espero tener la oportunidad de recibirle nuevamente en Varanasi y mostrarle muchos más lugares especiales de nuestra ciudad.
¡Muchas gracias por recomendarnos!
Un cordial saludo,
Vinay
Banaras Wala Tours
G
Gareth_E
May 22, 2026 · via Viator
Anybody who goes on this...
Anybody who goes on this experience should be prepared for a lot of meaningful information and education to what is important to their religion. Vinay was an excellent tour guide and helped us so that he made the experience as immersive as possible. He was so kind and really nice to have a chat with. Would highly recommend to anyone wishing to experience the process in which they use the ghats and the meaning behind everything they do.
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 🙏
I am truly happy to hear that you found the experience meaningful and educational. It was a pleasure sharing the traditions, rituals, and spiritual significance of the ghats with you. Your curiosity and engagement made the tour even more enjoyable.
Thank you for your kind words about my guiding. I always try to create an authentic and immersive experience while helping guests understand the deeper meaning behind what they witness in Varanasi.
I greatly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again in the future. Wishing you safe travels and many wonderful memories from Varanasi! 😊🌅🕉️
Vinay
S
Susanne W
April 24, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Wonderful……
We had a 2 day private tour with Vinay. Met us at hotel both days. Tailored tour due to heat and ensuring we saw everything.
Vinay has a wealth of knowledge which he shared with us over the 2 days.
Highly recommend a private tour with Vinay. We would never have managed to see so much on our own. Thank you Vinay
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
Thank you very much for your wonderful review! 🙏
It was a real pleasure spending these two days with you and showing you the beauty, history, and traditions of Varanasi. I am glad we were able to adjust the itinerary to the weather and make sure you could comfortably experience all the important sites and local culture.
Thank you for your kind words about my knowledge and guiding. Sharing the stories and traditions of this ancient city with interested travelers like you is something I truly enjoy.
I greatly appreciate your recommendation, and I am delighted to hear that the private tour helped you discover much more than you would have on your own.
Thank you again for choosing me as your guide. I wish you safe travels and many happy memories of Varanasi. 😊🙏
Warm regards,
Vinay
T
Trek08653188555
April 7, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Safe, courteous and satisfying guided experience
I asked for a guide for two days.
Maybe it's just a coincidence, but in my case, I was dealt with by a private guide.
The way they responded to each one was very attentive, and I was impressed by how sincerely they answered any questions about nature or the meaning of religious ceremonies.
Despite my poor English (almost word level), they were very gracious in their interactions using the translation app and GPT.
I was also able to fully experience the morning prayers to Lord Shiva and Ganga Aarti at night, being guided to a place where I could see clearly. (Some seats are paid around Rs. 200)
We also had an opportunity to walk near the actual place where the cremation was taking place and pray together at a Hindu temple, an experience that is hard for individuals to have.
When I consulted about souvenirs, they showed me to the shop and I was relieved.
I felt Varanasi was more of a place to experience than a place to stay.
I am grateful to Vinay, my guide, for giving me a slow and in-depth experience with a schedule that is not too crammed, and for giving me the proper distance and attention.
The boat operators were also very personable, and the driving was polite and safe.
The experience in Varanasi was very satisfying.
