Tours/Varanasi/Experience Varanasi - Same day Guided Tour.
Experience Varanasi - Same day Guided Tour.
5.0(45)Varanasi10–12 hours
VIATOR5.0(1)TRIPADVISOR5.0(44)
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At a glance
Duration
10–12 hours
Price from
$96 / person
Location
Varanasi, India
Rating
5.0 / 5 · 45 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Private
Cancellation
Free cancellation
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Experience Varanasi Private Guided Tours
Meeting point
Your guide will meet you at the hotel reception at the beginning of the tour and drop you back to the hotel after the tour.We do not have the pick up facility from the hotel. (1)Tree of Life (2) Ramada at Katesar, Ramnagar we Your guide will meet you at a decided point in the city.
Description
This tour is recommended for Guest having only one day for sightseeing in Varanasi. This tour gives you the best of Varanasi in a day.
*Our accredited guide will meet you at your hotel inside Varanasi and accompany you to the old city
* Start with the morning boat ride. Witness how people take a dip early in the morning to wash away their sins, perform the rituals and worship the rising Sun.
* Go for a guided walk in the old city which helps you to acclimatize with the local culture and visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple corridor.
* Return back to your hotel for freshen up, breakfast and some rest..
* Drive to Sarnath (which is around 10 Km from Varanasi). Sarnath is a holy spot of Buddhism, as Buddha preached here his First Sermon here. Visit the main temple, excavated ruins and the Archaeological Museum (Museum remains closed on Friday).
*Lunch break.
* Visit the Banaras Hindu University and the Durga temple.
* Finally attend the Ganga Aarti ceremony from the shore.
Tour Options
Experience Varanasi Tour: 1 day Private Guided Tour
Pickup included
Itinerary
Experience Varanasi - Private Guided Tours
30 min
Our accredited guide will meet you at your hotel and accompany you to the old city explaining you what you will see during the day.
You will walk down to the ghats (banks of the River Ganga). Your guide will explain you the morning activities happening along the way, pilgrims walking down to the river, vendors selling flowers, priests standing along the lane to the temple, etc.
Ganges River
Admission included60 min
Morning Boat ride: A boat ride at dawn along the Ganges is a quintessential Varanasi experience. The early-morning light is particularly inspiring, and all the colour and clamour of pilgrims bathing and performing puja unfolds before you.
An hour-long trip south from Dashashwamedh Ghat to Harishchandra Ghat and to Manikarnika Ghat and back is popular and be prepared to see a burning corpse at Harishchandra and Manikarnika Ghat.
People talking bath, performing rituals, practicing yoga and meditation, worshiping the rising Sun, … it all happens.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
120 min
After the boat ride, go for a walking tour in the old city walking through the alley ways that leads to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
One of the most important Siva temples with more than 850 kilograms of real gold on the top. Your tour guide will explain the significance and share stories about heritage of the temple.
You can always ask your guide to take you at a popular street food joint where you can explore traditional local breakfast along with a cup of masala chai (tea).
Return back to your hotel for freshen up, some rest and breakfast.
Varanasi
120 min
Return back to your hotel for freshen up, some rest and breakfast before you proceed for the other tours during the day.
Time to recharge and may be upload & share some beautiful pictures from the sunrise boat ride experience with friends & family.
Sarnath
Admission included60 min
Drive to Sarnath after breakfast. Lord Buddha preached his first sermon here after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. Walk around the beautiful garden and see the ruins of different monasteries and temples.
Visit the main temple, excavated ruins & the archaeological museum (museum remains closed on Fridays).
Dhamek Stupa
Admission included60 min
The Dhamek Stupa is a massive and prominent Buddhist monument located at the Deer Park in Sarnath. It is a highly sacred site for Buddhists worldwide, as it marks the precise spot where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon.
The stupa is a solid cylindrical structure, approximately 43.6 meters (141 feet) in height and 28 meters (92 feet) in diameter at its base.
The lower stone portion of the stupa is adorned with exquisitely carved floral designs, geometric patterns, and figures of humans and birds, which are characteristic of the Gupta architectural style.
Ashoka Pillar
Admission included60 min
The Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath is originally a 3rd century BCE polished sandstone pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka, its most famous feature is the Lion Capital, which now serves as the official emblem of India.
The top portion of the pillar, known as the Lion Capital, is made up of four lions standing back-to-back, representing strength, courage, and unity.
Drive to a good local restaurant for lunch after the visit to Sarnath
60 min
Walk through the weavers district of Varanasi and learn about the life of the weavers and the process of hand weaving of the famous silk brocades and Banarasi sari.
Banaras’s handloom weaving traditions have found mention in Vedic and Buddhist literature.
Banaras Hindu University
60 min
Banaras Hindu University is an internationally reputed temple of learning known for its academic history and cultural significance.
BHU is one of the top ranking universities in India and the largest residential universities in Asia. Drive through the lush green campus. You may visit the new Vishwanath temple inside the campus.
Durga Temple
30 min
After the drive through the university, visit the famous Durga Temple. A beautiful temple painted in red. It was constructed in 18th century by a queen from Bengal.
It is particularly significant for worship of Goddess Durga and is considered one of the most powerful and mystical temples in Kashi.
Dasaswamedh Ghat
Admission included45 min
Finally walk down to Dashashwamedh ghat to watch the famous Ganga Aarti ceremony from the shore. The Aarti is performed by a group of young priests facing towards the river.
The Aarti or offering of lamps is observed at prescribed hours of the day and night to invoke the Gods. The lamps are revolved before the idols in a clockwise manner along with the chanting of hymns. This recitation is accompanied by drums, blowing of conch-shell and tolling of temple bells.
After the experience, you'll be dropped back at your hotel, concluding the day’s tour.
What's included
Included
Professional guide including recommendations for eating, drinking, museums, attractions, festivals and more!
Sarnath entrance tickets for excavated ruins & museum
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Private tour
One private boat ride.
Not included
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Airport transfers (pick up & drop from the airport/train station to the hotel).
Entrance tickets for Kashi Vishwanath temple. This is an optional visit
Pickup Locations & Times
Your guide will meet at the hotel reception at the beginning of the tour and drop you back to the hotel after the tour.
However for the captioned hotels (1)Tree of Life (2) Ramada at Katesar, Ramnagar we will send the car & driver to the hotel. Your guide will meet you at a decided point in the city since both the hotels are outside the city.
Traveller Ratings
5.0
45 reviews
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45
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Important Information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
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 Experience Varanasi - Same day Guided Tour. take?
Experience Varanasi - Same day Guided Tour. lasts about 10–12 hours. The itinerary has 11 stops.
How much does Experience Varanasi - Same day Guided Tour. cost?
Prices start at $96 per person for this Varanasi experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Experience Varanasi - Same day Guided Tour. 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. Your guide will meet at the hotel reception at the beginning of the tour and drop you back to the hotel after the tour.
However for the captioned hotels (1)Tree of Life (2) Ramada at Katesar, Ramnagar we will send the car & driver to the hotel. Your guide will meet you at a decided point in the city since both the hotels are outside the city. Pickup points include Taj Ganges Varanasi.
What languages is Experience Varanasi - Same day Guided Tour. offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 10 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap Children must be accompanied by an adult
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(45)
E
emaluze
August 26, 2026
Kunal is amazing!
Kunal is definitely the best guide we’ve had during our time in India. We’ve been traveling for a month and a half, and he truly stood out. He’s incredibly engaging, passionate about his city, and made the whole experience of Varanasi so much easier and more meaningful.
His tour is 100% recommended it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience and honestly something you cannot skip when visiting Varanasi.
We enjoyed it so much that we asked Kunal to take us on another tour the very next day. He personalized the experience specifically for us, and it was just as incredible. If you’re in Varanasi, book with Kunal. You won’t regret it!
A
amandarB8452BR
April 16, 2026
Fun! Thoughtful! Informative!
Kunal is such a knowledgeable and friendly person and tour guide. His storytelling is compelling and informative and made our trip to Varanasi and the ghats so much more rich than we could have done on our own.
Operator response
Thank you so much for writing a nice review Amanda.
It's always a team work.
Best Regards,
Kunal
S
Sanahbhabha
April 3, 2026
Beyond a Tour: A Deep Dive into the Soul of Banaras
This was one of the best experiences I have ever had. So glad to have met Kunal on day 1 of my Banaras visit—he is extremely knowledgeable as well as kind, and his passion for his work and community shines through. I would have never explored the places Kunal took us to, and even if I somehow managed to, I would not have the required context to understand the significance and history of the sites I was seeing.
I would recommend everyone to do at least one of Kunal’s experiences when you visit Banaras. As a solo female traveller, I felt extremely comfortable. He not only guided me through the tour but also through all my days in Banaras, and went out of his way to help me see the Ganga aarti just because I mentioned it once.
Kunal, you truly are a gem. Thank you for the unmatched hospitality, and I can’t wait to visit again and explore the city more with you!!
Operator response
Thank you so much for writing a nice review Sanah. I am humbled.
It's always a team work.
Best Regards,
Kunal
I
I2302UQbarbarag
March 29, 2026
Authentic Varanasi Tour with Kunal - highly recommended
I had an amazing tour with Kunal. It began with a motorbike ride through the bustling streets of Varanasi, taking us into the authentic weavers’ district. We stayed completely off the usual tourist paths—it was just me, immersed in the true spirit of Varanasi.
Kunal is a warm, trustworthy person with extensive knowledge and a deep understanding of different cultures. Highly recommended!
Operator response
Thank you so much for writing a nice review.
It's always a team work.
Best Regards,
Kunal
6
639rishig
March 7, 2026
Terrific
Kunal is an incredible tour guide.
Operator response
Thanks Rishi.
Humbled.
U
utsavo2026
January 9, 2026
Varanasi Trip
Kunal delivered an extraordinary experience that brought the soul of Varanasi to life. With his deep knowledge, heartfelt passion, and genuine hospitality, he revealed layers of the city’s culture that most visitors rarely touch. Every moment felt personal and thoughtfully curated, from hidden ghats and local rituals to conversations that connected history, spirituality, and daily life. He transformed my trip into a deeply immersive journey, perfectly tailored for anyone seeking the true essence and magic of Kashi.
Operator response
Thank you so much for writing a nice review Utsav. I am humbled.
Hope to see you again soon.
Best Regards,
Kunal
S
srikar0711
January 5, 2026
An excellent well rounded tour
We did the Sarnath experience with Kunal and had a great time. He is an India Tourism–certified guide who runs tailored tours through Experience Varanasi, and the experience was extremely well organised and informative. His explanations of the history of Sarnath, the Buddha’s first sermon, the ruins, and the museum were clear and engaging without being overwhelming.
What I appreciated most was how helpful he was even outside the tour itself — from sharing practical tips about the city to recommending good places to eat and helping us navigate Varanasi better overall. That added a lot of value to our trip.
His local roots and deep knowledge of the city really show, and I would definitely recommend him to anyone visiting Varanasi or planning a trip to Sarnath.
Operator response
Thank you so much for writing a nice review Srikar.
Hope to see you again soon.
Best Regards,
Kunal
M
meghana0611
January 5, 2026
So glad we chose this experience — thank you, Kunal
We had a wonderful experience with Kunal on our Sarnath trip. He is an India Tourism–certified guide and hosts tailored experiences through Experience Varanasi, and it really shows in the quality of the tour he offers. He explained the history of Sarnath, the Buddha’s first sermon, the ruins, the frescoes, and the museum in a way that was both informative and easy to follow.
What really stood out was how helpful he was even beyond the experience itself. He shared excellent recommendations for food, places to visit, and practical tips for getting around Varanasi, and he was always happy to help when we had questions about our stay.
Kunal has a deep connection to Varanasi, having grown up here, and that comes through in the way he speaks about the city — with both knowledge and genuine care. It made the experience feel authentic rather than scripted.
We’re very glad we did this tour with him and would highly recommend Kunal to anyone visiting Varanasi or Sarnath who wants a meaningful, well-guided experience.
Operator response
Thank you so much for writing a nice review Meghna.
Hope to see you again soon.
Best Regards,
Kunal
K
Katherine_L
December 27, 2025
Knowledgeable Tour Guide
Tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable. He gave in depth cultural, religious and historical background on places visited. Time management was on point as covered all places that is to be covered in good time. The driver was skilled in navigating the crazy traffic of Varanasi and he kept our luggages safe.
G
GrandTour64001286017
December 15, 2025
Understanding what Varanasi means inside and out
I’ve been to the Vatican, Lourdes and Canterbury. But Kunal gives you a deep understanding and appreciation of everything around you. 3,000 years of history and myth made into enjoyment and enlightenment. Time and money well spent.
Operator response
Thank you so much for writing a nice review Elizabeth. I am humbled.
Hope to see you again soon.
Best Regards,
Kunal