2
Great experience
Vinit was patient and tailored the tour to our needs. We walked through a slightly dodge area to get to manikarnika ghat but felt safe with him.
Varanasi Evening Ganga Aarti Tour
+3 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 3–4 hours
- Price from
- $48 / person
- Location
- Varanasi, India
- Rating
- 4.7 / 5 · 115 reviews
- Languages
- HI, EN, ES
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Varanasi Day Tours
Description
Experience the magic of Varanasi with our exclusive Evening Ganga Aarti tour. Start with an enchanting evening boat ride along the sacred Ganges River, offering a unique perspective on ancient cremation grounds and vibrant ghats. This serene journey sets the stage for the highlight of the evening: the Ganga Aarti. Aarti is a deeply spiritual Hindu ritual where light is offered to deities, accompanied by devotional songs. In Varanasi, the Ganges is revered as a goddess, and every evening, aarti is performed at the historic Dashashwamedh Ghat. Witness this awe-inspiring ceremony from the best vantage point—either from the ghat on a private balcony or aboard our boat on the water. The Ganga Aarti is a mesmerizing spectacle, with precise choreography and a harmonious blend of bells, drums, cymbals, and Sanskrit mantras by priests Join us for an unforgettable evening that combines the tranquility of a boat ride with the spiritual vibrancy of the Ganga Aarti.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 5:00 PM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 8
- Adult (ages 16+)
- $48
- Child (ages 6–15)
- $15
Larger groups pay less per person.
Out at sunset: the 5:00 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 5:26 PM in the coming weeks.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Ganges River
Ghats in Varanasi are riverfront steps leading to the banks of the River Ganges
Dasaswamedh Ghat
Main Ghat of Varanasi
Manikarnika Ghat
Manikarnika Ghat, the main burning ghat, is the most auspicious place for a Hindu to be cremated. Dead bodies are handled by outcasts known as doms, and are carried through the alleyways of the old town to the holy Ganges on a bamboo stretcher, swathed in cloth.
Ganga Aarti
Aarti is a Hindu ritual, in which light is offered to one or more deities. Aarti also refer to the songs sung in praise of the deity, when offering of lamps is being offered. Hindus in India worship the river Ganges as goddess. Every evening in Varanasi, aarti is performed at the Dashashwamedh ghat. We can watch it from the ghat or from the waterside in a boat. It is a beautiful, resonant, and majestic spectacle with a very precise choreography involving rituals performed by several priests with the sound of bells, drums, cymbals, and Sanskrit mantras. The river is also worshiped with flower petals.
What's included
Included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Professional English speaking Guide [For Safe & Honourable tourism we provide only licensed Guide]
Private Boat ride
A seating arrangement offering one of the best views of the Aarti
Professional guide in other language [French/ German, Spanish/ Italian] on demand and availability
Not included
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Tips
Pickup Locations & Times
Any Hotel Located in the city Limit of Varanasi
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.7
115 reviews
How it compares in Varanasi
- No. 16 by number of reviews among 483 tours in Varanasi
- Starting price $48 is 60% above the typical $30 for tours of similar length in Varanasi
Excurgo comparison of 483 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- A maximum of 10 people per booking
- 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 Varanasi Evening Ganga Aarti Tour take?
Varanasi Evening Ganga Aarti Tour lasts about 3–4 hours. The itinerary has 4 stops.
How much does Varanasi Evening Ganga Aarti Tour cost?
Prices start at $48 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.
What days does Varanasi Evening Ganga Aarti Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 5:00 PM.
How much does Varanasi Evening Ganga Aarti Tour cost for children?
Children aged 6–15 pay from $15, adults from $48.
Can I cancel Varanasi Evening Ganga Aarti 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. Any Hotel Located in the city Limit of Varanasi Pickup points include Keymagics Hotel Anmol, L S Grand By GRB.
What languages is Varanasi Evening Ganga Aarti Tour offered in?
The experience is available in HI, EN, ES.
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 and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Children must be accompanied by an adult
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible Transportation options are wheelchair accessible All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(115)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
A
Tree pose while looking over the Ganges river
Authentic yoga experience doing Surya Namaskar and balancing asanas while looking out over the Ganges river. Skillful instructor adjusting poses with patience and giving encouragement. Great relaxation and sevasna. Can’t imagine a more beautiful and authentic spot. Have Google maps ready to navigate the small streets leading to the yoga studio. It makes it more adventurous and fun!
S
Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat with Vinod
We had a wonderful and memorable experience exploring Varanasi with our guide, Vinod. He took us through the winding streets of the city, shared fascinating insights into its history and culture, and introduced us to the delicious local specialty, tomato chaat. His knowledge, warmth, and care made the experience feel both authentic and easygoing, and he always made sure we were well taken care of and comfortable despite the intermittent rain. The Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat at night was truly unforgettable. We were able to sit very close to the ceremony, making the experience incredibly immersive - we could feel the warmth of the flames, smell the flower petals as they fell around us, and hear the sounds of the ceremony up close. We learned that the Aarti continues rain or shine, and were impressed by how seamlessly everything was moved to another location when rain was anticipated and boat tours were stopped due to rising waters. Experiencing this beautiful ceremony up close on land was a highlight of our time in Varanasi, and we highly recommend Vinod for a thoughtful, knowledgeable, and memorable experience.
1 people found this helpful
K
Great experience
This is an excellent tour. I would recommend this to everyone visiting Varanasi.
1 people found this helpful
S
This was an excellent...
This was an excellent tour. I would recommend this to everyone that is visiting the city of Varanasi.
V
Nice experience in Varanasi
Nice experience in Varanasi. I was there with my family, enjoy a lot of in Varanasi.
1 people found this helpful
V
Ganga Aarti - Mesmerizing evening in Kashi
This was an excellent tour. Our guide Vinodji was knowledgable and went out of his way to make the tour seamless. We toured the Ganga via boat, followed by excellent seating to view the evening Ganga Aarti. Vinodji provided snippets of Kashi history throughout and was very personable. Highly recommended!
1 people found this helpful
J
Great Varanasi evening boat tour on the Ganges and aarti
Very attentive and flexible guide with a good tour of the ghats along the Ganges
U
Thoughtful logistics accompanied with deep insights
Great experience with this tour, everything was so well organized from meeting-greeting us up to the final minute. Very thoughtful arrangement of logistics (taxi, boat, great seats to watch Aarti and an escape walk when the ceremony was about to finish through the ghat building to the old city streets), deep and open discussions with the guide, lots of insights and new information. We will be booking another tours with this guide while we are in Varanasi this week for sure. Thank you!
1 people found this helpful
A
It is a memorable...
It is a memorable experience for all once in a lifetime experience Guide was excellent and courteous
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Varanasi Evening Ganga Aarti Tour | 3–4 hours | 4.7 (115) | $48 | |
 Varanasi Sunset Boat Evening Ganga Aarti and Walking Tour | 2h 30min | 5.0 (3) | $32 | View |
 Varanasi Landmark Evening City Tour - Aarti & Boating | 2 hours | 4.6 (152) | $13 | View |
 Private Varanasi Tour: Sunrise Boat Ride, Ganga Aarti & Temple | 14 hours | 5.0 (75) | $21 | View |
 The Famous Aarti Ceremony - An Evening at the Ganges River | 2h 18min | 5.0 (1) | $114 | View |
 Evening ceremony of Ganges in varanasi with official tour guide | 3 hours | 5.0 (9) | $25 | View |
 Hidden Secrets of Varanasi: Vibrant Tradition (Guided Tour) | 3 hours | 5.0 (474) | $22 | View |
from$48
4.7(115) Free cancellation