Five days in the world's oldest living city
Embark on a profound 5-day spiritual journey to Varanasi, one of the world's oldest living cities. Witness the mesmerising Ganga Aarti, a nightly ceremony of fire and prayer on the banks of the sacred Ganges River. Take a sunrise boat ride to see the ghats come to life with pilgrims, and explore the narrow, winding alleys of the old city with a guide who grew up in them.
A half-day excursion takes you to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon more than 2,500 years ago. This is an intense, immersive and unforgettable cultural experience. We keep the group small and the schedule gentle, with two private boat rides, a comfortable 3- or 4-star hotel close to the river and all transfers included. The tour works perfectly as a stand-alone short break or as an add-on to the Golden Triangle, with daily flights from Delhi taking just 80 minutes.
The full plan of the tour. Every day can be adapted to your interests – select a day to see the details.
Airport transfer and hotel check-in. In the evening walk to Dashashwamedh Ghat and watch the Ganga Aarti from a private boat on the river.
Dawn boat ride past the bathing and cremation ghats. After breakfast, a guided walk through the lanes to Kashi Vishwanath Temple area, the silk weavers' quarter and a traditional lassi shop.
Morning in Sarnath: Dhamek Stupa, the Archaeological Museum with the Ashoka lion capital and the Mulagandha Kuti Vihara. Afternoon at the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum and a classical music recital in the evening.
Optional early-morning yoga on a ghat. Visit Ramnagar Fort across the river and learn about Banarasi silk weaving at a workshop. Free afternoon; second boat ride at sunset.
Breakfast and transfer to the airport. Flights connect to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Kathmandu.
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$680 USD per person (based on double occupancy) · 5 Days / 4 Nights
| Travellers | Room | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (solo traveller) | Single | $918 |
| 2 – 3 | Double / twin | $680 |
| 4 – 5 | Double / twin | $646 -5% |
| 6 and more | Double / twin | $626 -8% |
Prices apply to the main season. Christmas, New Year and festival dates may carry a supplement. Ask us for an exact quote for your dates.
The cremation ghats are part of daily life here, and our guides explain them with respect. You can skip that section of the boat ride if you prefer.
Yes – it is our most popular extension. Fly from Delhi or Jaipur to Varanasi and we join the two itineraries seamlessly.
Email or call us with your dates. We confirm hotel availability within 48 hours and send a written offer. A 20% deposit secures the booking; the balance is due 30 days before arrival. See our Terms of Use and the general FAQ.
Send us your preferred dates and the number of travellers. You will receive a personalised offer within 48 hours – free and without obligation.
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Planning tip: read our guides on the best time to visit India, the e-Visa and what to pack before you book.
