The Holy City of Varanasi | India trip
Travel ExpertStarting from:
785 USD
per Adult
The Holy City of Varanasi trip invites you to experience history at its most immediate and to shape one of the most meaningful India trips around your own interests. Walk palace courtyards with a private guide, observe early morning river rituals from a reserved boat on the Ganges, and enjoy home dining built around family recipes and local traditions.
Share what matters most to you, and we will craft a bespoke plan that balances authenticity, comfort, and local insight. Reserve a consultation to tailor timings, guides, and special access, allowing your journey through Varanasi to unfold as a living experience rather than a checklist of sights.
The Holy City of Varanasi trip highlights
- Sunrise Ganges boat ride: Glide past ancient ghats at dawn on a private boat, capturing sacred rituals and light.
- Evening Ganga Aarti: Witness the mesmerising Ganga Aarti from a reserved vantage for a deeper connection to Varanasi’s living traditions.
- Hidden alley food walk: Taste authentic street flavors on a guided walk through narrow lanes, meeting local cooks and uncovering Varanasi’s culinary secrets.
- Temple and artisan visits: Explore revered temples and family workshops with a local guide.
- Customized photography tour: Capture Varanasi’s timeless scenes on a bespoke photo tour.
| Day | Location | Activities | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delhi | • Arrival and hotel transfer • Time to rest and adjust • Optional short walk or hotel leisure • Local team assistance • Free evening | Delhi |
| 2 | Delhi | • Guided New Delhi city tour • Laxminarayan Temple and India Gate • Drive past Parliament and Secretariat • Old Delhi walk in Chandni Chowk • Jama Masjid and Qutub Minar | Delhi |
| 3 | Varanasi | • Visit Sarnath ruins and Dhamekh Stupa • Sarnath Museum and Ashoka lion capital • Sunset Ganga Aarti at Dasaswamedh Ghat | Varanasi |
| 4 | Varanasi | • Sunrise boat ride on the Ganges • Observe river rituals and daily life • Temple visits including Bharat Mata and Durga • New Vishwanath Temple • BHU campus and Aurangzeb’s mosque | Varanasi |
| 5 | Varanasi → Delhi | • Relaxed morning at leisure • Optional sunrise ritual or ghat walk • Private transfer to Delhi • Free evening with curated options | Delhi |
| 6 | Delhi | • Private airport transfer • Assisted check-in and departure support • Optional onward travel or extensions | — |
Arrival to Delhi
Arrive in Delhi and transfer to your hotel, where time is set aside to rest after your journey. The first day of your India travel is intentionally unhurried, allowing you to settle in and adjust at your own pace. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy the hotel’s facilities, take a short walk nearby, or relax with a meal arranged to suit your preferences.
Our local team is available to assist with practical arrangements and answer any questions, ensuring a smooth start to your journey. The evening is free, offering a gentle introduction to India before the experiences ahead.
Delhi city tour
Explore New Delhi’s broad colonial avenues and grand civic landmarks with a local guide who brings the city’s history to life. Visit Laxminarayan Temple and India Gate, and drive past Parliament House, the Secretariat buildings, and the former Vice Regal Palace, now the President’s residence.
In Old Delhi, stroll through the lively lanes of Chandni Chowk, photograph the Red Fort, and visit the 17th-century Jama Masjid. Continue to the Qutub Minar complex, one of the city’s most significant early Islamic monuments.
Sarnath and Varanasi Ganga Aarti
Explore Sarnath, the birthplace of Buddhism, on a private guided walk through its ruins and the imposing Dhamekh Stupa. Visit the Sarnath Museum to view the Ashoka lion capital and sculptures dating from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D., presented for quiet, close viewing.
At sunset, return to Varanasi to witness the Ganga Aarti at Dasaswamedh Ghat, where conch calls, incense, and circling lamps create one of the most evocative moments of this India itinerary.
Varanasi Ganges dawn and temple tour
Begin the day with an early morning boat ride on the sacred Ganges, watching yogis, morning puja, and ritual bathing along the ghats. As the sun rises, observe daily life unfolding on the riverbanks.
Continue with a half-day city tour, visiting the Bharat Mata, Durga, and Tulsi Manas temples, the towering New Vishwanath Temple, Benares Hindu University and its museum, and Aurangzeb’s mosque, creating a deeply personalized cultural immersion.
Transfer to Delhi
Enjoy a relaxed morning at your hotel in Varanasi, with time for a private sunrise ritual, a leisurely breakfast, or a final stroll along the ghats. Your travel designer tailors the morning to your interests.
A private transfer then takes you to Delhi, where you arrive with time to settle in, refresh, and choose from curated evening options, such as a palace dinner or a guided city preview.
Departure from Delhi
Your India trip concludes with a private transfer from Lemon Tree Premier Delhi Aerocity to Delhi airport. Enjoy a relaxed checkout and a final touch of Delhi hospitality as our team assists with luggage, airport formalities, and practical tips for your onward journey.
Should you wish to continue exploring, we can arrange seamless onward flights, spiritually guided experiences, or bespoke extensions that deepen your tailor-made journey through authentic cultural encounters.
