Day Tour with Sarnath and Boat Ride

Namaste! - With folded hands, we welcome you to experience the essence of India.

Kashiyatra Tours – Your Gateway to the Spiritual Heart of India

Experience the timeless soul of Varanasi with Kashiyatra Tours, where tradition meets thoughtful travel. As specialists in spiritual and cultural tourism, we offer carefully curated guided tours that take you deep into the sacred heritage of Kashi (Varanasi)—one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world and the holiest city in Hinduism.

At Kashiyatra Tours, we believe that travel is more than sightseeing—it's about connection, meaning, and transformation. Our tours are designed to give you an authentic, insightful, and enriching experience, blending spiritual depth with cultural discovery

Sacred Soul of India: Private Full-Day Guided Tour of Varanasi with Sarnath and Ganges Boat Ride

🕰 Duration: Full-Day (Approx. 12–13 hours)
🗣️ Languages: English, French, German, Japanese, Russian, Spanish
👥 Group Type: Private tour
♿ Accessibility: Not suitable for travelers with mobility impairments
🚖 Pickup & Drop-off: Included from any location within Varanasi city

📆 Booking Policy:

• Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance

• Reserve now & pay later for flexibility

🌅 Begin at Sunrise: Sacred Boat Ride on the Ganges

Your journey into the heart of Varanasi begins early, before dawn breaks. Your private guide and chauffeur will pick you up from your location and take you to Assi Ghat, one of the city’s most tranquil and spiritually potent ghats.

As the golden hues of sunrise ripple across the sacred Ganges River, you’ll board a traditional wooden boat. With each paddle stroke, the city awakens:

• Saints and sadhus begin their day with meditation and chants

• Locals perform puja rituals, offering flowers and fire to the river

• The sound of temple bells and conch shells fills the air

Glide past over 80 ghats, each steeped in legend. Your guide will narrate their significance—Manikarnika Ghat, the eternal cremation site; Dashashwamedh Ghat, where Lord Brahma performed a great sacrifice; and Panchganga, where five sacred rivers are believed to converge.

This peaceful boat ride is not just sightseeing—it's a pilgrimage in motion, deeply meditative and spiritually immersive.

🛕 Explore Kashi Vishwanath – The Eternal Shiva Temple

After docking, you'll head to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest shrines of Lord Shiva.

Your guide will escort you through narrow, winding alleys of the old city, buzzing with vendors, flower sellers, and temple bells. Inside the temple complex, feel the energy shift—devotees chant "Har Har Mahadev", incense wafts through the air, and thousands come daily to seek blessings.

Discover the mythological stories of how this temple was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, and how its golden spires still shine defiantly as a symbol of resilience and faith.

🚶 Riverside Heritage Walk: The Living Legacy of the Ghats

After visiting the temple, enjoy a leisurely heritage walk along the ghats. No two are alike—some are royal, others cremation sites, some filled with scholars reciting Sanskrit, and others buzzing with washermen, artists, or pilgrims.

Highlights include:

• Dashashwamedh Ghat: The city’s ceremonial heart

• Assi Ghat: Where the Ganga meets the river Assi

• Manikarnika Ghat: The cremation ground where the cycle of rebirth is laid bare

Your guide will share stories of saints, sages, and even ghosts that inhabit Varanasi’s timeless landscape.

🍽️ Traditional Varanasi Breakfast

By now, you’ve walked through both spiritual and physical terrain. Pause to refuel at a hand-picked local eatery. Savor authentic Banarasi breakfast delights:

• Kachori-Sabzi (spiced lentil-filled fried bread with potato curry)

• Jalebi (sweet spirals soaked in syrup)

• Masala Chai in a clay cup, still steaming under morning skies

🏛️ Banaras Hindu University (BHU) & Bharat Kala Bhavan

After breakfast, drive to BHU, one of Asia’s largest and oldest residential universities. Founded in 1916 by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, the campus reflects both intellectual freedom and artistic pride.

Inside BHU, visit the New Vishwanath Temple, a modern marble marvel, and then explore the Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum, which holds:

• Ancient sculptures from 2nd century BC to modern art

• Miniature paintings, terracotta, textiles, and tribal art

• Artifacts related to the Ramayana and Mahabharata

Your guide will help interpret the exhibits, making this visit both educational and enchanting.

🧘‍♂️ Drive to Sarnath – The Birthplace of Buddhist Philosophy

Next, you’ll drive 10 km outside Varanasi to Sarnath, one of the four holiest Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. This peaceful enclave is where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon in the Deer Park, setting in motion the Wheel of Dharma.

Here’s what you’ll explore:

🌀 Dhamek Stupa

A towering cylindrical structure, originally built in 500 CE on the site where Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. The serenity of the grounds is palpable—pilgrims circle the stupa chanting softly.

🧱 Chaukhandi Stupa

An older mound-like structure with an octagonal tower, built by Emperor Akbar. This is believed to be where Buddha met his first five disciples.

🏺 Sarnath Archaeological Museum

A must-visit for history lovers, home to:

• The Lion Capital of Ashoka, now India’s national emblem

• Remarkably preserved Buddha statues and inscriptions

• Coins, seals, and relics from the Maurya, Gupta, and Kushan periods

Your guide will help decode Buddhist symbols like the lotus, wheel, and deer that fill these ancient works.

🍛 Lunch at a Local Restaurant

Enjoy a hearty vegetarian North Indian lunch. Your guide will ensure dishes match your dietary preferences. Expect freshly made rotis, dals, seasonal vegetables, rice, pickles, and a cooling lassi or buttermilk.

🏰 Visit to Ramnagar Fort – Legacy of the Maharajas

Cross the Ganges to visit Ramnagar Fort, a majestic sandstone fortress dating back to the 18th century. Once the royal residence of the Maharaja of Benares, it still houses vintage grandeur.

Inside the museum, admire:

• Royal costumes, armor, and ornate thrones

• An incredible collection of antique clocks and astronomical instruments

• Classic vintage cars and elephant saddles

• An old Durbar Hall where royal audiences were held

The fort’s riverside setting also makes it a great spot for photography, with panoramic views of Varanasi.

🛍️ Local Shopping Experience: Banarasi Silk & Handicrafts

Late afternoon brings time for shopping in Varanasi’s vibrant bazaars. Explore:

• Banarasi Silk Sarees: Intricate zari work, passed down through generations

• Wooden toys, brass idols, and hand-painted miniatures

• Paan shops, perfume houses, and old bookstores

Your guide can help you navigate these colorful markets and suggest trusted sellers.

🪔 Evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat

As twilight descends, return to the riverfront to witness the Ganga Aarti, one of India’s most profound spiritual spectacles.

Dozens of priests in saffron robes perform synchronized rituals with:

• Fire lamps waving in rhythmic circles

• Bells ringing out over the water

• Chants rising in unison, drawing the crowd into a trance-like state

As lamps are floated down the river, you'll be invited to offer your own diya, letting it carry your hopes and prayers along the Ganga’s sacred currents.

🍽️ Dinner & Drop-Off

Conclude your soul-enriching journey with dinner at a traditional Banarasi restaurant. Savor local specialties like:

• Baingan Bharta, Malai Kofta, Paneer Butter Masala

• Banarasi Tamatar Chaat, and sweet Rasmalai or Rabri

After dinner, your private chauffeur will drop you back at your hotel, full of memories, insights, and the spiritual rhythm of one of the oldest cities in the world.

✅ What’s Included

• Pickup and drop-off from your location in Varanasi

• Private air-conditioned vehicle for the day

• Expert multilingual guide

• Sunrise boat ride on the Ganges

• All applicable taxes, tolls, and parking

• Bottled mineral water

❌ Exclusions

• Entry tickets to temples, monuments, and museums

• Personal purchases and tips

• Luggage or large bags not allowed during the tour

📌 Know Before You Go

• Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered)

• Wear comfortable walking shoes

• Carry minimal belongings—temple security is tight

• Best time to visit: October to March

🗓️ Select Participants, Date, and Language

Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple seeking connection, or a family exploring India's roots—this private tour offers customized depth, personal attention, and a rhythm that respects your pace.

Choose your guide’s language preference:

• English

• French

• German

• Japanese

• Russian

End of Services

We hope that the rich flavors of India leave a lasting impression on you, and that your experience here kindles an enduring fondness for our country and its people.

Thank you for choosing us as your travel partner and for being our valued guest. As we say in India, "Please come back soon!"

We are truly grateful for the opportunity to serve you and look forward to welcoming you again in the future.

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Our services

TOUR GUIDE

we provide our clients with government-approved tourist guides who are experts in the region's history and culture. Their deep knowledge ensures an authentic and enriching experience, allowing travelers to fully immerse themselves in the local heritage

RENTAL CAR/COACH

We offers reliable taxi rental and coach services, ensuring comfortable and efficient transportation for our clients. Whether for small groups or large tours, our well-maintained vehicles and professional drivers guarantee a safe and seamless travel experience, tailored to meet your specific needs.

We offers private motor and rowing boat services in Varanasi and Prayagraj. Enjoy a personalized and serene journey along the sacred rivers, with our well-maintained boats and experienced boatmen ensuring a safe and memorable experience, tailored to your preferences.

PRIVET BOAT

We provides seamless accommodation and hotel booking services, ensuring our clients enjoy a comfortable stay in carefully selected properties. We cater to a variety of preferences and budgets, offering personalized options that enhance your travel experience. Trust us to secure the perfect lodging for your journey.

HOTEL BOOKING