1. North Heritage Walk: Ancient Varanasi

Explore the old part of the city with its most famous and oldest inhabited areas. Witness the puzzled streets, through its serpentine and countless tiny alleyways. We will be visiting traditional Ashrams and school, idols and shrines in mansions and some of the most famous and beautiful temples like Kashi Vishwanath, also known as Golden Temple.

We will walk through buzzing markets and shopping streets, watch the gathering of pilgrims performing rituals and witness worships at very prominent spots in the heart of city.

You will be hearing glorious pieces of history, mystical tales and folklores, as well as visit the the holiest Cremation Ground, Manikarnika Ghat. Famous for funeral where dead are cremated to attain “Moksha” (Salvation).

Price

1600 INR per person

Inclusion

Break for some rest with refreshments,  snacks and tea / coffee

2. South Heritage Walk: Interconnect with Vividness

We will start from the southern edge of the city and you will see the most spectacular long sweeps of Ghats. This intuitive walk trails to interconnect the vividness and deeper level of city’s cultural, religious and traditional lifestyle as well as glimpses of history, art, craft and architecture which is so beautifully immersed that it gives blissful ambiance and show you the special way of life in the sacred city.

We will be visiting many interesting places like an ancient step well, a memorial site and birthplace of brave warrior queen, as well as Akhada wrestling grounds (Indian traditional gyms), an abandoned fortress belonging to royal families, oldest and active weavers localities, worldwide known for cottage and textiles industries mainly in handloom sectors.

Price

1600 INR per person

Inclusion

Break for some rest with refreshments,  snacks and tea / coffee

3. City Sightseeing

In this tour we will explore and visit the main temples of the city. This option provides a good sense of the city in a short period of time.

Particular attention is paid to visiting the famous temples and monasteries as well as some other popular historic sites. This tour includes the following sights:

• Lord Vishwanath / Golden Temple
• Nepali Temple
• Goddess Durga Temple
• Sankat Mochan (Monkey Temple)
• Tulsi Manas
• Banaras Hindu University
• Bharat Mata (Mother India Temple)

We will also go for a walk along the main ghats and experience the evening celebration of daily prayer or Aarti (fire ritual) for Mother Ganges.

Price

1600 INR per person

Inclusion

Transfer by local cab, entrance fees, break for some rest with refreshments, snacks and tea / coffee

4. Sarnath Pilgrimage

Sarnath is a world famous Buddhist site about 10 kilometres from Varanasi. and is one of the four most important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in India.

It is here that Buddha came after he attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya. He delivered his first sermon and was sanctified as Maha Dharma Chakra Pravartana, set in Motion the Wheel of Dharma.

​During or tour to Sarnath we will visit

• Chaukhandi Stupa
• Lord Buddha statue (in sermon posture)
• Sarnath Museum
• National Emblem
• ruins of the archaeological site
• Jain Temple
• Deer Park
• Mahbodhi Temple / Mulghandha Kuti
• Sarangnath Temple

​

Price

2500 INR per person

Inclusion

Transfer by local cab, entrance fees, break for some rest with refreshments, snacks and tea / coffee

5. Morning Boat Ride

Boat ride is one of the indeed activities in Varanasi along the holy river. A perfect way to experience a beautiful sunrise and the sacredness of the holiest river of India, honoured as living goddess Mother Ganga. This early morning boat ride explores vibrant waves of settled culture and a fascinating world of divinity and spiritualism in morning while the Sun peeps it’s beams, melting Golden red into the river.

Witness the most attractive ceremony Aarti (fire ritual) in honour to sun god and Goddess Ganga. This tour will show you breathtaking views, devout pilgrims and their different rituals and worships, yoga and meditation, chanting of sacred hymns, arrays of shrines, temples, palaces, and old heritage buildings, associated with number of legends and myths.

Price

1000 INR per person

Inclusion

A break to drink tasty masala tea / coffee

6. Evening Boat Ride

Evening boat ride is as beautiful and grandeurs as in morning, though it has different flavours and charms, as life at riverbank keeps on changing as the sun rotates in the sky.

In evening we will witness the soft lighten sunset, brighten Ghats with tiny lamps floating in the river, immersed devotees and priest reciting mantras in a blazing ceremony, the evening Aarti.

In this ceremony with oil and camphor lamps, motherly holy river Ganges is worshipped. During night as well funeral rituals are performed at cremation ground. Sailing the holy river is the best way to experience the trinity of birth, life and death, carrying equal importance. It is also a great way to relax and enjoy the marvellous nature of the holy city

Price

1000 INR per person

Inclusion

A break to drink tasty masala tea / coffee

Last Rites

Hindu religion has unique and complex holy rituals related to last rites. Varanasi is considered sacred for performing post death last rites among Hindus: Pind Daan, Asthi Visarjan and Shraddh Pooja.  It will be my honour to help you organise these important last rites with full dedication and respect.

For more information about the services I can offer, please see page Ritual Services