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Tours Visiting Varanasi
4.92 (71 reviews)
50 Tours
When do you want to go?
2026
I'm flexible
Passengers
Adults (18+)
Children (0 - 17)
Discover India tours visiting Varanasi
Witness riverside rituals, sacred streets, and timeless culture on guided tours in India
Varanasi is one of India’s most affecting places to visit, where life along the ghats moves to a steady rhythm of prayer, boats, incense, and pilgrimage. India tours that include Varanasi usually balance headline sights with time to slow the pace, from a quiet sunrise on the Ganges to the vivid energy of the evening Aarti. Some trips focus on the city with a short stay, while others place Varanasi within a wider north India route before or after. Tours run as group trips or private trips, and the guide style can be fully guided or partly guided depending on the itinerary. That flexibility makes it easier to choose the right blend of structure, local insight, and independent time.
India trips starting from Varanasi
New
Private Tours
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Price per day
$85From
pp
New
Private Tours
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Price per day
$89From
pp
New
Private Tours
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Price per day
$78From
pp
New
Private Tours
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Price per day
$88From
pp
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Real reviews from our travelers
Delhi, Palaces, Ganges - 10 daysExplore Delhi, both old and new. Tour the legendary Taj Mahal in Agra as well as the beautiful Pink City of Jaipur, where you'll experience the illustrious City Palace and Jantar Mantar Space Observatory. Watch locals perform mesmerizing sunrise Hindu prayer rituals in the vibrant city of Varanasi, right on the banks of the holy Ganges.Signature Journeys10I was impressed by the Taj Mahal. But what I will never forget the impressions at the river Ganges. For the Indian people the river is a God.. On the day of arrival we were lucky to meet the On The Go manager. He took 4 of us to old Delhi to eat original Indian sweets . That was marvelous.
Delhi, Palaces, Ganges - 10 daysExplore Delhi, both old and new. Tour the legendary Taj Mahal in Agra as well as the beautiful Pink City of Jaipur, where you'll experience the illustrious City Palace and Jantar Mantar Space Observatory. Watch locals perform mesmerizing sunrise Hindu prayer rituals in the vibrant city of Varanasi, right on the banks of the holy Ganges.Signature Journeys10I looked for a tour that is different in customs and history. India was the place. I enjoyed the Taj Mahal and found the life around the Ganges most interesting. All the guides were outstanding, there knowledge and care was just great I can't think of anything that I didn't like. Except maybe the filth in Delhi, but On The Go can't change this. Remember that I am 80 years old
Delhi, Palaces, Ganges - 10 daysExplore Delhi, both old and new. Tour the legendary Taj Mahal in Agra as well as the beautiful Pink City of Jaipur, where you'll experience the illustrious City Palace and Jantar Mantar Space Observatory. Watch locals perform mesmerizing sunrise Hindu prayer rituals in the vibrant city of Varanasi, right on the banks of the holy Ganges.Signature Journeys10Karun was an extremely knowledgeable guide who went above and beyond to make the tour memorable! A couple of the hotels had plumbing issues which required changing rooms and were too remote to wander around at night. The itinerary was excellent! We saw and experienced all the highlights!
Taj, Tigers and Mumbai - 12 daysEmbrace India in this exhilarating tour that will take you from the colourful streets of Delhi, to the Taj Mahal and the Pink City of Jaipur. Go tiger-spotting in Ranthambore National Park and end your trip in the scintillating Mumbai where you'll visit the inspiration behind blockbuster movie Slumdog Millionaire - the Dharavi Slums.
Signature Journeys12The tour was extremely well organised without one hiccup. We were surprised that there were only theee of us but it didn’t detract from the tour. All the guides a drivers were wonderful and Vijay did an amazing job and nothing was an issue for him.
Delhi, Palaces, Ganges - 10 daysExplore Delhi, both old and new. Tour the legendary Taj Mahal in Agra as well as the beautiful Pink City of Jaipur, where you'll experience the illustrious City Palace and Jantar Mantar Space Observatory. Watch locals perform mesmerizing sunrise Hindu prayer rituals in the vibrant city of Varanasi, right on the banks of the holy Ganges.Signature Journeys10We had a great group of people on our tour, 23 of us. Our guide Yosuf was amazing.
Delhi, Palaces, Ganges - 10 daysExplore Delhi, both old and new. Tour the legendary Taj Mahal in Agra as well as the beautiful Pink City of Jaipur, where you'll experience the illustrious City Palace and Jantar Mantar Space Observatory. Watch locals perform mesmerizing sunrise Hindu prayer rituals in the vibrant city of Varanasi, right on the banks of the holy Ganges.Signature Journeys10Karun was an extremely knowledgeable guide who went above and beyond to make the tour memorable! A couple of the hotels had plumbing issues which required changing rooms and were too remote to wander around at night. The itinerary was excellent! We saw and experienced all the highlights!
Varanasi trips at a glance
Trip and guiding style
Trips that visit Varanasi come as private or group options, and many itineraries use local English-speaking guides for key sights. Guiding style can be fully guided or partly guided, so travelers can pick more help or more free time.
Accommodation
Accommodation can change across India itineraries that visit Varanasi, with 3 star, 4 star and 5 star hotels, plus some heritage hotels. Some group trips use hostel dorm accommodation, and a few longer routes add an overnight train. A similar place may be used if rooms sell out.
Trip pacing
Pace is often easy to medium, with guided visits and time to rest, shop, and watch life by the river. Some itineraries start early for sunrise on the Ganges, and travel days may use flights, road trips, or overnight trains in India.
Popular tours visiting Varanasi
Why visit Varanasi
Sacred river life, deep history, and moving moments on the ghats
Varanasi stands out for its atmosphere, with the River Ganges at the center of everyday life and ancient rites unfolding on the steps from dawn until late evening. An India tour that visits Varanasi offers a close perspective on living faith and daily routine, whether you are watching lamps drift on the water at Aarti or gliding past the ghats at sunrise. Away from the river, narrow lanes, temples, and markets create an intense mix of color, noise, and stillness, sometimes within the same hour. Many trips also include Sarnath, where important Buddhist history sits in a calmer setting of stupas and temple ruins. If you want context as well as atmosphere, guided touring can add expert local guides at key sites, and you can choose either a group tour or a private tour to suit your travel style.
Frequently asked questions
Are Varanasi tours in India fully guided?
Guiding style varies by trip and by itinerary design. Some India tours that visit Varanasi are fully guided, with a tour leader accompanying the group throughout the journey. Others are partly guided, using local expert guides for key sightseeing while leaving more free time between organized visits.
Do India tours visiting Varanasi include a boat ride on the Ganges?
Many trips include a sunrise boat ride on the River Ganges in Varanasi, as this is one of the most popular ways to experience the ghats. Some tours also schedule time by the river in the evening, which can be an excellent window into local rituals and everyday river life.
Is the evening Aarti ceremony included on Varanasi tours?
Some tours include an evening visit to the River Ganges to see the daily Aarti, either from the steps or from a boat, depending on the trip plan. It is a signature Varanasi experience, with chants, lamps, and a powerful sense of place along the ghats.
What other sights are included in Varanasi city touring?
Varanasi touring may include Banaras Hindu University, Durga Mata Mandir, and Bharat Mata Mandir, alongside time to explore selected neighbourhoods near the river. Many trips also visit the Sarnath temple ruins and monuments linked to Buddha’s first sermon, giving a calmer, more reflective contrast to the riverfront.
Do tours from Delhi to Varanasi use trains or flights?
Transport depends on the specific itinerary and overall routing. Some India tours use overnight trains to reach Varanasi, which can be an efficient way to cover distance while saving daylight hours. Others include economy flights between Delhi and Varanasi, typically with transfers and local transport arranged for included sightseeing.
What accommodation can be expected on India tours that include Varanasi?
Accommodation standards vary by trip and may include 3-star, 4-star, 5-star, and heritage hotels, depending on the tour category and destination mix. If a listed hotel is unavailable, a similar property may be used, and official ratings can differ by area and local classification.
Are private tours available for Varanasi in India?
Yes, some India trips that include Varanasi are available as private tours for your party only. These commonly include private transport and local guides for included sightseeing, with the exact arrangements set out in the itinerary.
Are group tours available for India tours visiting Varanasi?
Yes, group tours are also available, and the maximum group size varies by trip. Depending on the tour format, a tour leader may travel with the group, while local guides are used in Varanasi and at other key sightseeing locations.
What is the pace like on tours that include Varanasi?
Pace ranges from slow to fast, although many trips sit in the medium range overall. Early starts are common to catch sunrise on the river, and itineraries that combine several cities can feel more demanding on travel days with longer transfers.
Do India tours visiting Varanasi include meals?
Meals vary by trip, so it is best to check the inclusions listed on each itinerary. Some tours include daily breakfast, while others give selected breakfasts plus a few extra meals, often timed around longer travel days or key sightseeing.
India guides
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