14 Hours Morning Tour including Sarnath and Evening Arti
ID: GYG870799-1371605
Category:
Country: India
Duration:
1 days
Description
Explore the spiritual capital of India on a private morning tour of Varanasi. Take a boat ride on the Ganges River, visit the Kashi Vishwanath and Sankat Mochan Temples.
Explore the spiritual capital of India on a private tour of Varanasi. Walk along the ghats, take a boat ride along the Ganges River, and witness the morning aarti ceremony. Discover the significance of the city's sacred sites with a local guide.
Start your day with a boat ride from Assi Ghat to Daswamedha Ghat. Catch the glimpse of the gigantic Ghats of Varanasi and proceed to visit Kashi Vishwanath and Sankat Mochan Temples. Learn about Hindu mythology from an expert local guide.
Be picked up from your centrally located hotel and proceed on a boat ride on the Ganges. Starting at Assi Ghat, the city's most prominent bathing Ghat, the boat ride takes you through the 5000-year old history of Varanasi, also believed to be one of the world's oldest living cities.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, enjoy a surreal sunrise, floating on the sacred river. The boat ride ends at Manikar.
Next, visit Sarnath where Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. It is believed that Buddha traveled to Sarnath to meet his five companions - Koudanna, Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahanama, and Asvajiya and with whom he shared his new found knowledge.
Proceed to visit the significant ruins of Dharmarajika Stupa, the exact spot that contained the bones of Buddha before it was destroyed by Jagat Singh in 1794. Catch a glimpse of the great Ashoka pillar and explore Buddhism in a unique arc.
As the evening arrives, the city will begin its preparations for the Ganga Aarti ceremony, a highly choreographed ritual performed on the Daswamedha Ghat, celebrating the existence of River Ganges. Burning lamps, flowers, and scented sticks fill the ambiance with peace. Experience this age-old tradition as your local guide tells you all about Hindu mythology. As the ceremony ends, you will be dropped back to your hotel.
Highlights
- Experience the spiritual atmosphere of Varanasi on a private morning tour
- See the city's most prominent bathing ghat, Assi Ghat, from a boat on the Ganges
- Learn about Hindu mythology from an expert local guide
- Visit the Kashi Vishwanath and Sankat Mochan Temples
- Watch the morning aarti ritual and see a neverending cremation ceremony
Guiding languages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Dress modestly as you will visit religious sites
Be prepared for early morning start
Expect crowds at religious sites
Photography may be restricted in certain areas
Carry water and snacks
Respect local customs and rituals
When should I book?
To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.
Cancellations
This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.