Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world, and its rhythm follows the river. Two days lets you experience both the dawn and the evening rituals.
Day 1
- Arrive and check into a hotel near the ghats if possible.
- Afternoon: walk along the ghats from Assi towards Dashashwamedh, passing bathers, priests, boatmen and cows.
- Evening: the Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, with lamps, bells and chanting. Watch from the steps or from a boat on the river.
Day 2
- Dawn boat ride: the single most memorable experience in Varanasi. Drift past the ghats as the city wakes, with morning prayers and the cremation fires of Manikarnika Ghat in the distance. Do not photograph cremations.
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the new corridor. Phones and bags are not allowed inside; use the lockers.
- Old city lanes: sweet shops, silk weavers and tiny shrines. Try kachori-sabzi for breakfast and lassi in clay cups.
- Afternoon: Sarnath, about 10 km away, where the Buddha gave his first sermon. See the Dhamek Stupa and the Sarnath Museum with its Lion Capital.
Etiquette
- Dress modestly and remove shoes where required.
- Ask before photographing people, and never photograph cremations.
- Agree boat prices in advance or book through us.
When to go
October to March is most comfortable. Dev Deepawali, about two weeks after Diwali, lights every ghat with lamps; book well ahead.
Combining Varanasi
Varanasi fits well with the Golden Triangle (see Golden Triangle in 5 days: Delhi, Agra and Jaipur), with Ayodhya or with the Buddhist circuit to Bodh Gaya. See our Pilgrimage tours page.
When to go
When to go
When to go
When to go