My Full-Day Varanasi Tour: Boat Ride, Sarnath, and Ganga Aarti
During my time in Varanasi, I took a Varanasi full day tour that ended up covering many of the experiences I most wanted to have in the city. The day included a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, walking through the Varanasi old city, spending time around the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, visiting the Nepali Temple, walking around Banaras Hindu University, a trip to Sarnath, and an evening Ganga Aarti ceremony at Assi Ghat.
For a first-time visitor, it was an excellent introduction to Varanasi. The city can feel overwhelming at first, but having a guide made it much easier to understand what I was seeing and move between different activities in a single day.
My Full-Day Varanasi Tour: Boat Ride, Sarnath, and Ganga Aarti - Table of Contents
- Starting the Day in Varanasi
- Morning Boat Ride on the Ganges in Varanasi
- Walking Through the Varanasi Old City
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple Area and the Nepali Temple
- Banaras Hindu University and Shri Vishwanath Mandir
- Visiting Sarnath from Varanasi
- Evening Ganga Aarti in Varanasi at Assi Ghat
- A Powerful Day in Varanasi (Video Highlights)
- Was a Full-Day Varanasi Tour Worth It?
- Tips for Taking a Full-Day Tour in Varanasi
- Final Thoughts
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Starting the Day in Varanasi
My guide, Himanshu, met me near Pandey Ghat at 6:00 a.m. Since my Airbnb overlooked the river and was located very close to the ghat, it took me less than a minute to reach him that morning. That made for a very easy start to the day.
After watching the sunrise, he went over the plan for the day. We would begin with a boat ride on the Ganges, then spend time in the old city around the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, before visiting the nearby Nepali Temple. After that, we would go to Banaras Hindu University and visit Shri Vishwanath Mandir. Later in the day, we would drive to Sarnath, traditionally recognized as the place where Buddha gave his first sermon. After a short break at my hotel, I would meet Himanshu again in the evening for the Ganga Aarti at Assi Ghat. It was a long day, but it gave me a broad introduction to Varanasi and covered much more than I would have been able to manage on my own.
Himanshu was such a wonderful guide in Varanasi that I later hired him again to show me Bodh Gaya, the city where Buddha is traditionally believed to have reached enlightenment. If you would like to book a tour of Varanasi with Himanshu, his direct booking link is posted to the right of my photo. I paid for both of my tours with Himanshu, and he did not know I was a travel blogger until the end of our time together.
Please note that I am a Viator affiliate. If you book a tour through one of my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Morning Boat Ride on the Ganges in Varanasi
Watching Varanasi Wake Up from the River
The boat ride on the Ganges was one of the highlights of the day. We set out just after sunrise, and I was the only passenger on the boat besides Himanshu and the driver. Other boats were much more crowded, so having extra space made the experience even better. The sunrise itself was hazy, but it made the entire riverbank come alive. The sunlight hit the ghats in a soft glow that almost looked like a giant spotlight shining across the city.
Pilgrims Bathing and Daily Life Along the Ghats
One of the first things I noticed was how different the ghats felt from one another. Pandey Ghat, where we started, was still very quiet, with only a few people out watching the sunrise. Farther along, the riverfront became much busier. Kedar Ghat, with its distinctive red-and-white stripes, stood out visually and was filled with pilgrims bathing in the holy water. Shitala Ghat was especially crowded, and seeing so many people gathered there helped me understand just how central the river is to daily life in Varanasi.
As we continued, I also saw people washing clothes, bathing, praying, and carrying out daily routines along the banks of the Ganges. That was one of the things that made the ride so memorable. It was not just about seeing famous ghats from the water. It was about watching the city wake up and seeing how closely life in Varanasi is tied to the river.
Passing the Cremation Ghats
We passed Mansarovar Ghat, Kedar Ghat, and Harishchandra Ghat, the smaller of Varanasi’s two main cremation ghats. Later, we continued toward the busier ghats near the city center, including Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varahi Ghat, and Manikarnika Ghat, the main cremation ghat. Himanshu explained the religious significance of cremation along the Ganges and why many Hindus believe it can help the deceased attain moksha, or release from the cycle of rebirth.
That part of the ride was intense, but it was only one part of a much broader experience on the river. I did take a few photos of the cremations that I may one day use in a classroom setting, but I will not be posting them online. For me, that felt like the more respectful choice.
Farther along the river, I also had a great view of Brijrama Palace rising above Darbhanga Ghat, which was one of the most visually striking buildings I saw from the water. We continued past Bhonsale Ghat and Panchganga Ghat, and we briefly got off the boat to photograph Alamgir Masjid before heading back toward the center of the city.
Why the Boat Ride Was Worth It
For me, a boat ride in Varanasi was absolutely worth it. Being out on the water gave me a wide view of the ghats and a much better feel for the city than I could have gotten from land alone. It also let me experience the river in a quieter way, away from some of the constant pressure to buy something, donate money, or negotiate with boat operators on shore.
Walking Through the Varanasi Old City
After the boat ride, we continued on foot through the Varanasi old city. This was another part of the day where having a guide made a huge difference. The narrow alleys of Varanasi can feel confusing at first, especially for a first-time visitor. Himanshu led me through lanes filled with shops, stray dogs, cows, and people moving in every direction. Because he knew exactly where he was going, I was able to focus on the experience instead of worrying about getting lost.
The old city felt crowded, intense, and full of activity, but it also felt fascinating. Walking through it with a local guide gave me a much better sense of how the city works.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple Area and the Nepali Temple
One of our stops in the old city was the Kashi Vishwanath Temple area, one of the most important religious areas in Varanasi. We walked around the area outside the temple, but since photos were not allowed inside, Himanshu took me instead to the nearby Nepali Temple.
That turned out to be a good alternative because it still gave me a chance to experience an important temple setting in Varanasi while also being able to take photos. Like the majority of the temples in Varanasi, Nepali Temple is dedicated to Shiva. He pointed out the Shiva linga and the nearby statue of Nandi, the sacred bull connected with Shiva.
He also explained the roles of the three main Hindu gods: Brahma the creator, Vishnu the protector, and Shiva the destroyer. Hearing that explanation while standing inside a temple in Varanasi made the stop much more meaningful for me.
Banaras Hindu University and Shri Vishwanath Mandir
After walking through the old city, we eventually made our way out to the road, where we switched to a rickshaw and then met our driver again. From there, we headed to Banaras Hindu University, where we visited Shri Vishwanath Mandir.
This stop gave me another chance to learn more about Hindu beliefs and symbolism. Himanshu pointed out statues of various Hindu gods and showed me places where offerings and prayers were made. One moment I especially remember was at a statue of Nandi, where Himanshu told me to whisper a wish into the bull’s ear and keep it to myself if I wanted it to come true.
Compared with the dense and crowded old city, this stop felt more open and calm.
Visiting Sarnath from Varanasi
Later in the day, we drove to Sarnath, which was one of the places I most wanted to see while in Varanasi.
As a teacher, I was especially interested in Sarnath because it is traditionally recognized as the place where Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Since I teach about the religions of the world, this was an especially meaningful stop for me.
Sarnath Museum
At Sarnath, I was introduced to a state-certified guide who took me through both the museum and the archaeological ruins. We first visited the Sarnath Museum, where I saw Buddhist statues, relics, and ruins connected to the site’s long history. One of the highlights for me was seeing the remains of the Ashoka Pillar and several Buddha statues, including one in the reclining or resting pose.
Walking Through the Ruins of Sarnath
After the museum, we toured the ruins of Sarnath itself. My guide explained that many of the visible remains were built after the time of Buddha, since he would have lived much more simply. We walked through the site and stopped at the large stupa associated with the site of his first sermon. We also saw other ruins, stupas, and Bodhi trees, which gave the area a very different feeling from Varanasi.
Compared with the old city and the ghats, Sarnath felt much less crowded and much less busy. After the intensity of Varanasi, that change of pace made the visit even more interesting.
Evening Ganga Aarti in Varanasi at Assi Ghat
After returning to my hotel for a short rest, I headed back out in the evening to meet Himanshu at Assi Ghat for the Ganga Aarti.
Walking to Assi Ghat on My Own
I walked there on my own along the ghats, which took about 30 minutes. Along the way, I passed cremation areas, pilgrims, boats, and many people offering rides, donations, and visits to shops. By that point in my stay, I felt much more comfortable ignoring the constant requests and simply continuing on my way.
When I arrived at Assi Ghat, Himanshu was already there waiting for me. We had a little time before the ceremony started, so we walked around the area before taking our seats.
Compared with some other parts of Varanasi, Assi Ghat felt more tourist-friendly and more organized. At the same time, it did not feel like it was just for tourists. There were plenty of locals, or at least Hindus, there to watch the ceremony as well.
What the Ganga Aarti Was Like
The Ganga Aarti in Varanasi itself was visually impressive, with priests performing prayers using music, drums, conch shells, incense, and large fire lamps. For me, it was more interesting culturally than spiritually. I could feel the importance of the river and the temples throughout my time in Varanasi, but I would not say I had a spiritual experience during the aarti itself.
After the ceremony, Himanshu took me down to the river, where I lit a small lamp and let it float on the Ganges. It was a memorable ending to a day that had already included so much.
Ganga Aarti Video
I also created a separate video showing the evening Ganga Aarti at Assi Ghat in more detail. Unlike my main Varanasi tour video, this one has no music or commentary, so you can hear the natural sounds of the ceremony, including the chanting, bells, drums, conch shells, and crowd. I added simple captions to explain what is happening during the Aarti, including the incense offering, fire lamps, marigold petals, peacock feather fans, and Deep Daan light offering at the end.
My guide, Himanshu, helped me get a great seat and let me know when filming was appropriate. If you are planning to visit Varanasi, this video gives a closer look at what it was like to experience the evening Ganga Aarti at Assi Ghat.
A Powerful Day in Varanasi (Video Highlights of Varanasi)
I also created a video from my day in Varanasi, which gives a more personal look at what it felt like to experience the city in person. Instead of a traditional travel guide, the video focuses on the sunrise boat ride on the Ganges River, the ghats, the streets and alleys of Varanasi, Sarnath, and the evening Ganga Aarti.
I explain why I chose not to show cremation footage closely and how I tried to approach the experience with respect. If you want to see the atmosphere of Varanasi beyond the photos in this post, the video is a good place to start.
Was a Full-Day Varanasi Tour Worth It?
For me, this Varanasi tour with a boat ride, Sarnath, and Ganga Aarti was absolutely worth it.
It covered a huge range of experiences in a single day:
- a boat ride on the Ganges
- the old city
- the Kashi Vishwanath Temple area
- the Nepali Temple
- Banaras Hindu University
- Shri Vishwanath Mandir
- Sarnath
- and the evening Ganga Aarti
Trying to arrange all of that independently would have been much more stressful, especially as a first-time visitor. The guide helped with transportation, timing, cultural context, and practical navigation. He also made it easier to understand what I was seeing instead of just moving from place to place without much context.
If you are new to Varanasi and want to experience a lot in one day, I think a full-day tour is a very good option.
Tips for Taking a Full-Day Tour in Varanasi
- Start early. The sunrise boat ride was one of the best parts of the day.
- Use a guide if possible. Varanasi is much easier to understand with help from someone local.
- Be prepared for a long day. This itinerary covered a lot and included both early morning and late evening activities.
- Dress comfortably and plan for heat. By midday, it was extremely hot.
- Expect very different atmospheres. The ghats, old city, university area, and Sarnath all felt completely different from one another.
Keep an open mind. Some parts of Varanasi can feel intense, but they are also what make the city unlike anywhere else.
This is the exact tour I took with Himanshu. Please note that I am a Viator affiliate. If you book a tour through one of my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Final Thoughts
This full-day tour gave me one of the most memorable days of my trip to India. It combined many of the experiences that make Varanasi so distinctive, from the ghats and the Ganges to the old city, Sarnath, and the evening Ganga Aarti.
For a first-time visitor, it was a great way to experience both the intensity and the meaning of the city in a single day. I would not say this one day is enough to fully understand Varanasi, but it was an excellent introduction. I think this is a strong option for Varanasi for first-time visitors who want to experience a lot in a single day.
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