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A person lighting a ceremonial fire. 1
Four people on a boat with a river and buildings in the background. 2
Three people on a boat with a striped blanket and a pair of shoes on the deck. 3
A group of people on a boat with life jackets, a river, and a temple in the background. 4
Four individuals on a boat with a historic temple and river in the background. 5
By Season Holidayz

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
Free cancellation available
Price is NZ$29 per adult

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 2h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation

Overview

    • Watch the sacred Ganga Aarti fire ceremony & Vedic chants at Assi Ghat
    • Cruise past ancient palaces, temples & sacred swimming ghats on the Ganges
    • Visit Manikarnika Ghat and learn about the eternal flame and Moksha traditions
    • Sip fresh masala chai & hear authentic stories from a native local guide

Activity location

    • Varanasi
    • Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Meeting/Redemption Point

    • 72R4+6GW, Shivala, 72Q4+9C8ShivalaVaranasi, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India | Wait in the parking area near Palace on Ganges Hotel.
    • Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Check availability

Morning Prayer, Rituals, Cremation and Boat Ride.

  • Activity duration is 2 hours2h
    2h
  • English
Language options: English
Starting time: 5:00 AM
Price details
NZ$28.77 x 2 AdultsNZ$57.54
Total
Price is NZ$57.54

Evening Prayer, Rituals, Cremation and Boat Ride.

  • Activity duration is 2 hours2h
    2h
  • English

This tour includes evening prayer and a boat ride from Assi Ghat to Manikarnika cremation ghat and back, with a tour guide.

Language options: English
Starting time: 4:30 PM
Price details
NZ$42.20 x 2 AdultsNZ$84.40
Total
Price is NZ$84.40
Until Fri, 13 Nov

What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Expert local guide (born and raised in Varanasi)
  • Inclusions
    Traditional wooden boat ride (private or semi-private)
  • Inclusions
    Masala chai
  • Exclusions
    Entry fees to temples (if you choose to enter)
  • Exclusions
    Service charge for guide and boatman (appreciated but not required)
  • Exclusions
    Personal expenses

Know before you book

    • Not allowed: Smoking
    • Not suitable for: People with back problems, Pregnant women, Wheelchair users

What you can expect

  • Experience Varanasi at its most atmospheric moments—from the sacred waters of the holy River Ganges.

    Whether you choose the tranquil sunrise morning tour (Subah-e-Banaras) or the vibrant evening ceremony, this guided experience brings you up close to Varanasi’s millennia-old spiritual traditions, riverside rituals, and ancient ghats.

    Tour Highlights & What to Expect:

    Witness the Sacred Ganga Aarti: Begin at Assi Ghat to observe Hindu priests perform the Ganga Aarti ritual with brass fire lamps, incense, ringing bells, and Vedic chants. Your local guide explains the cultural significance and theology behind each ritual.

    Scenic Boat Ride Along the Sacred Ghats: Board a traditional wooden boat to cruise along the riverfront. Admire historical palaces, sacred swimming ghats, and riverside shrines illuminated by dawn or dusk light, while discovering local folklore and daily life along the Ganges.

    Manikarnika Ghat (The Burning Ghat): Arrive at Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi’s most revered cremation site. Your guide respectfully explains Hindu cremation beliefs, the liberation cycle of Moksha, and the historic lineage of the Dom community who tend the eternal flame.

    Authentic Local Flavour: Sip hot masala chai while learning about life in Banaras from a guide born and raised in the city.

    Designed for travellers seeking deep cultural immersion, compelling storytelling, and memorable photography away from chaotic crowds.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    • Varanasi
    • Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • 72R4+6GW, Shivala, 72Q4+9C8ShivalaVaranasi, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India | Wait in the parking area near Palace on Ganges Hotel.
    • Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India