Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi: A Sunrise on the Ganges
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One of the oldest living cities on earth, Varanasi is India at its most intense and most moving — a place of ghats, temples, prayer and the endless river.
The two great moments
The fire-and-lamp Ganga Aarti at dusk, and a sunrise boat ride as the ghats wake and pilgrims bathe. Between them, lose yourself in the tangled old lanes.
Nearby
A short hop to Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon — a calm, green counterpoint to the city's fervour.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 — Varanasi
The ghats at dusk
- Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
- Manikarnika Ghat
- Riverside Heritage Hotel
- Delhi (DEL) → Varanasi (VNS)
💡 Watch the grand Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat from a boat — book it for late afternoon so you catch the sunset too.
Day 2 — Varanasi
Sunrise boat & lanes
- Assi Ghat Varanasi
- Banaras Hindu University
- Vishwanath Gali
- Riverside Heritage Hotel
Day 3 — Sarnath
Where the Buddha taught
- Dhamek Stupa Sarnath Varanasi
- Sarnath Museum Varanasi
- Chaukhandi Stupa Sarnath Varanasi
- Riverside Heritage Hotel
City of temples
- • Modest, easy-to-remove footwear
- • Hand sanitiser & wet wipes
- • A scarf to cover your head
- • Small cash for the boat & offerings
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