Itinerary
Day 1: Insights Northern & Southern part of Kashi with Sunset Boat Tour & Ganga Aarti Ceremony
Stop At: Manikarnika Ghat, Lahori Tola near Lalita Ghat, Varanasi 221001 India
We will start our tour at Manikarnika, where death is celebrated. Above the main burning ghat of Varanasi, one of the holiest cremation sites along the Ganges River, from the best place to observing and photographing, I will explain to you in detail about the Hindu sacred rituals of death.
From there, we will head to the old town to discover the small and colourful alleys of the centre, historical palaces, sacred temples, traditional ashrams, bazaar and local markets...
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Banaras Ghats, Varanasi 221002 India
Time for lunch! it's time to regain strength after a long walk… I will recommend you a good place for taste a yummy Indian meal or for drinking the best lassi of the city. When your stomach gets happy I will bring you on our next stop: A boat ride on sunset. Light and ghats at that hour are a dream, you will enjoy witnessing local life and photographing the historical palaces and temples on the banks of the river under the magical light as evening falls. A gorgeous experience for your senses is waiting for you!
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Dashashwamedh Ghat, Dasaswamedh Godowlia, Bharuch 392001 India
We will finish the day with one of the most spectacular sights in Varanasi: The Ganga Aarti Ceremony from boat. This is a godly spiritual ritual on the banks of the Ganges River. There, seven young Hindu priests performing a beautiful and sacred ritual in honour of Mother Ganges, accompanied by songs of praise and surrounded by thousands of pilgrims who come from far every evening in order to get the Goddess’s blessing who its believed that pours on each individual present there when the ritual is completed.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Sunrise Boat Tour &Temple Tour with Silk weaving town & Ganga Aarti Ceremony
Stop At: Banaras Ghats, Varanasi 221002 India
Before dawn rise, we will start our day with a boat ride from Varanasi's main and busiest ghat: Dashashwamedh. You will feel overwhelmed by the beauty of the sunrise and the magic light that bathes the historical palaces and temples on the banks, enjoying for sure witnessing local life and photographing the vibrant activity, full of colour and tradition, on the ghats: pilgrims and locals taking the sacred bath, praying, doing ceremony, doing laundry. Shadus, Babas… A gift for your soul!
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Varanasi, Varanasi, Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh
After taking a short nap at your hotel or getting fresh energy from a hearty breakfast, we will experience a memorable journey through the southern part of the city in a combination of walking and Temple Tour. Walking through the alleys, from north to south, we will immerse ourselves in the busy local life, we will closely observe the rituals and traditional trades that still persist and visit the most important temples of the city as well: the Durga Temple, the Sankat Mochan Temple (Monkeys's Temple), the Nepal Temple (Kathwala Temple), Shibala Temple, Lorark Kund Temple...
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Varanasi District, Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh
Before evening falls, I will take you by tuk tuk to our next stop: the traditional silk weaving town. There we will explore the Muslim area, learn about silk weaving and observe what the creation process is like and the beautiful final silk products (saris, scarves, ...)
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Dashashwamedh Ghat, Dasaswamedh Godowlia, Bharuch 392001 India
And in order to finish the day in the best way. what better than doing it getting the Goddess’s blessing in The Ganga Aarti Ceremony? In this occasion from the stairs. This Ceremony is a shining beacon of devotion and bliss that makes experiencing the divinity in and around. Since ages, no day has gone by when the holy Ganga River has not been adored. It is one of the must-see activities included in every traveller’s itinerary, and people from all walks of life visit the city with the desire of beholding the Ganga Aarti.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 3: Subah e Banaras Ceremony & Village Tour
Stop At: Assi Ghat, Sdkfjl, Varanasi 221005 India
We will start our last day at Subah e Banaras Ceremony. Early in the morning, when dawn comes, a beautiful and quiet ceremony takes place on the banks of the river near Assi Ghat. It begins with the singing of the Vedic verses and continues with the offering of a tribute to the five elemental elements: water, earth, fire, sky and wind. You can fully feel the spiritual essence of Varanasi in this event. Much less crowd than at the evening one, there is always a wonderful feeling of peace after watching the Subah e Banaras Ceremony. By attending this event we clear our minds and purify our souls...
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Assi Ghat, Sdkfjl, Varanasi 221005 India
And with this incredible feeling inside us, we can stay to enjoy a Hindu classical music concert that will take place there after the ceremony or walk through the ghats observing and photographing the early life of the pilgrims, sadhus and locals who make a morning walk along the banks of the river so special.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Ganges River, Varanasi India
After a short nap at your hotel and a yummy breakfast, I will pick you up again and we will continue with the last part of the tour: A local village. Let's find a breather in a quiet place! They say that the heart of India lies in its villages, so we will explore this area looking for some heartbeats of traditional and slow life, outside the noisy and busy city of Varanasi. On the other side of the river, between cereal fields, orchards and farms, you will have the opportunity to get to know up close and photograph the life of frank and open people who will welcome you always with a big smile. You will live memorable hours in a natural environment, with fresh air and nature around you, and you will get, for sure, a magnificent shooting.
Duration: 4 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.