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Varanasi Tours and Vacation Packages

  • Boats in Varanasi
  • The colorful main ghat is a major attraction on all India vacations.
  • Men at work in a laundry
  • View of Varanasi on river Ganges

Our Varanasi Tours 

Situated on the banks of the Ganges River in Northern India, Varanasi is considered the possibly oldest living city in the world and a very important stop on many Indian tours. Referred to as the ‘holiest city in India’, Varanasi has been a pilgrimage site for Hindus for many centuries and still is today. Home to philosophers, poets, writers and musicians throughout the ages, it is also the city where Buddhism was founded, Sikhism got its basis, and Jains made their pilgrim site. With a large Muslim population and Jewish expatriate community, Varanasi is a religious melting pot of various faiths and cultures.

Varanasi Trip Highlights

The old city, near the banks of the Ganges, has winding lanes lined with shops and Hindu temples. This culturally rich area of Varanasi also features ghats, which are sets of steps leading into the Ganges River. Varanasi has 100 ghats, most being used for bathing, while some are used for cremation rituals, all to be experienced on a trip to India.

Originating from various ghats, an early morning or sunset boat cruise along the Ganges offers views of various rituals taking place. There are also many Hindu and Buddhist temples to visit as well as the Archeological Museum in Sarnath, and Jantar Mantar at Varanasi, an observatory built in 1737 overlooking the ghats on the Ganges.

Noted for silk weaving and brassware, Varanasi is a great place to bargain, with its many shopping attractions filled with shawls, carpets, wall hangings, jewellery, and masks of Hindu and Buddhist deities.

During a stay here, an outstanding highlight is an early morning cruise on the River Ganges taking in the Bathing Ghats and the Cremation sites. It is at this time of the day that locals come to the Ghats as part of their daily routine.

You can also visit the Bharat Mata Temple inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936. Bharat Mata translates as Mother of India.

Another special venue is Sarnath which is one of the four places of pilgrimages in India for Buddha’s devout followers.

What types of tours are available in Varanasi?

You can spend time there on a simple Goway 3-day itinerary which covers the highlights of its sightseeing tours. You can combine Varanasi with another nearby fascinating destination, Khajuraho with its very unusual temples. Varanasi is included in Goway’s escorted tour, Splendours of India.

Varanasi can be reached by air from Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai on regular daily flights. 

As the country's spiritual hub, Varanasi’s intriguing sights make it an unforgettable place to visit on Indian travel.

When is the best time to visit Varanasi?

The best time to visit Varanasi is during the winter months from November to February. Although it gets fairly cold during the winter, this is the best time to explore the holy city without getting tired from the heat of the summer. 

"Globetrotting with Goway" blog article

For some additional reading, the following articles are from our blog “Globetrotting with Goway”….. a great source of information for those people who are, or who want to be, world travellers!

An Evening in Varanasi, India

Immerse Yourself in the Splendours of India on a Holiday of a Lifetime

India Travel Information

At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to India tours.

Learn about the history and culture of India, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about India's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information, will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering India for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our India tours today!

 

Extend Your Trip

After your India tour, consider taking the time to visit other destinations. Goway offers exciting China vacation packages and Thailand vacation packages plus a comprehensive selection of vacation packages in many other Asian countries.

 

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