Varanasi Independent Adventure

Arrive in Varanasi at any time. Arrival transfer included. Varanasi is the quintessential Indian holy city, where millions of Hindus travel for pilgrimage, to worship, to mourn, or to die.

Included Experiences

• Arrival Day: Begin your adventure today. There are no planned activities so feel free to explore or rest up for the excitement ahead.
• Meet and Greet Hotel Welcome Meeting: On Day 1 of the tour, a G Adventures representative will meet you at the hotel to go over the details of the tour, providing a schedule, documentation/vouchers, and pick-up times for all included activities. The representative can also answer any questions about the tour or the general area.

Explore Experiences

Take a private city tour of one of the world's oldest cities and one of Hinduism's holiest sites; Varanasi is a fantastic spectacle of colours and pilgrim ceremonies. In the afternoon take an excursion to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. Later, take a sunset boat trip along the Ganges River where thousands of devotees perform holy rituals, hoping to attain eternal salvation. Witness the sunset prayers on the banks of the river. Varanasi is a pure vegetarian town – no eggs, meat, fish, or alcohol is allowed (within a certain distance of the river Ganges). Opt to visit Chaat Gali, a street of vendors selling the spiciest chaat (savoury snack) in the state. A visit to Varanasi is incomplete without tasting paan -- it is the perfect end to any meal and comes in many varieties – stuffed with gulkhand (rose petal preserve), cardamom, or grated coconut.

Included Experiences

• City Tour: Explore this fascinating holy city with a local guide. Walk the narrow twisting alleys, and poke around some of the literally thousands of temples and shrines. Visit markets and enjoy some shopping. Stop at Sarnath and enjoy a short boat ride.
• Guided Tour of Sarnath: A day of exploration begins with a tuk-tuk ride from Varanasi towards Sarnath, where your local guide awaits. One of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, Sarnath is the birth place of Buddhism where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. For nearly 1700 years the site remained a centre for great learning, a place of pilgrimage, and a Vihara (Monastery) for monks and scholars. Guided by a local expert, discover the archeological ruins of the monastery, the ancient Dhamek stupa. Explore the museum at Sarnath and the sacred Maha Bodhi Tree. Visit temples constructed by the buddhist people of Sri Lanka, Thailand and Japan. Stop to admire the Buddha statue located at the Thai Buddha vihara. Some eighty feet tall, it is considered to be the tallest standing Buddha statue at Sarnath. After three hours of guided exploration, your guide will bring you back to your awaiting tuk-tuks bound for your hotel.
• Cycle Rickshaw: Keep it clean and green on the busy streets aboard a pedal-powered taxi.
• Evening Ganges Boat Tour: Enjoy a boat ride on the sacred Ganges River, where Hindu pilgrims from all over the world come to wash away their sins and cremate their loved ones. Participate in a candle and flower ceremony while on the water.

Get up early for a sunrise boat ride along the Ganges and observe the dawn rituals of bathing and burial. Tour ends upon return to the hotel.

Included Experiences

• Cycle Rickshaw: Keep it clean and green on the busy streets aboard a pedal-powered taxi.
• Morning Ganges Boat Tour: Catch the sunrise from a boat cruising the sacred Ganges River, where Hindu pilgrims from all over the world come to wash away their sins and cremate their loved ones. Witness locals participating in dawn rituals of bathing and burning at the river.