Overview
Take a trip to Varanasi on your India Vacation
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.
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.
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India Odyssey
Delhi, Ganges River, Varanasi, Agra, Taj Mahal, and JaipurDelve into the heart of India on a captivating odyssey, exploring Delhi, enchanting Jaipur, thrilling Ranthambore, and spiritual Varanasi.
14 days
From US$5,695/p.p.
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India Odyssey
Delhi, Ganges River, Varanasi, Agra, Taj Mahal, and JaipurDelve into the heart of India on a captivating odyssey, exploring Delhi, enchanting Jaipur, thrilling Ranthambore, and spiritual Varanasi.
14 days
From US$5,695/p.p.
Request a Quote
Don't see the
perfect trip idea?
Request a custom quote.
Turn your travel dreams into reality with Goway. Our customized vacations take travellers to all corners of the world.
What do the experts say?
What I love most about visiting India is how alive everything feels. The colours, the food, the people. Every place has its own vibe and story. One moment you’re in a quiet temple, the next you’re in a bustling street market. It’s chaotic in the best way
My favourite drinks are aam panna, a traditional Indian summer drink made from raw mangoes, known for its refreshing taste and cooling properties, and mango lassi, the iconic Indian yogurt drink
Boats in Varanasi
The colorful main ghat is a major attraction on...
Men at work in a laundry
View of Varanasi on river Ganges
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Place
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Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall
VaranasiMostly Sunny
35°C / 95°F
15mm / 0.6"
Weather data is based on monthly averages.Popularity rating
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Thank you again to Bijal for all the work in making this once in a lifetime trip so exceptional!! We look forward to having Bijal help us plan our future trips.The Chadwicks and WilliamsI wanted to do a once in a lifetime vacation but had no idea where to start, other than knowing where I wanted to go. I reached out to goway.com and Jessica (shoutout!), who is an expert on our specific destination, sent me an itinerary quickly! She had me going into the jungle one day, so I requested to swap that nonsense for a fishing charter, and before I knew it, my trip was ready.
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Goway hires a local tour group, Jenman Safaris, to lead the safari in the 2 countries. The tour itself was amazing...the lodges that we stayed at were very nice and the food was great (except for one lodge's food). The Goway itinerary was slightly different than the actual Jenman Safari itinerary but most of the sites that we went to were the same as listed on the Goway itinerary. I would use Goway again because their choice of a local tour group was very good...nice lodges/camps and good food and knowledgeable tour guides.Ma FaOur GoWay tour representative, Michael Keon, was on top of all of our concerns and questions in a professional manner and we look forward to working with him in the future. Michael was very easy to work with and treated us like family.Thomas
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