Overview
This 1 night / 2 days Varanasi package balances temple darshans, sunrise and sunset boat rides, a Sarnath excursion, and curated food experiences. Designed for weekend travellers, families, and first-time visitors, the program keeps logistics tight while allowing unhurried spiritual encounters.
Snapshot
- Duration: 2 days / 1 night with centrally located 3-star hotel.
- Ideal for: Couples, small families, pilgrims wanting both morning and evening Ganga rituals, photography enthusiasts.
- Fleet choices: Sedan, Innova Crysta, or tempo traveller with vetted drivers.
- Guide support: English-speaking guide for temples, Sarnath, and food walks.
Day-by-Day Plan
Day 1 тАУ Arrival, Temples, Sunset Boat + Ganga Aarti
Morning / Noon
Pickup from airport or railway station, hotel transfer, check-in, and rest. Early arrivals can add a casual city orientation walk.
Afternoon Temple Circuit (2:00 тАУ 5:30 PM)
- Kashi Vishwanath Complex тАУ Jyotirlinga darshan plus Annapurna and Vishalakshi temples. Sugam Darshan tickets arranged when available.
- Kaal Bhairav Temple тАУ Seek permission from KashiтАЩs guardian deity before exploring.
- Old City Heritage Walk тАУ Silk weaving workshops, flower markets, handicraft alleys, and street food tasting.
Evening Experience (5:30 тАУ 8:30 PM)
- Private Ganges Boat Ride тАУ Golden-hour cruise covering Assi to Dashashwamedh, glimpses of Manikarnika Ghat.
- Dashashwamedh Ganga Aarti тАУ Reserved seating or premium boat positioning for the choreographed ceremony.
- Dinner & Overnight тАУ Return to hotel for dinner (optional) and restful night.
Day 2 тАУ Sunrise Aarti, City Temples, Sarnath, Departure
Pre-dawn to Breakfast (5:30 тАУ 9:00 AM)
- Subah-e-Banaras Boat Ride тАУ Sunrise over the Ganga, morning rituals, Assi Ghat aarti, yoga sessions, and respectful view of cremation ghats.
- Old City Walk тАУ Catch morning markets, chai stalls, and revisit Kashi Vishwanath if desired.
- Breakfast тАУ Hotel buffet or local kachori-sabzi + jalebi at Ram Bhandar / Chachi ki Kachori.
Morning Temple Trail (9:30 AM тАУ 12:00 PM)
- Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple тАУ Beloved shrine founded by Tulsidas.
- Durga Kund Temple тАУ Iconic red structure with adjacent pond.
- Tulsi Manas Temple тАУ Scripted walls reenact the Ramcharitmanas; combine with BHU stop for New Vishwanath Temple and Bharat Kala Bhavan.
Sarnath Excursion (12:30 тАУ 3:00 PM)
Drive 10 km to BuddhaтАЩs first sermon site: Dhamek Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, Mulagandhakuti Vihara, 80-foot Buddha statue, and Archaeological Museum (closed Fridays).
Afternoon Add-ons (3:30 тАУ 5:00 PM)
- Banarasi Silk Weaving Workshop тАУ Meet master weavers and shop authentic brocades.
- Local Markets тАУ Handicrafts, brassware, spices, and temple souvenirs.
- Optional: Ramnagar Fort or caf├й downtime near Assi Ghat.
Departure (5:00 PM onwards)
Return to hotel, freshen up, check out, and transfer to airport/rail station. Late-night departures can add a second evening stroll or food crawl.
Inclusions
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Stay | 1 night in verified 3-star hotel (twin/double sharing). Upgrades to 4*/heritage on request. |
| Meals | Daily breakfast; add dinner via MAP/AP meal plans. |
| Transport | Private AC cab for both days, airport/rail transfers, fuel, tolls, parking, driver allowances. |
| Activities | Evening and sunrise boat rides, Sarnath tour, English-speaking guide, bottled water. |
Exclusions
- Lunch, dinners (unless meal plan upgraded).
- Museum fees (Sarnath Museum тВ╣20тАУ50), Sugam Darshan tickets, personal rituals.
- Shopping, tips, donations, insurance, camera permits.
Hotel Bands & Pricing
| Category | Indicative Hotels | Per Person (Double Sharing) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Hotel Madin, Hotel Ekta International | тВ╣3,999 тАУ тВ╣6,100 |
| Standard | Hotel Rivatas, Hotel Tripka Square | тВ╣8,000 тАУ тВ╣10,000 |
| Deluxe | Hotel Ramada, Radisson Varanasi | тВ╣12,000 тАУ тВ╣15,000 |
| Luxury | Taj Ganges, Brijrama Palace | тВ╣20,000+ |
Price varies by season, meal plan (CP/MAP/AP), and group size.
Seasonal Booking Tips
- Peak (OctтАУMar): Festivals like Diwali, Dev Deepawali, and Mahashivratri. Reserve hotels and boats 7тАУ10 days ahead.
- Shoulder (Apr, Sep): Moderate crowds and rates; book 3тАУ5 days in advance.
- Off-season (MayтАУAug): Hot or rainy but budget-friendly with up to 30тАУ40% discounts.
Add-On Experiences
- VIP darshan at Kashi Vishwanath.
- Yoga-on-the-ghats sunrise session.
- Guided food walk (tamatar chaat, malaiyo, lassi).
- Classical music recital or Kathak performance.
- Professional photography or content capture.
Why Travellers Love the 2-Day Plan
- Leisurely pace covering both sunrise and sunset rituals.
- Concierge-managed queues, tickets, and safe transport.
- Deep storytelling from licensed guides.
- Reliable support team on WhatsApp throughout the stay.
Share arrival details, preferred meal plan, and any mobility or dietary notes. WeтАЩll customise the flow, lock inventory, and send confirmation within the hour.