Varanasi Experience

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Itinerary
Nuts & Bolts
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Overview

Highlights

Duration: 4 Days
Comfort: 66.6666666666667%
Language: English
Rating: 0%
Style: Independent (Self-Guided)
Trip ID: 126725
Start Location: Kakarmatha, India
End Location: Kakarmatha, India

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Primary Activities: Historical Sites
Other Activities: Religious and Spiritual Sites, sightseeing, temple, cruises

Explore the mystical and holy Hindu city of Varanasi. Take a memorable sunrise boat trip down the Ganges River and be enthralled by the thousands of devotees who come to the banks of the river to absolve themselves of their sins. Witness the bathing ghats and centuries-old temples, and explore the narrow winding lanes in search of exquisite silks, brassware and stunning saris. On your free day, take an optional visit to Sarnath, known as the birthplace of Buddhism and the site of the enlightened Buddha’s first sermon.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Varanasi: Arrive in Varanasi any time where you are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Varanasi is a Hindu holy city on the banks of the river Ganga (Ganges) in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi has a unique culture, quite different from other places in the region. This culture has developed through thousands of years during which it has been one of the major cultural centres of northern India. Everything revolves around the river Ganga, which is the heart and soul of the city. Varanasi has produced some of the most well-known musicians, philosophers, poets and writers in Indian history. It even has its own dialect, which is quite different from other dialects of the region.

Varanasi is a pure vegetarian town – no eggs, no meat or fish and no alcohol (within a certain distance of the river Ganges). 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, cardamom, or grated coconut.
Day 2: Varanasi (B): You will be picked up early in the morning for your city tour and boat tour on the Holy River Ganges. From dawn to dusk the ghats along the riverfront of the Ganges River are thronged with thousands of devotees performing holy rituals, hoping to attain eternal salvation or 'Nirvana'. There are about more than 100 ghats altogether, they cover 6km of the river from Assi ghat as far as Adi Keshava Ghat near the Malviya Bridge. They are a celebration of life and the time -honoured rites of passage. This will be the backdrop to your early morning boat ride when the river is bathed in a magical light and pilgrims come to perform puja to the rising sun.
Day 3: Varanasi (B): Today you will have free time to explore the wonders of Varanasi or take an optional excursion to nearby sites.
Day 4: Depart Varanasi (B): You are free to depart at any time today.

Nuts & Bolts

Trip Includes

Arrival transfer, Varanasi city tour, boat trip on the Holy river Ganges.
3 Breakfasts
Hotel (3 nts)
Private car/van, boat *Chief Experience Officer (CEO)., local guides.

Trip Excludes

Allow USD75-100 for meals not included.
Travel insurance
Departure tax
Visas
Tips and gratuities
Airport transfers
International airfare
Personal expenses
Fees for Optional Activities

Trip ID#: 126725

CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

Operator

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