Banaras, Kashi or Varanasi is one of the oldest and holiest cities in India. This beautiful city is located on the banks of river Ganga and is dotted with sacred temples, ghats, and holy shrines, making it the perfect choice for a one day local sightseeing tour.
The city of Varanasi is believed to have been discovered by Lord Shiva himself. The city holds immense religious and historical importance. Apart from being a destination flocked by religious tourists, Varanasi also has numerous old age and retirement homes. Some elderly people staunchly believe that spending one’s old age in this holy city guarantees salvation. Varanasi, interestingly, is also one of oldest continually inhabited places in the world!
The narrow lanes of this ancient are lined with temples, food joints, and small shops. You might have also heard people addressing Varanasi as “Galiyon Ka Sheher” – the city of lanes. Varanasi has also been a center of learning for hundreds of years, and its intellectual capabilities find mentions in Hindu mythologies and epics. The famous Banaras Hindu University is the pride of this holy city.
When in Varanasi, one must visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which is the home to one of the twelve revered Jyotirlingas. However the main attraction of Varanasi the river of the Ganges itself. The evening ritual, called the Ganga Aarti is a must-see, and one must not leave Varanasi without enjoying a boat ride on this holy river! Varanasi is a city thriving with religious, historical and cultural significance and should not be missed out by anyone.
Snapshot of 1 Day Varanasi Local Sightseeing Tour Package by Car
Full Day Varanasi Local Tour
Fixed Itinerary
Sightseeing Places Covered – Boat Ride on the Holy River of Ganges, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple, Durga Mata Temple and Bharat Mata Temple, Banaras Hindu University, Evening Aarti
Departs at 9:00 AM
Ends at 5:30 PM
Inclusions – Parking Charges, Driver Batta; pickup and drop service from your Varanasi Hotel
Or ask for Payment link to Pay online, through secured payment gateway
Receive a confirmation email or SMS from Service Provider
Receive Driver details on SMS or email 2 hours before the tour.
Show the SMS/Email to the driver
Receive a handy city guide cum itinerary for the tour
Start your memorable Varanasi tour
Package Glimpse of One Day Varanasi Sightseeing Tour by Cab
The best time to visit Varanasi is during winter when the temperature is cool and breezy. Summers should be strictly avoided because it gets extremely hot, dry and sunny, making outdoor sightseeing impossible. Some of the best times to visit Varanasi is during Sankat Mochan Temple, Ramnagar Ramleela, and Ganga Mahotsav.
A boat ride on the Ganges, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple, Durga Mata Temple and Bharat Mata Temple, Banaras Hindu University, Evening Aarti, shopping and eating at Vishwanath Ghat will be covered in the one day Varanasi city tour package.
The cabs are driven around by friendly chauffeurs who will make sure that you are absolutely comfortable, along with all our private cabs being enabled with GPS, MP3, AC, big luggage compartments and comfortable seats.
Itinerary for your One Day Varanasi Local Trip
Pickup from your Hotel at 9:00 AM
Tourism Place
Suggested Duration
Boat Ride on the Holy River of Ganges
30 mins
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
90 mins
Sankat Mochan Temple
60 mins
Durga Mata Temple and Bharat Mata Temple
40 mins
Banaras Hindu University
30 mins
Evening Aarti
60 mins
Boat ride cost not included with this package.
Drop at your Hotel by 5:30 PM
NOTE: You can visit all these places in Varanasi or remove any of the places that you don’t want to visit. However, inclusion of any other sightseeing place, except the ones mentioned below is not allowed with this Varanasi fixed itinerary package.
Looking for a Customized Package?: Submit the enquiry form and we call you back right away and help you with a Customized Varanasi Package..
What is Included in Varanasi 1 Day Local Tour Package?
Pick and drop to your Hotel / Home
Vehicle Hire for sightseeing as per the Itinerary
Driver Batta
Parking charges
Toll gate charges
What is Excluded in 1 Day Varanasi Local Tour Package?
Entry Fee for tourist attractions
Multiple pickups (guests need to fix one place of pickup and drop)
Breakfast, Lunch or any meal
Lodging / Accommodation
Guides Payment
Vehicle beyond the mentioned time duration of the tour package
Vehicle beyond the designated tour route
What to see! A Quick Guide to Varanasi Sightseeing Tour by Taxi
Detailed information about sites of interest in Varanasi sightseeing tour:
1. Boat Ride on the Holy River of Ganges
Boat Ride on the Holy River of Ganges, Varanasi
Must See / Things to Do: Subah-e-Banaras is a boating package every day at dawn and is an unforgettable experience.
Timings: 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Holiday / Closed on: Open on All Days
Recommended Duration: 45 Minutes
Entry Fee: No Entry fee
We will be starting off the one day local Varanasi tour with something enchanting. The majesty of the holy river of Ganga is always best understood in a traditional boat ride across the river. This is a must-have experience in Varanasi. River Ganges runs through the entire city of Banaras where you will also be able to sight several famous ghats along the route.
There are big and small boats lining the ghats, and you can book any, even for the entire day! The rides are often customized as per the tourist’s wishes. The fares might generally be costlier during the morning, evening and Ganga Aarti.
2. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi
Must See / Things to Do: Other small temples such as those of Kaalbhairav, Vishnu, Virupaksh Gauri, Vinayaka and Avimukteshwara inside the main temple complex are also worth visiting.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is perched on the western bank of the Ganga in Varanasi. This temple is one of the most sacred temples for Hindus and for worshippers of Lord Shiva. The Jyotirlinga of the temple is also one of the most revered Jyotirlingas in India.
Since it is one of the most famous temples of Varanasi, the temple hosts around 3,000 devotees every single day. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple has also been glorified in almost every holy Hindi scripture, making it an extremely integral part of your Varanasi touring experience.
The exteriors of the temple have been decorated with exquisite carvings that are glorious to look at and photograph. Jnana Vapi, or wisdom well, is a small well present within the temple complex which too is considered holy by devotees.
3. Sankat Mochan Temple
Sankat Mochan Temple, Varanasi
Must See / Things to Do: The Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh is a classical music and dance concert that is held once a year, every April. Esteemed performers participate in this festival, and if you are visiting Varanasi in April, we suggest that you take some time to attend this spectacle!
Timings: 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Holiday / Closed on: Open on All Days
Recommended Duration: 45 Minutes
Entry Fee: No Entry fee
Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya built the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple in the early 1900s. The temple is located by the River Assi. The festival of Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated every year with great enthusiasm, and a special parade called Shobha Yatra is organized every year from Durga Kund to the Sankat Mochan Temple.
For Prasad you will be served the famous laddoos native to the temple, their taste being truly extraordinary! While you are at Sankat Mochan Temple, beware of the notorious monkeys who are always ready to steal your belongings. Do not tease them. They are totally harmless when left to their own devices.
4. Durga Mata Temple and Bharat Mata Temple
Durga Mata Temple and Bharat Mata Temple, Varanasi
Must See / Things to Do: The map of India in this temple, which is that of undivided, pre-partitioned India!
Timings: 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Holiday / Closed on: Open on All Days
Recommended Duration: 45 Minutes
Entry Fee: No Entry fee
Located just 2 KM from Banaras Hindu University, Durga Mata Temple is also known as the Monkey Temple because of the presence of hundreds of monkeys in the temple. This beautiful temple dedicated to Goddess Durga is situated at the famous Durga Kund.
This Banarasi temple was built in the 18th century by the Maharani of Bengal in the north Indian style of architecture with a multi-tiered shikhara. The statue of Goddess Durga was not erected by anyone, and it is believed that the idol appeared on its own. This square shaped temple built of red stone is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city, and one of the most loved sights on our one day Varanasi private tour.
The Bharat Mata Temple is located inside the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth in Varanasi. This unique temple is dedicated to Bharat Mata and was constructed by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupt. Inaugurated in 1936, the temple houses a glorious idol of Bharat Mata made of marble.
The map of India also depicts mountains, hills, and oceans of the country! This temple is open to people of all religions who visit to pay their respects to freedom fighters, leaders and revolutionaries.
5. Banaras Hindu University
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
Must See / Things to Do: The most important site to see within the campus in the New Vishwanath Temple.
Timings: 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Holiday / Closed on: Open on All Days
Recommended Duration: 45 Minutes
Entry Fee: No Entry fee
Madan Mohan Malviya established Banaras Hindu University in 1916. Other than being a premier institute of higher studies in India, Banaras Hindu University is also visited by hundreds of tourists every day. The New Vishwanath temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and looks picturesque standing on the banks of River Ganga. It appears as if the deity of the temple himself lends an air of peace and calm to the entire campus.
The temple complex has nine other temples within it, that express the teachings of Hinduism through symbolism. The temple pays tribute to all the important Hindu ideals of Dharma, Kama, Artha, Moksha, and Karma.
6. Evening Aarti
Must See / Things to Do: The aarti can be viewed best on a boat, so we suggest that you hire one to get excellent views of the ghats and fantastic photo opportunities.
Timings: 7:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Holiday / Closed on: Open on All Days
Recommended Duration: 45 Minutes
Entry Fee: No Entry fee
Something we cannot let you miss at any cost, as part of the Varanasi local sightseeing tour, is the evening Aarti or Ganga Aarti, performed on the ghats of Varanasi every evening. The most spectacular of them is performed at Dashashwamedh Ghat. The aarti commences at exactly 6 PM on winter evenings and 7 PM on summer evenings.
You may watch the aarti from the ghat steps, rooftops of nearby houses, shops and boats that ferry across the river. The pooja is conducted by seven pandits, and the ritual involves a rhythmic chanting of mantras, hymns, and prayers in praise of river Ganges.
The centuries-old tradition is the perfect way to witness the confluence of faith, cultures, and traditions that Varanasi is so proud of. The blowing of conch shells and lighting of camphor lamps signals the end of Ganga Aarti. It is a forty-five-minute event that must not be missed out by anyone visiting Varanasi!
7. Shopping and Eating at Vishwanath Gali
Shopping and Eating at Vishwanath Gali
Viswanath Gali leads up to the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple. This lane is famous for its sweet shops and shops selling prayer items. You may also want to shop for Banarasi sarees, bangles, kurtis, holy books and wooden toys in this market.
When you are tired from all the shopping, do stop by the local eateries in Vishwanath Gali that serve lip-smacking chats, dum aloo, sandwiches, thandai, and sweets. Finish off your meal with a world-renowned Banarasi paan!
Varanasi is a great place to visit for a quick one day sightseeing tour. The vivacious and vibrant atmosphere of the city will surely mesmerize and energize you. And while you are in Banaras, we would love to have you, and show you around the City of Gods!
Points to Note
Guests are requested to follow the itinerary provided in the 1 Day Varanasi tour package. This 1 day Varanasi tour package can not be customized, however if guests prefer to visit different set of places in Varanasi and around, they can create their own itinerary and request for a custom quote from cab providers.
The Time spent on each Varanasi tourist attraction is to be followed as per the schedule. In case of delays or extended time spent at a particular place, driver or Service Provider will not be responsible to cover all the places mentioned in the itinerary.
Kindly note that if a particular Varanasi sightseeing place is closed on the scheduled day of the tour, it will not be covered from the list of sightseeing places.
Charges on Deviations, if any!
The Varanasi tour package charges are applicable only for pick and drop from one location. If in case, there are multiple pickup and drops, there might be additional charges, please check with your cab vendor.
Additional charges will be added if in case the vehicle is held for more duration or beyond the time mentioned in this Varanasi Tour package. Also in the case of any deviation in the presented itinerary, additional charges might apply.
For Indica, Rs.9/km and Rs.90/hour.
For Indigo, Rs.12/km and Rs.100/hour.
For Innova, Rs.15/km and Rs.125/hour.
For Tempo Traveller, Rs.18/km and Rs.200/hour.
For Swaraz Mazda Mini Bus, Rs.20/km and Rs.300/hour.
Questions about the Tour?
In case of any query regarding the 1 Day Varanasi tour package, feel free to call one of the service providers on below numbers or Request a Call Back. Our travel advisors are happy to assist you 24/7.
