This plan centres on Varanasi’s riverside sights, with a dawn boat ride and time for the Ganga Aarti you asked for. Each day stays in one main area to keep transfers short; timings and boat prices can vary, so confirm locally.
Budget
About ₹2,500–₹6,000 per person for these activities and local transport, excluding accommodation, meals and long-distance travel.
Best time to visit
October to March for cooler, more comfortable sightseeing; mornings are pleasant and the river is especially atmospheric at sunrise.
Old City ghats and Ganga Aarti
Explore the riverside near on foot, then settle in for Varanasi’s best-known evening Aarti.
Morning
Walk the old riverside lanes
Start around the old city ghats and wander the lanes toward the river. is the main landmark; allow about 10 minutes on foot between nearby ghats.
FreeAfternoon
Visit
Head to the temple from ; the walk is about 10–15 minutes through busy lanes, with security checks and queues possible. Dress modestly and check current entry and bag rules before you go.
FreeEvening
Watch the Ganga Aarti
Return to , around 10–15 minutes on foot from the temple. Arrive early for a place on the steps, or ask locally about boat-viewing options.
Free
Dawn on the river and Assi Ghat
Enjoy the river at sunrise, then spend the day around and the nearby university-side sights.
Morning
Take a sunrise boat ride
Board near for a peaceful ride past the ghats as the city wakes up. Allow roughly 60–90 minutes on the water; agree the fare and route with the boat operator before boarding.
About ₹300–₹1,000 per person, depending on boat and sharingAfternoon
Explore
Travel from to the university by auto-rickshaw in about 15–25 minutes, depending on traffic. Visit the spacious campus and the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum if it is open.
FreeEvening
Relax back at
Return from the university area to by auto-rickshaw in about 15–25 minutes. Enjoy the riverfront and check locally for the evening Subah-e-Banaras cultural programme.
Free
Southern ghats and Sarnath
See the southern riverfront in the morning, then visit the major Buddhist archaeological sites at Sarnath.
Morning
Walk the southern ghats
Stroll from toward and nearby riverfront steps; allow about 10–15 minutes on foot between the ghats. Keep to public areas and follow local guidance around active cremation sites.
FreeAfternoon
Visit the Sarnath archaeological complex
Take a taxi or auto from the southern ghats to Sarnath; allow about 40–60 minutes each way, depending on traffic. See the and archaeological remains, and check opening times before setting out.
About About ₹25 for Indian visitors; foreign visitor rates are higherEvening
See the Sarnath Buddhist temple
The is about a 5–10-minute walk from . If you prefer a final riverside evening instead, return to by car in roughly 40–60 minutes.
Free
Good to know
Boat rides
Book at the ghat rather than committing through an unknown tout, confirm whether the quote is per boat or per person, and agree on the duration and route first.
Ganga Aarti
The ceremony is popular and crowded. Arrive well before sunset, keep valuables secure, and follow any crowd-control instructions.
Getting around
Old City lanes are often easiest on foot. Allow extra time for traffic when travelling between the ghats, university area and Sarnath.
Temple and site details
Opening hours, entry rules and ticket prices can change; check current information locally, especially for Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Sarnath.