Welcome to Varanasi—one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities—where dawn breaks in saffron light over the Ganges River and life unfolds on a necklace of stone steps called ghats. For millennia, pilgrims have come to bathe, pray, study, and say farewell to loved ones, creating a city that is both deeply spiritual and intensely human.

Across seven days, you’ll experience sunrise boat rides, the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti, labyrinthine lanes scented with incense and spice, and a restorative excursion to Sarnath, where the Buddha first taught. You’ll taste iconic street foods—kachori-sabzi, thandai, and melt-in-the-mouth sweets—and meet artisans who weave luminous Banarasi silk.

Practical notes: Dress modestly for temples (shoulders and knees covered), remove shoes before entering sanctums, and never photograph cremation rites. The best weather is October–March; summers are hot. Tuk-tuks and boats are abundant, and trains or flights connect Varanasi seamlessly with major Indian cities.

Varanasi

Varanasi (Banaras/Kashi) is a living tapestry of ritual and routine: students cycling to Banaras Hindu University, wrestlers training in akharas, flower vendors threading marigolds, and morning chants rising from the ghats. It’s equal parts devotion, philosophy, music, and marketplace.

• Top sights: Dashashwamedh, Assi, and Manikarnika Ghats; Kashi Vishwanath Temple; Ramnagar Fort; Sarnath; Bharat Kala Bhavan (BHU).
• Don’t miss: Sunrise rowboat on the Ganges, the evening Ganga Aarti, a silk-weaving workshop in Sarai Mohana, and a street-food crawl near Godowlia.
• Great eats: Kachori-sabzi at Ram Bhandar; chaat at Kashi Chaat Bhandar or Deena Chaat; wood-fired pizza and apple pie at Pizzeria Vaatika Café (Assi); thalis at Varuna (Taj Ganges); rustic flavors at Baati Chokha.
• Fun fact: Locals say Shiva whispers liberation here—hence, countless pilgrims come for both life’s beginnings and its endings.

Getting there: Fly into Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS). Search flights on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights (Delhi–Varanasi ~1h15; Mumbai–Varanasi ~2h10). Prefer rails? Book on Trip.com Trains (overnight from Delhi; 3–4 hours from Prayagraj; 7–8 hours from Lucknow).

Where to stay: Browse Hotels.com: Varanasi or VRBO: Varanasi. Top picks: riverside heritage at BrijRama Palace (direct ghat access, classical music at dusk), contemporary comfort at Taj Ganges, Varanasi (lush gardens, polished service), value with history at Hotel Surya, Kaiser Palace, social vibes at Zostel Varanasi, and budget-friendly dorms at Stops Hostel Varanasi.

Day 1: Arrival, First Look at the Ghats, and the Evening Ganga Aarti

Morning: Fly or train into Varanasi. If you’re arriving from Delhi or Mumbai, aim for midday so you can settle in before sunset. Arrange a hotel pickup to navigate the Old City’s lively lanes.

Afternoon: Check in and decompress. Ease into the city with a gentle stroll from Godowlia to Dashashwamedh Ghat, pausing for a clay cup of chai and a classic thick lassi (try saffron). Snack on papdi chaat at Kashi Chaat Bhandar—tangy, crunchy, unforgettable.

Evening: Witness the nightly river ritual with the Varanasi Evening Ganga Aarti Tour for front-row views from a boat and a guide’s insights into symbolism and hymns.

Dine after at Darbhanga (BrijRama Palace) for refined thalis and a view of lamps floating downstream, or grab a light dinner of crispy aloo-tikki chaat near the ghat.

Day 2: Sunrise Rowboat, Kashi Vishwanath, and Old City Alleys

Morning: Glide along the river at first light on the Varanasi Morning Boat Tour [RowBoat]. You’ll watch the city awaken—priests offering prayers, bathers greeting the sun, and saffron robes glowing in dawn light.

Post-ride, fuel up with kachori-sabzi and jalebi at Ram Bhandar in Thatheri Bazaar.

Afternoon: Visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and its revitalized corridor (dress modestly; lockers available for phones). Wander Vishwanath Gali for rudraksha beads, brass diyas, and sandalwood. Cool off with a fruit-and-nut thandai—ask for the non-bhang version unless you’re prepared for the potent traditional mix.

Evening: Ghat-hop from Man Mandir to Chet Singh, pausing for a sunset pause on a broad step facing the current. Dinner at Dosa Café near Dashashwamedh (paper-thin dosas, coconut chutney) or Pizzeria Vaatika Café at Assi (thin-crust pies; famed apple pie) for a relaxed riverfront wind-down.

Day 3: Sarnath and Silk Weavers

Morning: Day trip to Sarnath (30–45 minutes by car). Explore the Dhamek Stupa where the Buddha delivered his first sermon, the Mulagandha Kuti Vihara with delicate murals, and the archaeological site. If the museum is open, don’t miss the polished Mauryan Lion Capital (India’s state emblem).

Afternoon: Return to the city for lunch at Baati Chokha (smoky litti, chokha of roasted eggplant, and ghee-drizzled breads). Then head to Sarai Mohana or Madanpura to meet Banarasi silk weavers—watch handlooms conjure brocades of gold zari and jewel-toned silk; shop directly from artisans.

Evening: Cross to Ramnagar Fort for twilight over the river and a peek at vintage royal cars and armory. Back in town, dine at Varuna (Taj Ganges) for a North Indian set meal—creamy dal, well-spiced paneers, and breads straight from the tandoor.

Day 4: Full-Day Guided Varanasi — Temples, Ghats & Rituals

Give yourself a comprehensive, expertly narrated day with the Full Day Varanasi Private Tour with Temples, Ghats & Rituals, which typically pairs a sunrise boat ride with temple visits, bustling bazaars, and an evening ceremony—ideal if you want context woven through the sights.

Ask your guide to include BHU’s Bharat Kala Bhavan (miniature paintings, textiles) and a short sweet stop for malaiyo or seasonal rabri if available. End with a simple vegetarian thali at a local bhojanalaya for an everyday Banarasi dinner.

Day 5: Assi Ghat Dawn, Southern Ghats, and BHU

Morning: Experience “Subah-e-Banaras” at Assi Ghat: dawn aarti, Vedic chants, and yoga on the steps as the sky shifts from rose to gold. Breakfast at Aum Café (pancakes, fresh juices) or Open Hand Café (eggs, espresso) before ambling past Tulsi and Rewan Ghats—quieter, more contemplative stretches of the river.

Afternoon: Head to Banaras Hindu University’s leafy campus and the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum. Nearby, sample lassi crowned with thick malai; then browse bookstalls and instrument shops that sell sitars, tablas, and flutes used in Hindustani classical music.

Evening: Sunset boat drift from Assi back toward Dashashwamedh to see the city illuminated from south to north. Dinner at Canton Royale (inside Hotel Surya, Kaiser Palace) for kebabs, curries, and a regal dining room, or keep it light with tomato chaat and pani puri on a final ghat-side stroll.

Day 6: Markets, Street Food, and a Golden-Hour Photo Walk

Morning: Join the city’s breakfast ritual in the Chowk: hot kachori with spicy sabzi, then melt-in-the-mouth rabri or gulab jamun. Weave through lanes selling brassware (Thatheri Bazaar), perfumes (attars), and puja items. Stop at Blue Lassi Shop for a seasonal fruit lassi served in a disposable clay kulhad.

Afternoon: Capture texture and life on a guided camera-friendly stroll with Photo Tour In Holy Varanasi—learn to approach portraits respectfully, frame temple architecture, and use the river’s reflections at golden hour.

If photography isn’t your thing, swap in a handloom studio visit for a deeper dive into brocade design.

Evening: Seek live classical music in a small baithak-style setting if available (ask your hotel for current listings). Dine at Roma’s Café Diner near Assi for pastas and continental comforts, or return to Varuna for that one last perfect basket of naan.

Day 7: Slow Morning, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: Take a final contemplative walk along the ghats or a short boat jaunt if you can’t resist one last river view. Pick up final souvenirs: silk stoles, brass diyas, sandalwood incense, and a handful of clay kulhads to remember your chai moments.

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to VNS airport or the railway station. For flights, compare on Kiwi.com and Trip.com Flights; trains on Trip.com Trains. If your schedule allows, enjoy a farewell thali at a local bhojanalaya before you go.

Insider Tips & Practicalities

• Temple etiquette: Dress conservatively; leave leather goods and cameras outside where required. Lines are shorter early morning and late evening.
• Boat rides: Rowboats feel timeless; motorboats cover more ground. Always agree on the fare or book a vetted tour in advance to avoid haggling.
• Cremation ghats: Observe in silence; no photos—ever.
• Getting around: Cycle rickshaws for short hops; auto-rickshaws for cross-town rides; walking is fastest in the Old City. Many lanes are pedestrian-only.
• Food safety: Choose busy stalls with high turnover; enjoy lassi and thandai fresh. If trying bhang thandai, do so cautiously and only when you can rest after.
• Cash & connectivity: ATMs are common near Godowlia. Carry small change for boats, offerings, and snacks; e-wallets are increasingly accepted.

Optional Add-Ons (if you want more)

• Another evening on the water with the Varanasi Landmark Evening City Tour for a different vantage.

  

Across this 7-day Varanasi itinerary, you’ll watch the city unfurl from dawn’s first mantra to the last flicker of aarti lamps. With boats, temples, food, crafts, and quiet moments along the river, you’ll take home not just photos—but stories, scents, and a rhythm you can still feel with your eyes closed.