Kashi Vishwanath Temple
One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, now reached through a marble corridor that opens straight onto the river.
Varanasi is the oldest continuously inhabited city in India and, for most of our travellers, the reason the trip exists at all. Eighty-four ghats run along a five-kilometre curve of the Ganga, and behind them a lattice of lanes too narrow for a car opens into courtyards, sweet shops and temples that have been in the same family for generations.
Three days is the honest minimum. You want a sunrise on the water, an evening at the Dashashwamedh aarti, a morning inside the Kashi Vishwanath corridor, and at least one afternoon with nothing planned at all - because the city rewards wandering more than it rewards a schedule.
One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, now reached through a marble corridor that opens straight onto the river.
The main stage for the evening Ganga aarti - seven priests, brass lamps and a crowd that fills the steps by 6 p.m.
Where the Buddha gave his first sermon. The Dhamek Stupa and museum sit 30 minutes from the ghats.
The whole riverfront in one hour. Best at first light, when the ghats fill with bathers and the light is gold.
The two temples locals visit most - one for Hanuman on Tuesdays, one for the guardian of the city.
Kachori sabzi at dawn, malaiyo in winter, and thandai that has been made the same way since the 1930s.
Airport or station pickup, hotel check-in near the ghats, and an early evening boat to watch the Dashashwamedh aarti from the water rather than the crowd.
A 5.30 a.m. boat from Assi Ghat, breakfast in the old city, then Kashi Vishwanath darshan and the temples of the inner lanes. Afternoon free.
Morning at Sarnath - the stupa, the ruins and the museum - then a late checkout and drop to your onward train or flight.
Every itinerary is rewritten around your dates, your pace and your group. This is a starting point, not a fixed package.
The dawn aarti at Assi Ghat, with classical music and yoga on the steps.
Fifteen days after Diwali, every ghat is lined with clay lamps. Book two months ahead.
A workshop visit in Madanpura to see a hand-loom saree taking shape thread by thread.
Two hours through the lanes with a guide who grew up in them.
Small things that change how a day goes. Our team updates these after every season.
Ask a QuestionWear shoes you can slip off quickly - you will do it a dozen times a day.
Phones and cameras are not allowed inside the Kashi Vishwanath complex; there are free lockers at the gate.
Photography is forbidden at Manikarnika and Harishchandra ghats. Please respect it.
Stay within walking distance of Assi or Dashashwamedh - traffic makes anything further a 40-minute problem.
Anything we have not covered? Message us and a planner in Varanasi will reply, usually within the hour.
Message UsTwo nights and three days covers the corridor, a sunrise boat ride, the evening aarti and Sarnath without rushing. Add a night if you want a free morning for the lanes.
Around 6.45 p.m. in summer and 6 p.m. in winter, every single evening at Dashashwamedh Ghat. We seat you on a boat 30 minutes early so you get an unbroken view.
The lanes are uneven and the ghat steps are steep. We plan shorter loops, use the vehicle to get as close as it is allowed, and can arrange assistance at the corridor.
Let Kashi Experts help you plan a journey that touches your soul.
