Varanasi Escapade

Upon arrival, meet your driver for a private transfer to your selected hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure. This evening, visit the Ghats to witness an evening Aarti ceremony. The “AARATI”, is normally sung at the end of any religious ceremony or puja, or simply by itself each morning and evening as a celebration to the Supreme within us and without. The lighting of the lamps for the Aarati is an unforgettably spiritual experience performed each evening at sundown on the banks of the holy river Ganges; it is an event to gladden the heart, feed the soul and create harmony with the elements.

Meet your guide early in the morning and proceed on a private boat cruise on the Ganges River, an amazing experience of the morning activities that take place at various Ghats around the Ganges. After the boat cruise, return to your hotel for breakfast followed by a visit to the city and Sarnath, symbolizing the birth of Buddhism. It was here that Buddha revealed his doctrine and founded his monastic community. The museum at Sarnath is amongst the most important in India and contains carvings representing a whole range of styles; archaic, the Mathura School, Gupta, post Gupta and Medieval, covering the work of sculptors from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D. After the visit of Sarnath, continue exploring the city of Varanasi. Situated on the west bank of the Ganges, it extends back from the riverbank ghats to a winding maze of picturesque alleys overlooking tall houses and dotted with temples. Varanasi today is also a center of education, arts and crafts. (B)

You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your next destination. (B)