A two-day Varanasi itinerary: the evening Ganga aarti, a sunrise boat on the Ganges, the old city lanes and temples, and Sarnath — with the Vande Bharat train from Delhi.
Varanasi is not a city you tick off; it is one you feel. Two nights is the right amount of time for a first visit: enough for one evening on the ghats, one sunrise on the river, the old city and Sarnath, without rushing.
Getting there from Delhi
- Vande Bharat Express — about 8 hours by day, comfortable and fast. We book the tickets and meet you at Varanasi station.
- Overnight train — from Delhi or Agra, which saves a hotel night.
- By road — as part of a longer journey, with Khajuraho and Orchha on the way.
Day 1: arrival and the evening aarti
- Check in close to the river — it makes the early morning far easier.
- Late afternoon: walk the ghats south to north with your guide, past bathing steps, temples and the cremation ghat at Manikarnika.
- Sunset: the Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Priests perform the fire ceremony with lamps, bells and chanting for about 45 minutes. Watching from a boat avoids the crowds.
Day 2: sunrise boat, the old city and Sarnath
- Sunrise boat ride — the best hour in Varanasi: pilgrims bathing, morning prayers and soft light on the ghats.
- The old city — narrow lanes, small shrines, silk weavers and street food. The Kashi Vishwanath area can be very crowded; your guide will advise on timing.
- Afternoon: Sarnath, about 10 km away, where the Buddha gave his first sermon — the Dhamek stupa, the ruins and the museum.
- Evening free, or a second, quieter aarti at Assi Ghat.
Tips for a first visit
- Go with a local guide — the lanes are confusing and the meaning of what you see matters.
- Ask before photographing people, and never photograph cremations.
- Dress modestly and carry small change for offerings and boat rides.
When to go
October to March is the most pleasant. Dev Deepawali, on the full moon of Kartik (October or November), lights every ghat with lamps. April to June is very hot, and the monsoon raises the river from July to September.
See our Varanasi tours, Varanasi by Vande Bharat or the Golden Triangle with Varanasi.
