Varanasi & Sarnath — 4 Days
The eternal city on the Ganges. Ganga Aarti at dusk, boat at dawn, silk weaving lanes, and the first sermon site of Buddha at Sarnath.
Day by day
Arrive Varanasi — Dashashwamedh Ghat Aarti
Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi
Arrive and settle. Evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat (6:30pm). One of India's most spectacular ceremonies.
Dawn Boat Ride on the Ganges
Assi Ghat, Varanasi
Pre-dawn start from Assi Ghat. Row past all 88 ghats. Watch cremations at Manikarnika (photography NOT permitted). Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Annapurna Devi.
Sarnath — Where Buddha First Taught
Sarnath Archaeological Site
12km from Varanasi. Dhamek Stupa (250 BCE), deer park, Archaeological Museum (Lion Capital — original Ashoka Pillar). Must-visit for history buffs.
Varanasi Silk & Street Food Walk
Vishwanath Gali, Varanasi
Banarasi silk weaving workshop. Try kachori sabzi, malaiyyo (winter), thandai. Explore Chowk area alleys.