• Private Tour
• Instantly Confirmed
• Carbon Neutral

Want to see the best of Varanasi? We got you covered. But as you can expect from a Withlocals experience, the real excitement is its hidden gems. Join your favorite local and get a feeling of the city's real vibe on a tour that has it all, so you can say: I experienced the real Varanasi!

Destination

Varanasi, India

Category

City Highlight Tours

Duration

3 hours

Transport mode

Walking tour

Available languages

English, Hindi

Included

• Private Guide
• 1 Local Snack or Drink
• All Withlocals Tours are Carbon Neutral

Excluded

• Entrance to attractions

What you can expect

Choose your local

Get to know these 5 passionate locals, each bringing unique perspectives and talents. Choose your favorite, check their availability, and book to create an unforgettable adventure tailored to you.

This is the plan

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with the host of your choice.

1. Meeting point

   Meet at In front of Namo Cafe - Varanasi to start your journey

   View on Maps

2. Itinerary

   This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.

3. City Highlights

   See from Shree Ganesh Mandir Ghat, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Manikarnika Ghat, and other landmarks and must-sees of the city. Your local host will take you to the main spots in town so you can get the perfect overview of what makes Varanasi so unique

4. Hidden Gems

   Along the way, your local host will show you treasures hidden in plain sight that only the locals know about. Get to know the city through a different perspective, the local way, and discover places and stories that not many tourists experience

5. Magical Storytelling

   Behind every landmark and every stop, there’s a story, and your local host is ready to tell it all. Get ready to listen to incredible stories, one-of-a-kind insights, and fun facts only a knowledgeable local would know!

6. Special Treat

   Follow your host to one of their favorite eateries for a snack or a drink beloved by the locals. Take a break and catch up with your new local friend and get the answers to all your travel questions

7. Make it yours

   Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.

   Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

   Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.

Flexible cancellation policy

• Feel confident booking

  Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.

• Change of plans?

  Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.

• Loved by travelers worldwide

  Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.

Reviews from guests

Katherine

(About local Bhawna)

5 March 2025

Bhawan was a fabulous guide. Showed us the real. Varanasi including small temples up hidden alleys, the flower market and old la seats with historic food stores. The significance of the Hindu religion and the Ganges was explained and we came away feeling we had some understanding of how special the rituals held there are. Her English is excellent and we would thoroughly recommend her to anyone visiting VaranasiExcellent walking tour of Varanasi

Gary🇨🇭 Switzerland

(About local Bhawna)

28 January 2025

Bhawna was an excellent guide. She expertly guided us through the massive crowds and presented a lot of fascinating facts and stories and showed us sites that only a local knows. I highly recommend Bhawna.Excellent Experience

nikita🇺🇸 United States

(About local Bhawna)

25 November 2024

Booking a tour of Varanasi with Bhawna was the BEST decision and truly the highlight of my Varanasi trip! Bhawna is an AMAZING tour guide - the wealth of knowledge and information she has about the city, its history and culture; her impeccable storytelling skills, plus her kind, patient and friendly demeanour truly made it a wholesome and memorable experience. Bhawna has a lovely personality and it’s very easy to connect with her instantly, it truly felt like I am touring the city with an old friend and that truly made it an even more wonderful experience :) I can’t wait to be back in Varanasi and I can’t wait to tour the beautiful city with Bhawna again! Highly recommend! Bhawna is Amazing!

Linda🇸🇪 Sweden

(About local Bhawna)

4 October 2024

Bhawna was a wonderful person and guide. She spoke very good English and had a deep knowledge about the city, the people and the history. She took us to places we would never have found on our own and we got a deeper understanding about Hinduism and the life here. She also guided us to a restaurant of her recommendation after the tour. We give her 100/10 points! Bhawna is the best guide!

Eric 🇺🇸 United States

(About local Bhawna)

30 March 2024

Amazing your sharing the hidden parts of Varanasi. Would recommend. Great tour of varanasi

Maria

(About local Bhawna)

25 March 2024

We had a great tour with Bhawna through Varanasi. She walked us through the key spots and explained things to us about the history and significance of the place. She also showed us some hidden gems and gave us tips which were great. Great tour with Bhawna

Burcu beste🇹🇷 Turkey

(About local Bhawna)

25 February 2024

Exploring Varanasi with Bhawna was an absolute delight! From the rich historical narratives to the personal anecdotes, she brought the city to life in ways we couldn't have imagined.Her expertise not only deepened our understanding of Varanasi's significance but also enriched our overall experience. Walking through the streets, every corner seemed to unveil a new layer of history, and she guide skillfully wove together the past and present, making the city feel truly alive. Her passion for Varanasi was contagious, leaving us with a profound sense of connection to this vibrant cultural hub. We left Varanasi not just as tourists, but as storytellers, thanks to the invaluable insights and warmth of our guide Bhawna,. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a truly immersive and unforgettable journey through one of India's most fascinating cities.Spot-on visit with Bhawna

Verena

(About local Shikhar)

10 December 2023

Wir haben spontan eine Tour mit Shakhir in Varanasi gebucht. Die technische Abwicklung hat super funktioniert und schon als wir Probleme hatten an dem vereinbarten Treffpunkt anzukommen, half uns Shakhir mit konkreten Anweisungen weiter. Während des Spaziergangs durch die Gassen der Stadt hin zu den wichtigsten Ghats erzählte Shakhir tolle facts und stories über diesen magischen Ort. Er gab uns einen Einblick in sein Leben als Einheimischer und persönliche familiäre Traditionen. Wir besuchten seinen Lieblings Lassi Laden und genossen das tolle Getränk. Auch spirituelle Orte wie die Krematorien erklärte Shakhir detailreich und vorallem respektvoll und ermöglichte uns sehr beeindruckende Erfahrungen. Wir empfehlen eine Tour mit Shakhir jedem Varanasi-Reisenden! Ein ganz großartiges Erlebnis! Favourite experience in Varanasi

Sofi🇺🇸 United States

(About local Nitin )

17 February 2025

We booked this tour pretty last minute as a previous booking had fallen through, and luckily we got a quick response within a few minutes. We met up and he guided us through the (very busy due to Kumbh) streets and alleys of Varanasi in a way we would have never managed on our own. Excellent food choices, my favorite being the seasonal malaiyo (sp?). Would recommend booking!Great first experience with withlocals

Edward🇺🇸 United States

(About local Shikhar)

14 February 2025

Great tour. Thanks for your guidance.Great tour

Kristin

(About local Shikhar)

2 January 2025

As a female solo traveller it was really important to me to find the right guide. Shikhar was absolutely amazing, easy to communicate with, and mkre than welcoming. We walked all over town, he answered all my questions and made sure I got to experience the real Varansi by personalizing the experience. He also helped me regain my lost luggage and helped organize more events like a boat ride for free. Thank you so much - had the best time!! Best Guide in town

Tom🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Bhawna)

2 January 2025

Bhawna was brilliant. If you want to really get to know Varanasi then she’s is your guide. From historical to anecdotal knowledge Bhawna really brought it to life for us. One of the best parts of our trip to India.Brilliant

Antriksh

(About local Nitin )

20 November 2024

Nitin is an enterprising mind with best of Jugaad. He's brilliant ambassador of Banaras. He knows the nook and corner of the ghats along with the stories and puranic significances to it. Going around with him was like having a younger brother and also getting awed by the knowledge he possesses about history.Would recommend yo other host

Nakul

(About local Nitin )

1 November 2024

Drove through narrow streets of banaras with nitin and his friends.Got a chance to see banaras offbeat.Overall good experience.I recommend if you visit banaras you should atleast spend one day with nitin☯️Would recommend to other travelers

Amy🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Bhawna)

18 October 2024

We took two tours in Varanasi with Bhawna and she was absolutely fantastic! Her kind nature and fantastic knowledge of the historical and spiritual side of the city was excellent. We took a tour around the city streets, a boat ride of the Ghats, breakfast and temples then the Arti ceremony in the evening, she also shared the philosophy and stories of the Gods with us it was so delightful. Our second tour was of the fort and had a wonderful time. Bhawna really had a personal touch to the tours she accompanied us on and allowed us to take as much time as we needed at each place. She arranged the best seats for the Arti ceremony that was so special to see. Bhwana gave us her full attention and made our holiday 10/10. Book with her and you won't be disappointed! Wonderful experience

Thilanka

(About local Shikhar)

20 August 2024

We found him on travel blog he took us here on with local platform We booked him for 3 full day tour. We had the best memories with him in KashiBest insider of benaras

Danielle jones

(About local Shikhar)

4 July 2024

He organized our entire India package in the best way possible. In Varanasi, he arranged a large boat for our birthday celebration, making it truly special. We had everything we needed and thoroughly enjoyed our trip. He's the best person to book with for family vacations. Best deal ever

Lucia Catrez

(About local Shikhar)

2 June 2024

We had one of the best times ever! Our guide took care of everything we asked for. If you're looking for the best local experience, just ask for Shikhar—he's truly the best! Highly Recommended

Jake bill

(About local Shikhar)

17 May 2024

When we began our India trip, our expectations were quite low—until we met our guide, Shikhar, in Varanasi. He transformed our journey into an amazing experience by showing us the best of Varanasi. Then, he personally handled all our bookings throughout India. His extensive travel experience helped us visit the best places in the country. Highly recommended! Instant help from our local friend Shikhar vyas

Yukata san

(About local Shikhar)

30 April 2024

One of the best time spent. Our Guide is also from a very old Varanasi traditional family. Shikhar is the guy if you are coming to Varanasi Beautiful ❤️ city beautiful people ❤️

Roney🇺🇸 United States

(About local Bhawna)

29 April 2024

My daughter and I booked the 2-hour tour of Varanasi with Bhawna and we are SO glad we did this!! It was a great introduction to Hinduism, Varanasi and we saw wonderful sights on the tour. Bhawni is extremely knowledgeable. My daughter connected immediately with Bhawna's easy going personality, as did I. Highly recommended!Shawna was definitely the trip highlight!!

Rhonda

(About local Shikhar)

17 April 2024

Friends Our guide was amazing. He went out of his way for my sister & I. We learnt so much over the two days we were in Varanasi. Highly recommend this guy if you want to see the real VaranasiAmazing time in Varanasi with my local

Marieke🇳🇱 Netherlands

(About local Bhawna)

10 April 2024

The tour with Bhawna was great! She is an awesome storyteller and the history of Varanasi became alive. The sights and stops were chosen well. We had an amazing tour. I can for sure recommend to book Bhawna.Story telling in Varanasi

Thomas🇳🇱 Netherlands

(About local Bhawna)

22 March 2024

Bhawna texted us beforehand to arrange a suitable pickup point for us. During the tour she explained a lot about the city history and about its meaning in the Hindu religion. She took great care of us in the busy streets of Varanasi during Holi (even more busy than normal 😁). Thank you Bhwana, u are an amazing guide! Would definitely recommend you!Thank you Bhwana!

Jen🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local gautam)

3 March 2024

Well we paid the money. Guatam did not turn up. I messaged a number of times. I have reported this and am waiting to see if ‘With locals’ gives me a refund. I will update everyone. This is scandalous. This Guide did not turn up.

Clare🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Bhawna)

28 February 2024

We were expecting to be told off because we were late (don’t underestimate how long it takes to get places in Varanasi!) but Bhawna was all smiles and reassurance! She took us up into the alleys to eat some of the most amazing food, sharing tables with locals and really getting a sense of the city beyond what we’d have dared to do without having a born and bred Varanasi lass with us. She answered all our nosey questions about life in the city and finished the tour with “is there anything else you’d like to see?” Her impeccable English and relaxed and humorous style meant the whole evening felt like being out with a friend rather than a tour guide. Can’t recommend Bhawna highly enough. ***** Bhawna rocks!

jignesh

(About local Bhawna)

25 December 2023

Embarking on a journey with Bhawna was an enriching experience.Her insightful knowledge and warm demeanour transformed the exploration into delightful adventure.From hidden gems ( food ) and cultural anecdotes she navigated with grace.Highly recommend her expertise for truly enriching travel experience.The ultimate handbook !!