• Private Tour
• Instantly Confirmed
• Carbon Neutral

You’ve probably heard that Varanasi is well-known for its Fire Ceremony & Ganga Aarti Experience, but do you know the stories and origin behind it? Or how much influence it has on the locals daily life? On this tour, you are in for a cultural treat!

Destination

Varanasi, India

Category

City Highlight Tours

Duration

3 hours

Transport mode

Walking tour

Available languages

English, Hindi

Included

• Private Guide
• Private Boat
• All Withlocals Tours are Carbon Neutral

Excluded

• PIck up outside Varanasi Center(ask you host for a personalized offer)

What you can expect

Choose your local

Get to know these 4 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 - 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. Culture of the City

   On this private tour, you’ll experience and discover Varanasi through its culture. Whether it’s focused on a tradition, a special part of town with a story to tell, cultural beliefs, or around a cultural activity that shaped the city into what it is - this tour will be a cultural awakening you can’t miss!

4. Fire Ceremony & Ganga Aarti Experience in Varanasi

   Your tour will focus on Fire Ceremony & Ganga Aarti Experience, a very important cultural subject in Varanasi. Thanks to your local host, you’ll learn and see how Fire Ceremony & Ganga Aarti Experience made an impact in Varanasi, making you experience the city from a different perspective.

5. Cultural Highlights

   As you deep dive into the subject of your tour, you’ll make stops to visit unique spots that will give you a full picture of the ceremony. Visit Annapurna Madir Temple , Pita Maheshwar Mahadev Temple, Pita Maheshwar Mahadev Temple, and more and see how these cultural highlights are part of the local life but have so much history behind them!

6. Storytelling Journey

   As you discover the cultural side of Varanasi, you’ll be able to embrace it thanks to the amazing stories and storytelling skills of your local host. Feel free to ask any questions and feel as if you are relieving history in the present time.

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

Edward🇺🇸 United States

(About local Shikhar)

14 February 2025

Great tour. Thanks for your guidance.Great tour

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

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

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

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 ❤️

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

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