Arrival — On your arrival at Varanasi Airport you will be welcomed by our local representative and then transferred to the hotel. Rest of the day relax. Overnight stay at Varanasi.

Today after breakfast proceed for Sightseeing in the afternoon including Sarnath- an important Buddhist site- and several temples in the Old City of Varanasi, before another of Varanasi’s great sights unfolds before you- the nightly Aarti ceremony when thousands of tiny oil lamps are lit and set afloat on the waters of the Ganges at dusk, to the accompaniment of prayers, chants, trumpets and cymbals- a truly unforgettable experience Overnight in Varanasi- Palace on Ganges.

Today after breakfast you can proceed for the walking tour – Northern Bazaars and Hidden Alleys. Few Tourists ever wind there way through the bazaars in the Northern Gullis of the old city where you will find hidden alleys leading directly through the sacred zone of Benaras to the oldest buildings of the city. As you enter the lanes of the Northern Part of the city you will get to peep inside the shops, temples and lives of people who have never left their street for years. This bazaar has so many twists and turn and you will get confused, but that is what makes it so great. Overnight stay at Varanasi.

Early Morning — Morning visit the Ramnagar Fort and the palace which is located on the Eastern bank of River Ganges, opposite to the Tulsi Ghat. Later take an excursion to Sarnath, which is about 10kms from Varanasi. Sarnath is the place where Gautama Buddha is said to have given his first sermon about the basic principles of Buddhism. It has been a premier centre for Buddhism & has a rich collection of ancient Buddhist relics & antiques comprising numerous Buddha & Bodhisattva images on display at the Archaeological Museum. Some of the important Buddhist monuments at Sarnath are the Dhamekha Stupa, the Chaukhandi Stupa and the monasteries and temples of different schools of Buddhism. The Indian Buddhist society called the Mahabodhi society maintains a park around the Buddha Temple. The Mahabodhi Temple which is located in the park has a tooth relic of the Buddha. The Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath is the national emblem of India. In the evening catch an early evening boat ride to experience the mystical worship of the River called Ganga Aarti and hear about the rituals that have been used for centuries inside temples and in shrines along the river. The magical quality of the evening is showcased with a trip to the eerie cremation grounds of Manikarnika, which burn 24 hours a day, to be seen from both the boat and the shore. Later there is an option to proceed for the guided walking tour in the night – Death and Rebirth in Benaras. Walk through the city of learning and burning and see Benaras when it is known as “Mahashamstana”, the great cremation ground of Shiva. It is here you will traverse from the land of the living to the houses of the dying. Perhaps an encounter with a black-clothed flesh-eating Sadhu of the Aghor Ashram will give you a taste of death and rebirth. Conclude the tour with the Sankata Devi (the goddess of sorrows and a demon slayer) ritual worship. The timing for this walk is from 07:30 PM to 11:30 PM.

Dawn boat ride on the Ganges to watch as the day’s pilgrimage begins- this is a truly timeless ritual which has been going on along the banks of the Ganges here for millennia. Later transfer to the airport and catch the flight.