Varanasi & Khajuraho Hotels & Resorts

Discover the spiritual and religious sites of India’s holiest city as you follow ancient paths to Hindu temples and Muslim mosques. Witness the cremation rituals observed at Manikarnika, the burning ghat, an important part of Hinduism, then visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Held as one of the most sacred Hindu temples in the world, it is one of twelve jyotirlingas which are special shrines dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva. A passport is required to enter the temple.

On this tour you will explore the snaking alleys and busy bazaars in the north of Varanasi, which is rarely visited by tourists. Led by a local guide, you'll visit the silk market, temples and mosques. Along the way, you’ll meet local characters, the experience provides a real insight into Varanasi life that’s tourists often miss.

You’ll start in the centre of the business area, which is filled with shops, houses and temples. This ancient district is home to the wholesale silk market, which was started by a businessman and the king of Varanasi and takes over an entire city block. Your guide will explain the history of the Asian Silk Route and how Varanasi’s finest silks made their way to Versailles Palace in France. Other highlights include the pots and pans bazaar and a famous samosa shop that dates back to the 1800s.

You’ll also get to visit temples and mosques hidden within the alleyways that only locals know about. There’s a Gopal temple and next to it, a mosque, which is a great place to discuss how Varanasi’s Hindu and Muslim people live and work together in harmony; Muslim people traditionally made silk products here and Hindu’s sold them on. You will also visit the riverside where the mystic Kabir used to write poetry before diving into the twisting back alleys again. Along the way, you’ll meet local characters - perhaps stopping to talk to a sweet vendor or a priest at the temple – the experience provides a real insight into Varanasi life that’s tourists often miss.

Explore a collection of the original 85 majestic Temples of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Khajuraho on this half-day tour. The most famous in the western group is Kandariya Mahadeva, which features exquisitely carved friezes depicting the sensual aspects of life.  The eastern group boasts fine examples of both Jain and Hindu temples, including the beautiful Parsvanath temple.

Explore ideas of death and rebirth on this unique night tour of Varanasi. The city is one of the most spiritual places in India and referred to as Mahashamstana, the great cremation ground of Shiva, which you’ll learn about on the tour. As you wander the lanes and alleyways of Varanasi your guide will discuss different concepts related to life and death in Hindu philosophy.

The tour starts at 8pm by visiting a fertility temple with a pond where people go to pray for a baby. Then you will move to the Aghor Ashram which belongs to the black-robed Sadhu philosophical sect who are an important part of Varanasi’s history, with flesh-eating myths surrounding them.

Stop at a Kali temple made by a queen from Bangladesh. There are interesting stories surrounding the queen, who constructed many important buildings in Varanasi, including one of the city’s most famous temples. Next, enjoy a break for some chai before heading onto the highlight of the tour, the cremation grounds.

You will arrive at the Sankata Devi Temple around 10.30pm for the aarti, a ceremony where saffron-robed pandits complete a ritual with golden oil lamps in front of the Ganges. This temple has a giant tree at its centre and is devoted to the mother goddess of sorrow, who was also a demon slayer. When the aarti starts, the lights go off and people begin chanting and throwing flowers – it’s an eerie-yet-beautiful, interactive experience that you’ll never forget.

An early start is worth it to watch the ancient city of Varanasi wake in the morning light. The people here are learned in all forms of art from yoga to literature, a characteristic that dates back to ancient times when Varanasi was called Kashi. The city is one of the oldest in the world and many believe it was founded by Lord Shiva himself.

Varanasi is a spiritual mecca due to its location on the River Ganges. People travel here from all over to take a dip in its holy water. As you get closer to the river, you witness everyone coming together in elation– some even running towards the river chanting and singing.

On the banks there are a couple of chai stalls where you can share a cup of tea with the local people before boarding the rowing boat. You’ll soon see why Varanasi is known as a city of light and beautiful sunrises. As you are rowed past the main portion of the 88 ghats (flights of stairs that lead to the Ganges) you’ll see unique architecture slowly bathed in light. Other times it’s hazy which adds to the location’s mystique. Most of the ghats were rebuilt in the 18th century after being destroyed by the Mughal invasion. They’re just beautiful in the majestic sun when people welcome the morning with yoga, chatting or meditating in the water-side ashrams. There’s no rich or poor here, just people who come to worship. Back on dry land, you’ll have chance to walk around the narrow lanes to experience the old town before any of the shops open.

Get a taste of Varanasi’s diverse street food on this walking tour with a local guide. Although the city doesn’t have its own distinctive cuisine, what makes it special is that it’s been derived from communities that hail from all over India, complete with Arabic and Mughal influences.

Sample street snacks from the city’s best vendors, including a Banaras samosa from an eatery that dates back to 1882 and kachori, a typical breakfast made from wheat flour and chickpea paste, served with chutney.

Highlights of the tour include kathai biscuits and bathi choka, a chickpea-infused roasted bread soaked in ghee, often cooked on a cow-dung fire which gives it a smoky flavour. Many dishes are seasonal, such as the poha they make in Varanasi, puffed rice that’s mixed with peas in the winter so it turns green. A stop is usually made at Deena Chat Bhandar, a little 10-seater restaurant that’s been going for over five decades which serves a huge variety of savoury chaats.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, there’s plenty of mithai, milk-based treats on offer, as well as creamy malaiyyo, a kind of lassi made of saffron-flavoured churned milk. At each stop, you’ll be shown what makes this particular vendor unique – it could be their chutney recipe or how they pour their tea – it’s these little insights and intricacies that make each place special. At the end of the tour, you will have a sit-down meal where you can sample different dishes and learn more about the historical and traditional food of Varanasi.