Dhesu Travel runs this as a 3-day, 2-night private tour starting from RM698 per person, with hotels, daily breakfast, a private vehicle with a driver guide, and both the sunrise and sunset boat rides included. Below is the day-by-day plan, the full price table by hotel tier, what to eat, what to skip worrying about, and the practical bits like visas and season.
The short version
| Trip | 3 Days Varanasi: Sunrise, Sunset & Ganga Aarti |
| Length | 3 days, 2 nights |
| Style | 100% private, land-only |
| From | RM698 per person (twin sharing) |
| Main highlights | Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, sunrise boat ride, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sarnath |
| Best months | October to March |
You can see the full details on Dhesu’s 3-day Varanasi Ganga Aarti tour.
What Varanasi actually is, in plain terms
Varanasi goes by two other names, Kashi and Banaras, and you’ll hear all three. More than 80 ghats, which are stone stairways, run down to the Ganges along the old city. Some are for bathing and prayer, and two, Manikarnika and Harishchandra, are the cremation ghats. That’s not a side detail here. Life and death sit right next to each other along the river, and most visitors say that’s exactly what makes the place stick with them.
Your 3-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Arrive and head straight to the river
You land at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, meet your driver and transfer to the hotel. Then comes the main event for the evening: the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, ideally watched from a boat.
The ceremony is brass lamps, bells, conch shells and chanting, all happening at once. Dhesu’s tip is to arrive early for a good spot, and that’s good advice, because the ghat fills up fast. After the aarti, walk the old city lanes and have your first proper taste of Banarasi food. No lunch or dinner is included, so this part is on you.
Day 2: The big day
Everything happens today, and it starts early.
- Sunrise boat ride: You glide along the ghats while pilgrims bathe at dawn. It’s quiet, a bit misty and very different from the evening energy.
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the old city ghat walk: Narrow lanes, shops and a lot of people.
- Sarnath: About 10 km from the city, this is where the Buddha gave his first teaching. The Dhamek Stupa and the quiet gardens make a nice contrast after the crowds.
- Optional Pind Daan prayers: Done with experienced pandits. Tell Dhesu when you book so they can prepare.
Breakfast is included. Plan a rest in the afternoon, because the city is noisy and tiring.
Day 3: A slow last morning
Hotel checkout is at noon, so you have a free morning. Dhesu’s suggestions are Banarasi silk shopping, a last visit to the ghats and a lassi at a famous old shop. Then it’s the airport transfer for your flight home. Breakfast is included.
Prices by hotel tier and group size
Prices are per person, twin sharing. The more people in your group, the lower the per-person price, because the vehicle changes with the group.
| Hotel tier | 2 adults (Toyota Etios) | 4 adults (Toyota Innova) | 8 adults (Tempo Traveller) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-star, budget friendly (Hotel Buddha / Ganges Grand or similar) | RM698 | RM648 | RM598 |
| 4-star, value plus comfort, “Most Chosen” (Rivatas / Hotel Surya or similar) | RM848 | RM808 | RM768 |
| 5-star, premium value stay (Taj Ganges / Radisson or similar) | RM1,098 | RM1,068 | RM1,038 |
Travelling with family or a temple group? That’s where the per-person price drops the most, and Dhesu will also give group and custom quotes on request. You can also look at their group and incentive travel options.
What’s included
- 2 nights of hotel accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Private vehicle and driver guide
- Sunrise and sunset boat rides
- Return airport transfers
What’s not included
- International flights
- India visa fee (30-day e-Visa)
- ETIQA travel insurance for 1 to 5 days, listed at RM41
- Entrance fees, unless stated
- Lunches and dinners, unless stated
- Personal expenses and optional tips
What to eat while you’re there
Varanasi is mostly vegetarian, and honestly the food is part of the trip. Here’s what Dhesu points to:
- Breakfast: Kachori and jalebi, a salty-sweet combination locals swear by.
- Lassi: Served in clay cups, which is half the charm.
- Banarasi paan: A sweet version, good as a small after-meal treat.
Need halal meals? Say so early, because the city is largely vegetarian and Dhesu would rather plan ahead. If that’s a big part of your trip, Dhesu’s Muslim-friendly holiday options are worth a look too.
Things nobody tells you until you’re there
- Dress modestly at the ghats and temples, and take your shoes off before entering temples.
- Ask your guide before taking photos, especially near the cremation ghats. It’s a sensitive place for the families there.
- Start early, rest after lunch. The city is crowded and loud, and a mid-day break keeps you from burning out.
- Mind your steps. The ghats mean a lot of stairs and uneven ground, so mention any mobility needs when you book. Dhesu says pace can be adjusted for seniors.
- Winter mornings can be foggy, and fog can delay flights. If you’re connecting onward, leave yourself a buffer.
- Let the driver guide handle the boats and timings. First-timers often find Varanasi overwhelming, and having someone who knows the lanes helps a lot.
When to go
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| October to March | The most comfortable weather, good for early boat rides and ghat walks |
| November (Dev Deepawali) | Spectacular, but very crowded |
| April to June | Very hot |
| July to September (monsoon) | The river rises, and some ghats can flood, which can limit access |
If you’re thinking of the year-end break or school holidays, those fall in the best weather, so book early. Dhesu’s year-end holiday deals and school holiday offers are worth checking.
Visa and flights
Malaysian passport holders apply for an India e-Visa online before departure. It’s valid for 30 days from entry, the fee isn’t included in the package price, and Dhesu helps with the documents when you book. Flights aren’t included either. Most travellers fly from KLIA to Varanasi (VNS), and Dhesu can recommend flights and timings on request. Rules change, so confirm the visa requirements close to your travel date.
Want more than three days?
Three days covers the aarti, the boat ride and the ghats. Stay longer and you can add more. Here’s how Dhesu’s other Varanasi routes compare:
| Trip | Length | From (per person) | What it adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Days Best of Varanasi | 4D3N | RM1,288 | Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, where the Ganga and Yamuna meet |
| 4 Days Varanasi with domestic flights | 4D3N | RM1,588 | Domestic flights included |
| 5 Days Varanasi and Ayodhya | 5D4N | RM1,588 | Ram Mandir and Guptar Ghat in Ayodhya |
| 6 Days India’s Sacred Triangle | 6D5N | RM2,488 | Ayodhya, Varanasi and Rishikesh ashrams |
| 11 Days Sacred Trails of India | 11D10N | RM3,888 | Rishikesh and the Amritsar Golden Temple, with an expert spiritual guide |
| 7 Days Varanasi and Kashmir | 7D6N | RM4,688 | Dal Lake and the Gulmarg gondola, with domestic flights |
Interested in the Buddhist side of the story? Dhesu’s 11-day Buddhist pilgrimage across North India ends in Varanasi and Sarnath. And if Kashmir is on your wish list, their breakdown of the cost of a Kashmir trip from Malaysia is a useful read. Not sure about going through an agent? Here’s why booking with a travel agent works well for a trip like this.
Ready to plan your Varanasi trip?
If you’d like help picking a hotel tier or a route, message the Dhesu team on WhatsApp at +6019 320 2877 with your dates, group size and any special requests like Pind Daan or halal meals. You can also request a free quote, send a custom itinerary request, or look through all Varanasi tour options first.
