No Passport Required

Varanasi

2 hrs
Flight Time
Oct-Mar
Best Time
INR
Currency
15000
Avg. Budget

The Eternal City

Varanasi may be the world's oldest continuously inhabited city, but it feels very much alive. Life and death mingle openly on the ghats of the Ganges, ancient rituals continue unbroken, and the chaos somehow achieves a profound harmony that has drawn seekers for millennia.

Top Experiences

Ganga Aarti

Mesmerizing evening ceremony with fire and chants

Dawn Boat Ride

Witness the ghats come alive at sunrise

Kashi Vishwanath

One of Hinduism's holiest temples

Old City Lanes

Labyrinthine alleys hiding centuries of secrets

Sarnath

Where Buddha gave his first sermon

Silk Weaving

Famous Banarasi silk sarees made by hand

Varanasi Itineraries

Choose from our curated tour packages, or let us customize one just for you.

Option 1

3-Day Varanasi Spiritual Journey

3 Days / 2 Nights

1

Arrive Varanasi

Arrive Varanasi airport. Transfer to hotel near ghats. Evening experience the grand Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat - a mesmerizing ritual of fire and prayer. Walk through ancient lanes.

2

Varanasi Full Day

Early morning boat ride at sunrise on Ganges - see ghats come alive with rituals. Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple, BHU campus and Vishwanath Temple. Afternoon at leisure in old city lanes.

3

Sarnath & Departure

Morning excursion to Sarnath (30 min) - where Buddha gave first sermon. Visit Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath Museum, and Mulagandhakuti Vihar. Return to Varanasi for departure flight.

Option 2

5-Day Varanasi & Surrounds

5 Days / 4 Nights

1

Arrive Varanasi

Arrive Varanasi. Transfer to heritage hotel near ghats. Rest and freshen up. Evening walk through narrow lanes to Dashashwamedh Ghat for grand Ganga Aarti. Overnight in Varanasi.

2

Varanasi Ghats & Temples

Pre-dawn boat ride to experience sunrise over Ganges - life-changing experience. See cremation ghats, bathing rituals. Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Jyotirlinga), Annapurna Temple. Afternoon weaving workshop.

3

Sarnath Day Trip

Full day at Sarnath - Buddhist pilgrimage site. Visit Dhamekh Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, Sarnath Museum (Ashoka Pillar capital). Mulagandhakuti Vihar. Return to Varanasi for evening aarti.

4

Varanasi Exploration

Morning yoga session by Ganges. Visit Ramnagar Fort across the river. Afternoon visit Sankat Mochan (Hanuman) Temple, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple. Evening silk shopping in Vishwanath Gali.

5

Varanasi Departure

Optional early morning boat ride. Last walk through old city. Transfer to Varanasi airport for departure. The eternal city stays with your soul forever.

Travel Tips for Varanasi

Ghat Navigation

Hire a local guide for first visit. Best ghats: Dashashwamedh, Assi, Manikarnika. Respect cremation ghats - no photos.

Sunrise Essential

Book boat ride the evening before. Start before dawn. Watching the city wake up is unforgettable.

Sensory Overload

Varanasi is intense. Take breaks in rooftop cafes. Evening aarti is crowded - arrive 1 hour early for good spot.

Silk Shopping

Visit government-certified shops for authentic Banarasi silk. Real silk burns to ash, not melts. Compare quality before buying.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can book by calling us at +91-9880572995, sending a WhatsApp message, emailing dada@oysterholidaysindia.com, or filling out the contact form on our website. We will create a customized itinerary and send you a detailed quote within 24 hours.

For domestic trips, we recommend booking at least 15-20 days in advance. For international trips, 30-45 days advance booking is ideal to allow time for visa processing and get better flight/hotel rates. During peak seasons (December-January, summer holidays), book even earlier.

Yes, we can arrange last-minute domestic trips with as little as 3-5 days notice, subject to availability. For international trips, visa processing time is the main constraint. Countries with visa-on-arrival (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka) can be booked with shorter notice.

Contact us as soon as possible with your modification request. Changes like adding a traveler, changing dates, or modifying activities are usually possible before final payment. Some changes may involve additional costs depending on hotel/airline policies.

Yes! Our office is located at No.8, Ground Floor, N. Block, Unity Building, J.C Road, Bangalore - 560002. We are open Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 7 PM. Please call ahead to schedule an appointment for personalized consultation.

We accept multiple payment methods: Bank transfers (NEFT/IMPS/RTGS), UPI payments (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm), credit/debit cards, and cash payments at our Bangalore office. For large bookings, we can arrange EMI options through select banks.

Typically: 25-30% advance to confirm booking, 50% payment 30 days before travel, and balance payment 15 days before travel. For last-minute bookings, full payment may be required upfront. We provide flexibility based on your needs.

No hidden charges. Our quotes clearly state what is included and excluded. Things typically excluded: visa fees (unless specified), travel insurance (optional), personal expenses, tips, activities marked as optional, meals not mentioned in itinerary. We explain everything before you pay.

Cancellation charges depend on timing and specific hotel/airline policies. Generally: 30+ days before travel means minimal charges (10-15%), 15-30 days means 25-50% charges, and less than 15 days means 50-100% charges. We provide detailed cancellation terms before booking confirmation.

Refunds are processed after deducting applicable cancellation charges. Refund timeline depends on payment method: bank transfers take 7-10 working days, credit card refunds take 10-15 working days. We always try to offer alternatives like date changes instead of cancellation.

Yes! Infants (0-2 years) often travel free on domestic flights and at minimal charges internationally. Children (2-11 years) get discounted rates on flights, hotels (sharing bed with parents), and attractions. We provide exact child pricing based on your children's ages.

Yes, we provide complete visa assistance including document checklist, application form filling, appointment booking, and submission guidance. We handle tourist visas for all major destinations including Dubai, Singapore, Thailand, Europe, USA, UK, Australia, and more.

Popular visa-on-arrival destinations include: Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia (Bali), Maldives, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Seychelles, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Bhutan. Requirements vary - some need pre-registration online. We guide you on the exact process for each country.

Processing times vary by country: Dubai takes 3-5 working days, Singapore takes 3-5 days, Schengen (Europe) takes 15-20 days, USA/UK takes 2-4 weeks after interview, and Australia takes 15-30 days. We recommend applying early to avoid last-minute stress.

Common requirements: Valid passport (6+ months validity), passport-size photos, flight and hotel bookings, bank statements (3-6 months), employment proof/ITR, travel insurance. Some countries require additional documents. We provide country-specific checklists.

If visa is rejected, we help understand the reason and guide you on reapplication. For package bookings, we offer flexible rebooking to alternative visa-free destinations or refund as per our cancellation policy. We review documents carefully to minimize rejection chances.

We provide guidance for new passport applications and passport renewal through the official Passport Seva portal. We can help with appointment booking and document preparation. Fresh passports typically take 15-30 days, and Tatkal takes 1-3 days (subject to police verification).

Absolutely! Customization is our specialty. We tailor every aspect - destinations, hotels (budget to luxury), activities, meal preferences (vegetarian/Jain), pace of travel, special occasions. Just tell us what you want and we will create a personalized itinerary.

We cover 50+ destinations: Domestic - Kerala, Kashmir, Rajasthan, Goa, Andaman, Himachal, Uttarakhand, North East, etc. International - Dubai, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Bali, Maldives, Vietnam, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, USA, and more.

Typically includes: Return flights, airport transfers, accommodation, daily breakfast, sightseeing as per itinerary, local transportation, and travel support. International packages usually include visa assistance and travel insurance. Exclusions are clearly mentioned in the quote.

Yes! We organize group tours for corporate teams, large families, college groups, and senior citizen groups. Group tours offer cost savings through shared transportation and accommodations. Minimum group size is usually 10 persons. We can also combine small groups.

Yes! We specialize in romantic honeymoon packages. We can arrange: room decoration, candlelit dinners, couple spa sessions, private tours, surprise cakes, champagne, sunset cruises, and more. Just tell us your special requests and budget - we will make it memorable.

We work with all hotel categories: Budget (2-3 star, clean and comfortable), Standard (3-4 star, good amenities), Premium (4-5 star, excellent service), and Luxury (5 star deluxe, world-class). We select based on your budget and preferences.

We strongly recommend travel insurance, especially for international trips. It covers medical emergencies (hospitalization can be very expensive abroad), trip cancellation, baggage loss/delay, and flight delays. For Schengen countries, travel insurance is mandatory for visa.

Yes! We provide emergency support throughout your trip. You will have our direct phone number and WhatsApp contact. Whether it is a flight delay, hotel issue, medical emergency, or any concern - we are available to assist and coordinate with local partners.

Absolutely! We work with hotels and restaurants that accommodate vegetarian, Jain, and other dietary requirements. For international trips, we identify Indian restaurants and hotels with Indian cuisine. Destinations like Singapore, Dubai, Thailand, Malaysia have excellent Indian food options.

Contact us immediately via phone or WhatsApp. We coordinate with hotels, local agents, and service providers to resolve issues. Whether it is room change, activity cancellation, medical assistance, or any concern - we take full responsibility and work to fix it quickly.

We only recommend destinations that are safe for Indian tourists. We monitor travel advisories and provide honest guidance. Before booking, we will discuss any specific concerns - weather conditions, local situations, health requirements. Your safety is our priority.

We provide destination-specific packing lists with your travel documents. General essentials: passport/ID copies, travel insurance documents, comfortable clothing for the weather, medications, phone charger, power adapter. We will advise on specific items based on your destination and activities.

Options include: International roaming from your carrier (expensive), local SIM cards (we can arrange), portable WiFi devices, or eSIMs. Most hotels offer free WiFi. We recommend downloading offline maps and having WhatsApp for communication.

Ready to Explore Varanasi?

Let us plan your perfect Varanasi holiday - from hotel bookings to sightseeing, train tickets to day tours. Your dream trip is just a message away.