Varanasi Experiential Day Tour
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1.Subah-E-Benaras Experience with Boat Tour
At 5:30 am meet us for one of the must-do activity while visiting Varanasi. We start with amazing Subah-e-Benaras ceremony(about 30 mins) to be followed by a traditional boat ride in which guest will be passing through different colourful, Heritage ghats & buildings of historical and religious importance. On this tour, you will be away from cities hustle & bustle in complete peace with nice storyteller waiting for Sun to come out. The light golden rays of Sun make you glow and happy, Water shines like diamond and Birds fly & Sing in joy like this moment will never come again. Your eyes and camera can not stop from catching every moment of this wonderful inception of the day. Your heart & mind can never forget this experience which worth million where Sun comes out with another opportunity for many on one side of the river and on another side you see people praying, offering their regards & trying to thank nature in form of Sun which brings brightness in our life without discrimination to any or none. Similarly, the Holy Ganga river is serving the largest population of mankind for thousands of years. Ganga river is considered holy by mass Indian population and also, pronounced as Mother Ganga. On this tour, we will talk on different reasons for Ganga river to be pronounced as Mother Ganga & consideration as Holy river based on history, tradition, logic & religion. It will be a round trip between Assi ghat & Kedar Ghat for about an hour which will include talks on Ancient river route, its importance in Indian history & nature. Also, detailing important ghats on the way is included in this tour. Highlights of Tour: Subah-e-Benaras ceremony (30 mins), a boat tour of an hour include detailing of ghats (with safety Jackets). Geographical briefing of Ganga river and a brief talk on her importance for mankind since ancient Indian history(Include 5000 years history in short). Timing : 5:30 am to 7:30 am Starting & Ending place : Assi Ghat Cost on Request |
2. Walkthrough Banarasi Culture, Tradition and Lifestyle!!
In this tour, you can experience the soul of the city on Experiential Varanasi Walk tour in which you will experience the City in local flavour (Banarsi Flavour). You will get the opportunity to taste tea at Cities most Popular tea stall and place of local's gathering(Know as Adda) for daily chit-chat on recent & burning topic which can be anything(Continuing to be adda for last more than 50 years). Later after tasting tea proceed to Indian wrestling ground to learn or know their way & you may try your hands with local wrestlers to further passing through narrow lanes and happening streets to reach at Sadhus Akhara(Ascetic house) to meet them as they are very much part of this spiritual city for more than 3000 years and walk to end up at main ghat experiencing temples bell, bathing rituals & daily ceremony. On this tour, you can see Mini India in Varanasi & understand the sentiment of India from here. There could not be a better way than this to feel this city, its culture and tradition. Highlights of Tour: Explore the city in local style by following the routine followed by locals, opportunity to interact with local, Wrestlers, Sadhu (ascetic) & tradition practitioners near ghats while exploring famous narrow lanes of Varanasi. *Note this is live experience in which you will be accompanied by an expert storyteller who follows the pre-decided routes but no guarantee of any third-party meeting/conversation or their availability can be given. We take our guest on mentioned places & most of the time they experience things as mentioned. Timing : 8:30 am to 11:00 am (Mentioned time is recommended timing though it can be taken on any other time in a day till 3 pm) Starting & Ending place : Assi Ghat & Godowlia Cost on Request |
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3. Moksha Marg - "Salvation Path" (Exclusively Unique)
Varanasi is known worldwide as the oldest living city in the world. It is also popularly known as the city of Lord Shiva and also believed that the city is situated on the trident of Lord Shiva. There are many cities in the world where people migrate to live their life however Varanasi is a city where people even come to die or wait till they die. Here you can feel the joy of life and even joy in death. During this Experiential Varanasi Walk tour, you will be exploring the concept of Joy on death and Explore the path to salvation. We will explore details of rituals and tradition in the process of cremation, pre-cremation and post-cremation and know the purpose of it. You will also know a lot of facts which are otherwise performed by every Hindu religion practitioner as a ritual but hardly 90% of people know the reason behind it. Highlights of Tour: Know about rituals & logic behind it as not always it is connected with faith. Briefing on traditions on Birth & Death in Hinduism, Salvation connection with Varanasi & procedure to achieve it by live experiences of some part of it. Briefing on strong family fabrics with connection to Moksha Marg "Salvation Path". *Note this is live experience in which you will be accompanied by an expert storyteller who follows the pre-decided routes but no guarantee of any third-party meeting/conversation or their availability can be given. We take our guest on mentioned places & most of the time they experience things as mentioned. Timing : 11:30 am to 14:30 am & 15:00 to 18:00 (Mentioned time is recommended timing though it can be taken on any other time in a day) Starting & Ending place : Maidagin & Golghar (Near Kotwali). Cost on Request |
4. The joy on Birth & Salvation on Death connection to Varanasi Ghats - (Exclusively Unique)
This Tour can take place later in the day after breakfast in which you will have the opportunity to understand why Varanasi is called Oldest living city and not just the oldest city. Here you will be visiting ghats one after another on Experiential Varanasi walk tour to understand how life on birth, during life, On death and after death connected with this ghats in sequence. It is also called the mystic city and you will be having the opportunity to explore little about that too. You will also be visiting Hostel where people stay till their death & popular as Death Hostel where people come from different part of India just to die in Holy city and they live here till they die and cremated lastly on cremation ghat. This tour will thrill anyone and only suggested to those who are very openly and closely interested in knowing in detail about culture and traditions which is strongly based on faith. Highlights of Tour: Explore the mystic city in another way, Walk between birth, death & after death cycle on ghats with its live experiences. Guest will learn how well the city must be planned many 1000's years back. *Note this is live experience in which you will be accompanied by an expert storyteller who follows the pre-decided routes but no guarantee of any third-party meeting/conversation or their availability can be given. We take our guest on mentioned places & most of the time they experience things as mentioned. Also, this tour is curated based on presently available logic but there are no historical or religious references which itself make it mysticism of Varanasi. *Not possible in monsoon. Timing : 11:30 am to 13:30 & 15:00 to 17:00 (Mentioned time is recommended timing though it can be taken on any other time in a day) Starting & Ending place : Godowlia & Maidagin Cost on Request |
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5. Evening Ceremony with Bazars and Foods.
In this tour, you will be experiencing an amazing evening Aarti Ceremony which is well choreographed and one of the must-do activities in Varanasi. Later, One can experience Varanasi on walk tour as local visiting local bazar where you can also taste some of the amazing drinks - Thandai & Blue Lassi (Non-alcoholic), Chaat(Famous street food from Varanasi) & Golgappe to end up on Rabdi (Famous and very tasty desert). Highlights of Tour: Experience evening ceremony & Taste local famous Street food & Drinks(Non-Alcoholic) inclusive in the tour(Unlimited). Timing : 18:00 to 20:30 Starting & Ending place : Godowlia & Godowlia Cost on Request 7. North Indian Woman Traditional dressing & Make-up Session - 4hrs to 5 hrs (Exclusively Unique)
This is a very interesting session for international guest who is willing to learn how to wear saree & try it at least for once. Also, those female guest who is willing to make up like Indian women can come to this session and also get lifetime photograph in Indian style make up & dress. *Saree offered & makeup items(Cosmetics & Ear Rings) are also provided by family during this session. Please inform us while booking if you are allergic to any cosmetic products. *Saree & other items used in this session are just for the purpose of using it in this session and to be returned on the conclusion of the session. Highlights of Tour: Learn how to wear saree & Make-up like an Indian woman. MakeUp and Wear saree under guidance to get a memorable photograph. Just Learn & wear Saree (With Short Video Clip) *Silk Saree is used. +Additional for Make-up *Include basic design Heena on hand & Good quality Cosmetic products mostly herbal(But not all are herbal). *In above session couple can also come but charges will only be applied for female members. At some point during the session, the only female member will be allowed & other guests can be asked to seat in a comfortable waiting area. *This session will be assisted & handled by a regular practitioner of the above subject(Indian family Woman). Starting & Ending place : Address provided 48 hrs before session scheduled. Cost on Request |
6. Rural India Experiences
6 a) Rural India Overview - 4 hrs (Exclusively Unique) In this tour, the guest will experience an overall village system in India in a brief tour to one of the close by village to the city. Knowing about how 60% of Indian population live their life in villages will help our guest understanding India more in details and so our motive of the theme "Come as Tourist, Go as Local" will be achieved. Hence, the guest will be able to establish their strong connection with India and give them more reason to travel to India again to explore the live experiences. Highlights of Tour: Overview of village life in Rural India. *Taken care within 30 km of Varanasi City & required a vehicle for visiting it. Vehicle cost is additional to above with basic amenities(Dry Tissue, Wet Tissue, Sanitizer, Wifi enabled Car). Starting & Ending place : Hotel 6 b) Live village life for a day in India (Exclusively Unique) This is a very exclusive experience for guest visiting India. They will explore & experience village life by a way of living it for a day including day-to-day schedule in the village starting from milking cow, experiencing food cooking style, Knowing about agriculture system by walk to farmland with the farmer, Walk into Village government school to interact with children/students & teachers. One can choose to volunteer in this school or another part of the village in our volunteering programs organised separately. Basic Lunch served in a family house in the village(hygiene issues are taken care). Later meet people of the village & democratically elected representatives to know about Indian democracy for which village elections are the first stage. We will also try to meet(subject to availability) different working class in a village based on the diluted caste system. In the evening we will finish the day tour after nice tea with family & photography with a village made snacks like (Bhabhra or Bachka & others). Highlights of Tour: Experience daily life in Village, Agriculture & other livelihood work options, Lunch & tea with family, Education system, Democracy in the village (First stage of democracy). *Take place in Bihar that is 130 km( 2 hrs drive) from Varanasi City & required a vehicle for visiting it. Vehicle cost is additional to above with basic amenities(Dry Tissue, Wet Tissue, Sanitizer, Wifi enabled Car). *We also customise Rural India Tour for up to 3 nights for tourist & up to 1 months for volunteering programs in a different segment of villages. The cost can be asked separately for this based on individual enquiries requirement. Starting & Ending place : Hotel Cost on Request |
8. Learn, Cook & Dine with family - 4 hrs
In this session spend time in a family house with housewife of the family who is an expert of cooking food for the family. She may take the help of a male member of the family while this session in which you will be explained about the basic style of daily cooking in houses & recipe provided to you for future usage. You can choose to participate in cooking or just watch it & later dine with the family. You will also guest the opportunity to discuss family system & fabric of family in Indian society.
Highlights of Tour: Lear to cook, Participate in cooking, Dine with family & discuss family fabric on India.
Starting & Ending place : Address provided 48 hrs before session scheduled.
Cost on Request
In this session spend time in a family house with housewife of the family who is an expert of cooking food for the family. She may take the help of a male member of the family while this session in which you will be explained about the basic style of daily cooking in houses & recipe provided to you for future usage. You can choose to participate in cooking or just watch it & later dine with the family. You will also guest the opportunity to discuss family system & fabric of family in Indian society.
Highlights of Tour: Lear to cook, Participate in cooking, Dine with family & discuss family fabric on India.
Starting & Ending place : Address provided 48 hrs before session scheduled.
Cost on Request
9. Grand Indian Marriage Experiences - 3 days (Exclusively Unique)
a) Pre-Marriage Lagan Pooja: Hindu ritual to start marriage functions.
Haldi Ceremony: Ceremony in which turmeric put on bride and grooms face and body by family at their houses. It looks like Holi festival in some places. It has a scientific reason too but more followed at ritual from many centuries.
Ladies Sangeet (Dance night): Ladies of family and friends celebrate by dancing and making different acts to enjoy the moment.
b) Grand Marriage Night
Baarat dance or Experience: Grooms family(Boys family) goes with light, music and crackers in good numbers to Brides house or marriage night place. This function is full of happening where the groom looks like the emperor of the day and all their friends and family dance to make this event memorable. Sometime groom will go on horse or how many times in Car with Baarat.
Jaimal ceremony: In this ceremony, Bride & Groom exchange their garlands which are followed by a photo session with invited guests.
Grand Indian dinner: Dinner for all invited guest are arranged in function area which includes Starters, Main Course & desert. Also, Non- alcoholic drinks for guest arranged by bridegroom family.
Marriage by Vedic ritual & Mantra chanting: This function takes place in midnight when different rituals are done. Bride & groom take 7 oath to each other. Sendhoor dan, Mantra chanting and other rituals take place for about 3 - 4 hrs.
Shoe stealing ceremony & Door blocking ceremony: During rituals bride sister which are called Saali got the rights to steal shoes of bride & Grooms family can try to safeguard it (fun activity). 99.99% time bride sisters are winners as boys don’t have an interest in saving friends shoes but more interested in fun in this activity. After the end of rituals, bride sisters block the door for boy and they don’t allow him to go out. Groom(Boy) can only save himself from many jokes by giving bribe to the sisters of the bride. Also, the Groom should also pay a reward to Saali’s (Sisters of the bride) for successful stealing shoes and then only he gets his shoes back otherwise there is no option than going barefoot. This is fun activities.
c) Post-Marriage Widai Ceremony (Bride & Groom departure from marriage place or bride house).
Couple welcome ceremony by the family of groom at Grooms house.
Games of teasing newly married couple: There are certain games and the ceremony takes place later in the day and mostly winners are bride as boys willing loose to their better half.
Highlights: Experience event like a family guest & participate in different events above as you like.
*Note this are live events & experiences could be different in different marriages as little changes or deviation in the method of functions can be expected. Also, the leniency of timing should be there based on events. This events in India include mass gathering & little inconvenience may occur. Please be open to experience this event as a guest of someone & tour operator has no command on the event other than guiding & detailing you about events taking place. We make our efforts to give you the best experience & memories.
*Part B also includes dinner.
*Above charges are our service charge for guide(expert on marriage events detailing), arranging invitation from family & no amount is charged by family.
*We will provide dates every 3 months & only applicable on available dates.
Cost on Request
a) Pre-Marriage Lagan Pooja: Hindu ritual to start marriage functions.
Haldi Ceremony: Ceremony in which turmeric put on bride and grooms face and body by family at their houses. It looks like Holi festival in some places. It has a scientific reason too but more followed at ritual from many centuries.
Ladies Sangeet (Dance night): Ladies of family and friends celebrate by dancing and making different acts to enjoy the moment.
b) Grand Marriage Night
Baarat dance or Experience: Grooms family(Boys family) goes with light, music and crackers in good numbers to Brides house or marriage night place. This function is full of happening where the groom looks like the emperor of the day and all their friends and family dance to make this event memorable. Sometime groom will go on horse or how many times in Car with Baarat.
Jaimal ceremony: In this ceremony, Bride & Groom exchange their garlands which are followed by a photo session with invited guests.
Grand Indian dinner: Dinner for all invited guest are arranged in function area which includes Starters, Main Course & desert. Also, Non- alcoholic drinks for guest arranged by bridegroom family.
Marriage by Vedic ritual & Mantra chanting: This function takes place in midnight when different rituals are done. Bride & groom take 7 oath to each other. Sendhoor dan, Mantra chanting and other rituals take place for about 3 - 4 hrs.
Shoe stealing ceremony & Door blocking ceremony: During rituals bride sister which are called Saali got the rights to steal shoes of bride & Grooms family can try to safeguard it (fun activity). 99.99% time bride sisters are winners as boys don’t have an interest in saving friends shoes but more interested in fun in this activity. After the end of rituals, bride sisters block the door for boy and they don’t allow him to go out. Groom(Boy) can only save himself from many jokes by giving bribe to the sisters of the bride. Also, the Groom should also pay a reward to Saali’s (Sisters of the bride) for successful stealing shoes and then only he gets his shoes back otherwise there is no option than going barefoot. This is fun activities.
c) Post-Marriage Widai Ceremony (Bride & Groom departure from marriage place or bride house).
Couple welcome ceremony by the family of groom at Grooms house.
Games of teasing newly married couple: There are certain games and the ceremony takes place later in the day and mostly winners are bride as boys willing loose to their better half.
Highlights: Experience event like a family guest & participate in different events above as you like.
*Note this are live events & experiences could be different in different marriages as little changes or deviation in the method of functions can be expected. Also, the leniency of timing should be there based on events. This events in India include mass gathering & little inconvenience may occur. Please be open to experience this event as a guest of someone & tour operator has no command on the event other than guiding & detailing you about events taking place. We make our efforts to give you the best experience & memories.
*Part B also includes dinner.
*Above charges are our service charge for guide(expert on marriage events detailing), arranging invitation from family & no amount is charged by family.
*We will provide dates every 3 months & only applicable on available dates.
Cost on Request
Coming soon (We will inform you when launched)
10. Varanasi during the different time period (Poetry & Saint, Mughal & British Period) - Day Tour
11. Session on Traditional Music (Can be Vocal, Instrumental or Dance - Thumri, Kathak & others based on guest choice)
Other than session also available as performance on demand.
12. Excursion to Theatre & Movie Shooting sights of Varanasi
Inclusions in the above tour: All above tour include a small walking bag with bottled water, wet tissue, dry tissue & Sanitizer.
Instructions: Please carry an umbrella during the walk to safeguard from sun and rain.
Cost on Request
10. Varanasi during the different time period (Poetry & Saint, Mughal & British Period) - Day Tour
11. Session on Traditional Music (Can be Vocal, Instrumental or Dance - Thumri, Kathak & others based on guest choice)
Other than session also available as performance on demand.
12. Excursion to Theatre & Movie Shooting sights of Varanasi
Inclusions in the above tour: All above tour include a small walking bag with bottled water, wet tissue, dry tissue & Sanitizer.
Instructions: Please carry an umbrella during the walk to safeguard from sun and rain.
Cost on Request
