The 4 India River Cruises That Earn the Fare

Varanasi : Full Day City Highlights Day Tour & Ganges Cruise - Walking from Manikarnika Ghat to Kashi Vishwanath

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 520 reviews · 10 hours · from $61Our pick

Start at 5:30am with a Ganges sunrise boat ride, then walk Varanasi’s old lanes to Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Your private guide may be Anmol, Shivam, Sanjay, Shivam, or another local specialist. The day continues through BHU, temples, a silk workshop, and Sarnath before the evening Ganga Aarti.

“Our stellar Varanasi experience wouldn’t have been possible without Anmol. Highly professional, cheerful, helpful and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend taking a tour with him.”

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Full-Day, India River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Full-day private Varanasi tour with AC car, boat & Sarnath

2.Full-day private Varanasi tour with AC car, boat & Sarnath

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 103 reviews · 10 hours · from $61Top rated

Start at 5:30am with a private Ganges boat ride, then explore Varanasi’s ghats, temples, old lanes, Banaras Hindu University, and Bharat Mata Mandir with a local guide. After lunch, visit Sarnath and its Buddhist monuments before returning for the evening Ganga Aarti. AC transport, water, chai, hotel pickup, and a private boat are included.

“Great tour. Went to many places and the guide, Anmol, was very knowledgeable and good conversation. Options to do more or less were given so very accessible. Would highly recommend!!”

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Full-Day, India River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride

3.Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 87 reviews · 10 hours · from $55

Start at 5:30 am with a sunrise boat ride, then visit Varanasi’s ghats, temples, BHU, and Bharat Mata Temple before heading to Sarnath. Return for the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Private air-conditioned transport, hotel pickup, a guide, and water are included. Lunch and some temple charges cost extra.

“I had a great day with Rahul.. very talented, patient and knowledgeable.. highly recommend this tour. As a solo female traveler, and my first time in this amazing city of Varanasi I felt super safe on this tour. Thank you once again!”

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Canal Cruises, India River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Alleppey: Shikara Boat Ride with Village Tour & Canal Cruise

4.Alleppey: Shikara Boat Ride with Village Tour & Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 65 reviews · 3 hours · from $16Best value

Take a private three-hour shikara ride from near Vazhicheri Bridge through Alleppey’s canals and wider backwaters. Your English-speaking boatman, often Shibu, Rahul, or Anasudheen, shares local life, points out birds, and stops at a village or local eatery. Choose an early start for quiet waters or an afternoon departure for sunset.

“Shibu is an amazing guide. Team was very accommodating. Had a good time!”

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The 4 India River Cruises That Earn the Fare

Varanasi : Full Day City Highlights Day Tour & Ganges Cruise

1.Varanasi : Full Day City Highlights Day Tour & Ganges Cruise

Full-day private Varanasi tour with AC car, boat & Sarnath

2.Full-day private Varanasi tour with AC car, boat & Sarnath

Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride

3.Varanasi & Sarnath: Full-Day Tour with Ganges Boat Ride

Alleppey: Shikara Boat Ride with Village Tour & Canal Cruise

4.Alleppey: Shikara Boat Ride with Village Tour & Canal Cruise

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