Tickets & tours
Access to the ghats is free, but viewing the city from the water requires a boat. Choose from 1-hour sunrise rows to 12-hour guided experiences.
Top ratedWe provide beautiful sun rise boat trip which is beauty of Varanasi And we explained everything about our culture and history about our city and about each Ghats which...
Most bookedExperience the magic of Varanasi with our exclusive Evening Ganga Aarti tour. Start with an enchanting evening boat ride along the sacred Ganges River, offering a unique...
Best valueIt’s a city with deep cultural experience, The sacred river of Ganga preserves the memory of thousands of years in her motherly water which flows just in the center of...
Explore Varanasi on a private full-day tour that includes a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges River. Visit landmarks in and around Varanasi including Banaras Hindu...
Small groupExperience the essence of Varanasi in a single unforgettable day with our meticulously curated one-day tour. This condensed journey is designed to provide you with a...
Prices are per person or per group as listed by the platform and change based on season and group size.
Enter your group and compare totals on both platforms. From-prices; children are priced as adults unless the listing gives a child rate.
Compare top-rated Varanasi experiences.
| Option | Duration | Viator from | GetYourGuide from | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marigold boat tour | 1 h to 2 h | $18 | Compare | 4.9 (144) | a sunrise or sunset boat ride |
| Evening Ganga Aarti tour | 3 h to 4 h | $48 | Compare | 4.7 (118) | the evening ceremony |
| Evening tour with aarti & boating | 2 h | $13 | Compare | 4.6 (154) | a short evening on the river |
| Private full-day tour with boat ride | 12 h | $70 | Compare | 4.9 (98) | a full day with a private guide |
| Varanasi full-day guided tour | 10 h to 12 h | $80 | Compare | 5.0 (282) | temples, ghats and the river in one day |
You can book a private boat online in advance or negotiate directly at main ghats like Assi or Dashashwamedh. Online tours like
often include hotel pickup and guarantee your spot during busy seasons.Morning rides offer a quiet, peaceful atmosphere with soft sunrise light and early bathing rituals. Evening rides focus on securing a spot on the water to watch the large Aarti ceremonies with chanting and fire rituals.
Fixed rates start at ₹345 per person for a shared ride. Private motorboats typically cost ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 or more, depending on the season and duration.
From Viator
144 reviews of the Marigold boat tour on Viator
Sonu is a very genuine and passionate guide who grew up here and has a deep personal connection to the place. Thank you for making the boat ride so enjoyable and memorable, and for helping me understand the rituals surrounding death and the local culture. I highly recommend Sonu if you want an authentic and meaningful experience in Varanasi! ❤️
Smooth experience with a good and knowledgeable guide. Good length and atmosphere, with a period of quiet time given to reflect on the Ganges.
Very enjoyable tour. Vineet was a very good guide and had lots of great information to share. We had great seats for the show which was very nice. Highly recommend this.
