Varanasi Homestay Extension

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~~$335~~

$326

Varanasi Homestay Extension

4 Days Starting and ending in Varanasi

Visiting: Varanasi, Sarnath - Varanasi

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

HHAV

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Low, Low

Age range:

5-99 years

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

From:

$335

$326 (USD) The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$9

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Tour Overview

Explore holy Varanasi on an insightful Short Break Adventure – an atmospheric blend of temples, river ghats, and bustling bazaars. Cruise along the Ganges at dawn for a magical experience as the sun rises over groups of pilgrims absolving sins in the river. Explore the city and nearby Sarnath and wander independently through the bright bustle of the backstreets of the city. Visiting Shiva's city is a must on any visit to India, and this four-day adventure is a perfect addition to your Indian exploration.

Highlights

Embrace the local rituals and customs at our homestay in Varanasi. Upon arrival, be treated to a home-cooked meal, sharing food and interacting with your warm and welcoming hosts.
Spend sunrise cruising along the Ganges, watching Varanasi emerge into a new day, passing the many ghats and temples along the river banks while pilgrims wash themselves in the holy waters.
Head out of town to Sarnath and visit the place where Gautama Buddha first began his teachings of the sacred Dharma.
By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Positive Change for Marine Life. Donations help them to nurture ocean health with community-led conservation initiatives that inspire coastal restoration, sustainable fishing practices and waste-management.

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Itinerary

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Day 1: Varanasi

Location: Varanasi

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals Included: dinner

Namaste! The ultimate destination for all Hindu pilgrims, Varanasi is full of temples, shrines, and devotees. Varanasi is one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities and is certainly one of the world's most amazing. Full of devout worshippers, religious icons, and riverside congregations, you know you’re in spiritual territory now. Check-in at your homestay is anytime after midday (12 pm), and it’s recommended you arrive soon after to take part with your host family going about their local customs, preparing food, and eating a delicious home-cooked meal. Varanasi’s charming hospitality extends to your homestay, so be sure to soak it all up.

Included Activities:
-Varanasi - Family dinner

Day 2: Varanasi

Location: Varanasi

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals Included: breaksfast

Set off by cycle rickshaw to visit some of the oldest parts of the city this morning, bustling with tourists and priests. Wander through the Old City with its maze of narrow alleyways packed full of small shops and stalls. See pilgrims bathing in the sacred Ganges River and performing rituals and ceremonies unchanged for hundreds of years. You’ll hear bell towers from temples chime and smell hints of incense all around the city. Spend the evening soaking up the magical atmosphere of a candle flower ceremony – small dishes floating on the river at sunset, creating a shimmering glow to finish off a fascinating day.

Included Activities:
-Varanasi - Leader-led Old City walking tour
-Varanasi - Ganges candle flower ceremony

Day 3: Sarnath - Varanasi

Location: Sarnath - Varanasi

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals Included: breaksfast

Today, set off on another guided city tour in which you will get a chance to visit a centre famous for weaving Benares silk in pit looms. Varanasi is known throughout India as the finest producer of silk and the renowned Banarasi sari. These intricate saris are generally reserved for weddings. Later on, take an excursion to Sarnath – located approximately 12 kilometres from Varanasi and near the intersection of the Ganges and Gomati rivers. Visit the park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. The rest of the day is free for you to spend as you wish.

Included Activities:
-Varanasi - Sarnath excursion
-Varanasi - Silk weaving centre

Day 4: Varanasi

Location: Varanasi

Meals Included: breaksfast

Rise early with a sunrise boat ride along the Ganges River. Drift gently along the river and as the sun rises, float past the many ghats and temples along the banks. Watching pilgrims bathing, and this ancient city waking up and greeting the day is one of the unmissable sights of this remarkable country. After the boat ride, transfer back to the hotel where your Short Break will conclude, however that doesn’t mean your adventure has to come to an end! If you would like to spend more time in Varanasi, we’ll be happy to book additional accommodation (subject to availability).

Included Activities:
-Varanasi - Sunrise Ganges boat trip

What's Included

Meals

As detailed in the itinerary
Accommodation

Homestay (3 nights)
Transport

Private vehicle, Cycle rickshaw, Boat
Varanasi - Family dinner
Varanasi - Leader-led Old City walking tour
Varanasi - Ganges candle flower ceremony
Varanasi - Sarnath excursion
Varanasi - Silk weaving centre
Varanasi - Sunrise Ganges boat trip

What's Not Included

Tipping and Gratuities
International Travel
Airport Transfers at Destination

Included Activities

Varanasi - Family dinner
Varanasi - Leader-led Old City walking tour
Varanasi - Ganges candle flower ceremony
Varanasi - Sarnath excursion
Varanasi - Silk weaving centre
Varanasi - Sunrise Ganges boat trip

Accommodation

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

Transport

Private vehicle , Cycle rickshaw , Boat

Important Information

1. This trip finishes upon arrival in Varanasi on Day 4. Please do not book any flights flights before 12 noon.
2. This is a join-in trip, so if other travellers have booked on the same date you will share included activities. As this is not a group itinerary you may be travelling or accommodated on your own, without other Intrepid travellers.
3. Please provide your full name exactly as it appears on your passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport. Fees may apply for adding or amending details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases, you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.

Check out our Q&As

Are flights included in this tour?

No
Are airport transfers included in this tour?

No
Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

Yes
What is the maximum group size?

12 people
Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

No

Is this trip right for you

On Short Breaks, you maintain a good level of independence and freedom, with the added bonus of having the details sorted out for you. You’ll have lots of free time and you won’t be accompanied by a Trip Leader. This means that all included activities and tours will be run by different local Intrepid partners, and these may operate independently from each other. The included activities and transfers will operate on a join-in basis, which means that you could have your Adventure all to yourself, or others may join you along the way. If you would prefer the experience of travelling with others, please consider the North India Highlights adventure – search trip code HHKH on the Intrepid website for more information.
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

Yes, 5 years old or above
What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey.
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

Yes
What policies are in place for Covid-19?

Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
How long has the tour company been trading?

Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

Yes
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

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Dates & Availability

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May
2024 Jun
2024 Jul
2024 Aug
2024 Sep
2024 Oct
2024 Nov
2024 Dec
2024

Saturday - Tuesday

May 04, 2024 - May 07, 2024

~~$335~~ $326 (USD)