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Ganges

Ganges

River Ganges Holidays

Stretching for 1,557 miles, the mighty Ganges River springs to life in the Himalaya and empties into the Bay of Bengal. This sacred river is one of the most fertile regions in India and is the lifeblood of the Indians who live alongside it. Rice and other crops provide essential food for the people of Bangladesh and India and on our River Ganges holidays you can watch people bathing in its waters, as they remember their ancestors and purify themselves. Seeing the swirl of colour along the River Ganges during morning prayers is a humbling experience and a sight to behold.

On our Ganges River trips we take a boat out on the water to witness the extraordinary spectacle on the ghats, the steps leading down to the river, as thousands of Hindu pilgrims bathe in the holy water. The river also flows through the oldest continually inhabited city in the world, Varanasi. The city has been a cultural and religious centre for Hinduism in northern India for thousands of years. As you explore the labyrinth of narrow streets and temples of the city, you’ll see religious elders, pilgrims and wandering holy men known as Sadhus.

Ganges River trips are a great way to delve deeper into the culture of South Asia and there’s plenty of time to visit the silk emporiums or try some authentic street food and sample the exotic and spicy flavours of a traditional Indian curry.

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Best Things to Do in Varanasi on River Ganges Holidays

Sunrise Boat Trip: Sailing out onto the River Ganges at dawn is a unique experience. As the morning sun casts a deep orange glow over the water and the morning mist rises, the ghats come alive with hundreds of pilgrims performing their religious rituals. As you watch people bathing, chanting, meditating and washing clothes, you begin to realise the importance of the Ganges. Cruise along the river and see of the most famous ghats such as Manikarnika, Dasaswamedh, Scindhia and Assi Ghat.

Shopping in Varanasi: The frenetic city of Varanasi, also known as Benares, runs along the banks of the River Ganges and is one of India’s most sacred cities in Hinduism. It’s believed that Varanasi was created by the Hindu God Shiva and it’s one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. But throughout the streets of Varanasi, you’ll also find a rich cultural centre and vibrant markets selling silk, muslin, perfumes and art. Some of the best markets for shopping are Thatheri Bazaar, Vishwanath Lane and Godowlia Market.

Visit the Temples: As a renowned pilgrimage site Varanasi is one of the most religious cities in India so visiting the temples should be high on your list of things to do here. Around every corner you’ll see an ancient temple with beautiful architecture. The most famous of all the temples is Kashi Vishwanath which was built in the mid-18th century and sits inside two golden domes. Other impressive temples worth seeing include Annapurna Temple, Durga Temple, Ankatha Temple and Bharat Mata Temple.

Watch Pilgrims Bathing in the Ganges: Providing the people of Varanasi with its vital lifeblood, the Ganges River is considered sacred in the Hindu religion. The holy waters attract pilgrims from across the globe who come and bathe here as it’s believed that by bathing in the water, you’ll purify your soul and wash away your sins. People also come to the Ganges to immerse their relative’s ashes in the water and end the cycle of reincarnation by sending the deceased to Moksha.

Attend an Evening Arti Ceremony: The Arti Ceremony takes place at the Ganges River in Varanasi and is a religious ceremony of light which is best witnessed from the Dasawamedh Ghat. This iconic performance features fire which is used as an offering to the goddess Maa Ganga. Hindu priests light large brass lamps as rituals comprising dance and religious chants take place and it’s believed that the lamps will absorb the blessing of Maa Ganga. This is one of the most spectacular and soul stirring ceremonies you’ll witness along the Ganges at Varanasi.

Try the Local Food: Varanasi is a dizzying maze of narrow lanes filled with traditional restaurants, street food stalls and tea stalls. Indian cuisine is vibrant and extremely diverse, and you’ll be overwhelmed by the amount of choice there is here. Try varanasi Lassi, which is a sweet drink made with saffron, dried rose petals and pistachios and is a favourite with the locals in the city. But if you fancy something a little spicier to fill the hunger gap, try a choti kachori, a snack made with lentils and masala and wrapped inside a crispy outer layer.

Just got back from India, and a few things really stood out: seeing the Taj Mahal up close was just incredible. I also ate so much delicious Indian food—each meal was a highlight on its own. And our local leader, Ajay, was fantastic; his sense of humor and all the interesting cultural insights he shared added so much to the experience.

Sarah Hibbert India's Golden Triangle

Yes, the trip is fast paced, but I think that’s pretty well explained on the website so I was expecting it. But the itinerary covers some really incredible places and I felt like I got a good feeling for India (my first time) as a result of it. There were some long drives, but the days spent in places like Jaipur, Agra and Varanasi meant it didn’t feel like we were *constantly* on the move. I absolutely loved India! The group gelled really well and we’re considering going on a S. India trip with Exodus all together again in 2026!

Ben Colbridge Highlights of Northern India

The trip included all the sites we wanted to see, but it was done at such a pace that it was exhausting and difficult to take everything in.

Jo Rimell Highlights of Northern India