Cultural & Spiritual Trails of Old Town Varanasi Guided Walking Tour
4.7

Cultural & Spiritual Trails of Old Town Varanasi Guided Walking Tour

By Yo Tours
Recommended by 94% of travellers
94% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
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Ages 0-99, max of 20 per group
Duration: 2h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More


  • Great conversations to explore religious aspect, beliefs and local importance
  • Highly trained and friendly Storyteller/ Guide who can speak English & Hindi
What's not included
  • Hotel Pickup and Drop
  • Food and Drinks
  • Air-conditioned vehicle


Start:
  • St. Thomas Church, Girja Ghar, Ramapura Luxa, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
    Meet our storyteller at the St. Thomas Church, Girja Ghar, Ramapura Luxa, Varanasi and our walk start from here followed by enriching experiences of Varanasi.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Near public transportation
    • Not wheelchair accessible
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 209747P9

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Most travellers can participate
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travellers

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 209747P9

    From
    £9.22
    per adult (price varies by group size)
    Select date and travellers
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    Similar experiences

    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Yo Tours
      4.6 of 5 bubbles233
      Varanasi, India
      Joined in January 2018
    • RuchiA0702
      0 contributions
      1.0 of 5 bubbles
      Never visit kashi during festive period
      Could neither see ganga aarti nor walk on the ghats as it was too crowded..too many boats and even double decker so pl ensure u have a ticket for a double decker boat for good view. Yo Tours should not have taken bookings or atleast warned that this is not a good time or given a double decker boat
      Written 16 February 2025
    • pedenfs
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great Food Tour
      This was the perfect food tour—Manish took us to a variety of places to try a variety of dishes, but it was not too much. We loved everything we tried.
      Written 2 January 2025
    • GoPlaces28580282229
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Awesome
      She was excellent nd good ...God bless her and her helping nature...Shreyasi....God may bless you always...I have guided well by her ..all the time .. awesome person with beautiful smile nd heart ❤️
      Written 8 June 2024
    • fxs1
      0 contributions
      1.0 of 5 bubbles
      Scam! No show! Unsafe meeting point!
      Scam! No show! Waited more than 20 minutes at the suggested location which happens to be at the intersection of two super crowded streets. Tried calling Viator’s US phone number and the local Yo tours phone number who were both unreachable. I reached out Viator over email only to hear back the next day that they would not honor the refund. So you kept my $38 for what exactly!
      Written 27 May 2024
    • 380saugatas
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      A must do for food lovers
      My wife and I were always keen in sampling the famed street foods of Benaras and to soak into the ambience and history of the city. This 2 hours of guided "Varanasi Street Food Crawl" perfectly fitted in our plan (we took it on March 16, 2024 from noon). Our friendly and energetic guide Manish, a local tourism major from BHU, took us around the narrow by-lanes of the old city, while stopping over at a number of famous and old street food shops, serving lip-smacking "hinger kachori, jilabis, samosas, sweets and delicious lassis with excusive aroma / presentation (at Blue Lassi shop)". Overall, a fantastic experience for food lovers.
      Written 19 March 2024
    • shavedh
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Manish, a very professional and likeable guide who can tell you all the special features about Varanasi
      Manish is very friendly and likeable young guide who is happy to answer all your questions about Varanasi and its culture. He organized great places for us for the every evening ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat. During our tour he fell on one of the numerous stairs that lead down to the Ganges. The first impression was that he hadn't broken anything. He continued the sightseeing tour professionally, probably in pain. Thank you for that. We would book him again at any time and can only recommend him to everyone.A very friendly and likeable young man who will be happy to answer all your questions about Varanasi and its culture. He organized great places for us for the every evening ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat. During our tour he fell on one of the numerous stairs that lead down to the Ganges. The first impression was that he hadn't broken anything. He continued the sightseeing tour professionally, probably in pain. Thank you for that. We would book him again at any time and can only recommend him to everyone.
      Written 3 March 2024
    • Mobile54631269155
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Classic Varanasi Food Tour
      Great tour, Manish very friendly and knowledgeable. Hit a bunch of famous and old establishments, all good and drink was delicious. City of Varanasi can be confusing and daunting for the first time traveller, but was a breeze with him. Will recommend.
      Written 20 February 2024
    • 890kerryannm
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great food great guide just great!
      This was absolutely wonderful!! The foods we tasted was out of this world amazing and my guide mannish was just the best. He was fun engaging, kind and very knowledgeable. I had a great time and would recommend this
      Written 11 February 2024
    • overbutnotout
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Street food does not have to be avoided
      The guide set a fast pace going to the first eating place the blue lassi. Crowded and overrated. It was interesting going to hole in the wall eateries where food is freshly made and safe to eat. Interesting and informative tour.
      Written 24 January 2024
    • IzzyS1997
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Delicious
      Manish was a great and friendly guide and showed us some amazing food that is specific to Varanasi. We loved the Aloo Tikka the most, but it was all delicious. Thanks so much! Definitely recommend 🙏🏻
      Written 19 January 2024
    • curioooooooo
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Good whatsapp conversation
      Thank you Manish for the arrangement! I am from Hong Kong, Whatsapp conversation is smooth the day before the tour. Even I came across flight delay, Manish also patiently asked me for update and kept in touch. The tour is an 2 hours easy walk and visit the must-see spots of varanasi. As you dont spend long in varanasi, with a local guide, you can quickly understand the local lifes and ask for good food recommendations. Worth spent! I was only spent 1 night, but its bit rush and shall spend 2 nights instead. They have different tours, this walking tour is first priority for quick glance. If you love to learn more indepth on the history, other tours should be entertained.
      Written 15 January 2024
    • Relax22415851100
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A day out of Varanasi
      This was a great day led by my guide Manish. We visited three different villages and lots of roadside places in between. It was a seamless day with great conversation. The villages were great.. welcoming people and only to happy to talk and show you things. Never was there any pressure to buy or give. Best memory..being invited into a very old home by a villager. I feel I gained a better understanding of people through this day. I would thoroughly recommend it.
      Written 14 January 2024
    • flavianeffa
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Incredible experience!
      The tour was excelent! The chosen temple were awesome and the guide, Manish, knows everything about india’s history. Highly recommended!
      Written 14 January 2024
    • sarahhO3999KA
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Food tour
      This was a nice way to spend an evening. We ate many different street foods and sweet food too. Manish is very knowledgable about Varanasi and he very generously helped us out on more endeavours after the food tour too. Varanasi locals are very giving and kind in general. :)
      Written 13 January 2024
    • GururajRao14
      0 contributions
      1.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fraud by the tour operator recommended by TripAdvisor
      The tour operator never turned up at the appointed time, never informed anything and also no phone number to contact if office was closed on a Sunday. Looks like a fraud to me. Don't take this tour.
      Written 10 December 2023
    See all 233 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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    4.7
    4.7 of 5 bubbles70 reviews
    Excellent
    58
    Very good
    8
    Average
    2
    Poor
    1
    Terrible
    1

    These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
    This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.

    Sabrina Yael Guereta
    14 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nov 2023 • Friends
    The tour with Manish was very interesting and was full of information that we did not know and helped us understand the importance of Varanasi. Our guide was very kind to wait for us since we arrived late, and he also took some beautiful photos of us! He was also very easy going and easy to understand! if we would have to recommend something for improvement would be to offer the opportunity to see the ceremony from the boat or maybe to watch it in the company of the guide so he can explain it. But overall it was an excellent experience! thanks Manish for the tour!!
    Written 14 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Luis Pereira
    43 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sept 2023 • Family
    An experience that fully fulfills what it advertises. The guided tour is extremely interesting, taking in some of Varanasi's many temples and narrow streets. Manish is an extremely friendly guide, who perfectly knows the city where he lives, and has in-depth knowledge of Hindu religion and culture. It was, without a doubt, a 5* experience
    Google
    Written 13 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Wendy C
    15 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Feb 2025 • Couples
    Manish saved our stay in Varanasi!!…We arrived without knowing the streets were going to be at their absolute craziest busy because of many thousands of pilgrims arriving for the Kumbh Mela…we were completely overwhelmed, but Manish met us at our hotel in the afternoon and very patiently guided us through the crowds explaining what was happening and why along the way. Varanasi is like nowhere on earth and thank you Manish for allowing us to leave it with some understanding and fond memories.
    Written 25 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Aili C
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sept 2023 • Solo
    As a foreign visitor in Varanasi, getting a guided tour is a must to truly understand the city and appreciate the significance of its different sites (and to find your way around!), and Manish is an amazing guide! He is extremely knowledgeable and helpful and very good company. I learnt so much about Hinduism from him and was able to enjoy Varanasi much more than would have been possible on my own.
    Written 20 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Andrea
    Malvern, Australia2 contributions
    1.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mar 2025 • Family
    DO NOT recommend this tour company. We booked our tour in the morning and it was subsequently confirmed. We sent a message to confirm we were at the meeting point and 5 minutes before the start time they called to say they would not be coming. Our booking still says confirmed. Unacceptable and extremely disappointing.
    Written 14 March 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    PeterCopestake
    Barcelona, Spain101 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jan 2020
    Our guide Ranjan is very knowlegeable and transmitted that knowledge with enthusiasm and interest. We really enjoyed the two hours with him in the back streets and main streets, temples and ghats of Varanasi. The only but is that the e-mail and WhatsApp reservation confirmations didn't coincide regarding time and location which gave rise to a bit of toing and froing until it was clear.
    Written 6 January 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you very much for the wonderful review, it was a pleasure having you on our tour, hope to see you again in next city.
    Written 8 January 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Georgie-AR
    Santiago, Chile20 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We came from Southamerica and had a free walking tour with Abhi, who guided us through intricated alleys full of symbols and life. He showed us temples explaining the hinduism roots and Varanasi history, with knowledge and clarity. The last part was the ghats with traditions and meaning: impressive experience. Abhi was friendly open to questions all the time, and also recommended a very good restaurant!
    Written 16 February 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you very much for the wonderful review, it was a pleasure having you on our tour, hope to see you again in next city.
    Written 20 February 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    golfy69
    Valencia, Spain97 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jan 2020 • Family
    Our guide met us efficiently though there was a little confusion of who was coming on the tour (there were only 4 people). Overall pretty good. Little difficult to understand some of the words along the way, but just ask the guide to speak a bit more slowly. “Adhi” was good and friendly and polite. Recommended.
    Written 23 January 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you very much for the wonderful review, it was a pleasure having you on our tour, hope to see you again in next city.
    Written 24 January 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Vladislav Nita
    Bucharest, Romania1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Dec 2023 • Family
    Our guide was friendly and good speaker of english. He took us to different parts of Varanasi and provided with a lot of useful information about the history, traditions, gods etc. This tour is a good way to start your trip in Varanasi. Totally recommend it.
    Written 12 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    poohtravel
    Wellington, New Zealand339 contributions
    2.0 of 5 bubbles
    We walked to a temple which we viewed from below, stopped at a small shrine then walked to the ghats and the cremation place. The guide up until then was very informative and attentive. That took just over an hour. He then mentioned a silk shop and I said I wasnt interested.
    Conversation and care stopped and he walked ahead of me back to the pickup point.
    My ride back to my hotel took longer than the ‘tour’.
    Very poor
    Written 24 November 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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    *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

    Cultural & Spiritual Trails of Old Town Varanasi Guided Walking Tour provided by Yo Tours

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