Varanasi Homestay Extension

Varanasi Homestay Extension

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4 Days From

$335

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

Age range:

5-99 years

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural

From: $335

NB: Prices correct on 07-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

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.

Itinerary

Expand All

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

  • Accommodation
    Homestay (3 nights)

  • 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

  • Meals

    3 breakfasts, 1 dinners

What's Not Included

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • International Travel

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

Transport

  • Private vehicle , Cycle rickshaw , Boat

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.

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

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.

Mode of Transport

  • Private vehicle , Cycle rickshaw , Boat

Check out our Q&As

  • 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.

  • 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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1 Select your preferred date

Saturday - Tuesday

Nov 16, 2024 - Nov 19, 2024
$335

Monday - Thursday

Nov 18, 2024 - Nov 21, 2024
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Tuesday - Friday

Nov 19, 2024 - Nov 22, 2024
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Thursday - Sunday

Nov 21, 2024 - Nov 24, 2024
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Saturday - Tuesday

Nov 23, 2024 - Nov 26, 2024
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Monday - Thursday

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Tuesday - Friday

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Saturday - Tuesday

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Tuesday - Friday

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Thursday - Sunday

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Saturday - Tuesday

Dec 07, 2024 - Dec 10, 2024
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Monday - Thursday

Dec 09, 2024 - Dec 12, 2024
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Tuesday - Friday

Dec 10, 2024 - Dec 13, 2024
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Thursday - Sunday

Dec 12, 2024 - Dec 15, 2024
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Saturday - Tuesday

Dec 14, 2024 - Dec 17, 2024
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Monday - Thursday

Dec 16, 2024 - Dec 19, 2024
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Tuesday - Friday

Dec 17, 2024 - Dec 20, 2024
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Thursday - Sunday

Dec 19, 2024 - Dec 22, 2024
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Saturday - Tuesday

Dec 21, 2024 - Dec 24, 2024
$335

Monday - Thursday

Dec 23, 2024 - Dec 26, 2024
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Tuesday - Friday

Dec 24, 2024 - Dec 27, 2024
$335

Thursday - Sunday

Dec 26, 2024 - Dec 29, 2024
$335
Prices last published on 06-Nov-2024

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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