Varanasi Boat
Varanasi Boat
4.5
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4.5
143 reviews
Excellent
103
Very good
32
Average
6
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Andrea438
Milan, Italy503 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Couples
It is important to first choose a good guide who can explain to you what is happening before your eyes otherwise you would not be able to fully understand its mystical aspect. Then a reliable boat, possibly reserved for you. Crowded boats would prevent you from taking photos with the best perspective. Finally, the right time to see the crowd of pilgrims heading for the purifying bath in the sacred Ganges, a ritual that they believe absolves them of all their sins.
Written 18 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.
Sohini
Kolkata (Calcutta), India13 contributions
Sep. 2021 • Family
Varanasi the ancient city never ceases to impress us with its charm as well as its divine aura. You get drenched into that feeling of spirituality the moment you step into this ancient city. It is a mix of tradition as well as modernization. We cannot think of the city saans the ghats. Dashashvamedh ghat, assi ghat. When the first Ray's of the rising sun paints the sky in hues of orange and red thousands of people assemble at the ghats to see Surya aarti followed by yoga followed by lemon tea. Evening 6.30 ghaats are flooded with people to see ganga aarti. The boats sail through the ganges and you get a clear view of the aarti. The Alaknanda sails through the ganges and gives you a perfect view of aarti while you take a sip of your favourite tea. You pass through various ghaats lined with temples. The sacred water of the ganges, the aarti, saadhus chanting hymns create an atmosphere where you connect with your inner self.
Written 27 October 2021
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.
Anjel
1 contribution
Mar. 2020 • Family
Amazing experience on The boats.ot was a blissful experience with family And friends.would like to come again
Written 13 March 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.
Soumyajit Saha
Kolkata (Calcutta), India399 contributions
Dec. 2019 • Solo
Varanasi Boat ride is a very good ride on river Ganges. It is a very good ride and one should definately do it.
Written 28 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.
sudeep_ntpc
Bilaspur, India39 contributions
Dec. 2019
taken boat from dasasawamedh ghat 50 rs / head though some people meet before and say huge amount i suggest to go directly to ghat... cruise has also been started
Written 11 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.
Kevin S
Pontypridd, UK6,243 contributions
Nov. 2019
Disappointing given the positive assurances of personal attention in the exchange of emails weeks before travelling. After whatsapp contact on arri-val I was just passed onto some unknown boatman. The first morning trip went off on time 05.30 but they didn't know I had booked a motor boat or rowing boat nor for how long and lasted 1:40 not the paid two hours. Real-ly, the walk from the hotel and back is included in my time???? OK, I’ll let that pass, no tip.
But worse. Whatsapp contact for the special Ganga Aarta arrived at 4.15 PM, ` I suggest we start the trip at 4.30 to ensure we get a good position`.
I replied ‘no its light, I’ve seen the ghats by daylight this morning, I want them at sunset to darkness."
No, best we get a good position.
If I hadn't researched times as I always do, the unsuspecting person could agree with a local `expert‘. I knew starting at 4.30 would mean we would be finished and back outside my hotel at 6.30. What time did the ceremony start? 6.30. I WOULD HAVE MISSED IT ALL.
So I insisted on my start time. But the mere suggesting of a time that would cause you to miss a special spectacle means you seriously have to question who you are booking with.
Our boatman allocated, different from the morning person, was then excellent and having a large motor boat ensured a great view. In fact there are so many oat operators touting for business, motor or rowing boat, and you won’t see much in one hour on a rowing boat, you can chat with the operator, look at the boat and just choose when you are there. Great photos under my Ganges river review.
But worse. Whatsapp contact for the special Ganga Aarta arrived at 4.15 PM, ` I suggest we start the trip at 4.30 to ensure we get a good position`.
I replied ‘no its light, I’ve seen the ghats by daylight this morning, I want them at sunset to darkness."
No, best we get a good position.
If I hadn't researched times as I always do, the unsuspecting person could agree with a local `expert‘. I knew starting at 4.30 would mean we would be finished and back outside my hotel at 6.30. What time did the ceremony start? 6.30. I WOULD HAVE MISSED IT ALL.
So I insisted on my start time. But the mere suggesting of a time that would cause you to miss a special spectacle means you seriously have to question who you are booking with.
Our boatman allocated, different from the morning person, was then excellent and having a large motor boat ensured a great view. In fact there are so many oat operators touting for business, motor or rowing boat, and you won’t see much in one hour on a rowing boat, you can chat with the operator, look at the boat and just choose when you are there. Great photos under my Ganges river review.
Written 15 December 2019
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.
Zara & Aj
Cairns, Australia21 contributions
Nov. 2019
We did a morning and evening boat tour to watch sunrise and sunset and there was a festival on so we were over the moon about that Sunil and his crew were fabulous and recommend you do the tours with these guys they catered for our every need.
They took us to the other side of the Ganges where it was safe and clean to take a dip and i also road a camel which was FUNNY as lol.
Zara & AJ
They took us to the other side of the Ganges where it was safe and clean to take a dip and i also road a camel which was FUNNY as lol.
Zara & AJ
Written 18 November 2019
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.
Priyanshu
2 contributions
Nov. 2019 • Friends
Sunset boat ride. You're in Varanasi, of course you need to spend some time on the river. We walked it up and down a few times and it's fantastic to see the locals washing, both themselves and their clothes and sheets. It's surprisingly peaceful there and it was nice not being sold anything (other than boat rides).
Written 8 November 2019
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.
KDM2013
St. Catharines, Canada186 contributions
Jun. 2019
We had the most amazing tour guide in this city. Mr. Shashank Basu was amazing. He works with Explore India Journeys Inc and made Varanasi special. This is a city which overloads the senses...you need to go to the Ganges, watch the evening ceremony and then return in the morning to see the bathing. The 15,000 pilgrims that arrive daily bring an energy that is something to witness and it is a privilege. Thank you for the wonderful hospitality.
Written 27 October 2019
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.
Dinesh Y
Varanasi, India24 contributions
Jul. 2019 • Family
Too much mannered too much smile too much patience owner of the boat Pappu.
He arranged for us good boat ride and in Genunine price very nice trip
Thanks Pappu Pukki
Call him before for booking
0091-7081854346
He can arrange little food and snacks also if you requested
He arranged for us good boat ride and in Genunine price very nice trip
Thanks Pappu Pukki
Call him before for booking
0091-7081854346
He can arrange little food and snacks also if you requested
Written 4 September 2019
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.
Zara & Aj
Cairns, Australia21 contributions
Hi Mr SandipKRoy ,
we are going to Varanasi November this year can you recommend any boat hire places where we will get a good service?
Thanks Aj & Zara
Shivam
8 contributions
Hello SandipkRoy,
If you are planning for Varanasi then I suggest you to take a boat tour from prayagsamagam boat agency only.
For more info visit prayagsamagam website.
They have a standard and fixed rates for boat rides.
For more info you can mail too. They arrange cab boat guide everything.
notroubletravel
Singapore, Singapore37 contributions
what unavoidable sights? people taking baths?
Lazy Traveller
Kurnool, India5 contributions
Varanasi ghats and at evening ganga arti in evening.... You must nit avoid these sights. You will enjoy boat ride ( bargain with em ) for sure. And after visiting Varanasi you can go to saranath which is near by. Enjoy your visit.
Filippo L
7 contributions
Me and my wife Will arrive tomorrow in Varanasi. Could you arrange for us a morning boat trip starting in the early morning? What about the price. Thanks in advance for your reply
how much does it cost per person for 2 hours ride during aarti?
RajanSaravanan
Chennai (Madras), India155 contributions
Approximately 200 to 300/- Rs it cost while riding on boat during Ganga Aarthi
Ingrid Mahabir
Phnom Penh, Cambodia2 contributions
What time in the morning are the boat tours?
Yogesh Hooda
New Delhi, India
These start from 5:00 AM in summers and 6:00AM in winters
Joy K
Louisiana41 contributions
Are boat tours available in January?
Amit-Rupa-Ahir
Kolkata (Calcutta), India9 contributions
Yes, you may contact Mr. Sunil (before Alka Hotel at Meer Ghat) for an excellent and reliable boat-ride on the Ganges.
Parvin Goel
New Delhi, India91 contributions
how do i book in advance, and how much they charge? we are a family of four. going this month for two days
Nearboats
Varanasi, India5 contributions
you can book boats online in varanasi with nearboats. just drop a message on Facebook page of @nearboats and get fare estimates. best service in lowest prices