Blog / Top boat rides
Top 5 boat rides in Varanasi you must try
Varanasi's ghats are best understood from the water, and there isn't just one kind of boat ride — the right choice depends on what time of day you're free and what you actually want to see.
1. The sunrise row
A slow, hand-rowed boat setting off around 5:30 AM from Assi Ghat, drifting past the ghats as the city wakes up. This is the ride most photographers ask for, and the water is calmest at this hour.
2. The Ganga Aarti boat
Timed for the evening ceremony, this ride holds position on the river facing Dashashwamedh Ghat so you can watch all the priests perform in unison without fighting for space on the steps.
3. The private motorboat
Best for families or small groups who want flexibility — you decide how many ghats to cover and how long to linger at each one, without sharing the boat with strangers.
4. The 84-ghat heritage ride
A longer route from Assi Ghat to Namo Ghat and back, with a boatman who can point out the history behind each ghat — cremation ghats, bathing ghats, and the palaces built by former royal families.
5. The festival boat ride
Available during Dev Diwali and Kartik Purnima, when every ghat is lit with diyas. It's the most crowded ride of the year on the water too, so book a day or two ahead if your dates fall on a festival.
Not sure which one fits your schedule? Message us your dates and we'll suggest the ride that matches the time you have.