Morning Boat Ride

A morning boat ride on the Ganga is among the most serene and unforgettable experiences in Varanasi. As the city gently awakens, the river reflects the golden hues of dawn, and the ghats come alive with rituals, chants, and quiet devotion.

Boats are generally available from almost all ghats, but the most popular and easily accessible boarding points are Assi Ghat, Ravidas Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, and Namo Ghat. Depending on your location, any of these can serve as a beautiful starting point for your ride.

Why It’s Special

Choose a Handboat for Tranquility: A manual rowboat (handboat) is ideal for the morning — it is quiet, allows slow movement, and complements the peaceful energy of the hour.
Motorboats, while faster, tend to be noisy and are better suited for evening Ganga Aarti or longer sightseeing routes.
Spiritual Immersion: From priests offering morning aartis to sadhus meditating by the water, the entire riverside becomes a living spiritual canvas.
Golden Hour Views: Catch the sun rising over the river, casting its glow on the ghats, boats, and faces of early devotees — a visual and emotional treat.

Plan Your Ride

Timings: Best between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM, but be sure to adjust depending on season and sunrise.
Start Points: Most commonly from Assi Ghat, Ravidas Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, and Namo Ghat
Cost Estimate: ₹150–₹300 per person (shared), ₹700–₹1000 for private rides
(Final rates depend on the distance and number of ghats you cover)
What to Carry: Light shawl (especially in winter), water, and a camera

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One of the most popular and peaceful morning boat rides in Varanasi, this traditional manual rowboat journey typically begins at Assi Ghat or Ravidas Ghat, gliding slowly along the Ganga toward the spiritual heart of the city — Dashashwamedh Ghat or Manikarnika Ghat — and returns to the starting point.

The ride lets you witness Varanasi waking up: temple bells ringing, early morning rituals on the ghats, sadhus meditating, and the golden sunrise painting the city in divine light. With no engine noise, the handboat allows you to soak in every sacred sound and scene in perfect silence.

Duration: Approx. 60–75 minutes
Best Time: Between 5:30 AM and 7:30 AM, depending on season

Price: ₹1500–₹2000 depending on distance covered, time taken, and number of persons

This ride is ideal for those seeking a quiet, soulful experience of Banaras — where the river, the city, and the moment become one.

This is the shortest and simplest hand boat journey in Varanasi — ideal for those who want just a taste of the river without a long ride. The boat takes you from any main ghat (like Assi, Ravidas, or Dashashwamedh) across the Ganga to the sandy eastern bank, often called the “other side” by locals.

You can choose to:

Simply enjoy the short crossing and return immediately
Sit quietly on the other side to reflect or enjoy the open view of the ghats
Take a holy dip in the river in relative peace and less crowd
Spend a few minutes walking on the sand before coming back

Duration: 20–30 minutes round trip

Price: ₹500–₹1200 depending on time spent and group size

Perfect for a quick spiritual pause, a river dip, or a silent moment away from the city’s hustle — this ride is short, quiet, and soulful.

This route covers the entire stretch of prominent ghats, from the quiet calm of Assi to the sacred fire of Manikarnika. Expect panoramic views of city life along the river.

Motorboats are a convenient way to explore the ghats efficiently, covering long stretches of the river in a shorter time. Available in small and big variants, they offer both private bookings and shared ride options — though shared rides are mostly available from Assi Ghat and not from all ghats.

Price: ₹250/person (shared) | ₹2000–2500 (private boat)

This is one of the longest and most comprehensive river journeys in Varanasi. Starting from Assi Ghat, the motorboat sails northwards, passing every ghat of Banaras — including Dashashwamedh, Manikarnika, and beyond — before reaching the modern and expansive Namo Ghat.

Here, you can pause briefly to admire the architecture or take photos, and then return southward, completing a full-circle view of the city’s ghats from the river.

Price: ₹350/person (shared) | ₹3000–3500 (private boat)