Ethos & Approach

VaranasiWalks strives to create an immersive experience while educating and interacting with the guest in a unique geo-sacred local environment of cultural & religious activities.

Our forte is the walking tour & boat journey, which were developed as an eco-friendly approach to reduce tourism impact, to understand the depth of our city’s narrative, history, ritual & worldview.  This has expanded to door to door service of trained staff who engage with guests in a variety of activities from village visits to yoga at sacred sites. 

VaranasiWalks staff are local residents and intrepid folklore specialists who have a knack for discovering offbeat routes, stories and sites of cultural-religious interest to the first-time guest as well as the return traveller.

Some of our staff are licensed tour guides and others are explorer staff members. We also engage translators and specialists as needed. Each walk is unique and sites are visited based on the movement of the walk and time involved.

Time Commitment

Walking Tours are typically 2.5 – 3hrs in length and require footwear removal at various times, appropriate clothing, covered shoulders & knees in some temples, stamina, ability and confidence to navigate narrow lanes, crowded conditions and inclines/stairs. 

Boat Journeys are typically 2 – 2.5hrs in length and require ability to enter & exit small watercrafts. Life preservers are not provided and all tours are at your own risk of injury & weather-related issues. 

Yoga Activities vary in length but are generally 2 – 3 hrs. for various classes, walks & activities.  Previous yoga experience is not necessary & mat can be provided.

Privacy

All tours are private.  Group walks can be arranged if participants are available.  We retain our Varanasi Walking Tours identity as either VaranasiWalks or Darklotus Yoga as well as facilitate your guests as your company vendor.

 VaranasiWalks has a strict “no-shopping” policy.  Our guides do not indulge in creating profits behind the scenes and will never ask your clients if they are interested in visiting a silk shop.  We are flexible enough to allow guests to purchase small items along the way if this does not interfere in the time needed to complete the tour. 

Rates

Rates are generally billed at Rs. 2000/- (x1) Rs. 1600/- (x2-3) Rs. 1400/- (x4-5) Rs. 1200/- (x6+) not including 5% GST.  Please see the specific tour for exact prices.

Tour prices are based on blocks of 3 – 4 hrs including transport time. Additional time is billed at half price of the tour from 4hrs onwards and full tour price from 5.5hrs onwards.