Rowing boat · Up to 6 people · Sunrise and evening
Hand Boat Ride in Varanasi A Rowing Boat for Up to Six People
Go out on the Ganga in a wooden rowing boat, rowed by hand. It is the traditional way to see the ghats: slow, quiet and close to the water, for up to six people.
- Up to 6 people
- Rowed by hand
- Slow and quiet
The essentials
Hand (Rowing) Boat Ride on the Ganga
Hand boats, also called rowing boats, are the age-old way of travelling on the Ganga at Varanasi. One or two boatmen row the boat by hand, so there is no engine noise, and the boat moves at the pace of the river. The boats are made of wood and painted in bright colours.
A hand boat takes up to six people, so it suits a couple, a small family or a few friends. It is slower than a motor boat, so it covers less of the river in the same time. Tell us how much of the ghats you want to see and we plan the ride. Hand boat rides can be booked from ghats such as Dashashwamedh, Assi, Harishchandra and Manikarnika.
If you want more room, see the motor boat for up to ten, the Bajra boat for 20 to 50, or a private boat for your own group.
| Boat | Hand (rowing) boat |
|---|---|
| Seats | Up to 6 people |
| Rowed by | One or two boatmen |
| Best for | A couple, a small family or a few friends |
| Rides | Sunrise, evening, or through the day |
| Boarding | From ghats such as Dashashwamedh, Assi, Harishchandra and Manikarnika |
| Safety | Life jackets for every passenger |
| Booking | On WhatsApp or by phone |
Slow and quiet
With no engine, the only sounds are the oars and the river. It is the calmest way to see the ghats.
Close to the ghats
A small boat stays close to the steps, so you see the ghats, the bathers and the boats at a short distance.
A local tradition
Rowing boats have been used on the Ganga at Varanasi for generations. The wooden boats are painted in bright colours.
For small groups
Up to six people fit in a hand boat: a couple, a small family or a few friends.
Sunrise or evening
The best times are sunrise and sunset, when the light is soft. Tell us which you want, and the date.
Life jackets
Every passenger is given a life jacket, and the boats are looked after by experienced boatmen.
Enquire
Enquire About a Hand Boat Ride
Send us your date, the number of people and whether you want a sunrise or an evening ride, and we reply with the details.
Other boats
Other Boats You Can Book
From a rowing boat for six to a cruise for a large group. Open a boat to see who it suits.
The ride
What a Hand Boat Ride Is Like
A slower ride, with more time at each ghat.
At the pace of the river
The boat is rowed by hand, so the ride is slow and unhurried, with time to look at each ghat as you pass.
Choose your ghat
Tell us where you are staying or which ghat you want to start from, and we plan the boarding point.
Tell us the time
Sunrise and the evening are the favourites. Boats also run through the day.
Book your boat
How to Book
Tell us when and how many. The WhatsApp button opens with a message ready to send, and you add the details.
Message or Call Us
Send your date, the number of people and whether you want a sunrise or an evening ride. We reply with the boat and the details.
Message Us on WhatsApp Call +91 63900 08503What to Tell Us
- The date you want to go
- A sunrise ride or an evening ride with the Ganga Aarti
- How many of you are going, including children and older family members
- Where you are staying, or the ghat you want to start from
- The boat you have in mind, or your group and we suggest one
Send your details
Use the form at the top of the page, or tap any WhatsApp button. It opens with a message already written.
Get the boat and details
We suggest the right boat for your group and confirm the details for your date.
Confirm and ride
Confirm on WhatsApp or by call. We share the meeting point and your boatman’s contact once the booking is final.
Cancellation and refund terms are shared when you book. See our Terms & Conditions.
Quick answers
Hand Boat Ride in Varanasi: Frequently Asked Questions
Keep planning
More Boat Pages
Boat Ride in Varanasi
Boat rides on the Ganga in Varanasi: sunrise, evening Ganga Aarti, and boats from a rowing boat to a cruise.
View the page →Varanasi Motor Boat Booking
A private motor boat for up to ten people, for a two-hour ride along the ghats.
View the page →Morning Boat Ride in Varanasi
A sunrise boat ride along the ghats, when the river is calm and the light is soft.
View the page →Ganga Aarti Boat Booking in Varanasi
An evening boat ride that ends in front of the Ganga Aarti, watched from the river.
View the page →Tour Packages from Varanasi
Prefer a planned itinerary with the hotel, the boat ride and the sightseeing together?
See the packages →Ready to Book Your Boat in Varanasi?
Message us your date, group size and the ride you want. We reply with the boat and the details, from a team based in the city.