Sunrise boat ride · Ganga ghats · Varanasi
Morning Boat Ride in Varanasi A Sunrise Ride Along the Ghats
Watch Varanasi wake up from the river. Book a sunrise boat ride along the ghats, in a private motor boat, a rowing boat or a larger boat for a group.
- Sunrise rides
- Private motor boat for up to 10
- Rowing and Bajra boats too
The essentials
Sunrise Boat Ride on the Ganga
A sunrise ride shows the ghats at their calmest. The river is quiet, the light is soft over the water, and the steps fill with people bathing and praying. It is the ride many visitors plan first, and a good one for photographs.
Morning rides usually run between 5:30 and 7:00 AM. Sunrise moves through the year, so tell us your date and we suggest a start time. Many rides begin at Assi Ghat; see the Assi Ghat guide and the Ganga Aarti guide for what happens on the steps in the morning.
Choose a private motor boat for up to ten, a hand boat for up to six, or a Bajra boat for a group of 20 to 50. If you would rather see the river in the evening, see Ganga Aarti boat booking.
| Ride | Sunrise boat ride |
|---|---|
| Usual time | Between 5:30 and 7:00 AM; the start time depends on the date |
| Duration | About 2 hours by motor boat |
| Boats | Motor boat (private, up to 10), hand boat (up to 6), Bajra boat (20 to 50), cruise for large groups |
| Starts at | Usually Assi, Ravidas or Namo Ghat; tell us where you are staying |
| Safety | Life jackets for every passenger |
| Booking | On WhatsApp or by phone |
Calm water
The river is at its quietest in the early morning, which makes for a peaceful, spiritual first ride.
The ghats in the morning light
The ride passes the ghats one after another, from the south towards Manikarnika and Raj Ghat, with the temples above the steps.
Good for photographs
The soft light over the water suits photographs. For a photo shoot, ask about a private boat.
An early start
Tell us where you are staying and how many of you are going, and we plan the boarding point and the time.
Families and older visitors
Boat rides suit families, children and senior citizens, and every passenger is given a life jacket.
After the ride
We can arrange a cab for the rest of the day. See local sightseeing by cab.
The route
Your Sunrise Route, Ghat by Ghat
Most sunrise rides drift north along the ghats, from Assi Ghat towards Manikarnika and Raj Ghat. Here is what you pass, in order.
-
Assi Ghat
Where many sunrise rides begin, and where the morning aarti is held on the steps at first light.
Read the Assi Ghat guide → -
Tulsi Ghat
Linked to the poet-saint Tulsidas, who lived here while writing the Ramcharitmanas.
Read the Tulsi Ghat guide → -
Dashashwamedh Ghat
Best known for the evening Ganga Aarti. In the morning you see pilgrims bathing and boatmen at work.
Read the Dashashwamedh Ghat guide → -
Manikarnika Ghat
Varanasi’s main cremation ghat. Watch respectfully from the river and do not photograph the cremations.
Read the Manikarnika Ghat guide → -
Raj Ghat
The northern end of the main ghats, where many rides turn back towards the boarding point.
Where your ride starts and ends depends on your boat, the river and where you are staying, so tell us your hotel or the ghat you prefer and we plan the route with you. Many rides also begin at Ravidas Ghat or Namo Ghat.
Plan the timing
Sunrise Time in Varanasi
Sunrise in Varanasi is as early as about 5:07 AM in June and as late as about 6:46 AM in January (Indian Standard Time). Pick your date to see sunrise, first light and the golden light that follows.
- First light
- 5:48 AM
- Sunrise
- 6:12 AM
- Golden light until
- 6:44 AM
Rides usually run between 5:30 and 7:00 AM. Tell us your date and we confirm the start time. The soft light of first light and the hour after sunrise is the best time on the river.
Plan a sunrise ride for this dateSunrise Time in Varanasi by Month
| Month | First light | Sunrise | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6:21 AM | 6:46 AM | Cold mornings, often foggy. Bring a warm layer; fog can hide the sunrise. |
| February | 6:09 AM | 6:33 AM | Cool and clearer. A pleasant month on the water. |
| March | 5:44 AM | 6:07 AM | Mild mornings that warm up quickly. |
| April | 5:12 AM | 5:35 AM | Warm. An early start keeps the ride comfortable. |
| May | 4:48 AM | 5:13 AM | Hot days, so the early morning is the best time on the river. |
| June | 4:42 AM | 5:07 AM | The earliest sunrise of the year. Hot and humid, so go early. |
| July | 4:52 AM | 5:17 AM | Monsoon. The river rises and rides can be restricted; we confirm for your date. |
| August | 5:08 AM | 5:32 AM | Monsoon and high water. Availability depends on the river level. |
| September | 5:21 AM | 5:44 AM | The river starts to fall. We confirm the ride for your date. |
| October | 5:33 AM | 5:57 AM | Clear skies and a falling river. A good month for sunrise rides. |
| November | 5:51 AM | 6:15 AM | Cool, clear mornings. One of the best months. |
| December | 6:11 AM | 6:36 AM | Cold mornings and some fog. Bring a warm layer. |
Times are approximate, for the 15th of each month in Indian Standard Time, and change by a minute or two from day to day. In the monsoon the river level decides whether rides run, so we confirm for your date.
Fares
Private Motor Boat Fare for a Sunrise Ride
The fare is for the whole boat, not per person, and covers the time shown. We confirm the final fare on WhatsApp or by phone before you book.
| Ride | Fare per boat | Time | Seats | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning boat ride (sunrise) | ₹4,000 | About 2 hours | Up to 10 people | Book |
Good to Know About the Fare
- On Dev Diwali the boat fares are different, and boats book out early. See Dev Diwali boat booking.
Our boats
Choose Your Boat
From a rowing boat for six to a cruise for a large group. Open a boat to see who it suits.
Hand (rowing) boat
Up to 6 people. A slow, quiet ride close to the ghats.
See the boat →
Motor boat
Up to 10 (private boat) people. A private boat that covers the ghats in about two hours.
See the boat →
Bajra boat
20 to 50 people. Families, parties and larger groups.
See the boat →
Cruise
Large groups people. The biggest groups, through the year.
See the boat →Before you go
Getting Ready for a Sunrise Ride
A few things that make an early start easier.
Arrive early
Arrive at the boarding point about 30 minutes before the boat time.
Bring a layer
It can be cool on the water early in the morning, so a light layer helps.
Tell us your group
Tell us how many of you are going, including children, so that we send the right boat.
On the water
Morning Boat Ride Photos
Boats, boatmen and the ghats in the soft light of the river. Tap a photo to see it larger.
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 fare.
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 fare
We suggest the right boat for your group and confirm the fare 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
Morning Boat Ride in Varanasi: Frequently Asked Questions
Morning rides usually run between 5:30 and 7:00 AM. The time of sunrise changes through the year, so tell us your date and we suggest a start time.
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 →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 →Varanasi Motor Boat Booking
A private motor boat for up to ten people, for a two-hour ride along the ghats.
View the page →Hand Boat Ride in Varanasi
A wooden rowing boat for up to six people: slow, quiet and close to the ghats.
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 fare, from a team based in the city.