6-Day Varanasi Khajuraho Tour: The Holy Ganga and the Temples of Khajuraho

Our Varanasi Khajuraho tour joins India’s holiest city with its finest temple art. Spend two nights in Varanasi for the evening Ganga Aarti, a sunrise boat ride past the ghats, the Kashi Vishwanath temple and Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon. Then fly to Khajuraho for three nights to explore the UNESCO World Heritage temples of Khajuraho with a licensed guide and go on a jeep safari in Panna National Park. It is a private tour with your own car, driver and local guides.

Shamrock Journeys is a trusted India tour operator. Since 2002 we have planned private spiritual, heritage and wildlife tours of North and Central India for families, couples and groups.

Tour at a Glance

Here are the key facts of the 6-day Varanasi Khajuraho tour.

Tour name: Varanasi with Khajuraho Temples
Duration: 6 days and 5 nights
Route: Varanasi (2 nights), Khajuraho (3 nights)
Starts: Varanasi airport or station. Ends: Khajuraho airport
Tour type: private tour with car, driver and local guides; one short flight
Highlights: the Ganga Aarti, a sunrise boat ride, Kashi Vishwanath, Sarnath, the three temple groups of Khajuraho, the light and sound show and Panna National Park
Best time: October to March

Why Choose This Tour

Two great sides of India: the living faith of Varanasi and the stone art of Khajuraho.
Hindu, Buddhist and Jain heritage: the ghats, Sarnath and the Jain temples of Khajuraho.
Temples and tigers: a jeep safari in Panna National Park.
No long drives: a short flight joins Varanasi and Khajuraho.
Private and flexible: the Varanasi Khajuraho tour is one of our most popular Khajuraho tour packages.

Varanasi Khajuraho Tour Itinerary

This is the day-by-day plan of the Varanasi Khajuraho tour.

Day 1: Arrive in Varanasi and the Evening Ganga Aarti

We meet you at Varanasi airport or station and take you to your hotel. In the evening, walk down to Dashashwamedh Ghat with your guide to watch the Ganga Aarti, as priests offer fire, incense and song to the holy river.

Shamrock travel tip: dress modestly by the river and in temples, keep your bags close in the crowds, and ask before you take photos near the cremation ghats. For more advice, read our Shamrock India Travel Tips.

Overnight: Varanasi. Read about Varanasi.

Day 2: Sunrise Boat Ride, Old Varanasi and Sarnath

Take a boat ride on the Ganga at sunrise, past bathing pilgrims and the ancient ghats, then walk through the narrow lanes of the old city to the Kashi Vishwanath temple area. After breakfast, drive about 10 km to Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon, to see the Dhamek Stupa and the museum with the Lion Capital of Ashoka.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Varanasi

Day 3: Fly to Khajuraho and the Western Group

Today your Varanasi Khajuraho tour moves to the temples. Fly from Varanasi to Khajuraho, about one hour. In the afternoon, explore the Western Group with your guide: the Kandariya Mahadev temple, the largest and finest, the Lakshmana temple, the Jagdambi temple and the Chitragupta temple to the sun god, then the Archaeological Museum. In the evening, watch the light and sound show.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Khajuraho. Read our Khajuraho travel guide.

Day 4: Eastern and Southern Groups and the Adivart Museum

Visit the Eastern Group, with the Jain temples of Parsvanath, Adinath and Shantinath and the Hindu Javari and Brahma temples, and the Southern Group, with the Duladeo and Chaturbhuj temples. In the afternoon, see tribal homes and folk art at the Adivart Tribal and Folk Art Museum, or visit the red canyon of Raneh Falls.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Khajuraho

Day 5: Panna National Park Safari

Drive about 30 km, under one hour, to Panna National Park for a jeep safari through teak forest and the gorges of the Ken river, looking for tigers, leopards, deer and birds. Stop at Pandav Falls and its caves, then return to Khajuraho.

Shamrock travel tip: safari permits are limited, so send us your dates early. Panna is closed for safaris from July to mid-October, when we plan Raneh Falls and the villages instead. See our Shamrock India Travel Tips.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Khajuraho

Day 6: Departure from Khajuraho

After breakfast, we take you to Khajuraho airport for your onward flight. Your Varanasi Khajuraho tour ends here.

Meals: breakfast

What Is Included

Your Varanasi Khajuraho tour includes:

Five nights in hotels of your choice, with breakfast every day
A private air-conditioned car with driver for all transfers and sightseeing
Licensed English-speaking guides in Varanasi and Khajuraho
The sunrise boat ride and monument entry tickets as per the itinerary
All taxes, tolls, parking and driver costs

What Is Not Included

The Varanasi to Khajuraho flight, and flights or trains to the start
Lunch and dinner
The Panna jeep safari, the light and sound show and camera fees
Personal expenses and travel insurance

Best Time for This Tour

October to March is the best time for the Varanasi Khajuraho tour, with pleasant days and Panna open for safaris. Dev Deepawali in Varanasi, in November, and the Khajuraho Dance Festival, in February, are special times to visit. April to June is very hot, and July to September brings rain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a direct flight from Varanasi to Khajuraho?

Yes, on some days of the week. If there is no flight on your date, we drive you, about seven to eight hours, or plan the tour in the other direction.

Can I start the tour in Khajuraho?

Yes. We can begin with Khajuraho and Panna and end with the Ganga in Varanasi.

Can I add Agra and the Taj Mahal?

Yes. Our 12-day Varanasi Khajuraho Agra tour adds Orchha, Gwalior, Agra and Delhi.

Are guides included?

Yes. A licensed guide joins you in Varanasi and at the Khajuraho temples.

Is the Varanasi Khajuraho tour good for families?

Yes. Children enjoy the boat ride, the light show and the safari.

How much does the Varanasi Khajuraho tour cost?

The price depends on your hotels, the number of travellers and the season. Tell us your plans and we will send a clear quotation.

More Khajuraho Tours

Many guests change or extend their Varanasi Khajuraho tour.

Khajuraho 4-day tour package: the temples and Panna only.
5-day Khajuraho Panna National Park tour: two nights near Panna.
7-day Khajuraho Bandhavgarh Kanha tour: tiger safaris in two famous parks.
12-day Varanasi Khajuraho Agra tour: the great North and Central India circuit.

See all our Khajuraho tour packages, our spiritual tours of India and our Central India tours. We are one of the best tour operators in India, and we also plan the best North India tours. Ready to book your Varanasi Khajuraho tour? Request your free quote

Plan Your India Holiday with Shamrock Journeys

Shamrock Journeys is a trusted India tour operator and holiday planner. Since 2002 we have designed private India tour packages, family tour packages, honeymoon tours and cultural tours for travellers from around the world.

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Tell us your travel dates and we will send you a personal itinerary. Request your free quote