We had a good experience on our 2 day tour of Varanasi. The evening aarti was wonderful and our guide Shanu made sure we had great seats. The Sarnath day tour was also very interesting. We got to enjoy great local snacks, but it would have been even better if our second day had included time for lunch. The one thing I’m disappointed in is that we were supposed to attend the morning aarti and unfortunately we didn’t get to, for reasons that were never communicated to us.
The team at Varanasi Excursion are great to work with and really know how to look after their guests. My tour began with some additional time in Varanasi which they arranged at my request (see separate review for Tour Radar). The seven-day Buddhist Tour that followed was brilliantly organised to include all the major sites in the life of the Buddha, and the guides were all informative, although I struggled to understand some of their English. Special mention must go to T K Roy of Kushinagar, who not only had the clearest English but is a fascinating person who seems to have a high standing in his community, as he was greeted warmly wherever we went. Bablu, the driver for the whole tour, is another great character who navigates the hectic Indian roads with a level of skill that is almost superhuman. Nothing is too much trouble for him and he is great at engaging his guests on a personal level. Again, English communication was a challenge, but we overcame it with the help of translation apps. I didn’t meet Aamir, the tour organiser, in person, but he checked in regularly by phone to ensure that everything was going smoothly and arranged for some of my belongings to be couriered to me when they were accidentally left behind – very helpful. Overall, this was a great tour, and some of the hotels were first-rate, although I was disappointed to spend a few nights without hot water and often struggled to find staff who could converse in English. I was touring in the off-season, but I got the impression that many of the staff were not used to dealing with international guests.
Ballu is very helpful and knows Varanasi very well. He has a lot of local knowledge about the city and showed me some amazing sites. He also knows how to negotiate the best price and what the best time is to visit places. Thank you for all you help and kindness.
Wir habe eine vielfältige und interessante Zeit im Golden Triangle verbracht. Bablu und die verschiedenen Guides haben uns super betreut und waren sehr zuvorkommend. Wir können diese Reise nur weiterempfehlen. Wer Indien kennenzulernen möchte, muss diese Reise machen. Vielen Dank an Varansi Excursion!!
Aamir was amazing. This is Aric Thor from the USA and this guy saved the day for me. Friendly service, great service got in Incredibly India
This 6 days Kashi Ayodhya journey was really peaceful and well organized btw. All places like Varanasi, Bodhgaya, Prayagraj and Ayodhya covered nicely without any rush. Sunrise boat ride and Ganga Aarti was highlight for me. Hotels and travel were comfortable. Little tired because full schedule but overall very good and spiritual experience. Recommended for anyone planning this route.
This was my first visit to Varanasi, and it couldn’t have been more memorable—thanks to Aamir. He put together a meticulously planned and well-balanced itinerary that captured the true spirit of the city. From serene early morning boat rides on the Ganges and guided temple visits to exploring hidden alleys and sampling authentic local cuisine, every element was thoughtfully arranged. His attention to detail ensured that the entire experience was smooth, enriching, and deeply immersive. It was the perfect introduction to the spiritual and cultural richness of Varanasi.
I am a solo traveler (70), just completed the Buddhist Circuit tour with VE. It was also my first visit to India.
Aamir, the tour coordinator, did a great job making sure that the tour came off as planned. Bablu was a fantastic driver. He really catered to my every need. Professional, courteous and a lot of fun to be with.
The hotels were excellent. The on-site guides were very good. Just make sure that they speak English clearly. This situation came up only once.
I strongly recommend VE.
It was a memorable and fun-filled trip
