Experience Varanasi - Private Guided Tours

Experience Varanasi - Private Guided Tours

Experience Varanasi - Private Guided Tours
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About
The Experience Varanasi tour is an endeavor to connect the tourist with the city. It aims to acclimatize the Guest with the local culture of Varanasi. The tours will showcase not just the heritage monuments but also the city’s culture, cuisine, craft and life of the local people through the narrow lanes of Varanasi. We offer Private Guided Tours and curate tailor made itineraries based on the requirements of the Guest. We have various day tours suited to all kinds of Travelers coming to the city. Boat rides, Walking tours, Food tour and Live Indian classical music concerts. Please Note: For Safe and Responsible Tourism we provide the services of only trained, approved and licensed tour guides by the Ministry of Tourism - Government of India. Watch Kunal (Founder of Experience Varanasi Tours) on Amazon Prime with James May. James May: Our Man In India (Varanasi Episode - S3 E2 A Bit Like Glasgow). Please Note: Satellite phones are ILLEGAL in India. Please don't carry one.
Varanasi, India

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles313 reviews
Excellent
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24
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namkolar
Bengaluru, India12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Friends
We, 3 women friends, visited Varanasi in November for Dev Deepawali for which people plan 6 months in advance. Experience Varanasi came highly recommended from a friend. Despite reaching out to Kunal from Experience Varanasi at almost the last minute, Kunal arranged everything for us very quickly. Being tech savvy and excellent with English, it was absolutely easy and hassle free to firm up the itinerary on whatsapp and emails. Right from arranging a taxi to te please visits to arranging a boat for Dev Deepawali, everything was taken care of by Kunal.

We are specifically impressed with the professionalism exhibited by Kunal and team in everything. We got the driver and taxi details well in advance of our flight to Varanasi. The driver was waiting for us and we had a hassle free arrival at Varanasi. The car was very clean and in great condition. Kunal, himself, was with us for the next 4 days. Extremely knowledgable, warm, empathetic and very passionate about giving us the local experience. He knows the ins and outs of the city and he took us (literally dragged us at times) through meandering alleys and gulleys to give us the true taste of the flavours of Varanasi. We also needed a lot of flexibility with the itinerary as we had some of our own arrangements and he was extremely flexibile, accompanied us and was patient with us. He was also sensitive to our requirements, like wanting breaks, arranging for riskshaws when we were tired, bottled water, clean washrooms etc. All the arrangements made by him for us, taxis, temple visits, Sarnath trip, driver, boats etc were all extremely good and of course, we throughly enjoyed Kunal's company. Meticulous and with an eye for detail, he went out of his way to ensure that we had a great experience and that too comfortably. Kept motivating us to explore more than what we would have otherwise done and totally engaging with us. After a point, he felt more like our 4th travel companion than a guide.

A special mention to the taxi driver, Nandakishore, who was extremely polite with a pleasing demenour and personality. Never expressed any displeasure even when he had to accomodate our last minute changes to the itinerary. Traffic in Varanasi is crazy and one would need a calm and good driver to deal with it and Nandakishore did a wonderful job.

In a country where punctuality is very rare, Kunal and his team were always on time, in fact before time waiting for us, be it 5 am or 11 pm and we went through our itinerary like clockwork. This was something that specifically stood out for me and is totally appreciated.

Visiting one of the oldest cities in India, Varanasi , that lives and breathes on its own and has its own energy requires a guide like Kunal who can match that energy without missing a beat.

We came back from Varanasi, soul satisfied with the magical experience . A
huge credit for this goes to Experience Varanasi and specifically Kunal. Having travelled the world, to have experienced such professionalism and world class arrangements in my own country fills me with pride. Very happy to reccomend them to everyone.
Written 20 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your kind words Namrata. I am humbled. It's always a team work. Our Transporters, Drivers, Vendors for boat, Boatmen, Wheelchair pullers, The Hotel Team, our Tour Guides & our Back Office Team. They all need to be mentioned. Reviews like your's are very inspiring for us to keep doing the good work. Thank you once again. Hope to see you soon. Best Regards, Kunal
Written 19 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Tanvi C
6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Family
We contacted Kunal two months before coming to Varanasi. He provided us with a very comprehensive itinerary for Varanasi and Bodhgaya. The entire trip, right from landing at the railway station till the drop off at Gaya Airport was extremely smooth and beyond satisfactory. We had two incredible guides for the trip, Mr. Satish for Benaras and Mr. Harendra for Bodhgaya. Both were extremely knowledgeable and well informed.

Over-all, I highly recommend contacting Experience Varanasi for anything related to this city. They provided us with guides, boating experience, AC sedan car for travelling, and a curated experience of both cities at a very reasonable price.
Written 7 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your kind words. It's always a team work. Our Transporters, Drivers, Vendors for boat, Boatmen, Wheelchair pullers, The Hotel Team, our Tour Guides & our Back Office Team. They all need to be mentioned. Reviews like your's are very inspiring for us to keep doing the good work. Thank you once again. Hope to see you soon. Best Regards, Kunal
Written 19 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Briks Nair
12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2021 • Family
Best part of trip:Early morning Boat ride.
Tips for travellers: Dont worry, Kunal's got you covered.

I went with my Parents and words cant express the feelings of exploring Varanasi.
Kunal from Experience Varanasi helped me stitch the entire Trip that not only included the tour of Varanasi but also covered Sarnarh, Ayodhya and Prayagraj(Allahabad). He tailor-made the entire itinerary and it was crafted with perfection.
Kunal's experience in managing Tours and being a local is undoubtedly a true value addition as the whole experience was hassle free and efficiently managed.
The insights that Kunal has about the various activities in and around Varanasi is something you cant get from anyone else.

Varanasi is simply amazing but I think one of the main factors that made it such an amazing trip was Experience Varanasi and Kunal's services.

If you are planning to visit Varanasi, just blindly opt for Experience Varanasi's services to help you have the best possible experience.
Written 4 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your kind words Brikesh. I am humbled & grateful. It was lovely meeting your parents. Hope to see you again soon. Best Regards, Kunal
Written 8 January 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Dawn Constantine
California8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Solo
I enjoyed two tours with Kunal. Death and Rebirth and Photograpy tour
1. Kunal was very flexible to change the meeting point to suit my location. He was prompt, professional, very knowledgeable, gracious host who has good connections, stories and information. The cremation ground we were to go to did not have any activity, so in just a few moments he was on the phone to one of the hotels that runs a boat for transport for their guests and got them to pull over and pick us up and bring us to another location. Every part of this tour is respectful and informative and an amazing experience I will never forget

2. When booking a photo tour weather and lighting are everything as well as out of the control of the host. Our weather and lighting was perfect, no Sadhus early morning, so we jumped in a boat and took a nice sunrise ride that was a pleasant unexpected thing. Then on our return, there were many Sadhus and other folks Kunal has a relationship with that made photographing them more comfortable than if I would try to approach them on my own. He took me to the cremation ghats, main ghat, some lanes and for some delicious street foods and chai. We jumped in a tuk tuk to bring me back to my starting point instead of a long walk back which was nice. Good to bring some small money to give the Sadhus if you choose to photograph them. And don’t be shy to ask for what you are looking for if you have something specific in mind. Kunal is flexible, spontaneous, professional, polite, and extremely knowledgable about many things. You will feel well cared for in all respects

I am happy I have stayed in touch with Kunal over the months, I feel like I made a new friend
Written 19 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your feedback Dawn. Helps me keep going. Hope to see you again soon.
Written 23 October 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Krishnan R
11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022 • Family
“Experience Varanasi” is probably the best guided tour in Varanasi! Right from my first phone call to the ever considerate, and always energetic Mr. Kunal, the entire planning, execution and memories were outstanding. I went with my mother (and son) and wanted a specially curated tour that would be suitable for her so that her lack of mobility does not hinder her experience. Mr. Kunal ensured we got the best, and more. He had a dedicated wheelchair with two helpers, a dedicated car with a driver, and all were kind, and considerably caring. It ended up being one of the best experiences for us and especially for my mother!

The boat ride, the special knowledge in front of the ghats, the very close viewing of Ganga Arti and the superb darshan of lord Viswanath was seamlessly planned and executed by Mr. Kunal. He plans the itinerary in such a way that there is no rush, and we are comfortable yet efficient. His expert knowledge and ability to gel well with everyone, and his warm personality makes him so special. He is now a friend for life. I cannot not talk about the local food tour!! The chaats, kachouris, banarasi paan, etc. were creatively intermixed during our tour. Varanasi is a special special place, and “Experience Varanasi” makes it memorable.

Mr. Kunal - many many thanks! I will never forget the experience and care you provided to my mom. You are a friend and I look forward to my next Varanasi experience with you soon!
Written 25 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your kind words Krishnan Ji. I am humbled. It's always a team work. Our Transporters, Drivers, Vendors for boat, Boatmen, Wheelchair pullers, The Hotel Team, our Tour Guides & our Back Office Team. They all need to be mentioned. Reviews like your's are very inspiring for us to keep doing the good work. Thank you once again. Hope to see you soon. Best Regards, Kunal
Written 18 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Yogini787
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019 • Friends
I had the pleasure to know Kunal through my travel agency. He was the guide they hired for a trip to India a did with my Yoga students. He is very passionate about Varanasi, because he truly loves his city.
I've experienced Varanasi before with other tour guides and Kunal has been the most approachable of them all. He was open to respect the needs of the group and the vision I had as group leader. Also, he's very responsible, always on time, and keeps the itinerary flowing as planned. He was our escort guide in Bodhgaya as well.
He has been my guide twice in Varanasi, because we developed a true friendship out of our love for the city and its heritage.
Now I can say that I have a friend who is a tour guide in Varanasi and I recommend his services and tours for anyone who wants to experience Varanasi beyond a boat ride and the ghats.
Written 18 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your feedback Rosani. Hope to see you again soon.
Written 23 October 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

TheFabEmma
20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Friends
Kunal is a fantastic guide. He obviously loves his city of Varanasi where he grew up which really came across. He showed us secluded temples and got us a great spot at the Aarti without having to queue. We had a bespoke afternoon tour with heritage walk and visited a Hindu priest. So interesting. After the Aarti we went to a tiny restaurant for street food. Delicious and not tummy upset.
Kunal also helped us find another guide, Sanjay, for when he was unavailable who was also superb. Both very knowledgeable and passionate.
And for those interested in Top Gear, Kunal was the Varanasi guide for James May on ‘Our Man in India’.
Written 7 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for writing a nice review Emma, It's always a team work. Our Transporters, Drivers, Vendors for boat, Boatmen, The Hotel Team, our Tour Guides & our Back Office Team. They all need to be mentioned here. Reviews like your's are very inspiring for us to keep doing the good work. Thank you once again. Hope to see you again soon. Best Regards, Kunal
Written 27 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Srinivas G
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Couples
This was an amazing experience and a memorable trip with Kunal and his team. Kunalji is very knowledgeable and planned out a very thoughtful itinerary considering seniors in our group. Right from picking us up in Vanarasi airport, planning temple visits, accomodating special requests, ganga arti, boat rides on the ganga river , organizing trip to Ayodhya- everything was very smooth. The passion with which he works to give this experience really makes the difference.
Written 10 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for writing a nice review Srinivas Ji. It's always a team work. Our Transporters, Drivers, Vendors for boat, Boatmen, Wheelchair pullers, The Hotel Team, our Tour Guides & our Back Office Team. They all need to be mentioned. Reviews like your's are very inspiring for us to keep doing the good work. Thank you once again. Hope to see you soon. Best Regards, Kunal
Written 24 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Lorica C
7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Family
Our time in Varanasi couldn’t have been any more perfect thanks to Kanul our tour guide. He went above and beyond in delivering a marvellous experience. His knowledge, humour, patience and level-headedness in this pulsing city made us feel very comfortable and safe. He ensured any of our needs were met - we felt immensely grateful for receiving his service.
Written 11 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your kind words Lorica. Please note: My name is wrongly spelt in the review. It's Kunal. It's always a team work. Our Transporters, Drivers, Vendors for boat, Boatmen, The Hotel Team, our Tour Guides & our Back Office Team. They all need to be mentioned here. Reviews like your's are very inspiring for us to keep doing the good work. Thank you once again. Hope to see you soon. Best Regards, Kunal
Written 13 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kavita & Amit
20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Couples
Experience Varanasi has been our best find for a fantastic curated experience of Varanasi. Kunal keeps every requirement in mind and carefully plans schedules & movements within a very complex city of Benaras. The city as we now know can be overwhelming, but thanks to Kunal of Experience Varanasi I've made my 2nd trip within the year and this time with my ageing parents. He looked into every smallest detail to make it the most memorable trip for them as well !
Written 24 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your kind words Kavita Ji. I am humbled. It's always a team work. Our Transporters, Drivers, Vendors for boat, Boatmen, Wheelchair pullers, The Hotel Team, our Tour Guides & our Back Office Team. They all need to be mentioned. Reviews like your's are very inspiring for us to keep doing the good work. Thank you once again. Hope to see you soon. Best Regards, Kunal
Written 19 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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EXPERIENCE VARANASI - PRIVATE GUIDED TOURS (2025) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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