Experience Varanasi
From the Ganga
Private boat rides, breathtaking sunrises, mesmerizing Ganga Aarti and the magical Dev Deepawali.
Popular rides
Ganga Aarti — live countdown
A safe, honest ride on the Ganga
Run by local boatmen from Varanasi. Clear prices, real people, and a ride that starts only when you are ready.
Verified local boatmen
Every boatman is registered with us. Your ride only starts after you share a one-time OTP with them.
Life jackets, every ride
Life jackets are mandatory on every boat, and we avoid the river on unsafe monsoon high-flow days.
Secure payment, your choice
Pay online through PayU’s secure checkout, pay a part now, or pay cash directly to your boatman.
Free cancellation
Cancel for free any time before your ride day. The full policy is written out below — no surprises.
Live boat tracking
See your boatman on the map as they come to the ghat, with their name and boat details.
Instant e-ticket
Get a downloadable e-ticket with your booking reference the moment your ride is confirmed.
On the water in three steps
- 01/03
Pick your ride
Sunrise row, evening Aarti, a shared motorboat or a private bajra — prices are shown upfront.
- 02/03
Choose ghat & time
Select your departure ghat, date and slot, then pay online or choose cash.
- 03/03
Meet your boatman
Track them live, share your OTP at the ghat, and enjoy the river.
Departure ghats
What riders say
Gallery
Before you step on the boat
Cancellation policy
Free to cancel any time before your ride date. Cancelling on the day of your ride itself incurs a 10% fee (minimum ₹50).
Free while we're still finding you a boatman. Once a boatman accepts, you have a 5-minute grace period to cancel for free — after that, a 10% fee (minimum ₹50) applies.
Best time to ride
River runs high and fast. Some ghats may be partly underwater — check locally before booking.
Cool, clear mornings — the most comfortable season for a sunrise row.
Safety & emergency
- Life jackets are mandatory on every boat — check yours is on before boarding.
- Avoid the water during monsoon high-flow days (Jul–Sep) unless the boatman confirms it's safe.
- Keep your phone in a dry pouch — signal is patchy mid-river.
Ride the Ganga.
We’ll handle the rest.
Call or WhatsApp us for group bookings, special occasions, or help choosing the right boat.
- Based in VaranasiKotwa, Saraimuhana, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221112
- Clear written policiesCancellation & refund · Terms · Privacy
- Secure & privateHTTPS-encrypted site, payments handled by PayU. We never see your card details.
Kashi Boat Rides
Book your Ganga boat ride in minutes.
Log in with your Gmail address to book a boat or check your rides.
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Share Kashi Boat Rides with a friend
Your friend gets ₹50 off their first ride, you get ₹50 credit once they book.
Dev Deepawali
The Ganga's biggest night of lights.
Why book with us
Every boatman on this page is ID-checked and river-certified.
Government-registered boats only, with life jackets for all.
Same fair cancellation policy shown on the Home screen.
A human replies if anything about your booking needs help.
🪔 What's included
Every Dev Diwali ride includes these, no matter which boat you pick.
For every passenger onboard
Kept onboard throughout
Refreshments kept onboard
Close views of every lit ghat
Best seen from the water
Slow past the best-lit ghats
🪔 Your evening on the river
Reporting time: meet your boatman before 5:00 PM
Thousands of flickering lamps line all 84 ghats.
Watch the evening aarti up close, from the river itself.
The night's highlight — best seen away from the crowd.
A calm ride back as the festival winds down.
🪔 Dev Diwali — frequently asked questions
What is Dev Diwali?
Dev Diwali (Dev Deepawali) is a major festival in Varanasi, celebrated 15 days after Diwali on Kartik Purnima. All 84 ghats are lit with thousands of diyas — it's one of the most spectacular nights of the year on the Ganga.
Why does the date always change every year?
Dev Diwali follows the Hindu lunar calendar (Kartik Purnima), so the exact date shifts each year. Check the date badge at the top of this page — it's always kept current.
Why can I only pick this one date?
Dev Diwali rides are a special one-night event, so booking is intentionally locked to the festival date only — there's no "Ride Now" option for this page.
What should I wear?
Dev Diwali falls in November, so evenings on the river can be cool — bring something warm. Modest clothing is appreciated given the spiritual setting.
How do I pay?
You pay 50% in advance via UPI to confirm your seat, and the remaining balance directly to your boatman on the day.
Can I cancel my booking?
Dev Diwali bookings follow the same cancellation policy shown on the Home screen — check there for current terms.
Kashi Boat Rides