Varanasi With Children: What Works and What to Skip
Varanasi is intense, but families do well here when the days are short, the mornings are early and the walks have snacks and rests built in.
What works well
- The sunrise boat: a short ride on a calm river, and children usually love watching the boats and the bathers.
- The food walk: kachori, jalebi and lassi are a hit, and the stalls are used to tastings.
- The old city lanes, if you go slowly and hold hands in the crowds.
What to plan carefully
- Steps: the ghats have many steep stairs. Ask for shorter routes and rest points.
- Heat: plan outdoor hours for early morning and late afternoon, and carry water and hats.
- Cremation ghat: keep children calm and nearby. Explain what they will see before you go.
- Temples: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off, and phones stay outside.
Skip or shorten
Long midday walks and long drives in the heat. A half day is enough for most families. Shiva adjusts the pace and the stops when you tell him who is in the group.
Tell Shiva the ages and the pace when you book: the walk changes a lot with a six-year-old and with a teenager.