Most flights land by early afternoon, and I don't organize pickups at a specific point outside the airport as it's safer to avoid getting lost in unfamiliar streets. We'll drive to the hotel near the ghats (a short walk from the hotel where I stay) and take a breather before heading to Dashashwmedh Ghat for the evening Ganga Aarti around sunset. Fewer crowds often show up at the steps during peak season, so we'll arrive early rather than fight the throngs that gather later. Your personal guide will escort you until we return to the hotel well before late evening.

We'll leave for the ghats around 5:15 am in a small group with a trusted driver for a boat ride on the Ganga where few other travelers dare to venture. The waters are calmer in the early hours as the sun rises - one of the safest times to be on the river. After returning from the boat trip, we'll freshen up and visit Kashi Vishwanath for darshan. Remember to keep your phone and leather belongings handy as you pass through security check near Gate 4, where most visitors are caught unaware. Crowds are thickest in the morning, with security lines snaking back and forth, so consider arriving in the afternoon for Kashi Vishwanath. We'll return to the hotel by mid-evening for some light exploring on foot in the old city, strolling past shops I've frequented for years. Most solo female travelers I know find these winding alleys intimidating, which is why we'll do it together. Same hotel for night stay.

Sarnath is 10 kms away, requiring about 30-45 minutes to drive from Benaras cantonment, where we'll depart around 8 am to avoid traffic jams and intense heat. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Lord Buddha first set his doctrine, is a pleasant walk around the Dhamek Stupa – much less crowded than the main ghats. The Sarnath Museum, which displays the famous Ashoka Pillars, is worth 45 minutes of your time, although it is closed on Fridays. We'll have enough time to explore the deer park and return to Benaras by late afternoon with ample free time for dinner. I will also give you my personal contact details in case you need any assistance during this window.

A short 20-minute ferry ride will take us across the Ganga to the Ram Nagar Fort on the opposite bank, which is comparatively less busy than the main ghats. True, some of its palatial mansions have been reduced to ruins, but it's still worth an hour of your time if your return flight permits. We'll also clear at least 2-3 hours before the airport transfer as the traffic from the old city to the airport can be quite unpredictable. That's more or less how my Varanasi solo female traveller tour package works - 4 days, mostly daylight, with a guide who accompanies you instead of just following a rigid itinerary.