India’s oldest living city is at its best in the cool season. Here is how Canadian families and seniors can plan it around the winter break.
At a glance: how do I plan a Varanasi winter trip from Canada?
Fly Canada to Delhi (Air India non-stop from Toronto or Vancouver, Air Canada non-stop from Montreal from 25 October 2026 to 26 March 2027), then take a domestic flight of about 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes on IndiGo or Air India to Varanasi. Winter mornings are 8 to 15°C, with fog possible from late December into January, so pack layers and keep a buffer day. Three nights covers the evening Ganga Aarti, a dawn boat ride, Kashi Vishwanath and Sarnath.
Why winter is the right time for Varanasi
Varanasi in May is 40°C and hard work. In December and January it is cool, clear in the afternoons and soft-lit on the river. That is why many Canadian families fold it into a winter trip home, between visiting relatives in Delhi, Punjab or Uttar Pradesh.
The big November event is Dev Deepawali, the “Diwali of the gods” on Kartik Purnima, which falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026 this year. The ghats are lit with lakhs of earthen diyas and the city is packed. It is spectacular, but it fills months ahead and does not line up with Canadian school holidays. For most families, December to January is the better fit.
When | Weather | Crowds | Best for |
24 November (Dev Deepawali) | Mild evenings, around 15 to 28°C | Very heavy | The spectacle. Book flights and hotels months ahead. |
Late December to early January (winter break) | Cool mornings of 8 to 15°C, fog possible, pleasant afternoons | Busy with Canadian and NRI families | Families with school-age children. |
Mid-January to February | Cold mornings in January, clearer and warmer by February | Quieter | Seniors, retirees and anyone on a longer stay. |
Ontario public schools break from Monday 21 December 2026 to Friday 1 January 2027, with classes resuming Monday 4 January. Most provinces break from around 19 to 21 December to early January. Not tied to school dates? Late January and February give the same cool weather with fewer people on the ghats.
What to do in Varanasi in winter: the five essentials
1. Evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
Every evening at dusk, priests perform the fire aarti to the river at Dashashwamedh Ghat. In winter it starts around 6 pm. Arrive 45 minutes early for a seat on the steps, or book a boat and watch from the water, which is calmer for seniors and small children.
2. A dawn boat ride along the ghats
This is the Varanasi you have seen in photos. A rowing boat at first light, mist on the water, temple bells and people bathing. Winter dawns are cold, so wrap up. A one-hour ride from Assi Ghat to Manikarnika Ghat and back is enough.
3. Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the corridor
One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, now reached through the wide Kashi Vishwanath corridor that links the temple to the river. Phones, bags and leather are not allowed inside, so use the lockers. Go early in the morning or mid-afternoon on a weekday to shorten the queue. Elderly visitors can ask about assisted entry at the gate.
4. Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon
About 10 km from the city, Sarnath is a calm half-day trip and a good contrast to the ghats. Walk around the Dhamek Stupa, see the ruins of the ancient monasteries and visit the Sarnath Museum, home to the Lion Capital of Ashoka, the original of India’s national emblem.
5. Banarasi silk and the old city lanes
Banarasi silk saris are the classic gift to carry back to Canada. Buy from an established weaver’s showroom, not a tout outside the temple. Then walk the lanes behind the ghats for kachori-sabzi, lassi in clay cups and Banarasi paan. Keep small notes handy.
How to get to Varanasi from Canada via Delhi
Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) is at Babatpur, about 25 km north-west of the city and 45 minutes to an hour by road. There are no flights from Canada to Varanasi, so almost everyone goes through Delhi.
Leg | Options | Time (approx.) |
Canada to Delhi, non-stop | Air India from Toronto (up to 10 a week this winter) and Vancouver (daily). Air Canada from Montreal, five a week, 25 October 2026 to 26 March 2027. | 13 to 15 hours |
Canada to Delhi, one stop | From Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg, connect in Toronto or Vancouver, or fly via Doha, Dubai or Abu Dhabi. | 18 to 24 hours |
Delhi to Varanasi, flight | IndiGo and Air India, several flights a day. | 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes |
Delhi to Varanasi, train | Vande Bharat Express from New Delhi, a comfortable daytime option if you are not in a hurry. | About 8 hours |
Today’s manntravel.ca homepage shows Vancouver to Delhi from CAD $989 per person one-way, checked 13 October 2026, prices change daily. Toronto fares were not listed on the homepage today, so search manntravel.ca/flights or call us for your city and dates.
Two timing tips. Delhi fog from late December to January delays morning flights, so pick a midday or afternoon Delhi to Varanasi departure. And keep a full buffer day in Delhi before your flight home; do not connect from Varanasi to Canada on the same day in January.
Planning for families and seniors
- Stay near the river. Hotels around Assi Ghat are quieter and easier for cars to reach than the old city lanes near Dashashwamedh. We can book through manntravel.ca/hotels.
- Steps are the main challenge. The ghats are long flights of stone stairs. For parents with limited mobility, watch the aarti from a boat, use a car to Sarnath and the temple corridor, and skip the lanes.
- Pack layers. Early mornings on the river are 8 to 10°C in late December. A fleece, shawl, scarf and closed shoes for the boat, then down to a shirt by noon.
- Three nights is right. Night one for the aarti, morning two for the boat and temple, afternoon two for silk and lanes, morning three for Sarnath, then fly back to Delhi.
- Documents. Canadian passport holders need an Indian visa or OCI card. Apply through the official Indian visa website well before you fly, and read the Government of Canada’s travel advice for India.
Flying from Ontario to Kerala this winter instead? See our guide to flights Toronto to Kochi.
Why book your Varanasi trip with Mann Travel?
Mann Travel has been taking families home to India since 2007. Our Surrey, BC team speaks Hindi, Punjabi and English and is available 24/7, which matters when fog hits Delhi at 3 am Pacific time. We book the Canada to Delhi flight, the Varanasi leg and hotels together, so one call fixes any change. Verified students and education staff get $25 off selected return flights with MannPass. Reach us through our contact page.
Let’s take you home, and on to Kashi.
Search live fares at manntravel.ca/flights or call our team on (604) 265-9000. We will plan the Delhi connection and the Varanasi leg together.
frequently asked questions
When is Dev Deepawali in 2026?
Tuesday 24 November 2026, on Kartik Purnima, 15 days after Diwali. The ghats are lit with lakhs of diyas. It is the busiest night of the year in Varanasi, so book early if you want to be there.
What is the weather in Varanasi in December and January?
Cool and mostly dry. Mornings are 8 to 15°C and afternoons around 20 to 25°C. Fog is common from late December through January and can delay flights, especially early in the day.
How do I get from Delhi to Varanasi?
Fly with IndiGo or Air India in about 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes, or take the Vande Bharat Express train in about 8 hours. The airport is about 25 km from the city.
How many days do I need in Varanasi?
Three nights. That covers the evening aarti, a dawn boat ride, Kashi Vishwanath, Sarnath and time for silk shopping without rushing.
Can elderly parents manage the ghats?
Yes, with planning. Watch the aarti from a boat, use a car for the temple corridor and Sarnath, stay near Assi Ghat, and avoid the stairs at the busiest times.
Fares and availability change daily and depend on the airline, date and fare type. Festival dates, temple timings and flight schedules are as published in October 2026 and can change. Always check live prices and local timings before booking.
