Overview
Step away from the ghats and dive into the artistic soul of Varanasi. This 3-hour guided walking experience takes you into the heart of the city’s traditional craftsmanship – where silk threads tell stories and skilled hands weave dreams.
Explore the world of Banarasi Saree weavers, handloom artisans, wooden toy makers, and image carvers, all tucked inside labyrinthine alleys far from the tourist gaze.
Witness both heritage looms and modern digital textile units, while engaging in conversations with artisans whose craft sustains centuries of cultural legacy. This walk offers a window into Varanasi’s creative economy and the socio-economic journey of its weaving community.
Perfect for textile enthusiasts, culture seekers, slow travelers, and anyone curious about India’s handloom heritage.
Tour Details
- Tour Type: Private Artisan & Textile Heritage Walk
- Category: Tour
- Theme: Art & Craft, History & Culture, Community Interaction
- Mode of Transport: Walking
- Start Time: Flexible – Choose any 2.5 to 3-hour slot between 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Duration: Approx. 3 Hours
- Starting Point: Durgakund, Varanasi (Exact meeting point shared on booking)
- Language: English-speaking guide (Hindi on request)
Itinerary
Day 01 :
Banarasi Weaves & Culture: A Textile Trail Through Varanasi
Starting Point – Durgakund Area (Exact address provided on confirmation)
Introduction to Banaras Textiles (15 mins)
Understand the cultural, historical, and social significance of Banarasi weaving.
Visit to Traditional Weaver’s Home & Handloom Unit (45 mins – 1 hour)
- Witness live weaving on handlooms
- Learn about zari work, brocade patterns, and the making of Banarasi silk
- Understand the economic challenges and triumphs of the weaving community
Stop at Modern Textile Units (30 mins)
Explore how technology is changing traditional weaving – from power looms to digital jacquard machines.
Artisan Lane Exploration (30 mins)
Meet local artisans involved in:
- Wooden toy making
- Lacquer work
- Image carving for religious sculptures
Final Stop – Traditional Showroom Visit (30 mins)
Optionally explore a curated space showcasing authentic Banarasi sarees and other textiles (non-compulsory shopping opportunity).
Ending Point – Same as Starting Point (Durgakund)
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions:
- Guided heritage walk with artisan storytelling
- Entry and interaction at handloom and artisan workshops
- Bottled water
- Insightful sessions on Varanasi’s weaving history and economy
Exclusions:
- 5% GST
- Transport to and from meeting point
- Personal purchases (if any)
- Food/snacks (can be arranged on prior request)
- Any personal expenses
Payment Policy:
- All bookings will be entertained by the company only after receiving a written confirmation mail by the client.
- On receiving the confirmation mail, the company will start the pre booking process.
- Company will block the Hotel rooms as mentioned in the package, purely on tentative basis for a cut off time period after which it will be released.
- Bookings Confirmed only after Advance Payment, within the cut off time period.
- Bookings will be held provisionally up to a pre-specified Cut – off date
- Bookings Confirmed only after 50% Advance Payment, within the cut off time period.
- Any hikes in Govt. taxes, the same would be charged accordingly over the above room rates/meals.
- 100% Payment has to be made to confirm the bookings before 30 days of Check-in.
- Once we receive full payment against the Package booking then only, we will issue the Final Package Confirmation Voucher, which will be mandatory at the time of commencement of the tour by the Company Tour Manager on arrival of the client at Port Blair.
Cancellation Policy:
- Cancellation Received on or before 30 days, a 10% processing fee of the total package cost will be charged.
- Cancellation between 20 days to 29 days -50% of refund of total package cost.
- Cancellation less than 20 days of arrival or no show – No refund whatsoever the reason or Act of God.
- No refund for booking made from 15 December to 15 January.
- Cancellation charges for any type of transport ticket are applicable as per the rules of the concerned authority.
Terms and Conditions:
- Package quoted is not based on the availability of hotels. Only when we receive written confirmation mail for the package, hotels will be booked as per the availability at that point of time. Any changes in the rate depending on the availability have to be borne by the guest.
- All the bookings are Confirmed with the hotel and issue of the ferry ticket for Port Blair/ Havelock Island and Neil Island after receiving a confirmation mail from the client with a Booking amount to be paid in our Bank account.
- We have mentioned the indicative names of the Hotels for each tour. We reserve the right to change the same due to unavoidable circumstances. In that case we may provide alternative, similar accommodation for which we are not liable to pay any refund. We will not be responsible or liable in case of loss of property or life at the Hotel. Similarly, any damages caused to the hotel rooms during your stay, shall be payable by the Clients and the Company will not be liable for the same.
- Vehicle will not at client disposal. Vehicle will be at client service as per the confirmed day wise and point to point itinerary. After completion of tour as per itinerary vehicle will be released. Additional charges for extra usage or sightseeing has to be paid.
- Andaman & Nicobar group of Islands are under restricted area, Personal identification is mandatory to carry on tour for Air Travel, Hotels for security reason like: election card, Driving License, Passport, Aadhar Card.
- All Hotels have their fixed check in and checkout time. Early check in and late check – out subject to availability on extra cost as applicable by the particular hotels.
- The menus are pre – set menus provided for breakfast/lunch/dinner on the tour as mentioned under each Tour itinerary and inclusions as printed in your voucher. The meals will be served either at restaurants of hotel of stay or the same could be arranged at local restaurants. The enroute meals or meals during excursions could be packed meals or served by enroute/local restaurants / dhabas. We cannot process a special meal nor do we guarantee the special diet to the customer. We however reserve the right to change the meal arrangement if circumstances make it necessary to do so. If a tour participant does not avail his/her meal in stipulated time; he/she has to avail the meal on his/her own arrangement and expenses. No claim can be made for the meal which he/she has missed and not utilized.
- All Foreign nationals and Indian staying abroad holding passport of different country (PIO/OCI) needs to register themselves on arrival at Port Blair airport (immigration) which should have valid India visa or obtain RAP – Restricted Area Permit which is valid for 30days of stay in Andaman Islands.
- Entry to all City tour point like Cellular jail and other Museum closes by 1600hrs and light n sound show is Open every day 1800hrs (Subjected to weather condition and some VVIP movement).
- Ross & North Bay remains closed on every Wednesdays.
- Cellular Jail, Port Blair City Tour, Museums, Limestone Cave at Baratang Island, Jollybouy/Red Skin are closed on every Monday and National Holidays.
- Ross and Smith Island boat trip at Diglipur are closed on every Sunday. and National Holidays.
- Guests are advised not to keep valuables in the coach/vehicle while sightseeing. The Company shall not be responsible for loss of valuables from the coach / vehicle. If the coach / vehicle is accidentally or otherwise damaged by the Guest, she/he will be required to pay compensation for the same.
- For the comfort and convenience of our passengers, we will sometimes reverse the direction, or slightly amend the itinerary. We will try to advise you of these amendments, prior to the start of the tour or on tour. In the event that a tour participant misses on any part of the sightseeing tour or any such tour due to delay on his part, he will not be entitled to claim refund of the same.
- All the ferry service inland and inter-island may change schedule without prior notice due to weather conditions, technical snag, operational requirement or commercial. we do not owe any responsibility for the same, our liability is restricted to the face value of the tickets only.
- In case of any unexpected bad weather Condition, Natural Calamity or due to any unavoidable circumstance if the ferry to Port Blair, Havelock, Neil or other island gets cancelled, some other alternative accommodation will be provided in Port Blair / Havelock, Neil Island or any other island. These additional night / Nights of accommodation in Port Blair Havelock/ Port Blair / Neil Island or any other island will be on direct payment basis by guest. The Client shall not hold “The Company” responsible for the same and no claim whatsoever can be made by the Client against The Company for refund or compensation.
- Confirmation of Hotels and other services is subject to availability. If the above hotels are not available similar category hotels will be used.
- Itinerary is subject to change.
- The Company shall, in no circumstances whatsoever be liable to the client or any person traveling with him for any death, personal injury, sickness, accident, loss, delay, discomfort, increased expenses, consequential loss and/or damage or any kind of theft howsoever caused The temporary or permanent loss of or damage to baggage or personal effects howsoever caused including wilful negligence on the part of any person. Loss of baggage by the airlines / coach / Ferry. Overbooking of seats by the Ferry.
- The Company shall, in no circumstances whatsoever be liable to the client or any person traveling with him for Failure on the part of Ferry to accommodate passengers despite having confirmed tickets or change of route. If in the event that the Client is booked on a particular ferry and the said Ferry is over booked/cancelled for whatever reason and the Client is not allowed/able to board the ferry, the Client shall not hold “The Company” responsible for the same and no claim whatsoever can be made by the Client against The Company for refund or compensation.
- “The Company” shall not be responsible and / or liable for any damages caused to the Client due to reasons beyond the control of “The Company” (Force Majeure / Vis Majeure).
- Mid –tour cancellation- yes you can cancel but the amount would be non-refundable.
- If the tour or any part thereof cannot be conducted due to natural calamity, the Company shall not be responsible to give any refund to you.
- It is clearly understood that there shall be no refund whatsoever if the Client does not or cannot utilize any of the services like hotels, sightseeing, rides, cruises, meals, entrance fees, optional tours etc. due to any reason whatsoever.