Golden Triangle, Ranthambore & Varanasi — Self-Launched Edition
10 days · India
GeTS Holidays charges £2,400
No-markup version: ~£452 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 10-day run through India's classic Golden Triangle (Delhi - Agra - Jaipur), a tiger safari stop at Ranthambore National Park, and a soul-stirring finish in Varanasi on the Ganges. Instead of a private guided tour with a dedicated car and driver, you'll string together India's superb and cheap train network, book affordable guesthouses and heritage havelis yourself, and join small-group or self-booked guided excursions only where it really adds value (the Taj, Ranthambore jeep safaris, a Ganges sunrise boat). Same destinations, same experiences — a fraction of the organised-tour price.
Day-by-day
Arrive Delhi — settle into Paharganj
Delhi
Land at Indira Gandhi International Airport and pre-book an airport taxi or use the Airport Express Metro (approx £1.50) into New Delhi. Base yourself in Paharganj or Karol Bagh for easy access to the metro and the New Delhi Railway Station. Spend the afternoon easing in: a stroll around Connaught Place, a chai stop, and an easy first Indian meal. Pick up a local SIM (Airtel/Jio, ~£6 for a month of data) — essential for booking trains and cabs on the go.
🚌Airport Express Metro ~£1.50 or pre-booked taxi ~£8
🛏Budget guesthouse in Paharganj (e.g. Hotel Namaskar / Vivek Hotel), private double ~£15-20
- →Airport transfer to hotel
- →Evening stroll around Connaught Place
- →Traditional Indian meal at a local restaurant
- →Buy local SIM card
Old & New Delhi sightseeing
Delhi
Do Delhi independently using the metro and cheap rickshaws. Morning in Old Delhi: Jama Masjid (free, modest dress required) then a cycle-rickshaw ride through the chaos of Chandni Chowk market (~£2-3). Visit Rajghat memorial, then cross to the south/centre: Humayun's Tomb (the Taj's blueprint), drive past India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan, and finish at the soaring Qutub Minar. A combined monument ticket or individual ASI tickets (~£1-3 each) keep costs tiny. Eat butter chicken or kebabs at a well-reviewed local spot in the evening.
🚌Delhi Metro day pass ~£1 + rickshaws/autos ~£5
🛏Budget guesthouse in Paharganj, private double ~£15-20
- →Visit Jama Masjid
- →Cycle-rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk
- →Visit Rajghat memorial
- →Visit Humayun's Tomb
- →See India Gate & Rashtrapati Bhavan
- →Visit Qutub Minar
- →Try butter chicken, kebabs or street chaats
Delhi to Agra — the Taj Mahal
Agra
Take an early Gatimaan Express or Shatabdi Express train from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Agra Cantt (1h40, ~£7-10 — book on IRCTC/12Go in advance). Drop bags at a guesthouse in Taj Ganj so the monument is on your doorstep. Afternoon: Agra Fort (red sandstone Mughal fortress, ~£5). Time your Taj Mahal visit for late afternoon light or save it for sunrise — the ticket (~£11) includes entry to the main mausoleum and the gardens. A self-booked local guide at the gate costs ~£8-12 and is well worth it for the history.
🚌Gatimaan/Shatabdi Express train ~£8
🛏Guesthouse in Taj Ganj (e.g. Hotel Kamal / Saniya Palace), private double ~£15
- →Train to Agra
- →Visit Agra Fort
- →Visit the Taj Mahal
- →Photography at the Taj Mahal from different angles
Agra to Ranthambore via Fatehpur Sikri
Ranthambore
Hire a shared taxi or take a car for the day to break the journey at Fatehpur Sikri (the abandoned Mughal capital — Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas, ~£5 entry). From here continue by road to Sawai Madhopur/Ranthambore (total drive ~5-6h) or take an afternoon train to Sawai Madhopur and a short auto to your lodge. Check into a jungle guesthouse near the park gate, sort your safari permits for tomorrow, and enjoy a quiet evening in the village.
🚌Shared taxi / private car Agra–Fatehpur Sikri–Ranthambore ~£35 split, or train ~£5
🛏Budget jungle lodge near Sawai Madhopur (e.g. Jungle View Resort), private double ~£25
- →Visit Fatehpur Sikri
- →Optional Rajiv Gandhi Regional Museum of Natural History
- →Settle into a Ranthambore jungle lodge
Ranthambore — two tiger safaris
Ranthambore
The highlight: two jeep safaris into Ranthambore National Park (one early morning, one afternoon) to search for Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, crocodiles and hundreds of bird species. Book jeep or canter safaris well in advance via the Rajasthan Forest Department online portal or a local agent — seats sell out fast in peak season (Oct-Mar). A shared jeep seat runs ~£30-40 per safari; a private canter can be cheaper per head in a group. Rest midday with lunch and a siesta between drives.
🚌Park safari jeep included in permit cost
🛏Budget jungle lodge near Sawai Madhopur, private double ~£25
- →Early morning jeep safari in Ranthambore National Park
- →Afternoon jeep safari in Ranthambore National Park
- →Village walk and birdwatching between safaris
Ranthambore to Jaipur
Jaipur
Travel on to the Pink City. The easiest option is a train from Sawai Madhopur to Jaipur (2-2.5h, ~£3-5) or a shared taxi (~£10 each). Check into a heritage haveli or guesthouse in the old city near Hawa Mahal. Spend the late afternoon wandering Jaipur's bazaars — Johari Bazaar for jewellery, Bapu Bazaar for block-printed textiles and turbans — and grab dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the city.
🚌Train Sawai Madhopur–Jaipur ~£4
🛏Heritage haveli guesthouse in old city (e.g. Pearl Palace / Hotel Kalyan), private double ~£18
- →Train to Jaipur
- →Evening stroll through Jaipur's bustling streets
- →Browse handicrafts, block-printed textiles and colourful turbans
Jaipur — Amber Fort & the Pink City
Jaipur
A full day of Jaipur's greatest hits. Start early at Amber Fort — take a local bus or auto to the base, then walk or ride up (~£1 for a shared jeep). Amber Fort entry ~£6 with a self-booked guide optional. Back in the city, see Hawa Mahal (free from the street or ~£2 inside), the City Palace (~£8), and the astronomical Jantar Mantar (~£2). A combined Jaipur monument pass can save money if you're doing several. End the day browsing more bazaars for jewellery, pottery and handicrafts.
🚌Local bus/auto to Amber + city autos ~£6
🛏Heritage haveli guesthouse in old city, private double ~£18
- →Visit Amber Fort
- →Ride up to Amber Fort
- →Visit Hawa Mahal
- →Visit City Palace
- →Visit Jantar Mantar
- →Browse Jaipur's bazaars
Jaipur to Varanasi
Varanasi
A long travel day north-east. The smoothest option is a flight from Jaipur to Varanasi (~1h30, book early for £45-70 one-way). If you'd rather go overland on a budget, take a train to Delhi then an overnight train to Varanasi (roughly 20-24h total, ~£10-15 sleeper) — cheaper but tiring. Arrive in Varanasi, taxi to a guesthouse near the ghats in the old city, and have an easy dinner. Book your sunrise boat ride for tomorrow morning.
🚌Flight Jaipur–Varanasi ~£55 (or overnight train ~£12)
🛏Ghat-side guesthouse in Varanasi old city (e.g. Stops Hostel / Hotel Alka), private double ~£15
- →Fly or train to Varanasi
- →Check into a ghat-side guesthouse
- →Evening walk along the ghats
Varanasi — sunrise on the Ganges & Sarnath
Varanasi
Set an early alarm: take a rowboat on the Ganges at sunrise (~£5-8 per person shared), watching pilgrims bathe and cremations at the burning ghats. Later head to Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon — see the Dhamek Stupa, the Ashokan Pillar, the Sarnath Museum (closed Fridays), and the New Vishwanath Temple and Tulsi Manas Mandir. In the evening, return to Dashashwamedh Ghat to witness the spectacular Ganga Aarti fire ceremony (free — arrive early for a good spot).
🚌Auto-rickshaws around Varanasi ~£5 + shared boat ~£7
🛏Ghat-side guesthouse in Varanasi old city, private double ~£15
- →Sunrise boat ride on the Ganges
- →Visit Sarnath, Dhamek Stupa & Ashokan Pillar
- →Visit Sarnath Museum
- →Visit New Vishwanath Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir & Durga Temple
- →Witness Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
Varanasi departure
Varanasi
A relaxed final morning — perhaps a last walk through the ghats, a yoga session, or shopping for Banarasi silk. Then take a pre-booked taxi or auto to Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport at Babatpur (about 25km, ~45 min, ~£7-10) for your onward flight. If you're continuing your gap-year travels, Varanasi links easily by train back to Delhi or on to Kolkata.
🚌Taxi to Varanasi airport ~£8
🛏Departure day — no overnight
- →Final morning at the ghats
- →Souvenir shopping for Banarasi silk
- →Transfer to Varanasi airport
Self-launched vs. GeTS Holidays
| This itinerary (self-launched) | GeTS Holidays | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£452 | £2,400 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,948 per person (81%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more GeTS Holidays-style trips? Check them out here.~£452
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Golden Triangle, Ranthambore & Varanasi — Self-Launched Edition cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £452 per person for 10 days in India. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with GeTS Holidays?+
Yes — GeTS Holidays charges around £2,400 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £452 — a saving of roughly £1,948 (81%) per person.
How long is the India trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 day-by-day stops through India.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, adventure, wildlife trip through India, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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