India Explorer: Delhi to Delhi (Self-Launched)
15 days · India
G Adventures charges £3,400
No-markup version: ~£822 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 15-day loop from Delhi hitting the classic Golden Triangle plus Varanasi, Khajuraho, Ranthambore and Rajasthan's lake city of Udaipur — the same route G Adventures' "India Explorer" runs, but booked yourself using trains, budget flights, hostels and guesthouses, and local guides. You'll still walk Old Delhi's backstreets, watch sunrise and sunset on the Ganges, see the Taj Mahal at dawn, take two tiger safaris in Ranthambore and sleep in a heritage haveli in a Rajasthan village. Costs below are approximate backpacker/mid-budget rates; book trains early (Indian Railways fills up 60+ days out) and always use official booking channels.
Day-by-day
Arrive Delhi
Delhi
Land at Delhi (DEL) and make your own way in — the Airport Express metro to New Delhi station costs about £2, or a pre-booked taxi/OLA cab is roughly £5-7. Check into a guesthouse in Paharganj or Karol Bagh, get an Indian eSIM or SIM (Airtel/Jio, ~£3-5), and take it easy. Evening wander around Connaught Place for your first thali (~£2-3).
🚌Airport Express metro ~£2 or taxi ~£6
🛏Guesthouse or hostel private room, Paharganj or Karol Bagh (~£15-20)
- →Airport transfer by metro or OLA cab
- →Buy local SIM/eSIM
- →Orientation walk around Connaught Place
Old Delhi backstreets and bazaars
Delhi
Book a small-group 'street life of Old Delhi' walking tour on GetYourGuide or Klook (~£15-25 per person) — many are run by or support local NGOs and former street children, echoing the original tour's social-enterprise focus. Alternatively, do it yourself: metro to Chandni Chowk, cycle-rickshaw through the spice market (~£2), visit Jama Masjid (free, £2 camera fee), Gurudwara Sis Ganj and the Sikh community kitchen. Optional afternoon: Qutub Minar (~£7 entry).
🚌Delhi Metro and cycle-rickshaws ~£3
🛏Guesthouse, Paharganj (~£15-20)
- →Old Delhi street-life walking tour
- →Jama Masjid
- →Chandni Chowk spice market cycle-rickshaw ride
- →Optional Qutub Minar
Fly to Varanasi, sunset on the Ganges
Varanasi
Morning flight Delhi–Varanasi (IndiGo/Air India, book 3-6 weeks ahead for ~£35-55). Check into a guesthouse near Assi Ghat or in the old city. Late afternoon, walk the ghats and take a shared or private wooden boat for sunset at Dashashwamedh Ghat — buy a small flower-and-candle aarti offering (~£1) from a boatman or priest. Fixed-price boats run around £5-10 for an hour; agree the price first.
🚌Flight DEL–VNS ~£45; airport taxi ~£5
🛏Ghat-side guesthouse, Varanasi (~£15-22)
- →Sunset boat trip on the Ganges
- →Ghat walking and Aarti ceremony
- →Flower and candle offering
Sunrise Ganges, Sarnath and a training cafe
Varanasi
5:30am sunrise boat ride (£5-8 shared) to watch bathing and cremation rituals. Breakfast at a vocational/social-enterprise cafe in the old city — Open Hand and similar training restaurants in Varanasi serve breakfast for £2-4 and support fair-wage training; book direct or just turn up. Then take an auto-rickshaw to Sarnath (~£3 return, entry £3) where the Buddha gave his first sermon — hire a local guide at the site for ~£8-12, or use an audio guide. Evening free for street food (kachori, lassi).
🚌Auto-rickshaws ~£5
🛏Ghat-side guesthouse, Varanasi (~£15-22)
- →Sunrise boat on the Ganges
- →Breakfast at a vocational training cafe
- →Sarnath stupa and museum with local guide
- →Varanasi street food crawl
Varanasi to Khajuraho: temples, yoga and dance
Khajuraho
Fly or train to Khajuraho. Flights are seasonal and pricier (~£50-70 via Delhi); the cheaper independent option is the overnight or daytime train via Mahoba/Jhansi (~£8-15, 10-12 hrs) — check IRCTC. Afternoon visit the Western Group of Temples (£5 entry, audio guide £3). Book a drop-in yoga class at a local studio or hotel (~£5-8) and catch the evening Kandariya classical dance show at the temple complex (~£4-6).
🚌Train ~£10 (or flight ~£60)
🛏Guesthouse near the temples, Khajuraho (~£15-20)
- →Western Group of Temples
- →Drop-in yoga class
- →Kandariya dance show
Khajuraho to Agra by train
Agra
Train day: Khajuraho–Jhansi–Agra or the direct Khajuraho–Agra express if running (AC chair/3AC, ~£6-12, 7-9 hrs). This is the best part — chai vendors, shared snacks, endless conversation. Arrive Agra, check into a guesthouse in Taj Ganj with a rooftop Taj view (~£18-25), and eat dinner overlooking the dome.
🚌Train ~£10; auto-rickshaws ~£4
🛏Guesthouse in Taj Ganj, Agra (~£18-25)
- →Scenic Indian Railways journey
- →Rooftop dinner with Taj Mahal views
Taj Mahal at dawn, Agra Fort, on to Ranthambore
Ranthambore
Enter the Taj at opening (6am, £12 entry plus £3 to the mausoleum) — official tickets at tajmahal.gov.in, guides at the gate ~£8. Then Agra Fort (£6, guide ~£8). Afternoon train Agra–Sawai Madhopur (~£4-8, 4-5 hrs) for Ranthambore, or a shared taxi (~£30 total, split). Check into a budget wildlife lodge just outside the park (~£20-28).
🚌Train ~£6
🛏Budget wildlife lodge, Ranthambore (~£20-28)
- →Taj Mahal sunrise visit
- →Agra Fort
- →Train to Sawai Madhopur
Two tiger safaris in Ranthambore
Ranthambore
Book safaris yourself on the official Rajasthan Forest Department portal (forest.rajasthan.gov.in) — a shared canter/gypsy seat is roughly £25-35 per safari, and they sell out, so book as early as your dates allow. One dawn drive and one afternoon drive searching for tigers, leopards, sloth bears and sambar. Between drives, hike up to Ranthambore Fort and the Ganesh Temple with a local guide (~£10) and walk through the village.
🚌Park jeeps included in safari ticket
🛏Budget wildlife lodge, Ranthambore (~£20-28)
- →Sunrise safari drive
- →Afternoon safari drive
- →Ranthambore Fort and Ganesh Temple walk
Ranthambore to Jaipur
Jaipur
Train Sawai Madhopur–Jaipur (~£3-6, 2.5-3.5 hrs) or a shared taxi (~£7 per seat). Check into a guesthouse in the old walled city near Hawa Mahal (~£18-25). Afternoon: wander the Pink City bazaars, try pyaaz kachori and lassi at Lassiwala, and watch the sunset from Nahargarh Fort (£2 entry, ~£3 auto up).
🚌Train ~£5; autos ~£5
🛏Guesthouse in the old city, Jaipur (~£18-25)
- →Pink City bazaar walk
- →Nahargarh Fort sunset
- →Jaipur street food
Jaipur: Amber Fort and City Palace
Jaipur
Book a half-day Amber Fort + City Palace guided tour on GetYourGuide/Klook (~£20-30 including transport and entry) or DIY: local bus #5 or auto to Amber (~£2), Amber Fort entry £10, City Palace £10, Hawa Mahal £2 to climb. Add the astronomical instruments at Jantar Mantar (£3). Optional evening cooking class in a family home (~£18-25) — great value and a highlight for foodies.
🚌Local bus and autos ~£5
🛏Guesthouse in the old city, Jaipur (~£18-25)
- →Amber Fort
- →City Palace and Hawa Mahal
- →Jantar Mantar
- →Optional home cooking class
Village stay at Jojawar
Jojawar
Bus or shared taxi Jaipur–Jojawar via Pali/Marwar (~£6-10, 4-5 hrs). Stay in a heritage haveli such as Rawla Jojawar (~£30-45 a night — the one splurge, book direct or via Booking.com). Walk the village with a local host (~£8 tip), meet families, and opt for the rural train safari on the Aravali line (~£7) if timings work.
🚌Bus/shared taxi ~£8
🛏Heritage haveli, Jojawar (~£30-45)
- →Village walk with local host
- →Heritage haveli stay
- →Optional Aravali hill train safari
Jojawar to Udaipur
Udaipur
Shared taxi or bus Jojawar–Udaipur (~£8-12, 3-4 hrs). Check into a lakeside guesthouse near Lake Pichola (~£18-25). Evening orientation walk: Jagdish Temple (free), Gangaur Ghat, and sunset over the Lake Palace from Ambrai Ghat — free and better than any boat.
🚌Shared taxi/bus ~£10; autos ~£4
🛏Lakeside guesthouse, Udaipur (~£18-25)
- →Jagdish Temple
- →Lake Pichola ghats at sunset
- →Old city walk
Udaipur: City Palace, Jag Mandir and a boat
Udaipur
City Palace museum (£6), then a shared boat to Jag Mandir island (£5-7) or a cheaper public ferry from Rameshwar Ghat. Optional morning block-printing or miniature-painting workshop in the old city (~£12-18). Evening rooftop dinner with lake views (~£6-8).
🚌Walking and autos ~£4
🛏Lakeside guesthouse, Udaipur (~£18-25)
- →City Palace museum
- →Jag Mandir boat trip
- →Optional craft workshop
Fly Udaipur to Delhi
Delhi
Morning flight Udaipur–Delhi (IndiGo, ~£40-60 booked ahead; the train is an 12+ hr overnight option at ~£10-15 if you want to save). Afternoon in Delhi: Humayun's Tomb (£6), Lodhi Gardens or Dilli Haat for crafts and regional food. Final dinner in Hauz Khas Village.
🚌Flight ~£50; airport metro ~£2; autos ~£5
🛏Guesthouse, South Delhi or Paharganj (~£18-22)
- →Humayun's Tomb
- →Dilli Haat crafts market
- →Hauz Khas Village dinner
Depart Delhi
Delhi
Last breakfast, pick up any souvenirs, and take the Airport Express metro or a pre-booked cab to DEL for your international flight. If you've got a late flight, drop bags at the guesthouse and revisit a favourite bazaar.
🚌Airport Express metro ~£2 or taxi ~£6
🛏None (departure day)
- →Souvenir shopping
- →Airport transfer
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£822 | £3,400 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,578 per person (76%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£822
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 India Explorer: Delhi to Delhi (Self-Launched) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £822 per person for 15 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 G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £3,400 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £822 — a saving of roughly £2,578 (76%) per person.
How long is the India trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 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 adventure, culture, foodie 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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