Self-Launched Golden Triangle & Kathmandu: Delhi, Jaipur, Agra & Nepal
10 days · India & Nepal
Le Passage to India charges £710
No-markup version: ~£456 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
The classic Golden Triangle plus Kathmandu — all done independently. This self-launched version follows the same route from Delhi through Jaipur and Agra, then flies to Kathmandu for temples, stupas and mountain views. You'll swap the guided coach tour for trains, local buses and budget guesthouses, booking your own entry tickets and GetYourGuide walking tours where you want a local expert. The result is a genuinely comparable experience at a fraction of the price — and with the freedom to linger wherever you like. Costs below are estimated per person based on solo/budget-traveller rates; expect some variation depending on your room-sharing situation and appetite for optional extras.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Delhi
New Delhi, India
Fly into Indira Gandhi International Airport. The Delhi Metro Airport Express Line runs directly from T3 to New Delhi station in under 20 minutes (~£1.20) — skip the expensive pre-paid taxis. Check into your hostel or guesthouse in Paharganj or Karol Bagh, both well-placed budget hubs. Spend the evening at leisure: grab a chai, wander Paharganj market and get your bearings.
🚌Delhi Metro Airport Express from IGI Airport (~£1.20). Alternatively, pre-paid AC taxi ~£8-10.
🛏Hotel Namaskar, Moustache Hostel Delhi, or similar guesthouse in Paharganj — budget dorm ~£8, private room ~£15-18
- →Airport Express Metro from IGI Airport to New Delhi station (~£1.20)
- →Check in to budget guesthouse in Paharganj or Karol Bagh (~£10-15/night)
- →Evening stroll around Paharganj market — free
Delhi Sightseeing — Old & New
New Delhi, India
A full day exploring Delhi's unmissable landmarks. Start early in Old Delhi: visit the Red Fort (entry ~£5 foreign nationals), wander through Chandni Chowk bazaar and step inside Jama Masjid (free, modest dress required). Rickshaw through the old lanes for atmosphere (~£2-3). In the afternoon head to New Delhi: Raj Ghat (Gandhi memorial, free), India Gate (free), Humayun's Tomb (~£5) and Qutub Minar (~£5). Use the Metro between areas to keep costs down. A GetYourGuide Old Delhi food & heritage walking tour (~£18) is a worthwhile optional add-on.
🚌Delhi Metro between Old and New Delhi zones (~£1-2 per trip). Auto-rickshaw for short hops (~£1-2).
🛏Same as Day 1 — Paharganj guesthouse (~£10-15)
- →Red Fort — entry ~£5 (foreign nationals rate)
- →Chandni Chowk bazaar walk — free
- →Jama Masjid — free (modest dress required)
- →Cycle rickshaw ride through Old Delhi lanes — ~£2-3
- →Raj Ghat (Gandhi memorial) — free
- →India Gate — free
- →Humayun's Tomb — entry ~£5
- →Qutub Minar — entry ~£5
- →Optional: GetYourGuide Old Delhi walking tour with local guide — ~£18
Delhi to Jaipur by Train
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Take an early morning train from New Delhi (Hazrat Nizamuddin or New Delhi station) to Jaipur Junction. The Shatabdi Express (12015/16) or Ajmer Shatabdi is comfortable and fast (~4.5 hrs, AC Chair Car ~£8-12). Book in advance at irctc.co.in or use Cleartrip. Arrive in Jaipur by midday. Check into your guesthouse in the Pink City area. Spend the afternoon exploring independently — the walled city is very walkable. Watch sunset from Nahargarh Fort (~£2 entry) for panoramic views over Jaipur.
🚌Shatabdi Express from New Delhi/Hazrat Nizamuddin to Jaipur Junction (~4.5 hrs, ~£8-12 AC Chair Car). Auto-rickshaw from Jaipur station to guesthouse ~£2-3.
🛏Pearl Palace Heritage, Moustache Hostel Jaipur, or similar — dorm ~£8, private room ~£14-18
- →Shatabdi Express train Delhi → Jaipur (~4.5 hrs, AC Chair Car ~£8-12) — book via irctc.co.in
- →Check in to guesthouse near Badi Chaupar or Sindhi Camp (~£10-15/night)
- →Afternoon wander through the Pink City walled streets — free
- →Nahargarh Fort at sunset — entry ~£2
Jaipur's Forts, Palaces & Bazaars
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
A full day covering Jaipur's headline sites. Start at Amber Fort (11 km from city — share a jeep or take a local bus ~£1-2 each way). Entry ~£8 for foreigners; the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) is included. Back in the city, visit City Palace (Chandra Mahal & Mubarak Mahal, ~£10 combined entry), Peacock Gate and the armoury. Jantar Mantar observatory next door (~£5). Swing by Hawa Mahal for the iconic photo stop (entry £1 to go inside). End the day browsing Johari Bazaar for gems, Bapu Bazaar for textiles and Tripolia Bazaar. Bargain hard.
🚌Local bus or shared auto to Amber Fort (~£1-2 each way). City auto-rickshaw for other hops (~£1-2 per trip).
🛏Same as Day 3 — Jaipur guesthouse (~£10-15)
- →Amber Fort including Sheesh Mahal — entry ~£8 (shared jeep/local bus ~£2 return)
- →City Palace complex (Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Armoury) — entry ~£10
- →Peacock Gate photo — included in City Palace entry
- →Jantar Mantar observatory — entry ~£5
- →Hawa Mahal photo stop and interior — entry ~£1
- →Johari Bazaar, Tripolia Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar & Chandpol Bazaar browse — free
- →Optional: GetYourGuide Jaipur heritage walking tour — ~£15
Jaipur to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri
Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
Travel from Jaipur to Agra (around 240 km). The most convenient option is a shared AC taxi or the RSRTC Volvo bus from Sindhi Camp bus stand (~4-5 hrs, ~£5-8). Alternatively book a seat in a shared cab via a guesthouse. Stop en route at Fatehpur Sikri, the Mughal ghost city — entry ~£6 for foreigners and absolutely worth it. Arrive in Agra by late afternoon. Check into a guesthouse near Taj Ganj for legendary Taj Mahal rooftop views at dawn. Explore Agra's local food scene: try petha (sugar candy), chaat and Mughlai dishes for dinner.
🚌RSRTC Volvo bus from Sindhi Camp, Jaipur to Agra (~4-5 hrs, ~£5-8). Or shared taxi arranged via guesthouse (~£8-10 per person).
🛏Hotel Kamal, Zostel Agra, or similar Taj Ganj guesthouse — dorm ~£8, private room ~£12-16
- →RSRTC Volvo bus or shared taxi Jaipur → Agra (~4-5 hrs, ~£5-8)
- →En-route stop at Fatehpur Sikri — entry ~£6
- →Check in to Taj Ganj guesthouse with Taj views (~£10-15/night)
- →Evening street food at Sadar Bazaar — £3-5
The Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Back to Delhi
Agra → New Delhi, India
Rise before dawn to reach the Taj Mahal at opening (entry ~£13 foreigners — includes the mausoleum surcharge). The early light is magical and crowds are thinner. Spend 2 hours exploring the grounds. Then walk or cycle-rickshaw to Agra Fort (~1.5 km away; entry ~£7) and explore Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas and Mina Masjid. Grab lunch, then catch the afternoon Gatimaan Express or Shatabdi Express back to New Delhi (Hazrat Nizamuddin; ~2 hrs, ~£8-12). Check into a Delhi guesthouse near the airport if you're flying to Kathmandu early next morning.
🚌Cycle-rickshaw within Agra (~£2-3). Gatimaan Express or Shatabdi Express Agra Cantonment/Agra Fort → Hazrat Nizamuddin, Delhi (~2 hrs, ~£8-12). Book via irctc.co.in.
🛏Budget guesthouse near Delhi airport or Karol Bagh (~£12-16) for easy early departure
- →Taj Mahal at sunrise — entry ~£13 (book in advance at asi.payumoney.com to avoid queues)
- →Agra Fort — entry ~£7 (Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Mina Masjid included)
- →Cycle-rickshaw between Taj Mahal and Agra Fort — ~£2
- →Gatimaan or Shatabdi Express Agra → New Delhi/Hazrat Nizamuddin (~2 hrs, ~£8-12)
Delhi to Kathmandu by Air
Kathmandu, Nepal
Fly from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). IndiGo, Air India and Nepal Airlines all operate this route; book in advance for ~£70-110 one-way (the operator's own Q&A quotes USD 90-180 per person depending on timing). Flight time is ~1.5 hrs. On arrival, purchase a Nepal Tourist Visa on arrival (~£25 for 15 days or ~£40 for 30 days — bring USD cash or card). Take a pre-paid taxi (~£6) or local bus (~£0.50) from the airport to Thamel, Kathmandu's backpacker hub. Spend the afternoon acclimatising, exploring Thamel's bookshops and cafés, and planning your temple days ahead.
🚌Budget airline (IndiGo 6E, Air India AI) DEL → KTM (~1.5 hrs, ~£70-110). Pre-paid taxi airport → Thamel ~£5-6.
🛏Hotel Encounter Nepal, Zostel Kathmandu, or similar Thamel guesthouse — dorm ~£7, private room ~£14-18
- →IndiGo/Air India flight Delhi → Kathmandu (~1.5 hrs, ~£70-110 — book ahead)
- →Nepal Tourist Visa on arrival at KTM airport (~£25 for 15 days, USD cash recommended)
- →Pre-paid taxi or airport bus to Thamel (~£3-6)
- →Afternoon explore Thamel neighbourhood — free
- →Optional: SIM card from Ncell or NTC at airport (~£3 incl. data)
Kathmandu's Sacred Sites: Pashupatinath, Boudhanath & Patan
Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
A packed but rewarding day covering the valley's most sacred and beautiful sites. Start at Pashupatinath Temple (one of Hinduism's holiest sites; foreigners view from the riverbank area — entry ~£8). Watch the morning rituals and ghats along the Bagmati River. Walk or take a taxi to Boudhanath Stupa (~15 min drive; entry ~£3) — one of the world's largest Buddhist stupas, mesmerising with its prayer flags and butter lamps. Afternoon: taxi to Patan (Lalitpur), a UNESCO-listed city. Visit Durbar Square (~£7 entry), Krishna Temple and the Rudra Varna Mahavihar Buddhist monastery. The square's medieval architecture rivals anything in the Golden Triangle. Optional: book a GetYourGuide Kathmandu Valley heritage tour (~£20) for guided context across all three sites.
🚌Taxi between sites within Kathmandu Valley (~£3-5 per journey). Or local micro-bus to Patan (~£0.50).
🛏Same as Day 7 — Thamel guesthouse (~£10-16)
- →Pashupatinath Temple — foreigners' entry to outer complex ~£8
- →Boudhanath Stupa — entry ~£3
- →Durbar Square, Patan — entry ~£7
- →Krishna Temple, Patan — free to enter
- →Rudra Varna Mahavihar Buddhist monastery, Patan — free/donation
- →Optional: GetYourGuide Kathmandu & Patan heritage walking tour — ~£20
Swayambhunath, Boudhanath Revisit & Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu, Nepal
A free day to explore at your own pace — exactly what self-launched travel is made for. Morning: climb to Swayambhunath (the 'Monkey Temple') for panoramic views over the Kathmandu Valley (~£2 entry). Stroll back through the old streets to Kathmandu's own Durbar Square (~£7 entry if not already purchased a multi-day pass) and the Kumari Chowk. Afternoon: revisit Boudhanath at dusk for the evening kora (circumambulation) — a deeply atmospheric experience with monks and locals. Thamel is great for souvenir shopping, bookshops and cheap momos. In the evening, try a rooftop restaurant for dal bhat or thakali set (£3-5).
🚌Walking and short taxi hops within Kathmandu (~£2-4 total). Taxis via InDrive or Pathao app for metered fares.
🛏Same as Day 7-8 — Thamel guesthouse (~£10-16)
- →Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) sunrise visit — entry ~£2
- →Kathmandu Durbar Square — entry ~£7 (or multi-site pass)
- →Kumari Chowk (Living Goddess courtyard) — included in Durbar Square
- →Evening kora at Boudhanath — free to walk the outer circuit
- →Thamel souvenir and book shopping — free to browse
- →Dal bhat dinner at local Thamel restaurant — ~£3-5
Farewell Kathmandu — Departure
Kathmandu, Nepal
Enjoy a final Nepali breakfast (try Newari egg dishes or sweet lassi in Thamel). If your flight is late, use the morning for any last-minute shopping — Thamel has excellent pashminas, thangka paintings, singing bowls and trekking gear at negotiable prices. Allow at least 2.5-3 hours before your flight for airport check-in and security. Pre-paid taxi to Tribhuvan Airport (~£5-6). Safe travels!
🚌Pre-paid taxi from Thamel to KTM airport (~£5-6, ~20-40 min depending on traffic — allow extra time).
🛏Check-out
- →Final Thamel breakfast — ~£2-4
- →Last-minute souvenir shopping in Thamel (pashminas, singing bowls, thangka art) — budget as desired
- →Pre-paid taxi to Tribhuvan International Airport — ~£5-6
Self-launched vs. Le Passage to India
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Le Passage to India | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£456 | £710 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £254 per person (36%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Le Passage to India-style trips? Check them out here.~£456
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 Self-Launched Golden Triangle & Kathmandu: Delhi, Jaipur, Agra & Nepal cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £456 per person for 10 days in India & Nepal. 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 Le Passage to India?+
Yes — Le Passage to India charges around £710 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £456 — a saving of roughly £254 (36%) per person.
How long is the India & Nepal trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 day-by-day stops through India & Nepal.
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, backpacker, budget trip through India & Nepal, 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?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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