Self-Launched North India with Goa & Mumbai: Delhi, Rajasthan, Goa and Mumbai in 14 Days

Land at Delhi and take the Airport Express metro (approx. £1.50) or a prepaid taxi (approx. £4–5) to Paharganj or Karol Bagh. Check into a hostel or budget guesthouse, pick up an Indian eSIM/Airtel SIM (approx. £5 for a month of data), and buy your first UPI setup or just withdraw cash (ATMs are plentiful but fees vary). Spend the afternoon gently: walk the bazaars of Paharganj, eat a cheap thali, and book your onward Agra train ticket on IRCTC (or via 12Go/ConfirmTkt for a small fee). An early night helps beat jet lag.

🚌Airport Express metro approx. £1.50, or prepaid taxi approx. £4–5

🛏Hostel dorm or private budget room, Paharganj/Karol Bagh (approx. £8–15)

• →Airport transfer to Paharganj
• →Local SIM card and cash setup
• →Evening bazaar wander and thali dinner
• →Book Agra train ticket

Do the classic Delhi circuit yourself using the Delhi Metro plus autos. Start early at Jama Masjid (free entry, £2 to climb the minaret), then take a cycle rickshaw through Chandni Chowk's spice market (approx. £2–3 for a 30-minute ride — negotiate first). Metro to Raj Ghat, then Humayun's Tomb (approx. £6) and the Lotus Temple (free, closed Mondays). Late afternoon, metro to Qutub Minar (approx. £6) or swap for a drive-past of India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan. If you want narration, book a half-day Old Delhi walking tour on GetYourGuide (approx. £10–15).

🚌Delhi Metro day of rides approx. £2–3 plus autos approx. £5

🛏Hostel dorm or private budget room, Paharganj/Karol Bagh (approx. £8–15)

• →Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk cycle rickshaw
• →Raj Ghat
• →Humayun's Tomb
• →Lotus Temple
• →Qutub Minar
• →India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan drive-past

Take a morning Gatimaan Express or Shatabdi train from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Agra Cantt (approx. £6–10 second class, 1h50). Drop bags at a Taj Ganj guesthouse and walk to Agra Fort (approx. £6) — the Mughal palace complex with the Jahangir Palace and Diwan-i-Khas. In the afternoon, auto to Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb (approx. £3) and Mehtab Bagh gardens (approx. £3) across the Yamuna for the classic sunset view of the Taj from the water. Buy your Taj Mahal ticket online in advance (approx. £12, closed Fridays).

🚌Train Delhi–Agra approx. £6–10; local autos approx. £4

🛏Budget guesthouse with rooftop Taj views, Taj Ganj (approx. £10–16)

• →Agra Fort
• →Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb
• →Mehtab Bagh sunset Taj view

Enter the Taj Mahal at sunrise (opens on the east gate around 6am), then breakfast back at the guesthouse. Late morning, take a bus or shared taxi to Fatehpur Sikri (approx. £3 by local bus, 1h). Explore the Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal and the Tomb of Salim Chisti — a battery car from the car park costs approx. £1. From Fatehpur Sikri, continue to Jaipur by bus via Bharatpur or take a shared taxi/auto to the highway and a Rajasthan roadways bus (total approx. £5–8). Base yourself in the old city near Hawa Mahal.

🚌Local bus to Fatehpur Sikri approx. £3; bus to Jaipur approx. £5

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in old Jaipur near Hawa Mahal (approx. £9–16)

• →Sunrise entry to Taj Mahal
• →Fatehpur Sikri: Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Tomb of Salim Chisti

Take a local bus or auto to Amber Fort (bus approx. £1, auto approx. £5 return trip) and either walk up the old path or take a jeep (approx. £6). Entry approx. £6. On the way down, stop at Jal Mahal for photos. Back in the city, tour the City Palace (approx. £8) and Jantar Mantar (approx. £3), photograph the Hawa Mahal facade from a cafe across the street, and visit Birla Temple at dusk. Optional: a local bus up to Nahargarh Fort for sunset views over the city (approx. £2 return).

🚌Local buses and autos approx. £8

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in old Jaipur near Hawa Mahal (approx. £9–16)

• →Amber Fort
• →Jal Mahal photo stop
• →City Palace
• →Jantar Mantar
• →Hawa Mahal
• →Birla Temple
• →Optional Nahargarh Fort sunset

Check the Rajasthan roadways or private (RSRTC/Volvo) buses, or take a train from Jaipur Junction to Jodhpur (approx. £4–8, 5–6h). Arrive and settle into a budget haveli in the old city, ideally with a rooftop view of Mehrangarh. Spend the late afternoon wandering the blue-washed lanes of Navchokiya and getting a cheap street meal near the Ghanta Ghar clock tower.

🚌Train or bus Jaipur–Jodhpur approx. £4–8; autos approx. £2–3

🛏Budget haveli/guesthouse in old Jodhpur (approx. £10–18)

• →Navchokiya blue lanes walk
• →Ghanta Ghar clock tower and Sardar Market
• →Street food in the old city

Be at Mehrangarh Fort in the morning (entry approx. £7 including audio guide) — this is one of India's best-preserved forts with superb views. Walk down to Jaswant Thada (approx. £2) and then on to Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park (approx. £2). After lunch, visit Mandore Gardens and Mandore Temple by auto (approx. £3 return). If Umaid Bhawan Palace museum is open, add it (approx. £3) — otherwise just pass by and head back to the clock tower for a Makhaniya lassi at the famous stall.

🚌Autos approx. £6

🛏Budget haveli/guesthouse in old Jodhpur (approx. £10–18)

• →Mehrangarh Fort
• →Jaswant Thada
• →Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park
• →Mandore Gardens and Temple
• →Clock Tower and Sardar Market

Take a morning bus towards Ranakpur (approx. £3–4, ~2h) — many Rajasthan roadways go via the temple turn-off, or share a taxi with other travellers (approx. £25 for the vehicle). Explore the extraordinary marble Ranakpur Jain Temple complex (entry approx. £3), then continue to Udaipur by bus (approx. £4) or shared taxi. Arrive in the late afternoon and check into a guesthouse near Lake Pichola; watch the sunset from Ambrai Ghat or rooftop cafe.

🚌Bus Jodhpur–Ranakpur–Udaipur approx. £8 total, or shared taxi

🛏Guesthouse near Lake Pichola/Gangaur Ghat (approx. £10–18)

• →Ranakpur Jain Temples
• →Sunset at Ambrai Ghat

Start at City Palace (approx. £7) with its lake-facing terraces, then Jagdish Temple (free) and Saheliyon ki Bari (approx. £2). After lunch and a lakeside rest, take the Lake Pichola boat to Jag Mandir (approx. £6–9 for the 30-minute trip). Ride the Udaipur ropeway up to Karni Mata for a viewpoint (approx. £3), and if you're keen on vintage cars, the car museum is approx. £4. In the evening, catch the Dharohar folk dance and music show at Bagore ki Haveli (approx. £2–3) — buy tickets in advance on-site or via a local agent.

🚌Autos and short walks approx. £4

🛏Guesthouse near Lake Pichola/Gangaur Ghat (approx. £10–18)

• →City Palace
• →Jagdish Temple
• →Saheliyon ki Bari
• →Lake Pichola boat ride
• →Udaipur ropeway
• →Dharohar folk dance show at Bagore ki Haveli

Book a cheap domestic flight Udaipur–Goa (IndiGo/Akasa via Mumbai or direct when available, approx. £45–70 one way) — an overnight train alternative exists but takes over 24 hours. On arrival in Goa, take a bus or prepaid taxi to Palolem or Agonda in South Goa (bus approx. £2, taxi approx. £12). Settle into a beach hut or guesthouse, then hit the sand for sunset. Note that Goan beach huts are seasonal (October–May) and cheap, around £8–15 a night.

🚌Domestic flight approx. £45–70; airport bus to Palolem approx. £2

🛏Beach hut or guesthouse in Palolem/Agonda (approx. £8–15)

• →Arrive Goa
• →Palolem/Agonda beach sunset

Hire a scooter (approx. £4–7/day, international driving permit needed) or use the local buses to explore North Goa. Start at Aguada Fort and the lighthouse (approx. £1), then work north through Sinquerim, Candolim, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna and Vagator beaches. Anjuna is famous for its Wednesday flea market (seasonal), and Vagator has a fantastic sunset from Chapora Fort. Return to South Goa in the evening — or split the stay and sleep one night in Anjuna/Vagator if you prefer.

🚌Scooter hire approx. £5 plus fuel approx. £2

🛏Beach hut or guesthouse in Palolem/Agonda (approx. £8–15)

• →Aguada Fort and lighthouse
• →Sinquerim, Candolim, Calangute, Baga beaches
• →Anjuna flea market (Wednesdays)
• →Vagator and Chapora Fort sunset

Take a local bus to Old Goa (approx. £1) and explore the Basilica of Bom Jesus (free, St Francis Xavier's remains) and Se Cathedral (free). Then head to Miramar Beach and Dona Paula for a stroll, before retreating to quieter South Goa beaches like Betalbatim or Benaulim. Alternatively, book a half-day spice plantation tour on Klook/GetYourGuide (approx. £10–15) if you want something more structured. Evening: fresh fish thali and a Goan feni at a beach shack.

🚌Local buses approx. £2–3

🛏Beach hut or guesthouse in Palolem/Agonda (approx. £8–15)

• →Basilica of Bom Jesus
• →Se Cathedral
• →Miramar Beach
• →Dona Paula
• →Optional spice plantation tour

Fly Goa–Mumbai (approx. £35–55 one way) or take the Konkan Railway overnight to Mumbai (approx. £6–10 in sleeper, 10–12h — scenic and cheap if you have a spare day). In Mumbai, hop on a suburban train or auto to your base (Juhu or Colaba both work; Juhu is closer to the airport). Spend the afternoon walking Colaba — Gateway of India, the Taj Mahal Palace exterior, the Gandhi Memorial at Mani Bhavan (approx. £1) and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Prince of Wales Museum, approx. £4). End with a Marine Drive sunset walk and street food at Juhu Chowpatty.

🚌Flight approx. £45; local train/auto approx. £2–3

🛏Budget hotel or hostel in Colaba or Juhu (approx. £18–30)

• →Gateway of India
• →Colaba Causeway
• →Mani Bhavan Gandhi Memorial
• →Prince of Wales Museum (CSMVS)
• →Marine Drive sunset
• →Juhu Chowpatty street food

Morning: visit the Hanging Gardens and Kamla Nehru Park on Malabar Hill for skyline views, then the Babu Amichand Panalal Jain Temple at Walkeshwar (free, dress modestly). Browse Crawford Market for spices and souvenirs, and if time allows take the ferry from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island (approx. £5 return + approx. £4 entry, ~3h round trip). Head to the airport — suburban train from Churchgate/Andheri or prepaid taxi approx. £8–10 depending on traffic.

🚌Local trains and autos approx. £4; airport taxi approx. £8

🛏—

• →Hanging Gardens
• →Kamla Nehru Park
• →Jain Temple, Walkeshwar
• →Crawford Market
• →Optional Elephanta Island ferry