Self-Launched Northern India & Nepal: Delhi to Kathmandu Overland
14 days · Northern India & Nepal
Travel Con charges £1,900
No-markup version: ~£723 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Travel Con's 14-day "Famous Northern India with Serene Nepal" circuit, done independently using trains, buses and low-cost flights. You'll cover the same highlights — Delhi's Old City, Jaipur's forts, the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Gwalior, Orchha, Khajuraho's temples, Varanasi's ghats, and Kathmandu plus a Nagarkot sunrise — staying in hostels and guesthouses and booking guides and tickets locally or via GetYourGuide/Klook. Costs are approximate backpacker rates; the operator sells the same route for roughly £1,900pp (US$2,550).
Day-by-day
Arrive Delhi — Paharganj & Old City orientation
New Delhi
Land at Indira Gandhi International and take the Airport Express metro or a prepaid Uber/Ola to Paharganj or Karol Bagh (hostel dorms from ~£8, private rooms ~£20). Spend the afternoon walking the lanes around New Main Bazaar and get an eSIM and a local SIM (Airtel/Jio, ~£4). Evening street food crawl in Chandni Chowk — parathas at Gali Paranthe Wali and jalebi.
🚌Airport Express metro ~£2.50 or Uber/Ola ~£4-6 from DEL
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Paharganj or Karol Bagh (dorm or private room)
- →Airport transfer to Paharganj
- →SIM card purchase
- →Chandni Chowk evening street food walk
Delhi full day — Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar, India Gate
New Delhi
Self-guided or join a cheap Old Delhi walking tour (GetYourGuide ~£12-18). Start at Red Fort (₹600 foreigner ticket, ~£6), then Jama Masjid (free, ~£1.50 camera fee), a cycle-rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk (~£2), Raj Ghat, and India Gate. Metro to Qutub Minar (₹600, ~£6) in the afternoon and finish at Humayun's Tomb (₹600). Buy a Delhi Metro day card (~£1.50).
🚌Delhi Metro day pass ~£1.50; rickshaw ~£2
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Paharganj or Karol Bagh
- →Red Fort entry ~£6
- →Jama Masjid
- →Cycle-rickshaw in Chandni Chowk ~£2
- →Qutub Minar entry ~£6
- →Humayun's Tomb ~£6
- →Optional GetYourGuide Old Delhi walk ~£15
Delhi to Jaipur by train
Jaipur
Take the Ajmer Shatabdi or Double Decker express from New Delhi to Jaipur (~5 hours, 2AC ~£10-13, book on IRCTC or 12Go Asia). Check into a Zostel/Hostelworld place in the old city (~£10 dorm, ~£22 private). Afternoon wander Johari and Bapu Bazaars, then sunset at Nahargarh Fort viewpoint (~£3 entry, taxi ~£5).
🚌Train New Delhi–Jaipur 2AC ~£11
🛏Hostel in Jaipur old city
- →Johari Bazaar shopping
- →Nahargarh Fort sunset
- →Bapu Bazaar
Jaipur — Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal
Jaipur
Grab a local bus or shared auto to Amber Fort (~£1); entry ₹550 (~£5.50). Skip the elephant ride — instead walk up or take a jeep — and use a ₹200 audio guide or a GetYourGuide guide (~£15). Back to the city for City Palace (~£8), Jantar Mantar (~£3) and Hawa Mahal from the street-side café (free or ~£1 with a coffee).
🚌Local bus/shared auto to Amber ~£1 each way
🛏Hostel in Jaipur old city
- →Amber Fort entry ~£5.50
- →City Palace ~£8
- →Jantar Mantar ~£3
- →Hawa Mahal exterior / café view
- →Optional local guide ~£15
Jaipur to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri — Taj Mahal at sunset
Agra
Early train or bus Jaipur→Agra (~4 hrs; train ~£8, or book a shared AC car via 12Go ~£12-15 stopping at Fatehpur Sikri). Fatehpur Sikri entry ~£6 with a local guide ~£8. Continue to Agra, check into a guesthouse in Taj Ganj (~£12 private). Late afternoon Taj Mahal entry (₹1,100, ~£11) — much quieter than sunrise. Buy tickets in advance on the ASI website.
🚌Train or shared AC car Jaipur–Agra via Fatehpur Sikri ~£10-15
🛏Guesthouse in Taj Ganj, Agra
- →Fatehpur Sikri entry + guide
- →Taj Mahal entry ~£11
- →Taj Ganj rooftop dinner
Agra Fort, then train to Gwalior
Gwalior
Morning at Agra Fort (~£6) and Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj, ~£4). Afternoon train Agra Cantt → Gwalior (~1.5 hrs, ~£3-5). Stay near the fort in Gwalior (~£15). Evening walk around the old town and Jayavilas Palace exterior.
🚌Train Agra–Gwalior ~£4
🛏Budget hotel near Gwalior Fort
- →Agra Fort ~£6
- →Baby Taj ~£4
- →Old Gwalior evening walk
Gwalior Fort and Tansen's Tomb, then on to Orchha
Orchha
Morning at Gwalior Fort (~£4 for the fort, plus Sas-Bahu temples and the giant Jain statues), Tansen's Tomb and Rani Laxmibai Memorial (all cheap or free). Afternoon train Gwalior → Jhansi (~2 hrs, ~£3), then a shared auto or taxi 18km to Orchha (~£2-3). Check into a riverside guesthouse (~£12) with a Betwa River sunset.
🚌Train Gwalior–Jhansi ~£3; shared auto to Orchha ~£2.50
🛏Riverside guesthouse in Orchha
- →Gwalior Fort ~£4
- →Tansen's Tomb
- →Rani Laxmibai Memorial
- →Betwa River sunset
Orchha temples and palaces, then Khajuraho
Khajuraho
Explore Orchha's Chaturbhuj Temple, Jahangir Mahal, Raj Mahal and Sawan-Bhadon Mahal — one combined ticket around ~£3. Late afternoon shared jeep or bus to Khajuraho (2.5-3 hrs, ~£4) or train Jhansi→Khajuraho. Evening light-and-sound show at the temples (~£4) and a guesthouse room (~£14).
🚌Shared jeep/bus Orchha–Khajuraho ~£4
🛏Guesthouse in Khajuraho
- →Orchha Fort complex tickets ~£3
- →Jahangir Mahal
- →Khajuraho light & sound show ~£4
Khajuraho temples, then Varanasi overnight or flight
Varanasi
Morning guided walk through the Western Group temples (Kandariya Mahadev, Lakshmana, Mahadeva, Lakshmi & Varaha) — entry ~£5, optional local guide ~£8. Take the direct Khajuraho–Varanasi train (overnight, 3AC ~£12) or a low-cost IndiGo flight (~£40-55) to save a day. Arrive Varanasi, check into a guesthouse near Assi Ghat (~£12).
🚌Khajuraho–Varanasi overnight train 3AC ~£12 (or flight ~£45)
🛏Guesthouse near Assi Ghat, Varanasi
- →Khajuraho Western Group temples ~£5
- →Local temple guide ~£8
Varanasi ghats, temples and Ganges boat ride
Varanasi
Sunrise boat ride on the Ganges from Assi or Dashashwamedh Ghat (~£5-8 shared, book directly with boatmen or via GetYourGuide ~£10). Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple and Asi Ghat on foot or by shared auto. Buy tickets plus Ganga Aarti VIP seating if you want a closer view. Evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh is free — arrive early.
🚌Shared auto/walk; boat ~£7
🛏Guesthouse near Assi Ghat, Varanasi
- →Sunrise Ganges boat ride ~£7
- →Kashi Vishwanath Temple
- →Durga Temple
- →Tulsi Manas Temple
- →Evening Ganga Aarti
Fly Varanasi to Kathmandu — Boudhanath & Pashupatinath
Kathmandu
Morning flight Varanasi (VNS) → Kathmandu (KTM) on IndiGo/Air India (~£90-120, book early). Get a Nepal visa on arrival (~£25 for 15 days, or free for SAARC). Check into a Thamel hostel (~£8 dorm, ~£18 private). Afternoon at Boudhanath Stupa (₹400, ~£2.50) and Pashupatinath (₹1,000, ~£6) for the evening aarti.
🚌Flight VNS–KTM ~£100; airport taxi ~£4
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Thamel, Kathmandu
- →Boudhanath Stupa ~£2.50
- →Pashupatinath ~£6
- →Thamel evening wander
Kathmandu — Durbar Square, Kumari Ghar, Swayambhunath
Kathmandu
Walk from Thamel to Kathmandu Durbar Square (~£6 entry, includes Hanuman Dhoka and Kumari Ghar — check if the Living Goddess is receiving visitors). Lunch at a momo spot in Asan Bazaar (~£3). Late afternoon climb to Swayambhunath Monkey Temple (~£2.50), then dinner in Thamel (~£6).
🚌Walking + local taxi ~£2
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Thamel, Kathmandu
- →Kathmandu Durbar Square ~£6
- →Kumari Ghar
- →Asan Bazaar momo lunch
- →Swayambhunath ~£2.50
Nagarkot — Himalayan sunrise
Nagarkot
Afternoon local bus or shared taxi from Bhaktapur to Nagarkot (~£1.50-3, 1.5 hrs). Stay in a simple hilltop guesthouse (~£15) with Everest-range views. Sunset and dinner of dal bhat at the guesthouse (~£5). Set an alarm for tomorrow's sunrise.
🚌Local bus/shared taxi Kathmandu–Nagarkot ~£3
🛏Hilltop guesthouse in Nagarkot
- →Nagarkot viewpoint
- →Local market walk
- →Nepali dal bhat dinner
Sunrise over the Himalayas, return to Delhi
New Delhi
Wake for sunrise over the Himalaya from Nagarkot's viewing tower (free). Bus back to Kathmandu (~£3), then the afternoon flight KTM → DEL (~£80-110 booked in advance). If you need to end in Delhi for an onward flight, allow 3 hours between connections. Alternative: overland via Sunauli border and Gorakhpur if you're not time-pressed.
🚌Nagarkot–Kathmandu bus ~£3; flight KTM–DEL ~£95
🛏Not included — onward travel or Delhi hostel if needed
- →Nagarkot sunrise viewpoint
- →Return transfer to Kathmandu airport
Self-launched vs. Travel Con
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Travel Con | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£723 | £1,900 |
| Duration | 14 days | 14 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,177 per person (62%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Travel Con-style trips? Check them out here.~£723
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 Northern India & Nepal: Delhi to Kathmandu Overland cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £723 per person for 14 days in Northern 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 Travel Con?+
Yes — Travel Con charges around £1,900 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £723 — a saving of roughly £1,177 (62%) per person.
How long is the Northern India & Nepal trip?+
This itinerary runs 14 days, covering 14 day-by-day stops through Northern 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, adventure, budget trip through Northern 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?
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