Self-Launched India Holi Festival & Rajasthan Adventure 2027

Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport (New Delhi). Take the Delhi Airport Metro Express (~£1.50) or a pre-paid taxi (~£8-10) to your accommodation in the Paharganj or Karol Bagh area — both are well-connected budget hubs. Pick up a local SIM card at the airport (Jio or Airtel, ~£3-5 including data). Settle in, rest, and explore the neighbourhood. Grab street food for dinner — a thali at a local dhaba will set you back less than £2.

🚌Airport Metro Express from Terminal 3 to New Delhi station (~£1.50) or pre-paid taxi booth (~£8-10)

🛏Zostel Delhi or similar hostel dorm (£8-12/night) or budget guesthouse private room (£18-25/night) in Paharganj

• →Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport
• →Take Airport Metro Express or pre-paid taxi to central Delhi (~£2-10)
• →Buy a local SIM card at the airport (Jio/Airtel, ~£3-5)
• →Explore Paharganj or Karol Bagh neighbourhood
• →Eat a street thali at a local dhaba (~£1-2)

Dive into the sensory overload of Old Delhi. Start with a self-guided walking tour through Chandni Chowk — hire a cycle rickshaw from near the Red Fort (~£3-5 for 30 minutes) to weave through the market lanes. Visit Jama Masjid (entry free, camera fee ~£1.50) and then head to Sheeshganj Gurudwara for a free langar (communal vegetarian meal) — a genuinely moving experience open to all. In the afternoon, walk or take a tuk-tuk past India Gate, the Red Fort exterior, Parliament House, and the Presidential Palace. Book an Old Delhi walking tour on GetYourGuide (~£15-20pp) if you'd like context, or download a free audio guide via the free GPSmyCity app.

🚌Cycle rickshaws and auto-rickshaws within Old Delhi (~£1-5 per ride); Delhi Metro for wider city travel (~£0.50-1 per journey)

🛏Zostel Delhi or similar hostel/budget guesthouse in Paharganj

• →Cycle rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk marketplace (~£3-5)
• →Visit Jama Masjid — one of India's largest mosques (free, camera ~£1.50)
• →Free langar (communal meal) at Sheeshganj Gurudwara Sikh temple
• →Drive-past or walk-past India Gate, Red Fort exterior, Parliament House, Presidential Palace
• →Optional: Book Old Delhi walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£15-20pp)

Take the Gatimaan Express or Shatabdi Express train from Hazrat Nizamuddin station to Agra Cantonment (~£8-15 in AC chair car, book in advance on IRCTC or Cleartrip). Head straight to the Taj Mahal — entry for foreign nationals is ~£12, hire an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) licensed guide at the gate (~£8-12) or book a Taj Mahal guided tour via GetYourGuide (~£20pp including guide). In the afternoon, take a motorised e-rickshaw tour (~£5-8) to Agra Red Fort (entry ~£6). In the evening, book a cooking class with a local family via Airbnb Experiences or GetYourGuide (~£20-30pp) including dinner. Stay in a homestay or budget guesthouse near Taj Ganj.

🚌Gatimaan/Shatabdi Express train Delhi to Agra (~£8-15); e-rickshaws and auto-rickshaws locally (~£2-8 per trip)

🛏Homestay or budget guesthouse near Taj Ganj (£15-25/night) — search Booking.com or Airbnb

• →Gatimaan/Shatabdi Express train from Delhi to Agra (~£8-15 in AC chair car)
• →Visit Taj Mahal with licensed guide (~£12 entry + £8-12 guide or £20 GetYourGuide tour)
• →E-rickshaw tour of Agra (~£5-8)
• →Visit Agra Red Fort (~£6 entry)
• →Optional: Visit Akbar's Mausoleum at Sikandra (~£3 entry, shared auto ~£2)
• →Evening cooking class with local family including dinner via Airbnb Experiences/GetYourGuide (~£20-30pp)

Check out early and hire a shared taxi or private taxi from Agra to Fatehpur Sikri (~£8-15 for a shared jeep/taxi, 40km). Spend 2-3 hours at this magnificent abandoned Mughal city (entry ~£6). Continue on to Ranthambhore by bus or taxi from Fatehpur Sikri or Bharatpur — take a local bus to Sawai Madhopur (~£3-5, 3-4 hrs) or a shared cab. Check into a budget guesthouse or jungle lodge near Ranthambhore Gate. Pre-book your safari slots well in advance at ranthambhore.net or through your accommodation (Safari Zone booking opens 90 days ahead).

🚌Shared taxi/private taxi Agra to Fatehpur Sikri (~£8-15); local bus or shared taxi onward to Sawai Madhopur (~£3-8, 3-4 hrs)

🛏Budget jungle guesthouse near Ranthambhore Gate — try Hammir Wildlife Resort or similar (£15-30/night)

• →Morning visit to Fatehpur Sikri — UNESCO World Heritage Site (~£6 entry)
• →Onward journey to Ranthambhore via local bus or shared taxi (~£3-8)
• →Check in and pre-book safari slots for Day 5 (book in advance via ranthambhore.net)

Ranthambhore is one of India's best spots to see wild Bengal tigers. Join a shared open-top jeep (gypsy) or canter safari in the morning — book via the official government portal (ranthambhore.net) or through your guesthouse. An early morning 6-seater gypsy costs ~£20-25pp; a 20-seat canter is ~£10-12pp. Head out again in the afternoon for a second game drive (afternoon safaris run 2:30-6pm). The park also features a medieval fort, lake, and diverse birdlife. Dinner at your guesthouse or a local dhaba.

🚌Jeep/gypsy or canter safaris via official booking portal (~£10-25pp per safari)

🛏Same budget jungle guesthouse near Ranthambhore Gate

• →Early morning game drive — shared gypsy safari (~£20-25pp) or canter (~£10-12pp)
• →Afternoon game drive — second safari zone (~£10-25pp depending on vehicle)
• →Look out for Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, crocodiles, and diverse birdlife
• →Visit Ranthambhore Fort ruins (visible from inside the park during safari)

Take a morning bus or train from Sawai Madhopur to Jaipur (~£4-8, 2-3 hrs). Check into a hostel or guesthouse in central Jaipur — the area around MI Road and C-Scheme has great options. In the afternoon, visit the City Palace Museum (entry ~£10) and the adjacent Jantar Mantar UNESCO Royal Observatory (entry ~£4). Combine tickets save money. In the evening, head to a local restaurant for a Rajasthani thali dinner (~£3-6). Book any Holi festival experiences or local family connections through your hostel or platforms like Airbnb Experiences.

🚌Bus or train from Sawai Madhopur to Jaipur (~£4-8, 2-3 hrs); auto-rickshaws in Jaipur (~£1-4 per trip)

🛏Moustache Hostel Jaipur or similar (dorm £8-12/night, private £20-30/night) — well-rated for solo travellers

• →Morning bus or train from Sawai Madhopur to Jaipur (~£4-8, 2-3 hrs)
• →Visit City Palace Museum, Jaipur (~£10 entry)
• →Visit Jantar Mantar UNESCO Royal Observatory (~£4 entry)
• →Evening Rajasthani thali dinner at local restaurant (~£3-6)
• →Book Holi celebration experience via hostel or Airbnb Experiences

Today is Holi — one of the world's most joyful festivals! Book a community Holi celebration experience through Airbnb Experiences or GetYourGuide (~£20-35pp) that includes joining a local family or organised event with traditional music, folk dance, Bollywood dancing, and festive foods like Gujiya (sweet dumplings) and Mathri (savoury crackers). Wear white clothes you don't mind staining permanently — coloured powder is everywhere! Many hostels in Jaipur also organise group Holi celebrations on the rooftop. Protect your camera and phone with a sealed plastic bag. Most shops are closed for the festival so stock up the day before.

🚌Auto-rickshaws locally (~£1-3 per ride)

🛏Moustache Hostel Jaipur or similar

• →Holi festival colour celebration with local family or community event (~£20-35pp via Airbnb Experiences/GetYourGuide)
• →Traditional Rajasthani folk dance performance
• →Bollywood music and dancing
• →Eat traditional festive foods: Gujiya (sweet dumplings) and Mathri (savoury crackers)
• →Join hostel rooftop Holi party (often free or low cost for guests)

Spend the day exploring Jaipur's iconic landmarks. Head to Amber Fort (entry ~£9) in the morning — take a shared jeep up the hill (~£2) rather than an elephant ride. Walk the ramparts for panoramic views. Back in the city, take a rickshaw to Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds, entry ~£1.50) for the classic shot. Visit the Royal City Palace (entry included in combined ticket with Jantar Mantar if not visited) and browse the bazaars. Johari Bazaar is great for jewellery and textiles; Bapu Bazaar for spices and leather. Book a combined Jaipur sightseeing tour via Klook (~£15-20pp) if you prefer a guided experience.

🚌Auto-rickshaws and shared jeep locally (~£1-5 per journey)

🛏Moustache Hostel Jaipur or similar

• →Visit Amber Fort — magnificent hilltop palace (~£9 entry, shared jeep up ~£2)
• →Rickshaw to Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) (~£1.50 entry)
• →Visit Royal City Palace and browse the bazaars
• →Optional: Jantar Mantar if not visited on Day 6 (~£4 entry)
• →Shopping at Johari Bazaar (jewellery/textiles) and Bapu Bazaar (spices/leather)
• →Optional: Book Jaipur sightseeing tour via Klook (~£15-20pp)

Take a direct bus (RSRTC Volvo AC, ~£6-8, 5-6 hrs) or train from Jaipur to Jodhpur. Trains include the Mandore Express or Rani Khetri Express (~£5-10 in sleeper/AC chair, book on IRCTC). Arrive in the Blue City and check into a guesthouse in the old city, ideally with rooftop views of the blue-painted houses. Get your bearings in the evening — the old city around the clock tower is perfect for wandering. Try makhaniya lassi (thick, sweet local lassi) from a street stall (~£0.50).

🚌RSRTC Volvo AC bus or Mandore/Rani Khetri Express train Jaipur to Jodhpur (~£5-10, 5-6 hrs)

🛏Cosy Guesthouse, Shahi Guest House, or similar rooftop guesthouse in Jodhpur old city (£12-25/night)

• →Morning bus (RSRTC Volvo AC ~£6-8, 5-6 hrs) or train to Jodhpur (~£5-10, book on IRCTC)
• →Check into a rooftop guesthouse in the old city
• →Evening stroll through the old city around the clock tower
• →Try makhaniya lassi from a local street stall (~£0.50)

Start at the magnificent Meharangarh Fort — one of India's largest and most impressive forts (entry ~£9, audio guide included). Explore its opulent palaces and museums with sweeping views over the blue city. Walk down the steep path to Jaswant Thada, an ornate white marble memorial (~£1 entry). In the evening, visit the illuminated Umaid Bhawan Palace exterior (now a luxury hotel and museum — museum entry ~£6). Head to Sardar Market and the Clock Tower area for buzzing evening street food and shopping — try mirchi bada (spicy potato fritter) and mawa kachori (sweet pastry).

🚌Walking and auto-rickshaws within Jodhpur (~£1-3 per trip)

🛏Rooftop guesthouse in Jodhpur old city

• →Visit Meharangarh Fort with included audio guide (~£9 entry)
• →Walk to Jaswant Thada marble memorial (~£1 entry)
• →Evening visit to Umaid Bhawan Palace exterior and optional museum (~£6)
• →Evening wander through Sardar Market and Clock Tower area
• →Street food at Sardar Market: mirchi bada, mawa kachori (~£1-3)

An early start for the stunning drive to Udaipur via Ranakpur. Take a shared taxi or private taxi from Jodhpur to Ranakpur (~£10-15pp in a shared jeep, or ~£30-40 for a private car — well worth splitting with other travellers from your guesthouse). Spend 2-3 hours at the extraordinary Ranakpur Jain Temples (~£1 entry for foreigners, camera fee ~£1.50) — 1,444 intricately carved marble pillars and no two are alike. Continue to Udaipur (another 1.5 hrs, ~£5-8 extra in shared taxi) and check into a guesthouse overlooking Lake Pichola.

🚌Shared taxi Jodhpur to Ranakpur (~£10-15pp); shared taxi Ranakpur to Udaipur (~£5-8pp)

🛏Lakeside guesthouse in Udaipur old city — try Nukkad Guest House or similar (£15-30/night) with lake views

• →Shared taxi or private taxi Jodhpur to Ranakpur (~£10-15pp shared or split a private car)
• →Visit Ranakpur Jain Temples — 1,444 carved marble pillars (~£1 entry, ~£1.50 camera)
• →Continue by shared taxi to Udaipur (~£5-8 extra)
• →Check into lakeside guesthouse and enjoy evening views over Lake Pichola

Explore Udaipur, the 'Venice of the East'. Start at the magnificent Udaipur City Palace complex (entry ~£8, one of Rajasthan's most impressive palaces). Wander the old city's winding lanes and lakeside ghats. Take a boat ride on Lake Pichola (~£5-8 for the government-run boat) to view Jag Nivas (Lake Palace Hotel) and Jag Mandir island palace up close — seasonally dependent. In the evening, attend a Rajasthani folk dance cultural performance at Bagore Ki Haveli (~£3-4 entry, 7pm show) featuring seven traditional dances including Ghoomar — a world-famous performance, book early.

🚌Walking and auto-rickshaws within Udaipur (~£1-3); government boat (~£5-8)

🛏Lakeside guesthouse in Udaipur old city

• →Visit Udaipur City Palace complex (~£8 entry)
• →Wander the old city lanes and lakeside ghats
• →Government boat ride on Lake Pichola to view Jag Nivas and Jag Mandir (~£5-8, seasonal)
• →Optional: Bagore Ki Haveli Museum (~£1.50 entry)
• →Evening Rajasthani folk dance cultural show at Bagore Ki Haveli (~£3-4, 7pm)

Take the Mewar Express or Chetak Express overnight train from Udaipur City station to New Delhi (book on IRCTC, ~£10-18 in 3AC sleeper, ~10-13 hrs) — an overnight train saves you a night's accommodation. Alternatively, book a domestic flight (IndiGo or Air India, ~£30-60 if booked in advance, ~1.5 hrs) to arrive fresh. If you take the daytime train or flight, enjoy a final afternoon in the Paharganj or Connaught Place area of Delhi — great for last-minute shopping at Janpath Market. Book a farewell dinner at Karim's in Old Delhi (~£5-8) or a rooftop restaurant in Connaught Place.

🚌Mewar Express or Chetak Express overnight train Udaipur to Delhi (~£10-18 in 3AC); or domestic flight (~£30-60, IndiGo/Air India)

🛏Overnight train (saves one night's accommodation cost) or budget guesthouse near Delhi airport if flying next day

• →Check out and take Mewar/Chetak Express overnight train to New Delhi (~£10-18 in 3AC) or domestic flight (~£30-60)
• →Optional: Final afternoon shopping at Janpath Market, Connaught Place
• →Farewell dinner at Karim's, Old Delhi (~£5-8) or rooftop restaurant

Arrive in New Delhi in the morning (if overnight train) or morning flight. Freshen up at your accommodation or use luggage storage at New Delhi station (~£1-2). Grab a final breakfast — a masala omelette and chai at a Paharganj dhaba costs less than £1.50. Take the Airport Metro Express from New Delhi station to Indira Gandhi International Airport (~£1.50, 20 mins) in good time for your international departure. Safe travels!

🚌Airport Metro Express from New Delhi station to airport (~£1.50, 20 mins)

🛏Day room or none needed if taking overnight train

• →Arrive New Delhi by overnight train or morning
• →Final breakfast at a Paharganj dhaba — masala omelette and chai (~£1.50)
• →Optional luggage storage at New Delhi station (~£1-2)
• →Airport Metro Express to Indira Gandhi International Airport (~£1.50, 20 mins)