Golden Triangle & Varanasi: Self-Launched Backpacker Route
8 days · India (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi)
Alkof Holidays charges £1,080
No-markup version: ~£305 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched, solo-friendly version of Alkof Holidays' 8-day Golden Triangle with Varanasi. You'll cover the same big sights — Old Delhi, Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Jaipur's Amber Fort and Pink City, then the ghats and Aarti ceremonies of Varanasi — but using sleeper trains, local autos and metro, hostels and guesthouses, and budget-friendly local guides you book yourself via GetYourGuide or on the ground. Expect roughly £55–75 a day per person (excluding international flights), a huge saving on the operator's discounted US$1,375 (~£1,080) per-person price. Costs are approximate and based on independent backpacker rates in late 2026; add ~£450–600 for return international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Delhi — settle into Paharganj or Karol Bagh
New Delhi
Land at Indira Gandhi International and skip the private car — take the Airport Express metro to New Delhi station (~₹60/£0.60) or an Uber/Ola (~₹400–600/£4–6). Check into a hostel in Paharganj or a budget guesthouse in Karol Bagh. Spend the afternoon easing in: wander the tree-lined boulevards of Lutyens' Delhi, stroll Connaught Place, and grab your first thali. Get an Indian SIM (Airtel/Jio, ~₹300 for a tourist plan) so you can book trains and guides on the go. Pick up a paper guide or download the GetYourGuide app for tomorrow's Old Delhi walk.
🚌Airport Express metro or Uber/Ola ~£0.60–6
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, Paharganj - ~£10–14/night
- →Airport Express metro into the city
- →Wander Connaught Place and Lutyens' Delhi
- →Buy an Indian tourist SIM
- →Book an Old Delhi food/heritage walk for tomorrow
Old & New Delhi highlights on foot and by rickshaw
New Delhi
Do the classic Delhi loop yourself. Start early at Jama Masjid (₹300/£3 entry for foreigners, shoe cover), then take a cycle rickshaw through Chandni Chowk's spice markets (haggle to ~₹150–250/£2–3 for a short loop). Metro to Raj Ghat (free, Gandhi's memorial), then use the metro or a cheap Uber to hit Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate for photos. Afternoon: Humayun's Tomb (₹600/£6) and Qutub Minar (₹600/£6) — the Delhi Metro + local autos make this easy for a few pounds. Alternatively, a GetYourGuide small-group Old Delhi heritage walk costs ~£15–20 and adds real context.
🚌Delhi Metro day of rides + autos ~£3–5
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, Paharganj - ~£10–14/night
- →Jama Masjid
- →Chandni Chowk cycle-rickshaw ride
- →Raj Ghat
- →Rashtrapati Bhavan & India Gate
- →Humayun's Tomb
- →Qutub Minar
Delhi to Agra — Agra Fort and Itmad-ud-Daulah
Agra
Catch a morning express train from Hazrat Nizamuddin or New Delhi to Agra Cantt (Gatimaan Express ~1h40, ~₹800–1,500/£8–15 for AC chair car — book on IRCTC or 12Go in advance). Drop bags at a guesthouse in Taj Ganj. Afternoon: Agra Fort (₹650/£7) with an audio guide or a budget local guide (~£10 for 2 hours), then cross the river to Itmad-ud-Daulah ('Baby Taj', ₹310/£3) at golden hour. Evening rooftop view of the Taj from Taj Ganj — no ticket needed.
🚌Train Delhi–Agra ~£8–15; autos ~£3
🛏Budget guesthouse, Taj Ganj - ~£10–15/night
- →Gatimaan Express train to Agra
- →Agra Fort
- →Itmad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj)
- →Rooftop Taj views from Taj Ganj
Taj Mahal at sunrise, Fatehpur Sikri, on to Jaipur
Agra → Fatehpur Sikri → Jaipur
Enter the Taj Mahal at sunrise (ticket ₹1,300/£13, book online in advance to skip queues; it's shut Fridays). Mehtab Bagh across the river (₹300) gives the classic postcard angle. Late morning, take a shared taxi or a local bus from Agra's Idgah bus stand to Fatehpur Sikri (~1h, ₹50–100/£1; or a taxi ~₹1,500/£15 split) to explore the abandoned Mughal capital and Jama Masjid (₹610/£6). Then bus onward to Jaipur (3–4h, ₹150–250/£2–3) or take an evening train from Fatehpur Sikri station. Check into a guesthouse in the old Pink City.
🚌Bus/shared taxi Agra–Fatehpur Sikri–Jaipur ~£6–10
🛏Budget guesthouse, Pink City Jaipur - ~£12–16/night
- →Taj Mahal at sunrise
- →Mehtab Bagh viewpoint
- →Fatehpur Sikri & Jama Masjid
- →Bus to Jaipur
Jaipur — Amber Fort, City Palace and the Pink City
Jaipur
Get the ₹1,000 (24h) or ₹1,500 (48h) composite ticket covering Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar and more — great value. Metro or a local bus to Amer, then walk up to Amber Fort (or ₹100 jeep). Come back via Jal Mahal for photos. Afternoon: City Palace, Hawa Mahal (best from the café opposite), Jantar Mantar's astronomy instruments. Finish with sunset at Surya Mandir (free) or Nahargarh Fort's viewpoint. An auto-rickshaw day (~£8) or a GetYourGuide small-group sightseeing tour (~£20–30) both work.
🚌Local bus/metro + auto-rickshaws ~£6–8
🛏Budget guesthouse, Pink City Jaipur - ~£12–16/night
- →Amber Fort & Palace
- →Jal Mahal
- →City Palace
- →Hawa Mahal
- →Jantar Mantar
- →Sunset viewpoint at Surya Mandir/Nahargarh
Jaipur to Varanasi — first ghats and evening Aarti
Varanasi
Fly or train? The cheap route is a sleeper train (e.g. Jaipur–Varanasi via a change at Lucknow or Agra) — long but scenic, ~₹600–1,200 (£6–12) for 3AC/sleeper. If time matters, an IndiGo/SpiceJet flight via Delhi is ~£40–60. On arrival, check into a guesthouse near Assi Ghat or in the old city lanes. Late afternoon, walk the ghats from Assi to Dashashwamedh, browse the lanes' silk shops, and find a rooftop spot for the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat (free; arrive 30–45 min early, or ₹100–300 for a boat-side view).
🚌Sleeper train ~£6–12 (or flight ~£40–60)
🛏Budget guesthouse near Assi Ghat - ~£10–14/night
- →Sleeper train or budget flight to Varanasi
- →Walk the ghats
- →Local market and silk lanes
- →Evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
Sunrise boat, temples, and Sarnath
Varanasi / Sarnath
Book a shared sunrise rowboat on the Ganges through your guesthouse or directly at the ghats (~₹300–600/£3–6 per person; private boat ~₹1,200/£12). Watch the Akhara wrestlers at Tulsi Ghat, then walk the sacred ghats to Kashi Vishwanath Temple (free entry, no phones). Midday, take an auto to Sarnath (~₹250/£2.50, 30 min) for Dhamekha Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa and the Archaeological Museum (₹300/£3, closed Fridays). If you'd rather have a guide, a GetYourGuide Varanasi walking tour is ~£15–25; boat + Sarnath combo tours ~£25–35. Second Aarti in the evening if you missed it.
🚌Auto-rickshaws ~£4–5
🛏Budget guesthouse near Assi Ghat - ~£10–14/night
- →Sunrise boat ride on the Ganges
- →Akhara wrestling at Tulsi Ghat
- →Kashi Vishwanath Temple
- →Bharat Mata Mandir
- →Sarnath: Dhamekha Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, museum
- →Second Ganga Aarti
Varanasi to Delhi — depart
Varanasi → New Delhi
A relaxed morning for chai by the river, then head to Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (auto ~₹400/£4, 45 min) or Varanasi Junction for the train back to Delhi. Direct IndiGo/SpiceJet flights (~1h20, ~£35–55 if booked early) are easiest if you're flying home; overnight trains (~₹1,000–2,000/£10–20) work if you have slack in your schedule. Get to New Delhi airport via the Airport Express if connecting, or spend a final night in a Paharganj hostel.
🚌Auto to airport ~£4; flight ~£35–55 or overnight train ~£10–20
🛏None (departure day) - or final hostel night ~£10–14 if needed
- →Morning chai by the Ganges
- →Transfer to airport or station
- →Flight or overnight train back to Delhi
Self-launched vs. Alkof Holidays
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Alkof Holidays | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£305 | £1,080 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £775 per person (72%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Alkof Holidays-style trips? Check them out here.~£305
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 Golden Triangle & Varanasi: Self-Launched Backpacker Route cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £305 per person for 8 days in India (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi). 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 Alkof Holidays?+
Yes — Alkof Holidays charges around £1,080 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £305 — a saving of roughly £775 (72%) per person.
How long is the India (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi) trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through India (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi).
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, foodie, budget trip through India (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi), 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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