Down the Ganges: Delhi to Varanasi, Orchha & Khajuraho (Self-Launched)
15 days · India
G Adventures charges £1,250
No-markup version: ~£795 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 15-day loop from Delhi covering the same ground as G Adventures' “Down the Ganges” tour: Old Delhi's lanes, a Himalayan-foothills train to Rishikesh and Haridwar for rafting and evening aarti, the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort by cycle-rickshaw, an overnight train south to the Ganges, a river camp at Chunar, village life around Robertsganj, sunrise and sunset boats in Varanasi, then Khajuraho's temples and Orchha's palaces. Everything is booked direct and by local transport (Indian Railways, buses, shared autos, local boatmen), staying in guesthouses and hostels instead of the tour's hotel network. Costs are rough backpacker estimates per person, excluding international flights and Indian e-visa (~£30-45 depending on nationality/duration).
Day-by-day
Arrive Delhi — ease in
New Delhi
Land at IGI Airport and take the Delhi Traffic Police prepaid taxi (INR 300-500, ~£3-5) or the Airport Express Metro (INR 60, ~£0.60) to a guesthouse in Paharganj or Karol Bagh. Don't rush: get a SIM card (Airtel/Jio, passport + photo, ~INR 400-700), draw cash, and walk the Main Bazaar for your first thali. Book tomorrow's train on IRCTC or 12Go Asia tonight.
🚌Airport prepaid taxi / Airport Express Metro
🛏Guesthouse in Paharganj (~£12-16)
- →Main Bazaar wander
- →SIM card setup
- →Book Haridwar train
Delhi to Rishikesh via Haridwar
Rishikesh
Morning Shatabdi or Jan Shatabdi train from New Delhi to Haridwar (4.5-5.5 hrs, INR 400-800/~£4-8 in 2AC/CC). From Haridwar take a shared auto or bus to Rishikesh (~1 hr, INR 50-100). Afternoon at leisure: Ram Jhula, Parmarth Niketan for the sunset Ganga aarti, and a walk along the river.
🚌Indian Railways + shared auto
🛏Laxman Jhula riverside guesthouse (~£10-14)
- →Train to Haridwar
- →Shared auto to Rishikesh
- →Parmarth Niketan aarti
- →Ram Jhula area walk
Whitewater rafting on the Ganges
Rishikesh
Book a 16-26km whitewater rafting trip direct through a local operator (Red Chilli, Aqua Terra, or your guesthouse) — INR 900-1,800/~£9-18 including transport to the put-in at Brahmpuri and gear. Afternoon: yoga at one of the ashrams (drop-in INR 300-500), café lunch, beach walk. Confirm tomorrow's raft and your Haridwar departure.
🚌Raft operator transfer included
🛏Laxman Jhula riverside guesthouse (~£10-14)
- →Whitewater rafting (self-booked)
- →Drop-in yoga class
- →Riverside café afternoon
Rishikesh to Haridwar — evening aarti
Haridwar
Slow morning, then shared auto/bus to Haridwar (~1 hr, INR 60-120). Check into a guesthouse near Har Ki Pauri. Evening: the Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri — arrive 45-60 min early for a spot on the steps (free). Walk the ghats afterwards for chai and street snacks.
🚌Shared auto / local bus
🛏Guesthouse near Har Ki Pauri (~£10-14)
- →Transfer to Haridwar
- →Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri
- →Ghat walk
Haridwar to Agra
Agra
Morning train from Haridwar to Agra (direct options via Delhi; 7-9 hrs total, INR 600-1,100/~£6-11 in sleeper/3AC — book well ahead). Evening in Agra: sunset view of the Taj from Mehtab Bagh (INR 300, ~£3) and a rooftop dinner in Taj Ganj. Pre-buy your Taj Mahal ticket online for tomorrow's opening (INR 1,300 foreigner, ~£13).
🚌Indian Railways
🛏Guesthouse in Taj Ganj (~£12-16)
- →Train Haridwar–Agra
- →Mehtab Bagh sunset
- →Pre-book Taj Mahal ticket
Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Baby Taj by cycle-rickshaw
Agra
Be at the Taj Mahal east gate at sunrise (opens 30 min before sunrise; fewest crowds). Then hire one cycle-rickshaw for the day (INR 500-800/~£5-8) to cover Agra Fort (INR 650, ~£6.50) and the Baby Taj/Itimad-ud-Daulah (INR 310, ~£3). Evening: collect your pre-booked overnight sleeper/3AC train to Prayagraj (Allahabad) departing Agra/Fatehpur Sikri area — INR 600-1,000/~£6-10, arriving early morning.
🚌Cycle-rickshaw + overnight train
🛏Overnight train (sleeper/3AC)
- →Taj Mahal at sunrise (self-booked ticket)
- →Agra Fort
- →Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj)
- →Cycle-rickshaw tour
Prayagraj to Chunar — Ganges river camp
Chunar
Arrive Prayagraj, quick stop at the Sangam confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna (free) and Anand Bhavan if time allows, then bus/train onward to Chunar (~3-4 hrs, INR 200-400). Book a riverside camp direct with a Chunar/Mirzapur-based operator (e.g. river-camp stays near Chunar Fort, INR 1,500-2,500/~£15-25 including dinner) and take an afternoon country boat on the Ganges, keeping an eye out for river dolphins.
🚌Train/bus to Chunar + local boat
🛏Riverside tented camp (included in camp rate)
- →Sangam confluence visit
- →Transfer to Chunar
- →Afternoon Ganges boat ride
- →Riverbank camping
Chunar to Robertsganj — village & forest
Robertsganj
Climb Chunar Fort in the morning (INR 25-300, ~£0.25-3), then shared jeep/bus to Robertsganj via Mirzapur (~3 hrs, INR 200-350). Base yourself at a village homestay or eco-retreat near Rajpur. Afternoon with a local guide into the forest and village lanes; optional 4x4 safari or cycle hire (INR 500-1,000/~£5-10) arranged at your stay.
🚌Shared jeep / local bus
🛏Village homestay / eco-retreat (~£12-18)
- →Chunar Fort
- →Shared jeep to Robertsganj
- →Village and forest walk with local guide
- →Optional 4x4 safari or bike hire
Robertsganj to Varanasi — sunset on the Ganges
Varanasi
Early cycle around the village, then drive/bus to Varanasi (~3-4 hrs, INR 250-400). Check into a guesthouse in Assi Ghat or Bengali Tola. Evening: hire a rowing boat direct from the ghats for a sunset ride with a candle-and-flower offering (INR 300-600/~£3-6 for a shared boat). Dinner on the ghats.
🚌Bus / shared taxi
🛏Guesthouse near Assi Ghat (~£12-16)
- →Village cycle loop
- →Transfer to Varanasi
- →Sunset boat ride with flower ceremony
Varanasi sunrise boat & Sarnath
Varanasi
5:30am shared boat for sunrise over the ghats and cremation sites (INR 300-600, ~£3-6). Then take a tuk-tuk to Sarnath (INR 250-350 return) for the Dhamek Stupa, the museum and the deer park — hire a local guide on arrival (INR 400-700) or use a self-guided audio walk. Afternoon free: wander the lanes, silks, and a cooking class if you fancy it (INR 1,000-1,500/~£10-15).
🚌Boat + tuk-tuk
🛏Guesthouse near Assi Ghat (~£12-16)
- →Sunrise Ganges boat
- →Sarnath (tuk-tuk + local guide)
- →Evening ghat walk
Varanasi to Khajuraho via Satna
Khajuraho
Train from Varanasi to Satna (~5-6 hrs, INR 400-800/~£4-8), then shared taxi or bus to Khajuraho (~2.5 hrs, INR 200-350). Afternoon: the Western Group of Temples (INR 600, ~£6) — India's greatest concentration of Chandela-era sculpture. Optional evening light-and-sound show (INR 300-500).
🚌Train + shared taxi
🛏Guesthouse in Khajuraho (~£12-16)
- →Train Varanasi–Satna
- →Shared taxi to Khajuraho
- →Western Group of Temples
- →Optional light & sound show
Khajuraho temples to Orchha
Orchha
Morning at the Eastern and Southern temple groups plus the archaeological museum (INR 300-600). Then bus/shared taxi to Orchha (~5-6 hrs via Jhansi, INR 300-500), or the afternoon train to Jhansi plus a 20-min shared auto. Check into a guesthouse in Orchha village and catch sunset over the Betwa River.
🚌Bus / shared taxi / train to Jhansi
🛏Orchha village guesthouse (~£12-18)
- →Eastern & Southern temples
- →Museum
- →Transfer to Orchha
- →Betwa River sunset
Orchha — palaces, temples & optional Alipura side trip
Orchha
Walk the Orchha Palace complex including Raja Mahal and Jahangir Mahal (INR 300-500, ~£3-5), then Chaturbhuj and Ram Raja temples. Optional morning cycle or shared auto to the nearby village of Alipura for a look at the old fort and village life (INR 300-600 return). Evening: optional cooking class at a local guesthouse (INR 1,000-1,500) and a walk along the chhatris.
🚌On foot / cycle / shared auto
🛏Orchha village guesthouse (~£12-18)
- →Orchha Palace complex
- →Ram Raja & Chaturbhuj temples
- →Optional Alipura village trip
- →Optional cooking class
Orchha to Delhi
Delhi
Morning shared auto to Jhansi (20-30 min, INR 100-150) and catch the Shatabdi or a sleeper train to New Delhi (4.5-8 hrs, INR 500-1,100/~£5-11). Check back into a Paharganj or Karol Bagh guesthouse. Evening: Connaught Place, a final proper curry, and last-minute shopping at Janpath.
🚌Shared auto + Indian Railways
🛏Guesthouse in Paharganj (~£12-16)
- →Train Jhansi–Delhi
- →Connaught Place evening
- →Janpath market
Delhi highlights & depart
Delhi
Morning Old Delhi walk: Jama Masjid (free, camera fee), the lanes of Chandni Chowk, a cycle-rickshaw spin, and Raj Ghat if there's time. Lash out on a proper breakfast at Karim's or a haveli café. Then Airport Express Metro or prepaid taxi to IGI for your flight home — leave 3+ hours before an international departure.
🚌Metro / prepaid taxi
🛏None (departure day)
- →Jama Masjid
- →Chandni Chowk walk
- →Cycle-rickshaw ride
- →Airport transfer
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£795 | £1,250 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £455 per person (36%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£795
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 Down the Ganges: Delhi to Varanasi, Orchha & Khajuraho (Self-Launched) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £795 per person for 15 days in India. 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 G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,250 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £795 — a saving of roughly £455 (36%) per person.
How long is the India trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through India.
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 adventure, culture, backpacker trip through India, 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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