Self-Launched North India & Goa: Delhi, Agra, Ranthambore, Jaipur, Goa & Mumbai
12 days · India
Holidays At charges £1,220
No-markup version: ~£585 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 12-day self-launched version of Holidays At's "North India Tour with Goa" — covering Delhi's Old and New City, the Taj Mahal at sunrise, Fatehpur Sikri, tiger safaris in Ranthambore, Jaipur's forts and palaces, then a flight south for Goa's beaches and Portuguese churches, finishing in Mumbai. Instead of a private guide-and-driver throughout, you'll use Delhi Metro, the Gatimaan/Vande Bharat trains, local buses and shared autos, book safaris and walking tours directly via government portals and GetYourGuide, and stay in well-reviewed guesthouses and budget hotels. Costs are approximate per person, assuming a mix of dorm/shared budget rooms and private doubles in shoulder season.
Day-by-day
Arrive in New Delhi — settle into Paharganj or Karol Bagh
New Delhi
Land at Indira Gandhi International (DEL) and take the Airport Express Metro (~₹60/£0.60) or a prepaid taxi (~₹600-800/£6-8) to Paharganj or Karol Bagh. Check into a guesthouse or budget hotel — Madpackers Hostel, Smyle Inn or similar are reliable, clean and central. Spend the afternoon acclimatising: wander Connaught Place, pick up a local SIM (Airtel/Jio, ~₹300-500/£3-5 with passport), withdraw rupees and eat a first thali. Book tomorrow's Old Delhi food walk online tonight (Delhi Food Walks or a GetYourGuide 'Old Delhi street food' tour, ~£15-20).
🚌Airport Express Metro from DEL to New Delhi station, ~£0.60; auto-rickshaw afterwards, ~£1-2
🛏Paharganj or Karol Bagh guesthouse/budget hotel (Smyle Inn or Madpackers Hostel equivalent), ~£15-20
- →Airport Express Metro into the city
- →Connaught Place orientation walk
- →Pick up Indian SIM card
- →Evening thali dinner in Paharganj
Old and New Delhi — Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, Chandni Chowk
New Delhi
Do New Delhi first in the cool morning: take the Yellow Line Metro to Qutub Minar (entry ₹35/£0.35 for foreigners), then a shared auto or metro to Humayun's Tomb (₹35). Continue to Raj Ghat (free) and India Gate. In the afternoon, join a small-group Old Delhi food and heritage walk booked via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£15-20) covering Chandni Chowk, the spice market and a cycle-rickshaw ride (₹100-150/£1-1.50 if you do it independently). Red Fort entry is ₹35 if you want to add it. Dinner at Karim's or a Paranthe Wali Gali stall.
🚌Delhi Metro day pass ~£1.50 plus autos ~£2-3
🛏Paharganj or Karol Bagh guesthouse/budget hotel, ~£15-20
- →Qutub Minar
- →Humayun's Tomb
- →Raj Ghat and India Gate
- →Old Delhi food walk with cycle-rickshaw through Chandni Chowk
Delhi to Agra — Agra Fort and Taj sunset from Mehtab Bagh
Agra
Take the morning Gatimaan Express or Vande Bharat from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Agra Cantt (1h50, ~£8-12 booked on IRCTC). Drop bags at a Taj Ganj guesthouse (Hotel Kamal or Joey's Hostel type, ~£15-20). Afternoon: Agra Fort (₹50/£0.50), then Itmad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj, ₹25). Finish at Mehtab Bagh (₹25) for the classic sunset view across the Yamuna to the Taj — no crowds, no guide needed. Buy your Taj Mahal ticket online tonight at asi.payumoney.com for the earliest slot.
🚌Gatimaan Express Delhi–Agra ~£10; autos in Agra ~£3
🛏Taj Ganj guesthouse or hostel in Agra, ~£15-20
- →Gatimaan Express train to Agra
- →Agra Fort self-guided with audio app
- →Itmad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj)
- →Sunset Taj Mahal view from Mehtab Bagh
Taj Mahal at sunrise, then Fatehpur Sikri to Ranthambore
Ranthambore
Enter the Taj at 6am (₹1,100/£11, security line moves fast at opening) — 90 minutes is plenty. Back for breakfast, check out, then take a bus or shared taxi to Fatehpur Sikri (~2h, bus ~₹150/£1.50; the ₹50 entry includes the site and the battery shuttle). Explore Buland Darwaza and Salim Chisti's tomb independently. Continue to Bharatpur or Sawai Madhopur by train or bus — the 4pm-ish Bharatpur–Sawai Madhopur train is cheap (~₹100/£1). Check into a budget lodge near the park gate (Jungle View Resort, Tiger Safari Resort type, ~£20-25).
🚌Local bus to Fatehpur Sikri ~£1.50; train Fatehpur Sikri/Bharatpur–Sawai Madhopur ~£1.50
🛏Budget safari lodge in Sawai Madhopur, ~£20-25
- →Taj Mahal at sunrise
- →Fatehpur Sikri guided only by the free ASI audio guide
- →Local bus/train to Sawai Madhopur
Ranthambore — two tiger safaris
Ranthambore
Book safaris well in advance at ranthambore.com (online permits, zones 1-10); morning 6:30-10:30 and afternoon 2:30-6:30 jeeps are ₹1,500-1,800/£15-18 per person when shared in a 6-seater Gypsy (they pair you up, so solo travellers can join). Choose a morning in Zone 3 or 4 and an afternoon in Zone 2/5 for variety. Between safaris, walk up to Ranthambore Fort (free) for views and a look at Trinetra Ganesh temple. Pack lunch or eat at a local dhaba between drives.
🚌Safari jeeps included in permit/shared-cost; local autos ~£2
🛏Budget safari lodge in Sawai Madhopur, ~£20-25
- →Morning jeep safari in Ranthambore National Park
- →Ranthambore Fort and Trinetra Ganesh temple walk
- →Afternoon jeep safari
Third safari, then train to Jaipur
Jaipur
Optional early-morning safari (book just one or two if budget is tight — three is a lot). Late morning train or bus from Sawai Madhopur to Jaipur (2.5-3h, train ~₹150-250/£1.50-2.50). Check into a guesthouse in the old city near Hawa Mahal or Bani Park (Pearl Palace, Hotel Diggi Palace or the Madpackers Jaipur hostel, ~£15-20). Evening sunset at Nahargarh Fort (₹50 plus ~₹150 auto) for the best skyline view over the Pink City.
🚌Train to Jaipur ~£2; auto to Nahargarh ~£2
🛏Old-city guesthouse or hostel in Jaipur, ~£15-20
- →Optional third safari
- →Train Sawai Madhopur to Jaipur
- →Sunset at Nahargarh Fort
Jaipur — Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar
Jaipur
Start early at Amber Fort (₹100/£1, plus optional jeep up ₹250 — skip the elephant rides for welfare reasons). Take the local bus from Hawa Mahal (~₹25/£0.25) or an auto (~₹300). Return to the city for the City Palace (₹200/£2) and Jantar Mantar (₹200). Join a GetYourGuide walking tour of the Pink City (~£10-15) or download an audio guide. Evening: Hawa Mahal lit up from the Wind View Café, then dinner at Handi or Spice Court.
🚌Local bus and autos ~£4
🛏Old-city guesthouse or hostel in Jaipur, ~£15-20
- →Amber Fort
- →City Palace
- →Jantar Mantar
- →Optional Jaigarh Fort
- →Old City walking tour
Fly Jaipur to Goa — settle in Anjuna or Palolem
Goa
Cheap IndiGo/SpiceJet flights Jaipur–Goa (Dabolim or Mopa) run ~£40-70 one-way if booked 3-6 weeks out — use Skyscanner or MakeMyTrip. Note the original tour quotes this as a private transfer; you just book the low-cost flight yourself. Pre-book a prepaid taxi from the airport (~₹1,200-1,800/£12-18 to North Goa). Base in Anjuna/Vagator for nightlife or Palolem for peace — beach huts and guesthouses are ~£12-18 a night. Sunset beers at a shack, fresh fish thali for dinner.
🚌Flight ~£55; airport prepaid taxi ~£15
🛏Beach hut or guesthouse in Anjuna/Palolem, ~£15-18
- →Budget flight Jaipur to Goa
- →Anjuna or Palolem beach sunset
- →Beach shack dinner
North Goa loop — Aguada Fort down to Vagator
Anjuna, North Goa
Hire a scooter (₹400-500/£4-5 per day, international licence recommended) or use local buses between beaches. Early at Aguada Fort (₹50/£0.50) and the lighthouse, then hop the beaches: Sinquerim, Candolim, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna and Vagator for sunset at Chapora Fort. Wednesday Anjuna flea market if timing fits. Book a GetYourGuide North Goa day tour (~£25-35) if you'd rather not drive — but a scooter is far cheaper and more flexible.
🚌Scooter rental ~£5 plus fuel ~£1.50
🛏Beach hut or guesthouse in North Goa, ~£15-18
- →Aguada Fort and lighthouse
- →Beach-hopping Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Vagator
- →Chapora Fort sunset
South Goa — Old Goa churches and quiet beaches
Goa
Take a local bus or shared taxi south to Old Goa (~₹60 bus, ~1h). Visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral (free entry, small camera fee) — both UNESCO listed and hugely atmospheric early in the day. Continue to Miramar and Dona Paula (or push on to quieter Palolem/Agonda if you want a beach day). Return by bus. Dinner of Goan xacuti or a fish curry rice at a local restaurant rather than a tourist shack.
🚌Local buses ~£3-4
🛏Beach hut or guesthouse in Goa, ~£15-18
- →Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral
- →Miramar and Dona Paula beaches
- →Optional Palolem or Agonda beach stop
Fly Goa to Mumbai — self-guided city highlights
Mumbai
Morning budget flight Goa–Mumbai (~£35-55 on IndiGo/Akasa, booked in advance). Take the Mumbai Metro or a local train to Juhu/Santa Cruz and drop bags at a budget hotel or hostel (Backpacker Panda, Ramee Guestline Juhu type, ~£20-28). Afternoon: Gateway of India and the Taj Mahal Palace exterior, then the ferry or taxi to Gandhi's Mani Bhavan (₹10). Do a Marine Drive sunset walk and end at Juhu Chowpatty for bhel puri. The 'guided Mumbai tour' is easily replicated with the Mumbai Metro plus a £10-15 GetYourGuide walking tour of Colaba/Fort.
🚌Flight ~£45; metro/local trains and taxis ~£4
🛏Budget hotel or hostel in Juhu/Santa Cruz, ~£22-28
- →Flight to Mumbai
- →Gateway of India and Colaba Causeway
- →Mani Bhavan Gandhi museum
- →Marine Drive sunset and Juhu Chowpatty
Mumbai — optional Dharavi or Elephanta, then depart
Mumbai
If your flight is late, take the 9am ferry to Elephanta Caves (boat ~₹260/£2.60, caves ₹40) or join a responsible Dharavi social-enterprise walk (~£15, Reality Tours & Travel). Alternatively the Prince of Wales Museum (CSMVS, ₹150) and the Jain temple at Malabar Hill are easy Metro hops. Head to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by Metro Line 3 or taxi (~₹700/£7). Trip ends.
🚌Ferry ~£2.60; airport taxi/Metro ~£3-7
🛏None — depart
- →Optional Elephanta Caves ferry
- →Optional Dharavi community walking tour
- →CSMVS museum and Malabar Hill Jain temple
- →Transfer to Mumbai airport
Self-launched vs. Holidays At
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Holidays At | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£585 | £1,220 |
| Duration | 12 days | 12 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £635 per person (52%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Holidays At-style trips? Check them out here.~£585
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 North India & Goa: Delhi, Agra, Ranthambore, Jaipur, Goa & Mumbai cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £585 per person for 12 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 Holidays At?+
Yes — Holidays At charges around £1,220 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £585 — a saving of roughly £635 (52%) per person.
How long is the India trip?+
This itinerary runs 12 days, covering 12 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 culture, adventure, wildlife 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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