Highlights of Northern India: Self-Launched Golden Triangle & Varanasi
9 days · Northern India
Exodus charges £1,570
No-markup version: ~£545 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Experience the very best of northern India independently — the Golden Triangle, Ranthambore tigers, and the sacred ghats of Varanasi — without the guided group price tag. This self-launched itinerary follows the same iconic route as Exodus's Highlights of Northern India tour, swapping private tour buses and escorted transfers for trains, shared taxis and local rickshaws, and replacing group hotels with well-reviewed budget hotels and guesthouses. You'll hit every highlight: the Taj Mahal at sunset, Jaipur's Amber Fort, two game drives in Ranthambore, and a dawn boat ride on the Ganges. Costs below are approximate estimates per person based on current backpacker rates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Delhi — Travel to Jaipur
Delhi → Jaipur
Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport and make your own way to a budget guesthouse in Delhi's Paharganj or Karol Bagh area for a night, or head straight to Jaipur. The best independent option is the Shatabdi Express train from Delhi Sarai Rohilla or New Delhi station to Jaipur (approx. 4.5–5 hrs, ~£5–7 in 2nd AC). Alternatively, government-run AC buses depart from ISBT Kashmere Gate (~£4). Check into a well-reviewed budget hotel near the old city. Head out for a welcome dinner at a local dhaba — thali meals are filling and cost under £2.
🚌Train: Shatabdi/Intercity Express, New Delhi → Jaipur, ~£5–7. Alternatively ISBT Kashmere Gate government AC bus ~£4.
🛏Zostel Jaipur, Hotel Pearl Palace, or similar well-reviewed budget guesthouse — approx. £10–15/night
- →Take the Shatabdi Express or AC bus from Delhi to Jaipur (~£5–7 by train)
- →Check into a budget hotel in Jaipur old city area
- →Explore the local area on foot and enjoy a thali dinner at a nearby dhaba (~£2)
Explore Jaipur — Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal & Jantar Mantar
Jaipur
Spend the day exploring Jaipur's iconic sights independently. Start at the Jantar Mantar observatory (entry ~£2.50), then walk or rickshaw to the Hawa Mahal (entry ~£0.60). Take a shared jeep or auto-rickshaw up to Amber Fort (entry ~£5, shared jeep ~£1). In the afternoon, visit a local textile factory — many welcome independent visitors for free and have a shop on-site. Wander Johari Bazaar for jewellery or pick up block-printed textiles.
🚌Auto-rickshaw around city ~£3–5 for the day. Shared jeep to Amber Fort ~£1.
🛏Zostel Jaipur, Hotel Pearl Palace, or similar — approx. £10–15/night
- →Visit Jantar Mantar observatory (entry ~£2.50)
- →See the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) (entry ~£0.60)
- →Explore Amber Fort via shared jeep (entry ~£5, jeep ~£1)
- →Visit a local textile factory — free entry, browse handmade goods
- →Browse Johari Bazaar for handicrafts and jewellery
Dawn Walking Tour of Jaipur — Travel to Ranthambore
Jaipur → Ranthambore
Rise early for a self-guided dawn walk through the walled city's chowkris (blocks). The old city comes alive at first light — visit local morning markets, small temples and artisan workshops independently (completely free). Return for breakfast, then check out. Take a local bus or shared taxi to Ranthambore (~3.5–4 hrs, ~£3–5 by state bus from Sindhi Camp bus stand). Check into a guesthouse near the park gate and pre-book your game drive permits for tomorrow — permits must be booked in advance via the official Ranthambore booking portal or through your guesthouse.
🚌State bus or shared taxi: Jaipur → Sawai Madhopur, ~3.5–4 hrs, ~£3–5.
🛏Ranthambore Forest Resort, Hotel Tiger Den, or similar budget option near park gate — approx. £12–18/night
- →Self-guided dawn walk through Jaipur's walled old city — free
- →Sample street food breakfast at local market stalls (~£1–2)
- →Travel by state bus or shared taxi from Jaipur to Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore) (~£3–5)
- →Check into guesthouse and book game drive permits online or via guesthouse (~£10–15 per drive)
Two Game Drives in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve
Ranthambore
Today mirrors the Exodus itinerary closely. Your first game drive departs around 6am (dawn slot); your second in the afternoon around 2pm. Shared gypsy (open 4WD jeep) seats can be booked independently through the official Rajasthan Forest Department portal (ranthambore.net) or via your guesthouse — book as far in advance as possible as slots sell out. Each shared gypsy seat costs approximately £10–15. Keep an eye out for Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, crocodiles, deer and abundant birdlife. Enjoy a relaxed breakfast between drives.
🚌Shared gypsy jeeps included in game drive permit fee. Local auto-rickshaw to park gate if needed ~£1.
🛏Ranthambore Forest Resort, Hotel Tiger Den, or similar — approx. £12–18/night
- →Morning game drive in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (shared gypsy, ~£10–15)
- →Afternoon game drive in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (shared gypsy, ~£10–15)
- →Relax at guesthouse between drives; review wildlife photos
Travel to Agra — Agra Fort & Taj Mahal at Sunset
Ranthambore → Agra
Take an early morning train or bus from Sawai Madhopur to Agra (~4–5 hrs, ~£6–10 by train). Check into a budget hotel near the Taj Mahal. In the afternoon, visit Agra Fort (entry ~£5) to explore the sandstone walls, Pearl Mosque and Mughal palaces. Head to the Taj Mahal for the late afternoon/sunset session (entry ~£12 for foreigners) — this is the best time to visit as light is golden and crowds thin. Grab a cheap lunch at one of the local restaurants around Sadar Bazaar for ~£2–3.
🚌Train: Sawai Madhopur → Agra Cantt, ~4–5 hrs, ~£6–10. Auto-rickshaw between sights ~£2–4.
🛏Hotel Sidhartha, zostel Agra, or similar near Taj Mahal — approx. £10–15/night
- →Train from Sawai Madhopur to Agra (~£6–10)
- →Visit Agra Fort (entry ~£5)
- →Visit the Taj Mahal at sunset (entry ~£12)
- →Lunch at Sadar Bazaar local restaurant (~£2–3)
Early Train to Varanasi — Afternoon Exploration
Agra → Varanasi
Rise early and make your way to Agra Cantt station for the Vande Bharat Express to Varanasi (departs ~6am, arrives ~1pm, ~£12–18 in 2nd AC chair car). Settle into your hotel near the ghats. Spend the afternoon exploring Varanasi's famous silk emporiums (Vishwanath Gali is great for browsing), getting a riverbank massage, or taking an optional auto-rickshaw to Sarnath (~8km away, ~£2 each way) to visit the Dhamekh Stupa and archaeology museum (entry ~£2.50). In the evening, don't miss the spectacular Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat — it's free to watch from the riverside steps.
🚌Train: Vande Bharat Express, Agra Cantt → Varanasi, ~7 hrs, ~£12–18. Auto-rickshaw locally ~£2–4.
🛏Zostel Varanasi, Hotel Surya, or similar guesthouse near the ghats — approx. £10–15/night
- →Vande Bharat Express: Agra Cantt → Varanasi (~£12–18)
- →Explore Varanasi silk emporiums and Vishwanath Gali
- →Watch the free Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat at dusk
- →Optional: Auto-rickshaw to Sarnath — Dhamekh Stupa & archaeology museum (~£5 total)
Dawn Boat Ride on the Ganges — Afternoon Train to Delhi
Varanasi → Delhi
Wake before dawn and walk down to the ghats — Dashashwamedh or Assi Ghat are the most accessible. Negotiate a shared rowing boat ride (£2–4 per person for ~1.5 hrs) to glide along the 5km stretch of ghats as pilgrims bathe, priests perform rituals and cremation fires glow on Manikarnika Ghat. This is one of India's most profound travel experiences and completely self-bookable. Return for breakfast, then check out and take the Vande Bharat Express back to Delhi (~8 hrs, ~£15–20). Pick up snacks for the journey from stalls near the station. Arrive in Delhi late evening.
🚌Rowing boat on Ganges ~£2–4. Train: Vande Bharat Express, Varanasi → New Delhi, ~8 hrs, ~£15–20. Auto-rickshaw to hotel on arrival ~£3–5.
🛏Zostel Delhi, Hotel Namaskar Paharganj, or similar central budget hotel — approx. £12–18/night
- →Pre-dawn walk to the ghats and negotiate a shared rowing boat (~£2–4)
- →Witness Hindu pilgrims bathing and dawn rituals along the Ganges
- →Observe Manikarnika Ghat cremations from the river (respectfully)
- →Vande Bharat Express: Varanasi → Delhi (~£15–20)
- →Pick up train snacks at Varanasi station (~£2)
Delhi Free Day — Old Delhi & New Delhi Sightseeing
Delhi
Spend a full free day exploring Delhi at your own pace. Key sites include the Red Fort (entry ~£4), Humayun's Tomb (entry ~£4), Jama Masjid mosque (free, ~£1 for camera), India Gate (free), the Sheeshganj Gurudwara Sikh temple (free — all are welcome) and Raj Ghat memorial (free). The Delhi Metro makes getting between New and Old Delhi easy and cheap (~£0.30–0.60 per journey). For shopping, head to Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi for spices and fabrics, or Karol Bagh for clothes and souvenirs. Treat yourself to a splurge dinner at a mid-range Indian restaurant (~£8–12).
🚌Delhi Metro all day ~£2–3. Auto-rickshaw as needed ~£1–3 per trip.
🛏Zostel Delhi, Hotel Namaskar Paharganj, or similar — approx. £12–18/night
- →Visit the Red Fort, Old Delhi (entry ~£4)
- →Explore Jama Masjid and walk through Chandni Chowk bazaar
- →Visit Humayun's Tomb in New Delhi (entry ~£4)
- →See India Gate and stroll Rajpath — free
- →Visit Raj Ghat and Sheeshganj Gurudwara — free
- →Delhi Metro travel all day (~£2–3 total)
- →Last-minute shopping in Karol Bagh or Chandni Chowk
Depart Delhi
Delhi
Your northern India adventure ends today. Enjoy a final breakfast at a local chai stall or café (~£1–2). Make your own way to Indira Gandhi International Airport — the Delhi Metro Airport Express runs directly from New Delhi station to Terminal 3 in ~20 mins (~£1.50) and is by far the most reliable and affordable option. Allow at least 3 hours before your flight for international departures.
🚌Delhi Metro Airport Express: New Delhi station → IGI Airport T3, ~20 mins, ~£1.50.
- →Final chai and breakfast at a local café (~£1–2)
- →Delhi Metro Airport Express to IGI Airport T3 (~£1.50, ~20 mins)
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£545 | £1,570 |
| Duration | 9 days | 9 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,025 per person (65%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£545
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.
Customise with Tour BusterCreated by
Travel Crew
0 trips
Frequently asked questions
How much does Highlights of Northern India: Self-Launched Golden Triangle & Varanasi cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £545 per person for 9 days in Northern 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 Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £1,570 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £545 — a saving of roughly £1,025 (65%) per person.
How long is the Northern India trip?+
This itinerary runs 9 days, covering 9 day-by-day stops through Northern 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 Northern 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?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
No comments yet — be the first to share your take.
Sign in to leave a comment.