Exotic India: Delhi to Udaipur — Self-Launched Edition
11 days · Rajasthan, India
UncleSam Holidays charges £1,620
No-markup version: ~£935 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
An 11-day independent run of the classic Golden Triangle + Rajasthan loop: Old Delhi's bazaars, the Taj Mahal at sunrise, tiger tracking in Ranthambore, the pink city of Jaipur, Pushkar's lake ghats, Kumbhalgarh's ramparts and Udaipur's lakeside havelis. All travel is on India's excellent train network plus local buses and shared jeeps, with local guides or audio guides at the big monuments instead of a private escort. Same highlights, roughly a third of the tour price — and you control the pace.
Day-by-day
Arrive in New Delhi
New Delhi
Land at IGI Airport and make your way to Paharganj or Karol Bagh — the two best-value traveller zones in central Delhi. Use the Airport Express metro line (₹60, ~£0.60) to New Delhi station, then a cheap auto-rickshaw (agree the fare or insist on the meter) to your guesthouse. Spend the evening gently: pick up a local SIM/UPI setup is easiest with an eSIM bought before you fly, and eat your first thali near Main Bazaar. Sort your onward train tickets on the IRCTC app tonight — you'll want Delhi–Agra and Ranthambore–Jaipur booked early.
🚌Airport Express metro Delhi ~£0.60 + auto-rickshaw ~£1.50
🛏Budget guesthouse in Paharganj or Karol Bagh, Delhi (~£18/night, private room)
- →Airport Express metro into central Delhi
- →Evening stroll around Main Bazaar, Paharganj
- →Set up eSIM and book IRCTC train tickets
Old and New Delhi in a day
New Delhi
Do the two-city loop on public transport. Start at Qutub Minar (metro to Qutub Minar station, ₹30 entry ~£0.30), then Humayun's Tomb and the Lotus Temple (Bahá'í House of Worship — free, closed Mondays). In the afternoon take the metro to Chandni Chowk and hire a cycle rickshaw (~£3 for an hour) through the spice market lanes, walk to Raj Ghat, then ride the metro down Rajpath past India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan. Consider a GetYourGuide 'Old Delhi street food walk' (~£18) if you want a local to navigate the lanes — otherwise self-guide with a free walking-tour app.
🚌Delhi metro day pass ~£3; cycle rickshaw in Chandni Chowk ~£3
🛏Budget guesthouse in Paharganj or Karol Bagh (~£18/night)
- →Qutub Minar (₹30)
- →Humayun's Tomb (₹35)
- →Lotus Temple (free)
- →Chandni Chowk cycle rickshaw ride
- →Raj Ghat, India Gate & Rashtrapati Bhavan drive-past on foot/metro
- →Optional Old Delhi food walk via GetYourGuide ~£18
Delhi to Agra — fort, tombs and a Taj sunset
Agra
Catch a morning Gatimaan Express or Shatabdi from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Agra Cantt (approx. 100 mins, ₹750–1,200 / ~£8–12 in chair car). Drop bags at a guesthouse in Taj Ganj and walk to Agra Fort (₹50). In the late afternoon head to Itmad-ud-Daulah 'Baby Taj' (₹30) and Mehtab Bagh across the river (₹30) for the classic sunset view of the Taj from the far bank. Book your Taj ticket online in advance for tomorrow's sunrise slot.
🚌Gatimaan/Shatabdi Express Delhi–Agra ~£10; autos ~£4 total
🛏Guesthouse in Taj Ganj, Agra (~£16/night)
- →Agra Fort
- →Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb
- →Mehtab Bagh sunset view of the Taj Mahal
- →Buy Taj Mahal sunrise e-ticket (₹1,100)
Sunrise Taj, then Fatehpur Sikri to Ranthambore
Ranthambore / Sawai Madhopur
Be at the East Gate for opening (approx. 6am in winter) — sunrise from the plinth is the experience. Entry ₹1,100 plus ₹200 to go inside the mausoleum; a government-approved guide at the gate is ~£8 for two people. Back for breakfast and checkout, then an auto or shared taxi to Idgah bus stand for a bus to Fatehpur Sikri (~1.5 hrs, £2). Tour the Mughal ghost city independently (₹50; the audio guide is worth it) — Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Tomb of Salim Chisti. Continue by bus to Bharatpur, then train to Sawai Madhopur (~£4), or a shared taxi (~£10). Overnight near the park gates.
🚌Bus Agra–Fatehpur Sikri ~£2, local bus to Bharatpur ~£1, train to Sawai Madhopur ~£4
🛏Guesthouse/hotel near Ranthambore park gates (~£20/night)
- →Sunrise at the Taj Mahal with local guide
- →Fatehpur Sikri with audio guide
- →Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal & Tomb of Salim Chisti
Ranthambore safaris
Ranthambore National Park
Book two shared jeep/canter safaris directly with the Rajasthan Forest Department online (₹1,500–1,800 / ~£15–18 each for a shared canter, plus ₹50 online fee) as soon as your dates are fixed — they sell out weeks ahead in season. Morning run at 6:30am and afternoon run around 2:30pm, both with an official forest guide. Between drives, climb to Ranthambore Fort above the park for views over the jungle and lakes (free with your park entry). Tigers are never guaranteed but zone 3 and 4 around Padam Talao are the classic bets.
🚌Shared canter to the gates included in safari booking
🛏Guesthouse/hotel near the park gates (~£20/night)
- →Morning shared jeep safari
- →Afternoon shared jeep safari
- →Ranthambore Fort walk
Ranthambore to Jaipur
Jaipur
One last morning safari if you can get a ticket, then a train from Sawai Madhopur to Jaipur Junction (~2 hrs, ₹300–600 / ~£3–6). Settle into a haveli-style guesthouse in the old city near Hawa Mahal — much better atmosphere than the highway hotels. Spend the evening on the rooftop terraces of Bapu Bazaar, eat Rajasthani thali, and pre-book your Amber Fort pass or a GetYourGuide Jaipur day tour for tomorrow if you'd rather not self-navigate.
🚌Train Sawai Madhopur–Jaipur ~£5; auto to hotel ~£1.50
🛏Haveli guesthouse in Jaipur old city (~£18/night)
- →Optional third safari
- →Evening in the old city, Bapu Bazaar rooftop dinner
- →Rajasthani thali dinner ~£4
Full day in the Pink City
Jaipur
Take a local bus or auto to Amber Fort (₹200 combined ticket with Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal over two days). Skip the elephant ride — the jeep ride (₹1,000 shared) or the walk up the old stepwell path is kinder and cheaper. Then Jantar Mantar, City Palace (₹200), the Hawa Mahal facade, and a drive-past of Jal Mahal. Rooftop at Jal Mahal lake is great at sunset. Optional late-afternoon hike to Nahargarh Fort (₹50) for the best view over the city — the 'Tiger Fort' and Jaigarh are optional extras.
🚌Local buses + autos ~£6
🛏Haveli guesthouse in Jaipur old city (~£18/night)
- →Amber Fort by shared jeep
- →City Palace
- →Jantar Mantar
- →Hawa Mahal & Jal Mahal
- →Optional Nahargarh Fort sunset hike
Jaipur to Pushkar and Deogarh
Pushkar & Deogarh
Early bus or shared taxi from Jaipur to Ajmer (2.5 hrs, ~£3), then a local bus to Pushkar (~30 mins, £0.50). Wander the ghats of Pushkar Lake, the Brahma Temple (one of very few in India) and climb to Savitri Temple for the ridge views — then the smaller Varah and Rangji temples if time allows. In the afternoon continue by bus or shared jeep to Deogarh (~2 hrs, £3), where a heritage-style but affordable haveli stay gives you the rural Rajasthan night the tour is famous for. Many Deogarh guesthouses will arrange a village jeep safari (~£12) and a folk music show in the courtyard — ask on arrival.
🚌Bus Jaipur–Ajmer ~£3, Ajmer–Pushkar ~£0.50, Pushkar–Deogarh shared jeep ~£3
🛏Heritage haveli/guesthouse in Deogarh (~£25/night)
- →Pushkar Lake ghats
- →Brahma Temple
- →Savitri Temple climb
- →Deogarh Mahal exterior
- →Village jeep safari (~£12) + Rajasthani folk music evening
Deogarh to Udaipur via Kumbhalgarh
Udaipur
Shared jeep or bus to Kumbhalgarh (~1.5 hrs, £2.50). The fort walls are the second-longest in the world and the walk along the ramparts is the day's highlight — entry ₹40, plus ₹100 for the light-and-sound show if you stay late. Catch the 5pm bus onward to Udaipur (~2.5 hrs, £2.50), or split a taxi (~£25 for the car). Check into a lakeside guesthouse in the old city and head to Ambrai Ghat for the sunset across to the City Palace.
🚌Shared jeep to Kumbhalgarh ~£2.50, bus to Udaipur ~£2.50
🛏Lakeside guesthouse in Udaipur old city (~£20/night)
- →Kumbhalgarh Fort ramparts walk
- →Optional light & sound show
- →Sunset at Ambrai Ghat
Udaipur by day and by boat
Udaipur
Start at Jagdish Temple (free) and walk into the City Palace complex (₹400 with museum) — get there at opening to beat groups. Then the Saheliyon-ki-Bari gardens and the Vintage & Classic Car Collection (₹400). Book the Bagore ki Haveli Dharohar dance show ticket earlier in the day (₹150, 7pm) and take a shared sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola from Rameshwar Ghat (£5–8). The Udaipur ropeway up to Karni Mata is a cheap sunset alternative viewpoint (£2). Dinner at a rooftop on Lal Ghat.
🚌Autos and walking ~£5
🛏Lakeside guesthouse in Udaipur old city (~£20/night)
- →Jagdish Temple
- →City Palace & museum
- →Saheliyon-ki-Bari
- →Classic car museum
- →Lake Pichola shared boat ride
- →Dharohar folk dance at Bagore ki Haveli
- →Optional Karni Mata ropeway
Departure from Udaipur
Udaipur
Breakfast on the ghats and a final wander through the old city bazaars, then an auto to Dabok Airport (~£6, 30 mins) or the overnight train onward if you're continuing (Mewar Express to Delhi). If you have a late flight, a cooking class or a morning yoga session at a lakeside guesthouse is an easy last addition (~£12).
🚌Auto to Udaipur airport ~£6
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Old city bazaar shopping
- →Optional lakeside yoga or cooking class
Self-launched vs. UncleSam Holidays
| This itinerary (self-launched) | UncleSam Holidays | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£935 | £1,620 |
| Duration | 11 days | 11 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £685 per person (42%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more UncleSam Holidays-style trips? Check them out here.~£935
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 Exotic India: Delhi to Udaipur — Self-Launched Edition cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £935 per person for 11 days in Rajasthan, 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 UncleSam Holidays?+
Yes — UncleSam Holidays charges around £1,620 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £935 — a saving of roughly £685 (42%) per person.
How long is the Rajasthan, India trip?+
This itinerary runs 11 days, covering 11 day-by-day stops through Rajasthan, 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, wildlife trip through Rajasthan, 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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