Self-launched Adventures in Rajasthan: Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Pushkar & the Taj Mahal
14 days · Rajasthan, India
BeMetravels charges £1,220
No-markup version: ~£610 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Recreate BeMetravels' classic 14-day Rajasthan circuit as a self-launched adventure. Start in chaotic, magnificent Delhi, then travel by train and local transport through the Pink City of Jaipur, the salt flats of Sambhar, the blue lanes of Jodhpur, the lake palaces of Udaipur, the fort of Chittorgarh, holy Pushkar, a tiger safari in Ranthambore, and finish at the Taj Mahal in Agra. Same forts, same palaces, same golden desert light — at a fraction of the private-tour price, with total freedom over your own pace.
Day-by-day
Delhi's Imperial Monuments
New Delhi
Start your self-launched Rajasthan circuit in the capital. Itinerary normally begins with arrival before noon. In the afternoon use Delhi's new hop-on-hop-off metro and cheap auto-rickshaws to hit the day-one monuments: visit the towering Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, and the peaceful Raj Ghat memorial. Finish at Jama Masjid in Old Delhi and wander the spice-scented lanes of Chandni Chowk. India Gate glows beautifully at sunset if you have energy left.
🚌Delhi Metro + auto-rickshaw, ~£3 for the day
🛏Budget guesthouse in Paharganj or Main Bazaar, ~£10/night
- →Qutub Minar
- →Humayun's Tomb
- →Raj Ghat
- →Jama Masjid
- →India Gate sunset
Pink City Jaipur Highlights
Jaipur
Take an early Shatabdi or regular express train from Delhi to Jaipur (~5hrs, book in advance on IRCTC). Afternoon exploring the Pink City's icons: the honeycombed Hawa Mahal facade, the ornate City Palace, and the astronomical instruments of Jantar Mantar. Budget tip: the combined ticket for Amber and the city monuments is superb value.
🚌Train Delhi to Jaipur ~£8 + local transport ~£2
🛏Hostel/guesthouse near MI Road, ~£10/night
- →Hawa Mahal
- →City Palace
- →Jantar Mantar
Amber Fort & Salt Lake Sambhar
Sambhar
Start early at the magnificent hilltop Amber Fort (take the shared jeep or walk up), then travel onward to Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan's largest inland salt lake. Public buses run Jaipur to Sambhar (around 2-3hrs). The heritage resort in the commercial tour upgrades here; instead book a simple guesthouse and watch flamingos at sunset if the season is right — Sambhar is famed for migrating birds.
🚌Bus Jaipur to Sambhar ~£3
🛏Basic guesthouse near Sambhar, ~£8/night
- →Amber Fort
- →Sambhar Lake sunset
- →Bird watching at Sambhar Lake
Sambhar to the Blue City
Jodhpur
Travel from Sambhar to Jodhpur by bus via Ajmer or Jaipur (allow a full day, roughly 6-7hrs total with changes). This is a relaxed travel day through flat Rajasthani scrubland dotted with villages. Once in Jodhpur, wander the bustling Sardar Market and clock tower in the evening, tasting local sweets and street snacks.
🚌Buses Sambhar → Jodhpur ~£6
🛏Guesthouse in old town near the fort, ~£9/night
- →Clock Tower & Sardar Market
Mehrangarh Fort & Blue Lanes
Jodhpur
Climb to the colossal Mehrangarh Fort, one of India's best-preserved forts, with jaw-dropping views over the blue-washed old city from its ramparts. Spend the rest of the day exploring the maze of indigo lanes beneath, stopping at the Jaswant Thada memorial and browsing the craft markets where the tour suggests shopping.
🚌Walking + local tuk-tuks ~£2
🛏Guesthouse in old town, ~£9/night
- →Mehrangarh Fort
- →Jaswant Thada
- →Blue city lane exploration
Jodhpur to Lake City Udaipur
Udaipur
Take the direct train or overnight bus from Jodhpur to Udaipur (roughly 6-7hrs). On arrival, check into a lakeside guesthouse and watch the sun set over Lake Pichola from a rooftop chai. Opt for a budget massage or simply stroll the ghats — the 'most romantic city in India' needs little more than good light and a good dal thali.
🚌Train/bus Jodhpur → Udaipur ~£8
🛏Lakeside guesthouse near Lal Ghat, ~£12/night
- →Lake Pichola sunset stroll
- →Rooftop dinner
Udaipur's City Palace & Lake Boat
Udaipur
Morning exploring the vast, richly decorated City Palace complex, which towers over the lake. Then take a public or shared boat ride across Lake Pichola to see the island palaces from the water. Browse the colourful bazaars around the City Palace gates for miniature paintings and handicrafts in the afternoon — haggling encouraged.
🚌Walking + boat ride ~£4
🛏Lakeside guesthouse near Lal Ghat, ~£12/night
- →City Palace
- →Lake Pichola boat ride
- →Palace bazaar shopping
Sahelion-ki-Bari & Slow Morning
Udaipur
A gentle day to slow down mid-trip, exactly as the commercial itinerary does. Visit the ornamental gardens of Sahelion-ki-Bari with their marble pavilions and fountains, then walk the quieter lakefront promenade near the Fateh Sagar lake. Relax with a book on a rooftop, cookery class, or hire a bike and ride out into the countryside.
🚌Walking + local bus ~£2
🛏Lakeside guesthouse near Lal Ghat, ~£12/night
- →Sahelion-ki-Bari
- →Fateh Sagar lakeside walk
- →Optional cookery class/bike hire
Chittorgarh's Epic Fort
Chittorgarh
Take an early train or bus from Udaipur to Chittorgarh (about 2-3hrs). Spend the day touring the vast Chittorgarh Fort, the largest fort in India, a UNESCO World Heritage site spread over a huge plateau with palatial ruins, towers of victory, and tales of legendary Rajput valour. Hire a shared auto or bicycle to cover the grounds. Sleep in town where the itinerary includes dinner.
🚌Train/bus Udaipur → Chittorgarh ~£4
🛏Budget hotel in Chittorgarh town, ~£10/night
- →Chittorgarh Fort
- →Vijay Stambha (Tower of Victory)
- →Rani Padmini's Palace
Holy Pushkar
Pushkar
Travel from Chittorgarh to Pushkar via Ajmer by train and bus (roughly 6-7hrs total). Pushkar is a holy, vegetarian town wrapped around a sacred lake — visit the old Brahma temple (one of few worldwide) and wander the ghats and the winding bazaar lanes with their tie-dye textiles and silver. Dress modestly and remove shoes near the lake.
🚌Trains/buses Chittorgarh → Pushkar ~£7
🛏Guesthouse near Pushkar lake, ~£8/night
- →Brahma Temple
- →Pushkar Lake ghats
- →Vibrant market exploration
On the Road to Ranthambore
Ranthambore National Park
Take public buses from Pushkar via Ajmer toward Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore's gateway town) — roughly 5-6hrs. Book your jeep or canter safari in advance online through the official Rajasthan forest department portal for the morning slot. In the afternoon, settle into a village guesthouse near the park gates and relax among the scrub forest.
🚌Buses Pushkar → Sawai Madhopur ~£6
🛏Village guesthouse near park gate, ~£12/night
- →Arrange Ranthambore safari permit
- →Rest & village orientation
Tiger Safari Day at Ranthambore
Ranthambore National Park
A full safari day in the national park, with an early-morning game drive and an evening drive through the dry deciduous forest seeking tigers, leopards, sloth bears and crocodiles, set against the picturesque ruined Ranthambore Fort. Safaris are shared canter/gypsy vehicles booked via the official portal — go in knowing tiger spotting takes luck, but the birdlife and scenery always deliver.
🚌Included in safari jeep
🛏Village guesthouse near park gate, ~£12/night
- →Morning safari
- →Evening safari
- →Visit local craft shops
Ranthambore to Agra & the Taj
Agra
Take the train from Sawai Madhopur station to Agra (about 3-4hrs, several express options). Head straight for the Taj Mahal and view it in the golden late-afternoon light — its most photogenic hour — at the ticket-gated South Gate. Grab a rooftop dinner overlooking the monument for the classic money shot.
🚌Train Sawai Madhopur → Agra ~£5
🛏Budget hotel near the Taj, ~£10/night
- →Taj Mahal sunset visit
Return to Delhi
New Delhi
Optional sunrise look at the Taj if you missed the classic pink dawn shot, then take the fast Gatimaan or Shatabdi express back to Delhi (~2hrs). Spend any remaining time souvenir-hunting in Dilli Haat or Karol Bagh before flying home. The loop is complete — Delhi to Rajasthan and back in two brilliant weeks.
🚌Train Agra → Delhi ~£10
🛏N/A — depart today
- →Optional sunrise Taj Mahal visit
- →Return to Delhi
Self-launched vs. BeMetravels
| This itinerary (self-launched) | BeMetravels | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£610 | £1,220 |
| Duration | 14 days | 14 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £610 per person (50%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more BeMetravels-style trips? Check them out here.~£610
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 Self-launched Adventures in Rajasthan: Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Pushkar & the Taj Mahal cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £610 per person for 14 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 BeMetravels?+
Yes — BeMetravels 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 £610 — a saving of roughly £610 (50%) per person.
How long is the Rajasthan, India trip?+
This itinerary runs 14 days, covering 14 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 culture, adventure, foodie 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?
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.