Catch an early flight from Delhi and arrive at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport; transfer to your hotel in Begumpet or HITEC City and check in. Take a relaxed unpacking break, freshen up, and enjoy a late breakfast or chai at your hotel or a nearby café such as The Gallery Café (HITEC City) to recharge after travel.
Spend the afternoon getting familiar with the neighbourhood — walk around the leafy IT hubs near HITEC City or explore the Begumpet market lanes for a quick look at local boutiques and Hyderabadi handicrafts. If energy allows, visit the nearby Sudha Cars Museum or the open lawns of Durgam Cheruvu (Secret Lake) for a gentle introduction to the city before returning to the hotel for a short rest.
Head out for an easy evening stroll and a flavoursome introduction to Hyderabadi cuisine: try kebabs or a biryani dinner at popular local spots like Paradise or Bawarchi, or opt for contemporary dining in Jubilee Hills/Banjara Hills. Finish the night with a leisurely walk around the HITEC City skyline or Begumpet’s tree-lined streets, soaking in the festive lights and making a note of plans for tomorrow’s Old City exploration.
Start the day with a short drive from your HITEC City/Begumpet base into the Old City, arriving early to beat the crowds at Charminar; climb the narrow steps for a bird’s-eye view of the bustling lanes and the sea of colourful stalls below. After soaking up the iconic architecture, take time to wander the arcade-style shops around Laad Bazaar, admiring the famed glass bangles, zari-trimmed bridal wear and vintage Hyderabadi jewellery while stopping for a quick Irani chai at nearby Café Niloufer or Pista House.
Walk or take an auto-rickshaw to Chowmahalla Palace to stroll its opulent courtyards, ornate halls and the restored vintage car collection — allow a couple of hours to appreciate the Qutb Shahi dynasty’s splendour and the palace’s manicured grounds. From there, explore the lanes toward Mecca Masjid, pause for a plate of haleem or a traditional kebab at Shah Ghouse (season permitting), and browse smaller handicraft shops for papier-mâché items and bidriware as souvenirs.
As dusk falls, return to Laad Bazaar to watch the lamps and shopfronts glow, and pick a small bangle set or a traditional dupatta as a keepsake; enjoy street-side snacks like samosas or mirchi bajji as you soak in the Old City atmosphere. Finish with a relaxed dinner at a nearby restaurant such as Shadab or Nimrah Café, sampling signature Hyderabadi biryani and double ka meetha, then take a calm auto back to your hotel to rest up for tomorrow’s museum day.
After a leisurely hotel breakfast, head to the Salar Jung Museum in Nampally to arrive when it opens and beat the midday crowds; spend the morning wandering the vast galleries to admire the Mughal and European paintings, the famous Veiled Rebecca sculpture, and the eclectic collections of clocks and textiles. Pause at the museum courtyard cafe for a chai and reflect on highlights before strolling toward nearby Afzal Gunj if you want a quick peek at local street life en route to lunch.
Make your way to Abids for a relaxed Irani café crawl—start with a classic keema pav or bun maska and Irani chai at Café Niloufer or the storied Grand Hotel/Irani Chai spots in the area, then browse the bookshops and old-world storefronts that give Abids its colonial-meets-local charm. If you’re in the mood for more culture, drop into the State Gallery of Art or the Nizam’s Museum annex nearby, or hunt for unique souvenirs at the nearby Koti Sultan Bazaar.
As evening falls, treat yourself to a proper Hyderabadi dinner at Paradise or Café 555 in the Abids/Jubilee Hills corridor—order a fragrant dum biryani and kebabs to round out the day’s culinary exploration. Finish with a relaxed walk along the tree-lined lanes or a drive to the nearby Purani Haveli area to enjoy the softer city lights before returning to your hotel and preparing for tomorrow’s Ramoji Film City adventure.
Set off early from your HITEC City/Begumpet base and drive (or join a hotel transfer) to Ramoji Film City to arrive for the morning shows — begin with the signature guided tour through sprawling outdoor sets, colourful streetscapes and the bustling film studios, pausing for photo ops at the Cinderella Castle and the massive Grand Filmset. Enjoy a light breakfast at one of the on-site cafés, then catch a live stunt or dance performance to soak up the cinematic atmosphere.
After a relaxed lunch at the food court or the themed Dakshin restaurant, continue exploring attractions like the Butterfly Park, the Vintage Car Collection and the Ramoji Gardens; hop on the shuttle to see the recreated Indian villages and film locations used in popular Telugu and Hindi movies. Before departing, take a short boat ride at the artificial lake or browse the souvenir shops for Bollywood-themed keepsakes, then head back to the city to freshen up for the evening.
Return to Banjara Hills and begin your New Year’s Eve evening with cocktails and a festive pre-dinner at a stylish spot such as Olive Bistro or Heart Cup Coffee, followed by a celebratory dinner at an upbeat rooftop or lounge — options include Altitude at Marriott or The Moonshine Project for lively vibes. As midnight approaches, join a hotel or restaurant countdown with music and fireworks visible across the city, or move between trendy bars along Road No. 1 to ring in the New Year amid Hyderabad’s glittering skyline.
Begin the year slowly with a sunrise stroll along Necklace Road, taking in the calm waters of Hussain Sagar and the monolithic Buddha statue on Gibraltar Rock; grab a hot filter coffee and bun maska from a nearby stall or Café Niloufer’s outlet to savor with the view. If you feel like a short activity, take the morning ferry to the Buddha statue for close-up photos or rent a paddleboat at Sanjeevaiah Park to enjoy the cool breeze and city skyline from the lake.
After returning to shore, relax with a leisurely brunch at Olive Bistro or Eat India Company in the Banjara Hills/Necklace Road area, sampling South Indian favorites or a light fusion meal before checking out of your hotel. Spend any remaining hours browsing the Central Mall or Lumbini Park’s landscaped paths for last-minute souvenirs, or visit the nearby Lumbini or Sanjeevaiah Park for one final quiet moment among greenery.
Collect your luggage and head to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport with plenty of time for your flight back to Delhi, stopping en route for a final Hyderabadi biryani takeaway from Paradise or Bawarchi if you’d like a delicious travel meal. If your flight is later, unwind at the airport lounges and reflect on the festive highlights—Charminar’s evening glow, Ramoji’s spectacle and the city’s warm hospitality—before boarding and bidding Hyderabad farewell.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Flight Delhi → Hyderabad (one-way, economy) | ₹3,000 - ₹8,000 per person (depends on airline & booking time) |
| Transfer: Rajiv Gandhi Intl Airport → Begumpet / HITEC City (taxi/ride-share) | ₹700 - ₹1,200 (app taxi) or ₹1,200 - ₹2,000 (prepaid/airport taxi) |
| The Gallery Café (HITEC City) / Café chai/snack | ₹200 - ₹600 per person |
| Walk around HITEC City / Begumpet neighbourhood | Free (transport negligible if walking) |
| Sudha Cars Museum | ₹150 - ₹300 per person (entry may vary) |
| Durgam Cheruvu (Secret Lake) lawns / walk | Free - ₹50 (parking/entry nominal) |
| Paradise / Bawarchi biryani dinner | ₹300 - ₹700 per person |
| Charminar | ₹5 - ₹30 per person (entry / climb fee nominal; camera fee sometimes extra) |
| Laad Bazaar (bangle shopping) | Free to browse; shopping ₹200 - ₹4,000+ depending on buys |
| Irani chai at Café Niloufer / Pista House | ₹50 - ₹250 per person |
| Chowmahalla Palace | ₹100 - ₹250 per person (tour/entry + camera fee may apply) |
| Mecca Masjid (visit/outside) | Free (donations optional) |
| Shah Ghouse / Old City kebabs & haleem (seasonal) | ₹150 - ₹400 per person |
| Street snacks (samosa / mirchi bajji) | ₹20 - ₹100 per item |
| Salar Jung Museum | ₹20 - ₹50 per person (entry for Indians; higher for foreign nationals), audio guide/fees extra ₹100 - ₹300 |
| Museum café / chai | ₹50 - ₹200 per person |
| Abids: Irani cafés (Café Niloufer / Grand Hotel) | ₹100 - ₹400 per person |
| State Gallery of Art / Nizam’s Museum annex / Koti Sultan Bazaar | ₹20 - ₹200 per person depending on museum |
| Dinner: Paradise / Café 555 (Abids/Jubilee Hills) | ₹300 - ₹800 per person |
| Transfer: Hotel → Ramoji Film City (round trip by taxi/transfer) | ₹1,500 - ₹3,500 one-way by private taxi; hotel transfers / shared buses cheaper ₹400 - ₹900 per person each way |
| Ramoji Film City entry ticket | ₹1,100 - ₹1,800 per person (standard adult ticket; special shows/packages cost more) |
| Ramoji Food court / lunch | ₹200 - ₹600 per person |
| Ramoji attractions: shows, gardens, lake boat ride | Most included; some activities/souvenirs extra ₹100 - ₹500 |
| New Year’s Eve dinner & party (Banjara Hills rooftop / lounge) | ₹1,000 - ₹6,000 per person (varies widely: casual dinner to ticketed NYE events with drinks) |
| Necklace Road / Hussain Sagar sunrise stroll & ferry | Walk: Free; ferry to Buddha statue ₹40 - ₹200 per person; paddleboat ₹200 - ₹500 per hour |
| Brunch: Olive Bistro / Eat India Company (Banjara Hills) | ₹400 - ₹900 per person |
| Central Mall / Lumbini Park browsing, last-minute shopping | Free to browse; shopping costs vary ₹200 - ₹3,000+ |
| Transfer: Hotel → Rajiv Gandhi Intl Airport (one-way) | ₹700 - ₹1,500 (app taxi) or ₹1,200 - ₹2,000 (airport taxi) |
| Airport lounge / extra wait-time | ₹500 - ₹2,000 per person (lounge access pay-per-use) |
| Return Flight Hyderabad → Delhi (one-way, economy) | ₹3,000 - ₹8,000 per person (depends on airline & booking time) |
| Estimated Total (per person) | ₹14,000 - ₹45,000 per person (5 days / 4 nights, mid-December-New Year period) Estimated breakdown (per person): - Flights (round trip): ₹6,000 - ₹16,000 - Accommodation (4 nights, mid-range hotel in Begumpet/HITEC City): ₹6,000 - ₹16,000 (₹1,500 - ₹4,000 per night) - Local transport & transfers (taxis, airport transfers, Ramoji transfer): ₹2,000 - ₹6,000 - Food & drinks (meals, cafés, NYE dinner): ₹2,000 - ₹8,000 - Attractions & entry fees (Chowmahalla, Salar Jung, Ramoji, ferries): ₹500 - ₹2,000 - Extras (shopping, souvenirs, lounge access, contingencies): ₹1,000 - ₹5,000 Note: New Year’s Eve events and Ramoji Film City peak-season pricing can push the cost to the higher end. Booking flights and hotels early can reduce costs significantly. |