Start early from Bangalore so you land in Delhi with enough buffer for airport/train delays and the first site visit. If you’re flying, a morning departure usually gets you in by late morning or early afternoon; from Indira Gandhi International Airport or New Delhi Railway Station, take a cab or the Delhi Metro toward Anand Vihar and keep your luggage light so the transfer is smooth. For a flight, expect roughly 2.5–3.5 hours in the air plus 1–1.5 hours for the city transfer; if you arrive by train, plan for the long ride and then head straight to your hotel/office area near Anand Vihar ISBT to drop bags before moving around. Parking and curbside congestion around Anand Vihar can get messy, so if someone is picking you up, ask them to meet you on a quieter approach road rather than directly at the bus stand.
Do the Anand Vihar ISBT / site visit area first while traffic is still manageable. The whole zone is functional, busy, and not exactly a “wander around” part of Delhi, so it’s best handled efficiently: one to two hours, get in, finish the work, and move on before the afternoon heat and congestion build up. For lunch, head to Radisson Blu Kaushambi Delhi NCR in Kaushambi, which is a very practical nearby sit-down stop and a comfortable reset after the work visit. Expect around ₹1,200–₹2,000 per person depending on what you order; it’s a good place to do a proper meal, freshen up, and take a slower hour before the evening outing.
After lunch, continue to ISKCON Temple, East of Kailash for a peaceful break from the city pace. It’s one of the nicer low-effort evening stops in Delhi: clean, calm, and good for a short reset rather than a long sightseeing marathon. Visit around the evening aarti window if you want the full atmosphere, but keep in mind it can get crowded on weekends and during festival times; conservative dress and quiet behavior are appreciated, and there’s no real entry fee, though small donations are common. After that, finish the day with dinner at Ghar की Thali (Connaught Place area) in Connaught Place—a reliable North Indian meal on your way back toward central Delhi, usually ₹500–₹900 per person. If you’re heading onward toward your hotel, airport, or another central stay, this route keeps things simple; from East of Kailash, a cab to Connaught Place is the easiest option in the evening, and if you’re staying near a metro corridor, you can also connect back by rail to avoid traffic.
Leave Anand Vihar early so you can get into Kashmere Gate before the Old Delhi rush really builds — if you’re starting from the metro side, aim to be rolling by 8:00–8:30 am. The metro is the smartest move here: it’s cheap, predictable, and saves you from road traffic, which can get messy fast once the city is fully awake. Keep your bag light, carry water, and expect a short buffer for walking between the station and your site-visit point.
Once the work stop is done, head straight into the heritage zone and keep the morning focused on the big nearby landmarks: Red Fort first, then Jama Masjid. Red Fort usually takes about 1.5 hours if you’re doing the main circuit and photo stops; entry is typically around ₹35 for Indians and more for foreign visitors, and it’s best visited before the noon heat gets intense. From there, a short auto or cycle-rickshaw ride brings you into Jama Masjid, where the lanes open up into classic Old Delhi chaos — minarets, कबाब smells, rickshaws, and a lot of character in a very small area. Dress modestly for the mosque, remove shoes before entering, and keep a little cash handy for the shoe stand and any small donations.
For lunch, go to Karim’s near Jama Masjid — it’s one of those places that tourists hear about, but locals still take seriously for a reason. Order simple and famous: mutton seekh, mutton korma, or a kebab-and-roti combo, and don’t overcomplicate it. Expect roughly ₹400–₹800 per person depending on how much you order, and if you’re going around peak lunch time, be ready for a wait of 15–30 minutes. The walk from Jama Masjid is short, but the lane is busy, so it’s easier to move slowly and enjoy the Old Delhi atmosphere rather than rush.
After lunch, drift into Khari Baoli and give yourself about 45 minutes to wander. This is the spice market Delhi is famous for — sacks of chilies, cardamom, dried fruit, tea, and wholesale traders calling out prices. It’s not polished, and that’s exactly the appeal. Wear comfortable shoes, keep your phone secure, and try to go a little later in the afternoon when the light is good for photos but the wholesale rush has softened a bit. From there, end with Paranthe Wali Gali for an evening snack; it’s close enough to make sense as a final stop, and it’s the kind of place where one stuffed paratha can easily turn into two if you’re still hungry. Go for aloo, paneer, or mixed filling, and keep it simple with lassi or chai — that’s the proper way to close an Old Delhi day.
If you’re planning to head back toward your hotel after this, the easiest exit is to return by metro from Chandni Chowk or Chawri Bazar rather than trying to fight road traffic in the evening. If you still have energy, a short pause near Town Hall or the outer lanes of Chandni Chowk gives you one last look at the old quarter before calling it a day.
Start with Janpath Market while the lanes are still manageable and the shopkeepers are fresh — this is the best time to browse scarves, juttis, small handicrafts, books, and souvenir-type buys without getting boxed in by the lunchtime crowd. Give yourself about 1.5 hours here, and don’t rush the first round; Janpath is one of those places where the real value comes from walking the full stretch near Outer Circle and comparing a few stalls before you negotiate. Prices are usually flexible, but if you want a better deal, keep your tone friendly and be ready to walk away once or twice.
A short walk takes you into Palika Bazaar, which is a completely different shopping mood — more crowded, more underground, and much more about bargaining. It’s a good place for budget clothes, accessories, watches, and random finds, though quality can vary a lot, so check zippers, stitching, and sizing before paying. Most shops here open by late morning and run well into the evening, and you’ll usually spend ₹300–₹1,500 depending on what you’re hunting for. If you’re carrying purchases, keep them close; the market is busy and a little chaotic in the classic Delhi way.
Take a break at The Indian Coffee House for a proper Delhi pause. It’s old-school, no-frills, and honestly one of the nicest places in Connaught Place to sit down, cool off, and reset before the second half of the day. Order the masala dosa, cutlets, or a simple coffee-and-snack combo, and expect around ₹250–₹500 per person. Service is unhurried, so treat it as part of the experience rather than a quick meal.
After lunch, move on to Shankar Market, which feels calmer and more practical than the more hectic shopping lanes. This is the spot for fabrics, tailoring, ethnic material, and decent everyday shopping if you want something useful rather than flashy. It’s especially good if you like checking material in person before buying, and you’ll usually get a better experience here if you go with one or two clear things in mind. Spend about an hour, then leave enough breathing room before heading south so the evening doesn’t feel rushed.
Head to DLF Emporio in Vasant Kunj for a more polished, air-conditioned end to the day — it’s Delhi’s luxury-shopping lane, so even if you’re not buying high-end brands, it’s still a nice contrast after the markets. Window-shopping here is actually enjoyable, and the mall is well set up for a slower stroll, coffee, and a clean break from the dust and crowding of central Delhi. If you want a lighter browse before dinner, this is the place to do it; most of the premium stores and cafés operate from late morning to around 9:30–10:00 pm.
Wrap the day with dinner at Punjab Grill nearby, which is a solid choice if you want a polished North Indian meal without having to overthink it. Expect roughly ₹1,500–₹2,500 per person depending on what you order, and it’s best to reserve a bit of appetite for kebabs, curries, and rich breads. If you’re heading back later, leave the area with enough time to avoid the worst of evening traffic; Vasant Kunj can get slow at peak hour, so an early dinner or a slightly late dinner both work better than trying to squeeze things in right at the rush.
Start early and do the Rashtrapati Bhavan drive-by first, while the roads around Raisina Hill are still relatively calm and the light is good for photos. You won’t go inside, but the outer view from Rajpath/कर्तव्य पथ side gives you that classic New Delhi scale without the crowds; budget about 30–45 minutes here. From there, continue to India Gate, which is best before the heat really builds and before the mid-morning traffic thickens. Expect a relaxed 1 hour for a stroll, a few photos, and maybe a quick tea from one of the nearby vendors if you feel like pausing.
Next, head to the National Gallery of Modern Art for a quieter indoor break. It’s a solid choice if you want a cooler, slower-paced contrast to the open monuments, and you can comfortably spend 1.5 hours here browsing the permanent collection and whichever temporary exhibition is on. The museum usually opens around 10:00 am, and tickets are typically in the low hundreds of rupees, so it’s an easy, practical stop before lunch. From India Gate, it’s a short auto or cab ride, and the whole stretch stays conveniently central, so you won’t lose much time in transit.
After lunch, head to Lodhi Garden for your most relaxed part of the day. This is the place to slow down: shaded paths, old tombs, locals walking dogs, students sitting under trees, and a pleasantly unhurried mood. Give yourself around 1.5 hours here, and don’t rush it—the garden is nicest when you just wander. Once you’re ready for a snack, stop at Sona Sweets & Snacks near Lodhi Road for tea, chaat, and something light before your trip back; ₹200–₹500 per person is a realistic budget, and it’s a good no-fuss stop if you want to avoid a heavy meal before departure.
For your return, leave New Delhi by 6:00–7:30 PM depending on whether you’re catching a flight or train, because central Delhi traffic can slow down quickly after office hours. If you’re using the metro, the Yellow Line from Rajiv Chowk to New Delhi Metro Station is the fastest, simplest option; if you’ve got luggage or a very tight schedule, an Uber/Ola is more convenient. If your departure is later and you have a little buffer, you can linger briefly around Connaught Place for one last coffee before heading out, but keep the timing conservative so you’re not squeezing the airport/station transfer at the end.