Start around 11:00 AM at Jantar Mantar, an open-air 18th-century observatory just off Connaught Place. Allow about an hour to see the enormous masonry instruments and read the explanations; midday heat can be intense in August, so carry water and use the shaded edges where possible. Entry is usually inexpensive—roughly ₹25–50 for Indian visitors and around ₹300 for foreign visitors—and timings are generally around sunrise to sunset, though monsoon conditions can affect access. From here, it is a short 10–15-minute walk or quick auto-rickshaw ride to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib; dress modestly, cover your head, remove shoes, and wash your feet before entering. Spend an hour quietly viewing the gilded sanctuary and sarovar, then visit the community kitchen, where the scale of the volunteer-run meal service is remarkable. There is no charge, though donations are welcome.
Walk or take an e-rickshaw back toward Saravana Bhavan in Connaught Place for lunch, allowing about an hour. Order a masala dosa, idli-vada, or a South Indian thali with filter coffee; budget approximately ₹400–800 per person. After lunch, take a prepaid auto-rickshaw or app cab to India Gate—roughly 15–25 minutes depending on traffic—and enjoy an unhurried walk around the lawns and memorial avenues. The monument is best treated as an outdoor stop, with no ticket for the surrounding area; late afternoon is more comfortable than the middle of the day, but bring an umbrella for sudden rain. Avoid buying food or souvenirs directly beside the busiest gates, where prices are inflated.
Continue by cab to Humayun’s Tomb in Nizamuddin East, usually 20–30 minutes from India Gate. Give the complex about 90 minutes: the symmetrical Mughal gardens and red-sandstone tomb are particularly atmospheric after a shower, and the site is much calmer toward closing time. It generally opens from sunrise to sunset, with entry commonly around ₹35 for Indian visitors and ₹550 for foreign visitors, subject to current Archaeological Survey of India rates. Finish at Khan Market, a 10–15-minute cab ride away, for an easy early-evening wander through boutiques, bookstores, and small food shops; settle into Blue Door Café for coffee or Big Chill for dessert if you want something more substantial. Khan Market is usually liveliest until about 8:30–9:00 PM, so arrive before the evening rush and keep a little flexibility for rain.