Delhi IPHEX 2026 Pharma Networking and Market Research Trip
Travel from Mumbai and IPHEX opening-day networking
- Mumbai–New Delhi flight or Rajdhani Express — Mumbai to New Delhi; depart early morning, allowing roughly 2–3 hours by flight plus airport time, or overnight rail if already booked. From the airport, use the Airport Express to New Delhi and Metro/cab to the hotel; keep luggage storage or early check-in arranged.
- India Gate — Kartavya Path; late afternoon, ~45 minutes. A convenient, low-cost landmark visit after checking in.
- National War Memorial — near India Gate; late afternoon, ~45 minutes. A meaningful nearby attraction with minimal travel.
- Khan Market — Khan Market; early evening, ~1 hour. Browse premium pharmacies, wellness retailers, bookstores, and potential healthcare-business contacts.
- Sagar Ratna — Pandara Road area; dinner, ~1 hour, approximately ₹300–600 per person. Reliable vegetarian South Indian food near the central sights.
Morning — Mumbai to New Delhi
Take an early Mumbai–New Delhi flight if you want to use the afternoon for networking and sightseeing. Allow around 2–3 hours in the air, plus airport check-in and baggage time; leaving Mumbai around 6:00–7:00am should usually get you into Delhi around late morning. An overnight Rajdhani Express is another option only if already booked, but it is less convenient for a same-day business schedule. From Indira Gandhi International Airport, take the Airport Express to New Delhi, then continue by Metro or app cab to your hotel. Confirm early check-in or luggage storage in advance, and keep ₹500–1,000 available for a cab if you are tired or carrying exhibition materials.
Afternoon — Central Delhi landmarks
After checking in and a quick lunch, head to India Gate on Kartavya Path by Metro plus a short auto-rickshaw or app cab. Visit in the late afternoon, when the heat is easing; allow about 45 minutes and expect no meaningful entry cost, though parking and auto fares vary. Walk onward to the nearby National War Memorial, also allowing roughly 45 minutes. It is quieter and more reflective than India Gate, and the two sites are easy to combine without wasting time in traffic. Keep your IPHEX documents, business cards and phone secure in the busy public areas.
Evening — Retail and healthcare-market observation
Continue to Khan Market for about an hour. Besides browsing premium pharmacies and wellness retailers, observe product positioning, imported supplements, skincare, nutraceuticals and the way health products are displayed and priced. Most shops operate roughly from late morning until 8:00–9:00pm, but individual closures vary. Treat this as light market research rather than a formal meeting evening; note brands, pack sizes, claims and customer segments, and ask retailers politely which categories move fastest.
Dinner
Have dinner at Sagar Ratna in the Pandara Road area, a dependable vegetarian option near the central sights. Budget approximately ₹300–600 per person for dosas, thalis or North Indian dishes. From Khan Market, an auto-rickshaw or app cab is simplest, usually taking 10–20 minutes depending on traffic. Return to the hotel early, charge your phone and power bank, organise your visitor registration and prepare a one-page introduction for the next morning at Bharat Mandapam.
IPHEX exhibition and pharma business meetings
- Bharat Mandapam — Pragati Maidan; morning to late afternoon, ~7 hours. Dedicate the day to IPHEX meetings, beginning with priority manufacturers, PCD companies, contract manufacturers, distributors, and healthcare-service exhibitors.
- Pragati Maidan Metro Station — Pragati Maidan; use for efficient arrival and departure, with security and registration time built in. Carry digital and printed profiles, visiting cards, and a structured lead sheet.
- Dilli Haat INA — INA; early evening, ~1.5 hours. Combine dinner with a compact cultural market visit and observe small-business merchandising ideas.
- Haldiram’s, INA — INA; dinner, ~1 hour, approximately ₹250–500 per person. Convenient vegetarian North Indian and snack options after the exhibition.
Morning — IPHEX at Bharat Mandapam
Leave your hotel around 7:30–8:00am and take the Yellow Line to Central Secretariat, changing to the Violet Line for Supreme Court (Pragati Maidan). Allow 25–40 minutes, plus a short walk or auto ride to Bharat Mandapam. Reach by about 8:45am for registration and security; carry your QR pass, printed one-page profile, visiting cards, phone charger, and a spreadsheet or notebook for leads. Spend the first hours with your highest-priority exhibitors: Indian manufacturers, PCD/franchise companies, contract manufacturers, distributors, and healthcare-service businesses. Ask directly about minimum order quantities, product registration, territory availability, credit terms, export capability, and whether they support a marketing-led partner rather than requiring heavy inventory.
Afternoon — Focused meetings and lead qualification
Keep the day business-first until roughly 4:00pm. Rather than collecting brochures indiscriminately, shortlist around 15 serious prospects and mark each as manufacturer, PCD company, contract manufacturer, distributor, or service provider. Take a photo of the stall name and write one specific next action beside every lead—such as requesting a product list, arranging a Mumbai call, or asking for a sample quotation. Use the quieter mid-afternoon period to revisit the strongest stalls and exchange LinkedIn details with decision-makers. Keep lunch simple inside or near the venue, budgeting about ₹150–300 per person, and carry water because the halls can become tiring.
Evening — Dilli Haat INA and dinner at Haldiram’s, INA
After leaving Bharat Mandapam, take the Violet Line from Supreme Court toward INA; allow around 20–30 minutes, depending on the connection and walking time. Spend about 1–1.5 hours at Dilli Haat INA, generally open until around 10:00pm. It is a useful, compact stop after a long exhibition day: browse handicrafts, packaging ideas, small food businesses, and stall layouts while observing how small operators present products and build customer trust. Avoid buying bulky items unless you can carry them easily. Finish at Haldiram’s, INA, where a practical vegetarian dinner—thali, dosa, chaat, or North Indian dishes—should cost approximately ₹250–500 per person. Before returning, spend ten minutes transferring your leads into a single tracker and send brief “good meeting you” messages to your top contacts while the conversations are still fresh.
Delhi pharma market and distributor research
- Bhagirath Palace — Chandni Chowk; morning, ~3 hours. Research wholesale pharma distributors, product categories, minimum orders, credit terms, and fast-moving OTC and generic segments.
- Dariba Kalan — Old Delhi; late morning, ~45 minutes. Walk through the historic trading lane while assessing nearby commercial distribution patterns.
- Jama Masjid — Old Delhi; early afternoon, ~45 minutes. Visit Delhi’s major historic mosque after the market, subject to access and dress requirements.
- Karim’s, Jama Masjid — Old Delhi; lunch, ~1 hour, approximately ₹400–700 per person. A well-known local option near the market and mosque.
- Red Fort — Old Delhi; afternoon, ~1.5–2 hours. Finish the Old Delhi cluster with Delhi’s principal Mughal landmark.
- Kake Da Hotel — Connaught Place; evening dinner, ~1 hour, approximately ₹300–600 per person. End near a major Metro interchange and central business district.
Morning — Bhagirath Palace
Leave your hotel around 7:45–8:00 am for Bhagirath Palace. From Supreme Court, take the Violet Line to Mandi House, change to the Yellow Line, and get off at Chandni Chowk—roughly 30–45 minutes and ₹30–60. From the station, walk about 10–15 minutes toward the wholesale lanes, or take a cycle-rickshaw for approximately ₹30–60. The market is best approached early, before the lanes become crowded; allow about three hours for speaking with wholesalers and observing which OTC, generic, surgical, and consumer-health categories move fastest. Carry a simple one-page profile and ask specifically about minimum orders, margins, credit periods, registration requirements, and whether they work with new PCD or regional-distribution brands. September rain can leave the lanes slippery, so wear closed shoes and keep documents in a waterproof folder.
Late Morning and Lunch — Dariba Kalan and Jama Masjid
Walk 10–15 minutes through the dense commercial lanes to Dariba Kalan, allowing around 45 minutes to see how the historic jewellery and trading street connects with the wider wholesale ecosystem. Keep valuables secure and avoid blocking shop entrances while taking notes. Continue on foot toward Jama Masjid, arriving around 12:30–1:00 pm. Entry and photography rules can change, and non-worshippers may face a modest camera or visitor fee; dress conservatively, remove footwear where required, and check access before entering. For lunch, eat at Karim’s, Jama Masjid, budgeting approximately ₹400–700 per person. The mutton curries, kebabs, and breads are filling, but service can be busy—allow a full hour and confirm the bill before paying.
Afternoon — Red Fort
After lunch, walk or take a short cycle-rickshaw ride to the Red Fort, usually 10–15 minutes depending on the gate and crowd. Allow 1½–2 hours for the main courtyards, palaces, and museum areas. Check the Archaeological Survey of India’s current ticketing and opening information before setting out, as weekly closures, security restrictions, and monument timings can change. Keep your business notes and samples packed away during security screening; large bags may be inconvenient. This is the day’s best sightseeing stop, so use the shaded sections for a short rest before leaving.
Evening — Connaught Place and Dinner
From Red Fort, take the Yellow Line from Chandni Chowk toward Rajiv Chowk, or use an app cab if the heat, rain, or fatigue makes the station walk uncomfortable. The Metro journey is about 15–25 minutes, with the last walk depending on your exit. Spend a little time around Connaught Place reviewing your contacts and sending same-day follow-up messages while conversations are still fresh. Finish with dinner at Kake Da Hotel, budgeting roughly ₹300–600 per person; it is a practical, no-frills stop for North Indian food near the major Metro interchange. Return to the hotel by Metro or app cab, and photograph your notes tonight—tomorrow’s final meetings will be more productive if you already group contacts into manufacturers, distributors, PCD companies, and potential service clients.
Final business meetings and return to Mumbai
- PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry — August Kranti Marg; morning, ~1.5 hours. Seek introductions to healthcare, manufacturing, export, and small-business networks; confirm appointments in advance.
- South Extension Market — South Extension; late morning, ~1 hour. Review pharmacy, clinic, wellness, and retail-health positioning in an affluent catchment.
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences — Ansari Nagar; early afternoon, ~1 hour. Observe the surrounding healthcare ecosystem and nearby clinic, diagnostic, and medical-retail opportunities without disrupting patient services.
- Saravana Bhavan, Connaught Place — Connaught Place; early lunch, ~1 hour, approximately ₹300–600 per person. Practical vegetarian meal before airport transfer.
- New Delhi–Mumbai flight — New Delhi Airport; depart approximately 4–5 hours before the preferred Mumbai arrival, allowing hotel checkout, airport transfer, security, and baggage. Use Airport Express where practical; confirm the September 2026 flight schedule and fare before booking.
Morning — final meetings in South Delhi
Check out early and leave your hotel by around 7:30–8:00 am, keeping your luggage securely stored at the hotel if your flight is later in the day. Take an app cab toward PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry on August Kranti Marg; from central Delhi, allow roughly 35–60 minutes depending on traffic, and confirm your appointment before setting out. Spend about 90 minutes seeking introductions to healthcare manufacturers, exporters, contract manufacturers, distributors, and small-business members. Carry a one-page profile, visiting cards, and a short description of the ₹1–5 lakh business models you are evaluating. Ask specifically for introductions rather than general information.
A 10-minute drive brings you to South Extension Market, where an hour is enough for practical market research. Walk through the pharmacy, clinic, wellness, and premium-health retail clusters, noting brands, pack sizes, pricing, staff recommendations, and gaps in local availability. Avoid treating this as ordinary shopping: ask a few retailers which products have repeat demand, which categories face supply problems, and whether they purchase directly from companies or through distributors. From here, continue by cab or auto to All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Ansari Nagar, allowing 10–20 minutes. Spend about an hour observing the surrounding clinics, diagnostic centres, pharmacies, patient-support services, and medical-retail patterns from public areas only; do not approach patients or obstruct hospital operations.
Lunch and airport transfer
For an early vegetarian lunch, take a cab to Saravana Bhavan in Connaught Place, allowing approximately 30–45 minutes from All India Institute of Medical Sciences in daytime traffic. Budget ₹300–600 per person for dosa, meals, or tiffin, and keep lunch to about an hour so the airport transfer is not rushed. Collect your luggage and leave for New Delhi Airport at least 3–4 hours before the flight’s scheduled departure; with hotel checkout, traffic, baggage drop, and security, a 4–5-hour buffer is safer for an evening flight. Use the Airport Express where your hotel and luggage make the connection convenient; otherwise, book a pre-paid app cab and confirm the terminal, baggage allowance, and flight status before leaving. Keep your networking notes and contact list in hand for review during the journey to Mumbai.
