Three-Day Delhi Itinerary

Morning

Start early at Jama Masjid, ideally arriving around 7:30–8:00am before Old Delhi’s lanes fill up. The mosque generally opens from early morning, with non-worshipper visiting hours varying around prayer times; dress modestly, remove your shoes, and check the current visitor rules at the entrance. The courtyard is especially beautiful in the soft morning light, and the surrounding lanes are far easier to navigate before 10am. Allow about an hour, and keep small cash handy for shoe storage or optional tower access.

From there, walk or take a cycle rickshaw into Chandni Chowk for roughly 1½ hours. Stay on the main market lanes for the first look, then let the rickshaw take you through the narrower historic streets rather than trying to cover everything on foot. Expect crowds, uneven paving, and occasional traffic even in pedestrian areas; keep valuables secure and agree on the fare before setting off. This is a good time for a small snack, but save your proper meal for Karim’s, a short walk back toward Jama Masjid. Order a couple of dishes to share—seekh kebabs, chicken Jahangiri, or mutton curry with naan are dependable choices. Lunch usually works out to about ₹500–₹900 per person, and arriving before the main midday rush makes service easier.

Afternoon and Evening

After lunch, walk or take a short cycle rickshaw ride to the Red Fort. Allow around two hours for the palace complex, including the gateways, audience halls, courtyards, and museum sections. It is typically open from Tuesday to Sunday, with ticket counters closing before the late-afternoon finish; confirm the September schedule and ticket prices shortly before your visit. Indian visitors generally pay a modest entrance fee, while foreign visitors pay more, and online tickets can reduce queueing. September can still be hot and humid, so carry water, wear comfortable shoes, and use the shaded sections as natural pauses.

Finish at Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Chandni Chowk, about 10–15 minutes from the fort by cycle rickshaw depending on traffic. Spend 45 minutes quietly observing the shrine and, if appropriate, visiting the community kitchen. Cover your head, remove your shoes, wash your feet at the entrance, and avoid photography where it is not permitted. The gurdwara is open around the clock, though the atmosphere is often calmer later in the afternoon; a respectful donation or help with the communal meal is welcome, but never required. From here, Chandni Chowk Metro Station is nearby if you are continuing elsewhere, while an app cab is more comfortable for returning during the evening rush.

Morning

After breakfast in Old Delhi, take the Yellow Line from Chandni Chowk or Chawri Bazar to New Delhi—allow 10–20 minutes on the train, plus time for the short app-cab or auto connection onward to India Gate. Aim to arrive around 8:30am, before the September heat builds. Spend about 45 minutes walking along Kartavya Path around India Gate; the broad lawns and central vista are quietest early, though the memorial itself is best viewed respectfully rather than treated as a picnic spot.

Continue by auto or app cab to the National Museum, New Delhi on Janpath, roughly 10–15 minutes depending on traffic. Allow two hours for its archaeological galleries, Chola bronzes, miniature paintings, and Buddhist collections. It is typically open Tuesday–Sunday during daytime hours and closed on Mondays, so confirm the September schedule and ticket availability before setting out; budget roughly ₹20–₹650 depending on admission category and any audio or special exhibition access. (Avoid adding another museum today—the National Museum is large enough to reward an unhurried visit.)

Lunch and Afternoon

For lunch, take an app cab to Indian Accent at The Lodhi on Lodhi Road, usually 15–25 minutes from Janpath. Reserve well ahead, especially for the tasting menus, and expect approximately ₹3,000–₹5,000 per person for a polished, inventive Indian meal; allow 1½ hours. From there, a 10–15-minute cab ride brings you to Humayun’s Tomb in Nizamuddin East. Visit in the softer afternoon light, allowing about 1½ hours for the tomb, charbagh gardens, and surrounding Mughal-era structures. Tickets are generally modest for Indian visitors and higher for international visitors; carry water, wear comfortable shoes, and keep shoulders and knees reasonably covered.

Late Afternoon

Finish with a relaxed walk through Sunder Nursery, just beside Humayun’s Tomb. Give yourself around 1½ hours to explore its landscaped gardens, restored monuments, and shaded paths—this is a good place to slow down after the more formal sightseeing. It usually stays open into the early evening, but check the seasonal closing time before visiting; late afternoon is the most comfortable period, and weekdays are noticeably calmer. Carry a little cash for refreshments, though cafés and vendors may accept digital payments.

Morning

Leave New Delhi around 7:00–7:30am by app cab for Qutub Minar; the ride usually takes 35–60 minutes, depending on traffic, and costs roughly ₹350–₹700. The Yellow Line to Qutub Minar metro station is the cheaper alternative, followed by a short auto-rickshaw or cab ride. Arrive soon after opening—typically around sunrise to 8:00am, though confirm the current timing before you go—and allow about 1½ hours for the minaret, carved gateways, and surrounding ruins. September mornings can still turn hot quickly, so carry water, sunscreen, and a hat.

From Qutub Minar, walk or take a short auto to Mehrauli Archaeological Park, where the atmosphere becomes much quieter. Give yourself about 1½ hours to explore its tombs, old walls, and the atmospheric Rajon Ki Baoli stepwell; wear comfortable shoes because paths can be uneven and shaded areas are limited. Afterwards, settle in for lunch at The Grammar Room, a pleasant café near the heritage area. Expect around ₹800–₹1,500 per person, and allow an hour for a relaxed meal rather than trying to rush through the afternoon.

Afternoon and Evening

After lunch, visit the Dargah of Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, one of Mehrauli’s most important Sufi pilgrimage sites. Allow roughly 45 minutes, dress modestly, remove your shoes where requested, and ask before taking photographs—especially around worshippers and the shrine itself. The surrounding lanes are lively and devotional, so this is best approached quietly rather than as a quick sightseeing stop.

In the late afternoon, take an app cab to Sanjay Van—usually 20–30 minutes from Mehrauli, traffic permitting—for a 1½-hour nature walk before dusk. Use a clearly marked or well-used trail, keep your phone charged, and avoid wandering into isolated sections after dark; the woodland is atmospheric but not a place to linger late. Aim to leave by sunset, around 6:15–6:30pm in September, and take a cab onward to your hotel or dinner.