Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Start early at Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore; allow about an hour to admire the gopuram and lively temple surroundings. It’s generally open in morning worship hours, but timings can vary, so check locally before setting out. Entry is usually free; dress modestly and expect footwear to be left outside. Walk or take a short auto ride to San Thome Basilica for its soaring interior and quiet contrast—allow about 45 minutes; entry is free, with services potentially limiting visitor access. Continue on foot to Mylapore Tank and streets for an easy 45-minute wander past flower stalls and traditional shops. A small breakfast or coffee stop nearby will make this family-friendly stretch more comfortable.
Take a cab south to DakshinaChitra in Muttukadu; allow roughly an hour each way from central Chennai, longer in traffic, and around two hours to explore the homes, crafts, and cultural exhibits. It is generally open Tuesday–Sunday, but check current hours and admission prices before you go; allow a little extra time if you want to join a demonstration. Carry water and wear comfortable shoes—the grounds are spacious. Since this is a substantial out-and-back drive, keep the visit focused rather than trying to squeeze in every exhibit.
Head back north to Marina Beach in Triplicane for an hour by the shore and, if timing and weather cooperate, sunset. The beach is free; use a cab rather than trying to park close, and keep a close eye on children near the water. Finish at Murugan Idli Shop in T. Nagar for idli, dosa, and other South Indian comfort food—budget about ₹250–500 per person. Allow extra time for the cross-city ride, especially during evening traffic.
An early flight is essential for this full sightseeing day; allow roughly 5–6 hours door to door from Chennai to your hotel in Delhi once you include airport transfers, check-in, the flight, baggage and the onward ride. If you land too late to visit Humayun’s Tomb in the morning, don’t try to squeeze in every stop—travel the previous evening or drop an activity. From your hotel, use a taxi or app cab to reach the tomb in Nizamuddin. Plan about 1½ hours among its gardens and red-sandstone buildings; it generally opens from sunrise to sunset, with entry around ₹35 for Indian adults, but confirm current rates.
Take a cab to India Gate on Kartavya Path for a 45-minute stroll; the lawns are a pleasant breather, though midday can be hot and exposed. Continue by taxi to the National Museum on Janpath. Allow about two hours for its extensive collections, and check the current opening schedule and ticket details before you go, as these can change. For a family, it’s worth picking a few galleries rather than trying to cover the whole museum.
Head to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib for a peaceful visit and, if you wish, a look at the community kitchen. Entry is free; cover your head, remove your shoes and follow the posted visitor guidance. Then walk or take a short cab ride to Connaught Place for an easy 45-minute wander beneath the colonnades. Finish at Saravana Bhavan for vegetarian South Indian food—budget around ₹300–600 per person. This is a busy area, so allow extra time for traffic and finding a table.
For this itinerary to fit, aim for an early flight and allow roughly 5–6 hours door to door from your Delhi hotel to central Dehradun once airport transfers, check-in, baggage and the ride from Jolly Grant Airport are included. Have your hotel arrange a car for the day; the sights are spread out, and a family of three will find that easier than piecing together local rides. If you arrive late or lose time to delays, don’t rush the cave or campus visits—there may not be enough daylight for all four stops.
Start at Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple in Garhi Cantt, a riverside cave shrine; allow about an hour, and wear shoes you can manage on damp steps. Then drive to Robber’s Cave in Anarwala (about 30–45 minutes, traffic permitting). Allow 1–1.5 hours to walk into the cool stream gorge; check local conditions before entering, and bring footwear that can get wet. Entry is generally a modest fee, but confirm current charges at the gate.
Continue to the Forest Research Institute in Kaulagarh (roughly 30–45 minutes from Anarwala). Give the grand campus and lawns about an hour; museum access and opening arrangements can vary, so check before you go, and don’t count on entering if you arrive near closing. Finish at Kumar Sweets in Paltan Bazaar for sweets or a snack—budget around ₹150–350 per person. The bazaar can be busy, so ask your driver for a convenient drop-off and pickup rather than trying to park right outside.
Allow 1.5–2.5 hours for the drive from Dehradun to Mussoorie, and leave in the morning so the hills aren’t swallowed by the day’s traffic. Ask your hotel to arrange a car and confirm parking and drop-off access: The Mall Road has traffic restrictions and vehicle access can be limited. After checking in or leaving your bags, head to Gun Hill for the ropeway or the uphill walk and wide valley views; give it about 1–1.5 hours. Ropeway operation and queues vary with weather and visitor numbers, so keep a little slack.
From Gun Hill, stroll along The Mall Road to Cambridge Book Depot for a browse and an easy promenade nearby—about 45 minutes at an unhurried pace. Then settle in for lunch at Kalsang Friends Corner, known for Tibetan and Asian dishes; budget roughly ₹400–800 per person. It can get busy at peak lunch time, so a short wait is possible.
Take a taxi from the Mall area to Landour for Lal Tibba Scenic Point; allow around an hour for the viewpoint and a relaxed look around. Views depend on the weather, and the road is narrow in places, so let your driver handle the approach. Continue to Char Dukan for tea and a snack, about 45 minutes, then return to your stay. The Landour lanes are pleasant to explore on foot, but take it slowly with family—the slopes and uneven stretches are part of the charm.
Leave at first light in a pre-booked car; the drive to Chopta via Rishikesh, Devprayag, Srinagar Garhwal and Ukhimath can take 8–10 hours with breaks, and mountain-road conditions can add time. Confirm the route, weather, your Chopta lodging and whether dinner will be available before leaving. Keep water, snacks and warm layers handy, and don’t plan on driving the final stretch late at night.
If the schedule and road conditions cooperate, pause for 30–45 minutes at Devprayag Sangam, where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi meet. Allow time to reach the viewpoint safely and take care on steps, which can be slippery. Later, use Ukhimath for a leg-stretch and, if it is open during your stop, a roughly 45-minute visit to Omkareshwar Temple; visiting access and hours can vary, so don’t let the stop push your arrival into the dark.
After checking in, keep the outing gentle: take a short, easy walk across the nearby Chopta meadows for about 45 minutes, staying close to your accommodation rather than attempting a trek after a long drive. For dinner, choose a simple local dhaba near your lodging; expect roughly ₹200–400 per person, but options can be limited and opening times are seasonal, so ask your host what’s serving before you head out.
Set off at first light in your pre-booked car toward Auli, via Gopeshwar and Joshimath. Allow around 7–9 hours including breaks, and keep the schedule flexible: mountain-road conditions can slow you down. Check conditions before leaving, stop for meals and restroom breaks along the way, and confirm whether your vehicle can reach your lodging in Auli—some stays may need a local transfer for the final stretch.
After checking in, head to the Auli artificial lake for a relaxed look around; allow 30–45 minutes, and go only if you arrive with daylight to spare. Then take a short wander near the accessible Auli ski slopes for the mountain views. Ski facilities and snow are seasonal, so treat this as a viewpoint stop rather than counting on skiing.
Consider the Auli ropeway toward Joshimath only if you arrive early enough and confirm locally that it is operating; service depends on weather and operations, and tickets aren’t guaranteed. Given the long drive, it’s perfectly reasonable to skip it and settle in instead. Have an early, simple dinner at a restaurant near your stay—choices are limited in Auli, so ask your host what’s open; budget roughly ₹300–600 per person.
Set out at first light in a pre-booked car, but treat Auli–Lansdowne as a transfer day, not a sightseeing day: the mountain drive via Joshimath, Srinagar Garhwal and Kotdwar can take 10–12 hours or longer with breaks. Ask your driver to check road and weather conditions before departure, and keep the plan flexible. For a family, an overnight stop en route is the safer, more realistic option; reaching Lansdowne in time for its sights and dinner is not something to count on.
Use Srinagar for a proper lunch and rest, allowing 45–60 minutes at a reputable restaurant near the main road. Build in extra time for traffic and road conditions, and keep water and snacks handy for the stretches between towns.
If you reach Lansdowne with daylight and energy to spare, check in, then take about 30 minutes to browse the Lansdowne market for essentials. Visit St. Mary’s Church only if it is still open—confirm local hours, as closing time and access can vary. Otherwise, leave it for the next morning rather than rushing. For dinner, Mayur Restaurant is a relaxed family choice; budget roughly ₹300–600 per person. If the drive runs late, go straight to your accommodation and eat nearby.
Start at Tip-n-Top while the air is clear; allow about 45 minutes for the Himalayan views, though clouds can roll in at any time. Then head to Bhulla Tal for an easy lakeside walk of around an hour. Boating may be available, but it varies with conditions and operating hours, so check locally rather than building your plans around it.
Visit Darwan Singh Museum for its military history and local displays; set aside about an hour and verify its current opening arrangements before you go. These stops are close enough to link by a short drive, but allow a little extra time for the hill roads and parking.
Have an early lunch in Lansdowne, then leave with your pre-booked driver. The drive via Kotdwar and Meerut typically takes 6–8 hours, including breaks, and Delhi traffic can stretch the arrival; agree on your drop-off point in advance. Budget roughly ₹7,000–₹12,000 per vehicle.
If you arrive with energy and Dilli Haat INA is still open, browse the craft stalls and regional displays, then eat at the food stalls—budget around ₹300–700 per person. Opening hours and entry arrangements can change, so check before setting out; after a long drive, it’s perfectly reasonable to make this a relaxed dinner stop rather than a full browse.
Keep today’s sightseeing flexible around your Delhi–Chennai flight: the roughly 2½–3 hours in the air are only part of the trip, so allow about 5–6 hours door to door for reaching Chennai. Choose your onward flight only after checking the day’s schedules, and arrange luggage storage at your hotel or with a staffed facility near Egmore; sightseeing with bags is no fun.
If you arrive early enough, visit the Government Museum Chennai in Egmore for about 1½–2 hours. Check current opening days and hours before setting out; galleries may close on particular days or have differing schedules, and allow time for entry procedures. Then take a cab to Express Avenue in Royapettah for a relaxed 1–2-hour break, a snack, and a chance for everyone to cool off. If the flight lands late or the museum is closed, don’t try to squeeze in both stops.
When time and traffic allow, take a cab to Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar for an easy hour-long seaside stroll; it’s most enjoyable around sunset, though the beach can be busy. Finish at Sangeetha Veg Restaurant in Besant Nagar for a family-friendly vegetarian meal, budgeting roughly ₹250–500 per person. Stay nearby if you’re spending the night in Chennai; if you’re heading onward today, leave a generous buffer for the airport transfer and check-in rather than counting on the beach stop.
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