Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Start at Qutub Minar while it’s cooler; allow about 1½ hours for the minaret and the surrounding ruins, where a five-year-old can explore at an easy pace. The complex is generally open from sunrise to sunset. Indian adult entry is about ₹40 (often a little more at the counter), and children under 15 are free; foreign-visitor rates are higher. From Mehrauli, it’s a short drive to the Garden of Five Senses in Saidul Ajaib. Give the child time to wander its landscaped paths and sensory features; allow about an hour. It’s generally open during the day, but check current hours before setting out, especially if your visit falls on a Monday.
Have a relaxed lunch at Olive Bar & Kitchen, a leafy spot in Mehrauli; budget roughly ₹1,500–2,500 per adult, and book ahead if you can. The garden and restaurant are close enough to keep transfers short, though Delhi traffic can add time. Later, head to Sanjay Van in Vasant Kunj for a gentle 45-minute nature walk if your child still has energy. Entry is free; stick to the main paths, carry water, and aim to leave before dusk, as the woodland trails are quiet and facilities are limited. Don’t worry about covering much ground—a short wander is plenty after a full morning.
Start at National Zoological Park when it opens—usually 9am, with seasonal closing times; it is generally closed on Fridays, so check the schedule before building the day around it. Give your five-year-old two to three hours for the shaded paths, and bring water and a stroller if they tire easily. Indian adult admission is roughly ₹80 and child admission about ₹40, though rates can change; the battery-operated vehicle costs extra. From the zoo, it’s a short auto-rickshaw or cab ride to Purana Qila.
Wander Purana Qila at an unhurried pace; allow around an hour to 90 minutes for the ramparts, gateways and open grounds. Entry is generally around ₹30 for Indian visitors, with separate rates for international visitors. Then take a cab to the National Science Centre, nearby in Pragati Maidan. Its hands-on exhibits are a welcome indoor change after the fort; plan for 1½–2 hours and check current hours and ticket prices before you go, as schedules can vary.
Finish with a relaxed meal at Cafe Lota, beside the Crafts Museum—a convenient end to the day without another long cross-city transfer. It serves regional Indian dishes; budget roughly ₹800–₹1,500 per adult. Check the restaurant’s current hours before setting out, and leave a little flexibility: if the zoo is closed on your chosen day, you’ll need to rearrange the order or choose another day for this lineup.
With the train from New Delhi and the station-to-hotel or station-to-monument transfer, plan on reaching the Taj Mahal well after sunrise. The earliest suitable train still won’t allow a sunrise visit, so expect a warmer, busier monument and keep water and sun protection handy for your five-year-old. Allow 2½–3 hours, including security queues; the Taj is generally open from sunrise to sunset but closed on Fridays. Check the current ticket, child-entry and security rules before setting out, and leave extra time if you need to buy tickets on arrival.
Take an auto-rickshaw or cab to Pinch of Spice on Fatehabad Road for a relaxed lunch; allow 1–1½ hours, with a rough budget of ₹700–₹1,200 per adult. Then continue by cab to Agra Fort in Rakabganj. Its courtyards and palaces are easier to enjoy at a child’s pace if you focus on a few areas rather than trying to cover the whole complex; allow 1½–2 hours. Check the day’s closing time and leave enough margin for the visit.
Finish at Mehtab Bagh, across the Yamuna, for a quieter garden stroll and a view back toward the Taj. Allow about an hour, and check the garden’s current closing time before you go. This is a full day after the train journey: if arrival is delayed, the four planned stops may not fit comfortably, so keep transfers direct and be prepared to shorten your time at each rather than rushing your child through the visits.
Amber Fort is best explored before the heat builds: allow 2–2½ hours for its courtyards and ramparts, and check the current entry arrangements before you go. A driver or taxi from central Jaipur takes roughly 30–45 minutes; agree on a pickup point, as the approach roads can be busy. One important timing snag: driving from Agra on this day means you’re unlikely to reach Jaipur until late morning, so a comfortable morning visit isn’t realistic. To keep this order and enjoy the fort without rushing, arrive in Jaipur the previous evening. Don’t count on elephant rides.
From the fort, continue to the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing in Amer for about an hour among its block-printing displays; demonstrations depend on the day, so check its opening days and hours before setting out. Then have lunch at 1135 AD, inside the fort complex. Allow 1–1½ hours; it’s a special-occasion meal, at roughly ₹1,200–₹2,000 per adult, with prices varying by order.
Head back toward the city for Jal Mahal, set in Man Sagar Lake. The lakeside viewpoint is a lovely brief stop for photos and a stroll—allow 30–45 minutes; visitors generally admire the palace from the shore rather than going inside. If you must travel from Agra on the same day, expect to shift the fort, museum and lunch later, and confirm the museum is open before committing; the previous-night arrival is the practical choice for doing all four stops in order.
Start at City Palace around opening time, usually 9:30am, and spend 1½–2 hours choosing a few courtyards and museum rooms rather than trying to see everything. Entry prices vary by ticket type and visitor category, so check the current rate before you go; the complex has steps and uneven floors, so keep the pace easy for little legs. Jantar Mantar is a short walk away. Give it about an hour: pick a few of the huge instruments to look at together, rather than turning the visit into a long explanation. Check its current opening hours and entry fee before setting out.
Walk or take a short auto-rickshaw ride to Laxmi Misthan Bhandar in Johari Bazaar for Rajasthani dishes and a sweet treat. Allow about an hour; budget roughly ₹300–700 per adult. The lanes can be busy, so agree on a clear drop-off and pickup point with your driver, and keep your child close around traffic.
From Johari Bazaar, head to Hawa Mahal at Badi Choupad by auto or taxi. Spend 30–45 minutes admiring the pink façade from the street and a nearby viewpoint; a rooftop café opposite can be a handy place to sit, though a drink or snack is an extra stop rather than a must. Finish at Albert Hall Museum in Ram Niwas Garden, usually open into the late afternoon; confirm the day’s hours and ticket prices before you go. Keep the museum visit to about an hour, then let your child unwind with a short garden stroll. A short taxi or auto ride from Hawa Mahal is easier than walking in the afternoon heat.
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