Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Travel from Mumbai to Delhi by direct flight, allowing roughly 6–8 hours door to door for getting to the airport, check-in, the flight, baggage and your ride to a 3-star hotel. Choose a flight that lands with enough time to check in and reach central Delhi before your evening walk. From Indira Gandhi International Airport, a pre-booked taxi or app cab is simplest with luggage; the drive to Connaught Place can take 30–60 minutes, longer in heavy traffic. The Airport Express Metro is quicker into central Delhi if your hotel is convenient to a station, but factor in the walk and any onward ride.
After checking in, take an unhurried orientation walk around Connaught Place’s white colonnades and inner circle—about an hour is plenty after a travel day. Then walk to Jantar Mantar nearby for its monumental astronomical instruments; allow around an hour and check the current visiting hours and entry fee before setting out, as timings and charges can change. If you’re running late, don’t assume you’ll be admitted near closing.
Continue to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a calm and welcoming stop near the centre. Cover your head, remove your shoes, and follow the signs for visitors; a light scarf is handy, and there’s usually a place to leave footwear. Finish at Saravana Bhavan in Connaught Place for South Indian staples such as dosa or idli; budget about ₹300–600 per person. It can be busy at dinner, so expect a short wait, then take a cab or Metro back to your hotel.
Start at India Gate while the lawns are cooler and the ceremonial avenue is quieter; allow about an hour for a stroll and photos. The memorial grounds are generally accessible without an entry ticket, though traffic controls or security arrangements can affect access. From there, take a short cab or auto ride to the National Museum, New Delhi on Janpath—allow 15–25 minutes in traffic—and spend around two hours with its collections of Indian art and archaeology. Check the museum’s current hours before setting out: it is typically open Tuesday to Sunday and closed Monday, with ticket prices and galleries subject to change.
Walk or take a quick auto to The Imperial Spice on Janpath for an unhurried Indian lunch. Budget roughly ₹800–1,500 per person and allow about 1½ hours; a reservation is sensible at busy times. The area is easy to navigate on foot, but midday traffic can make even short car rides slow.
Head to Rashtrapati Bhavan on Raisina Hill for about 45 minutes at the public viewpoint; you can admire the presidential estate from outside, while visits to interior areas require advance booking and depend on availability. Then take a cab or auto to Agrasen ki Baoli on Hailey Road—usually around 10–20 minutes, depending on traffic—and spend about 45 minutes exploring the striking old stepwell. It is generally open during daylight hours and free to enter; check locally for any temporary access restrictions. **
Start at Red Fort, allowing 2–3 hours for the palace halls, museums and broad ramparts. It is generally open Tuesday–Sunday, roughly 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., and closed Mondays; check current access before setting out. Budget around ₹35 for Indian visitors and more for international visitors, with ticketing and rates subject to change. The Lal Qila Metro station is close by; from a hotel elsewhere in Delhi, allow about 30–60 minutes by cab depending on traffic. Continue to Jama Masjid by e-rickshaw or auto, usually a 10–20-minute ride through busy Old Delhi lanes. Allow about an hour, but check visitor rules and prayer-time restrictions on the day. Dress modestly, expect to remove your shoes, and carry a little cash in case there is a shoe-storage or photography charge.
Walk to Karim’s near the mosque for a classic Mughlai lunch; set aside 1–1.5 hours and roughly ₹400–800 per person. It’s popular, so a short wait is possible at peak lunch time. Then spend about 1.5 hours wandering Chandni Chowk: the lanes are crowded and best explored on foot or by e-rickshaw, with time for a snack from a busy, established stall. Keep valuables secure, drink bottled or filtered water, and avoid trying to cover every side lane.
Finish at Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib, about 45 minutes from Chandni Chowk. Visitors are welcome, but cover your head, remove your shoes and follow the signs and congregational etiquette; a scarf is useful, though head coverings are commonly available. If you visit the community kitchen, accept only what you can eat and leave the area tidy. Allow extra time for Old Delhi traffic on the way back to your hotel.
Start at Lotus Temple in Bahapur, allowing about 1–1½ hours for the white marble petals and a quiet visit to the prayer hall. Entry is free, but visitors are asked to keep silence inside. It is generally open Tuesday–Sunday and closed Monday, so check before setting out; hours vary by season. From there, take a cab or auto to Qutub Minar in Mehrauli—allow roughly 25–40 minutes depending on traffic. The minaret and surrounding monuments take about 1½–2 hours to explore. The complex is generally open from sunrise to sunset; budget around ₹40 for Indian visitors and more for international visitors, and confirm current ticket prices and entry arrangements.
Walk or take a short cab ride to Olive Bar & Kitchen for a leisurely courtyard lunch; set aside about 1½ hours and roughly ₹1,200–2,000 per person. After lunch, head to Mehrauli Archaeological Park, where scattered tombs and other historic structures make for a rewarding, less formal wander. Entry is generally free; allow 1½–2 hours, and go while there is plenty of daylight, as paths can be uneven.
Finish at Sanjay Van in Vasant Kunj, around 20–35 minutes away by cab depending on traffic. Take an easy one-hour walk among the trees, keeping to familiar paths and turning back before dusk—the forest is large, and facilities are limited. It’s generally free to enter; bring water, and use a cab for the return rather than relying on finding a ride at the quieter entrances.
Start with an easy walk through Lodhi Garden; it’s usually open from sunrise to sunset, with free entry. Give yourself 1–1½ hours to wander past the tombs and shaded paths. From there, Safdarjung Tomb is a short auto-rickshaw ride or roughly 15–20 minutes on foot. Allow about an hour; it generally opens during daylight, but check current hours and ticket prices before you go, as they can change.
Continue to Khan Market, about 10–15 minutes by auto or taxi depending on traffic. Browse at an unhurried pace, then have an early lunch at one of the market’s cafés or restaurants; budget roughly ₹500–1,200 per person. Keep an eye on the clock and leave a generous buffer: the drive from here to Delhi airport can take 1–2 hours, and congestion can push it longer. Check your airline’s recommended check-in time and terminal, and trim your time in the market if needed rather than risking a rushed airport arrival.
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