Day 1:
Break Fast and Cultural Heritage Sightseeing
09:00 AM to 12:00 PM
For first taste of authentic Delhi cuisine head towards Sita Ram Diwan Chand Chole Bhature in Chuna Mandi. The place serves one of the best chole bhature in the city and the combination with lassi makes it even better. Reach early to avoid long ques.
Price range: Rs. 260 – 300 for two persons.
From there, the first and nearest sightseeing spot will be Jantar Mantar. Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory with a unique design.
Time duration: 30-45 minutes will be sufficient here.
Mode of Transport: Auto-rickshaw will be ideal conveyance. (Rs. 60 – 80)
Just 2 km away from Jantar Mantar, an offbeat attraction to visit can be Agrasen ki Baoli.
Agrasen ki Baoli is a century old marvel of the city. It consists of around 108 steps and is among a few of its kind in Delhi. The place is a shooting spot for Bollywood movies as well.
Time duration: Try not to spend more than 30 mins here.
Mode of Transport: Auto-rickshaw ride (Rs. 50 – 60)
Luncheon and Secretariat Tour
01:00 PM to 05:00 PM
Less than 2 km from Agrasen ki Baoli, Bengali market is one of the oldest and most popular markets in New Delhi for some exciting cuisines. It is a relatively small market and is a heaven for the foodies in the city.
Bengali Sweet House and Nathu’s Sweets are the main restaurants in the areas and are famous for their North Indian dishes (Veg and non-veg) along with the street food that they offer. We recommend Bengali Sweet House.
Price range: Rs. 350 – 450 for two.
Mode of Transport: Auto-rickshaw (Rs. 50 – 60)
After satisfying your taste buds, its time political tour of the city in the form of Rashtrapati Bhawan and Parliament House.
IMPORTANT: Rashtrapati Bhawan can be visited till 4 PM, so make sure you reach here by 3 PM.
The Parliament house can be viewed from outside only.
Trivia: To visit the gallery in the Parliament house, one needs a prior permission and a visitor’s pass which needs to be obtained after applying to Parliament Secretariat.
The Mughal Gardens are opened for public only from February – March every year.
Time duration: 60 min would be enough to see the grandeur of the place.
Mode of Transport: Metro; Mandi House (Blue Line) – interchange at Rajiv Chowk – Udyog Bhawan (Yellow Line) will help you get here within 15 mins. (Rs. 20 per person)
Next stop is Teen Murti Bhavan , which was the residence of the prime minister Pt . Jawaharlal Nehru. After his death, it has been converted into a memorial and is a splendid piece of architecture.
Time duration: 30 mins – 45 mins.
Mode of Transport: Auto-rickshaw (Rs. 60 – 70)
The final part of this political and historical tour ends with National Museum which is one of the largest museums in the country. Established in 1949, it consists of artefacts from pre-historic era to modern era of art, a must visit place.
Time duration: 30 mins – 45 mins.
Mode of Transport: Auto-rickshaw (Rs. 60 – 70)
IMPORTANT: These places are of high political importance hence security is pretty tough and visitors are obliged to adhere to the timings. If not able to pay a visit to all the above mentioned attractions, you can go for a combination of any two.
Evening outings and Night life
06:00 PM to 09:00 PM
After spending much time indoors, it’s time to unwind at India Gate, 1.5 km from National Museum. India Gate is the most common landmark of the city. The monument is a war memorial in honour of the 70,000 soldiers who died during World War-I.
Surrounding this are the lush green lawns and a small pond which makes it a popular picnic spot as well.
Time duration: Stay here till sunset and watch the India Gate illuminated in its full glory.
Mode of Transport: A 15-min walk or a 3-min Auto ride for Rs. 50 – 60.
Post sunset, return to the hotel to invigorate and get ready for nightlife of the city.
Mode of Transport: Metro; Supreme Court (formerly Pragati Maidan) (Blue Line) to R.K. Ashram (Blue Line) will be an ideal metro route. (Rs. 20 per head)
Hire an auto and reach Connaught Place (CP) – one of the main commercial areas of New Delhi. It has many options for shopping, foodies and for enjoying the nightlife of the city as well.
The place also consists of one of India’s first underground markets called Palika Bazar.
Explore CP on foot till you are content and finally call it a day.
Time duration: 60 mins – 90 mins
Mode of Transport: Auto/ Taxi. (Rs. 70 – 80)
Also read : Best area to book hotel in Delhi
Day 2:
After exploring the centre of the city the previous day, today’s itinerary begins from East Delhi.
Have breakfast at hotel and begin the day early.
Memorials and Tombs Visit
08:00 AM to 12:00 PM
The first spot of the day – Raj Ghat. Raj Ghat is the memorial of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi where his last rituals were performed. People from all over the world come to this place to pay their homage. Beside Raj Ghat, there is a Gandhi Memorial Museum as well which can be visited. The museum showcases the journey of Gandhi through a movie.
Time duration: Around 2 hours.
Mode of Transportation: Auto / Taxi will save time (Rs. 80 – 100).
Next destination after Raj Ghat is the architectural marvel of the Mughal era, Humayun’s Tomb. It is the tomb of the 2nd Mughal Emperor Humayun. The tomb was the first garden tomb of Indian subcontinent. It was declared as the UNESCO world heritage site in 1993 and is undoubtedly one of the most visited tourist destinations in Delhi.
Time duration: 60 mins.
Mode of Transportation: Metro ride will be very convenient. Delhi Gate (Violet Line) – JLN Stadium (Violet Line) (Rs. 30 per person) and then an auto ride (Rs. 50-60). Booking an auto or a cab from Raj Ghat to Humayun’s tomb can be cheaper, if travelling in group.
Luncheon and Old Delhi Sightseeing
01:00 PM to 05:00 PM
Now, venture towards the heart of the city, Old Delhi and Chandni Chowk areas.
For non-vegetarian food lovers, Karim’s restaurant near Jama Masjid is the place to go for lunch. It is regarded as one of the best and most famous restaurants for non veg food. Established in 1913, it has a historical value associated with it and is serving delicious non veg food over 100 years.
Price range: Rs. 750 – 900 for two.
For vegetarian crowd, we have our very own Kake di Hatti serving its famous Dal Makhani and larger than life parathas since pre- Independence days. Being in the centre of Chandni Chowk it is always crowded.
Price range: Rs. 450 – 500 for two.
Alternate option to enjoy authentic cuisines in a much relaxed environment, we recommend Moti Mahal, the pioneers of tandoori cuisines serving its customers since 1947. Very popular for it veg and non-veg delicacies.
Price range: Rs. 900 – 1000 for two.
Mode of Transport: Metro, JLN Stadium (Violet Line) – Jama Masjid (Violet line) (Rs. 30 per head); Auto – rickshaw – e-rickshaw from station to restaurants (Rs. 60 – 80).
After having your tummy full after lunch at these places, head towards Red Fort. Red fort is known for its magnificent architecture which has inspired the construction of many monuments later. This is one of the most prominent monuments of Delhi having rich historical significance. (Light and sound show happens at 7:00 PM in Hindi language and at 9:00 PM in English language).
Time duration: 45 mins – 60 mins
Mode of Transport: Auto – rickshaw – e-rickshaw (Rs. 50 – 60)
Post Red Fort, pay a visit to the second largest mosque of the country, Jama Masjid. Jama Masjid’s courtyard which is the main prayer hall can itself accommodate around 25000 people. Just like Red fort and Humayun’s tomb this is also an exquisite work of Mughal architecture built by Shah Jahan.
INFORMATION: Though people can visit the Masjid before Red Fort, it is better to visit Red fort first due to timing constraints.
Time duration: 30 mins
Mode of Transport: Auto – rickshaw – e-rickshaw (Rs. 60 – 70)
Street Food and Spiritual Tour
06:00 PM to 09:00 PM
After finishing the historical tour, explore the Chandni Chowk market and its street food which is one of the best in Delhi. The street food in Chandni Chowk is a delight to taste buds.
For chaat lovers, we recommend Shree Balaji Chat Bhandar and Nataraj Dahi Bhalla.
Price range: Rs. 100 – 150 for two.
You can try the Khan Omelette Corner which makes variety of egg dishes and is a heaven for egg lovers.
Price range: Rs. 100 – 150 for two.
Last but not the least is Parathe Waali Gali. The narrow lane consists of a series of paratha selling shops since 19th century. All the shops are strictly vegetarian with over 20-25 varieties of amazing parathas and amazing kullad lassi.
Price range: Rs. 150 – 200 for two.
(Can plan for the Light and Sound show at Red Fort after this, if interested.)
As it will be dark by the time you are done with Chandni Chowk and some tiredness will set in, it is time to head towards the most famous Gurudwara of the city, Bangla Sahib.
Just sitting inside Gurudwara premises and experiencing the surroundings of the illuminated Gurudwara is a spiritual experience like never before. Spend your evening here and have Langar inside the Gurudwara which is served till 10PM and is strictly vegetarian. The experience of eating with thousands of people in Gurudwara is an experience in itself which should not be missed.
Time duration: Around 2 hours.
Mode of Transport: Metro, Chawri Bazaar (Yellow Line) to Patel Chowk (Yellow Line) (Rs. 20 per head)
That’s it for the day. Board the metro at Patel Chowk (Yellow Line) to New Delhi (Yellow Line) (Rs. 10 per head) as its time to get back to hotel and enjoy the sleep after what has been a tiring but an enjoyable day of exploring.
Also read : Central Delhi Itinerary
Day 3:
Be an early bird, have a cup of tea/coffee and hit the road by 8 AM to explore southern part.
Breakfast and Garden Tombs tour
08:00 AM to 12:00 PM
First stop today is Lodhi Gardens. Lodhi Gardens is one of the historical gardens of the city which consists of the tombs of the Sayyid Dynasty and Lodi Dynasty rulers. The garden along with its historical monuments is one of the major attractions of the city. Its lush green environment is a great escape from the city life. This is also a famous jogger’s park for Delhites.
Time duration: Stay here for an hour to experience peaceful Delhi morning
Mode of Transport: An OLA / Uber ride will cost somewhere around Rs 150.
Then head to Cafe at Alliance de Francaise, in the vicinity, for breakfast. This is the great place for breakfast after the walk in Lodhi Gardens. It serves French cuisine as well which can be explored, a welcome change from regular breakfast. Services begin at 09:00 AM.
Price range: Rs. 600 for two.
Mode of Transport: 5-minute walk
Post breakfast, our next stop is Safdurjung’s tomb, just 1.5 kms from Alliance de Francaise. Safdurjung’s Tomb is one of the last monuments to be built during Mughal reign. The greenery around the tomb is breath-taking and many peacocks can be spotted in the premises which makes it a perfect place for photo enthusiasts. The place is also known for being quite peaceful which makes it a great experience for the tourists.
Time duration: 1 – 1.5 hours
Mode of Transport: Auto ride for Rs 60 – 70.
Luncheon and Cosmopolis Experience
01:00 PM to 05:00 PM
After a peaceful experience, it’s time to get hold of the hustle and bustle of the city. Next spot in the list is Hauz Khas Village or popularly known as HKV by the locals. Hauz Khas Village (HKV) is known for being a combination of historical past of Delhi and the modern cosmopolitan present. The Hauz Khas complex here consists of the fabulous architecture of Delhi Sultanate and the beautiful reservoir which is a delight to one’s senses. The walk around the ruins is devoid of any entrance fee and can be explored freely.
Just next to the complex is the party hub of the city which consists of various restaurants and pubs which makes Hauz Khas a unique place in itself and a favourite among all age groups.
For lunch and chilling, you can try the famous cafe Hauz Khas Social which gives a great view of the complex and the reservoir. It was also used as an important location in the Bollywood movie Tamasha. The place is a blend of all type of cuisines and is a heaven for the foodies. Interested people can take one or two drinks as well. In case of budget constraints, many affordable eateries are present in the area offering all types of cuisines.
Price range: Rs. 1200 – 1500 for two.
Time duration: 2 – 3 hours.
Mode of Transport: Metro; Jorbagh (Yellow Line) to Green Park (Yellow Line) (Rs. 20 per head) + Auto – rickshaw (Rs. 40 – 50).
Later head towards the tallest brick minaret of the world, Qutab Minar. Qutab Minar is an 800-year old structure. The construction of this minaret was started by Qutub-ud-din-Aibak and later completed by Iltutmish. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and is visited by tourists from all over the world, in awe of this architectural masterpiece. The Minar itself is surrounded by other historically significant monuments such as Quwat – ul – Islam mosque which was the first mosque of India, thus being significant. The other one is Iron pillar of Delhi which is known for being rust resistant since centuries and thus holds historical as well as scientific significance. Open till 05:00 PM for tourists.
Time duration: 30 – 45 mins
Mode of Transport: An OLA /Uber ride will cost Rs. 120 – 140.
Temple and Shopping Tour
06:00 PM to 09:00 PM
Next stop is the place which is unique in its own way, Lotus Temple. To get here in quick time, metro network is the best mode of transport. The Lotus temple is the house of Baha’i faith of worship and is open to all religions. The place is famous for its lotus like shape having 27 marble petals which has made it a famous tourist destination. The temple is considered to be one of the most visited tourist places in the world with over 100 million visitors visiting the building each year.
Time duration: 30 – 45 min
Mode of Transport: Metro; Saket (Yellow Line) – interchange at Hauz Khas – NSIC Okhla (Magenta Line) takes just 20 min. (Rs. 30 per head).
The later part of the evening can be spent by chilling out in Select Citywalk , located in Saket and this will conclude our Delhi trip. Select Citywalk is regarded as one of the best shopping malls in Delhi having best brands for both shopping and eating .For a foodie, one can explore variety of cuisines ranging from Indian to Japanese, thus being a foodie’s delight. It is also one of the most visited malls in New Delhi. Due to these reasons, the Select Citywalk has attained iconic status among the Delhites.
Time duration: 1 – 1.5 hours
Mode of Transport: Metro; NSCI Okhla (Magneta) – interchange at Hauz Khas – Malviya Nagar (Yellow Line) (Rs. 30 per head).
To return back to hotel, board at Malviya Nagar (Yellow Line) and alight at New Delhi (Yellow Line) (Rs. 40 per head).
Information about Delhi Metro:
- First metro starts at 05:30 A.M. and last metro at 11:30 P.M.
- To avoid long ques for tokens, it is smart thing to get a metro smart card for each traveller for Rs. 200/-.
We started our journey with Paharganj and finally we conclude it in Saket . The three days in the National capital are finally over and the memories will be cherished for a long time.
