Red Fort historic monument in Old Delhi Hands kneading dough and preparing spices during an Indian cooking class India Gate war memorial in New Delhi at sunset Rich Mughal-style mutton curry and naan bread at a Delhi restaurant

Best 3 Days in India — Without Art & Culture

New Delhi

3 days · 1 city · 4+ activities scored and scheduled · days balanced by intensity

A mix of food & wine and history. Mostly low-effort and walkable, with a mix of self-guided and guided activities.

Arriving Wed, Jul 1 Change

About This Itinerary

A 3-day New Delhi, India itinerary with 4 scored activities, including Old Delhi Food Walk: Parathas, Jalebi & Chaat and India Gate & Kartavya Path. Days are balanced so no single day is a marathon.

3 days 4+ activities
Where you'll stay
Hotel in Delhi · From $55/night
See lodging →
Trip cost
~$166 total · $55/day
See budget →
Top picks
Old Delhi Food Walk: Parathas, Jalebi & Chaat, India Gate & Kartavya Path, Karim's Restaurant, Old Delhi
See itinerary →

Day-by-Day Schedule — heavy and light days alternate so you don’t burn out

New Delhi

New Delhi 4 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 1 Wed, Jul 1 Full New Delhi View on map
Morning
Old Delhi Food Walk: Parathas, Jalebi & Chaat$~2 hrs

Graze Gali Paranthe Wali and Old Delhi's legendary sweet shops on an empty stomach (2h)

$5 Verified Mar 2026 Best Oct–Mar in the cool morning air. Available year-round; street food stalls open from ~7am. Avoid summer midday heat in the congested lanes. 📍 Map
Afternoon
India Gate & Kartavya Path$~2 hrs

Stroll the redeveloped ceremonial boulevard past India's war memorial and the National War Memorial (1-2h)

Oct–Mar is ideal; pleasant evenings for picnics on the lawns. Avoid peak summer afternoons (May–Jun, 40°C+). 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Delhi

Connaught Place / Hauz Khas / Paharganj

wifibreakfastair-conditioning
Travelers book: The Lodhi $250-450/nightThe Imperial New Delhi $200-380/nightLutyens Bungalow $80-160/nightHotel Palace Heights $40-80/nightZostel Delhi $10-25/night
Book Hotel in Delhi from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 2 Thu, Jul 2 Moderate New Delhi View on map
Morning Rich Mughal-style mutton curry and naan bread at a Delhi restaurant
Karim's Restaurant, Old Delhi$~1h 30m

Eat legendary Mughal-style nihari and korma at Delhi's most iconic restaurant, open since 1913 (1.5h)

$6 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round. Rich, warming dishes like nihari are especially popular Oct–Mar; the small indoor space is not air-conditioned. 📍 Map
Afternoon Hands kneading dough and preparing spices during an Indian cooking class
Indian Cooking Class in Delhi$$~3 hrs

Master dal makhani, paneer tikka, and fresh roti in a Delhi home kitchen with a local cook (3h)

$45 Verified Mar 2026 Available year-round. Winter months are most comfortable; some operators incorporate seasonal ingredients like sarson (mustard greens) in December–January. 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Delhi

Connaught Place / Hauz Khas / Paharganj

wifibreakfastair-conditioning
Travelers book: The Lodhi $250-450/nightThe Imperial New Delhi $200-380/nightLutyens Bungalow $80-160/nightHotel Palace Heights $40-80/nightZostel Delhi $10-25/night
Book Hotel in Delhi from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 3 Fri, Jul 3 New Delhi
Checkout & Depart

Check out of your hotel, grab a final breakfast, and head to the airport. Safe travels from New Delhi!

Where You’ll Stay

Estimated total: $88–$132

Trip Budget Estimate

$166 estimated total per person
$55 per day
Lodging $110
Activities $56

Estimates based on listed activity prices and hotel rates. Actual costs vary by season, availability, and personal spending.

Typical range for India

$75 – $900 per person for 3 days

Budget: $25/day — Guesthouses, dhabas, trains Mid-range: $100/day — Heritage hotels, restaurants, AC trains Luxury: $300/day — Palace hotels, fine dining, private drivers

Similar Destinations

Similar vibes, fewer crowds — destinations our algorithm rates as close matches to India.

🧳 Practical Info for India

📄 Visa
E-Visa required for US, UK, CA, AU, EU citizens. Apply online at least 4 days before travel.
💵 Tipping
10% at restaurants if service charge not included. Tip drivers, porters, and guides.
💱 Currency
Indian Rupee (₹ INR). Cash essential for street vendors, rickshaws, and smaller shops. Cards accepted at hotels and restaurants in cities.
🔌 Power
230V, Type C/D/M plugs. US/EU travelers need an adapter. Voltage fluctuations common — use a surge protector.
📶 Connectivity
SIM cards at airports (Jio, Airtel, Vi). Requires passport copy and photo. Excellent 4G in cities.
🚨 Emergency
112 (general emergency), 100 (police), 108 (ambulance)

🚄 Getting Around India

🚄 Rail

Indian Railways is vast. Book AC classes (1A, 2A, 3A) on irctc.co.in well in advance. Vande Bharat express trains are modern.

✈️ Flight

IndiGo and SpiceJet offer cheap domestic flights. Delhi to Goa or Kerala takes 2-3 hours.

🚗 Car

Hire a car with driver for day trips — very affordable ($30-50/day) and far less stressful than self-driving.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a week in India cost?

Budget: $25-50/day. Mid-range: $80-150/day. Luxury: $250+/day. India is incredibly affordable — a thali meal costs $2-4. Luxury heritage hotels offer outstanding value.

What is the best time to visit India?

October-March for most of India. Monsoon season (June-September) brings heavy rain but lush landscapes. Ladakh is best June-September.

Do I need a visa for India?

E-Visa required for US, UK, CA, AU, EU citizens. Apply online at least 4 days before travel.

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