Hotel · 01
The Imperial, Janpath
New Delhi, India
A colonial-era luxury hotel, elegant and central.
Asia / India
New Delhi
A historic yet modern capital blending Mughal grandeur, colonial legacy, and contemporary culture.
- Ideal stay
- 3-4 Days
- Best season
- October to March
- From
- $1,218–$6,594 pp
The place
About this destination
A historic yet modern capital blending Mughal grandeur, colonial legacy, and contemporary culture.
My experience
This is Rachana's own 7-day itinerary for New Delhi, India — the version she'd plan for a close friend. It threads together stays she rates like The Imperial, Janpath and The Lodhi, Lodhi Road, a day-by-day plan, and the meals worth booking ahead. Everything here is personally travelled and curated — no filler.
LuxuryHeritage & Culture
Through the lens · 6 frames
Photo journal
01
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 01
Arrival & Central Delhi Highlights
- 01Check-in at your hotel
- 02Visit India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhawan, and Parliament House (photo stops)
- 03Stroll in Lodhi Garden
- 04Lunch: at The All American Diner, India Habitat Centre
- 05Visit Katyayni Devi Temple, Chhatarpur – powerful Shakti peeth with stunning architecture
- 06Dinner: at Indian Accent (The Lodhi) – Modern Indian cuisine, globally acclaimed
- 07Optional: Enjoy drinks at Rick’s Bar, The Taj Mahal Hotel
Day 02
Spiritual Delhi & Akshardham
- 01Visit Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple – spiritual, cultural complex, breathtaking architecture (light show in evening, if interested)
- 02Lunch: at Sattvik, Select Citywalk – Pure vegetarian fine dining
- 03Explore Humayun’s Tomb (UNESCO site)
- 04Visit Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah (Sufi music, qawwalis)
- 05Dinner: at The Oberoi’s Omya – Authentic Indian in a luxurious setting
Day 03
Old Delhi Exploration
- 01Visit Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk
- 02Rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk lanes
- 03Street Food Trail
- 04Kuremal Mohan Lal Kulfi, Paranthe Wali Gali, Jung Bahadur Kachori
- 05Sweets from Ghantewala Halwai
- 06Visit Raj Ghat (Gandhi memorial)
- 07Explore Spice Market (Khari Baoli)
- 08Dinner: at Lakhori (Haveli Dharampura) – Fine dining with heritage ambience
Day 04
Museums & Artsy Vibes
- 01Visit National Museum, Crafts Museum (Pragati Maidan)
- 02Stroll through India Habitat Centre and art galleries
- 03Lunch: at Fig & Maple, GK 2 – Farm-to-fork café with a lovely rooftop
- 04Visit NGMA (National Gallery of Modern Art)
- 05High tea or dinner at The Imperial’s 1911 Restaurant (classic colonial charm)
- 06Enjoy a cultural performance at Kamani Auditorium or India Habitat Centre (based on schedule)
Day 05
South Delhi + Shopping + Designer Boutiques
- 01Visit Qutub Minar, Mehrauli Archaeological Park
- 02Afternoon: – Designer Shopping
- 03Ogaan, Ensemble, Pernia’s Pop-Up Studio, Aza, Elahe – All in South Delhi (Mehrauli or Defence Colony)
- 04Lunch: at Cafe Diva, GK 1 – Run by chef Ritu Dalmia
- 05Explore Select Citywalk Mall or DLF Emporio (luxury designers: Tarun Tahiliani, Sabyasachi, Manish Malhotra)
- 06Dinner: at SET’Z – Global cuisine, top-floor view of Emporio
Day 06
Day
- 01Leisure in Delhi
- 02Morning: at Spa (The Lodhi or The Imperial)
- 03Visit Garden of Five Senses
- 04Lunch: at Olive Bar & Kitchen, Mehrauli
- 05Visit Lotus Temple & ISKCON Temple
- 06Dinner: at Bukhara, ITC Maurya – Iconic tandoori cuisine (book in advance)
Day 07
Modern Delhi + Connaught Place + Farewell
- 01Explore Agrasen Ki Baoli, Janpath Market, Connaught Place (CP)
- 02Breakfast: or brunch at The Grammar Room, Mehrauli or SodaBottleOpenerWala, CP
- 03Visit Madame Tussauds, Gandhi Smriti, or shop for souvenirs at Dilli Haat
- 04Lunch: at Diggin Café, Chanakyapuri – Vibrant European café setting
- 05Farewell Dinner at Le Cirque, The Leela Palace – Upscale French-Italian
- 06OR Megu, The Leela – Luxury Japanese restaurant
- 07Luxury/Designer Stores
- 08DLF Emporio – Manish Malhotra, Sabyasachi, Anita Dongre, etc.
- 09Mehrauli Boutiques – Ogaan, Ensemble, Good Earth
- 10Shahpur Jat & Hauz Khas Village – Indie designer labels
- 11Street Shopping
- 12Sarojini Nagar, Janpath, Lajpat Nagar, Kamla Nagar
02
Where to sleep
Hotels worth booking
03
Tables to book
Restaurants
What to order
Local cuisine
Must try
Local speciality
Paneer butter masala
Must try
Local speciality
Veg biryani
Must try
Local speciality
Masala dosa
Must try
Local speciality
Veg thali
Must try
Local speciality
Chole bhature
Must try
Local speciality
Gulab jamun
04
Logistics
Getting there & around
01 · Private chauffeur-driven car
The most comfortable way to explore — a trusted driver for door-to-door travel.
02 · Domestic flights
Quick hops between regions; book a few weeks ahead for the best fares.
03 · Airport arrival
A private meet-and-greet transfer is arranged from the moment you land.
The numbers
Budget breakdown
Total · per person
$1,218–$6,594 pp
USD
Breakdown
- Accommodation
- $120–$600 / night
- Food & dining
- $22–$132 / day
- Transportation
- $14–$90 / day
- Activities
- $18–$120 / day
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