Welcome to North India, where empires rose, poets wrote, and the Himalaya foothills begin to ripple across the horizon. This 6-day itinerary pairs Delhi’s grand monuments and irresistible street food with Dehradun’s serene monasteries, caves, and breezy hill roads.

Delhi’s story stretches from medieval Sultanates to the Mughals and the Raj, leaving a living museum of forts, minarets, and leafy boulevards. Dehradun, capital of Uttarakhand, slows the tempo—think stately colonial campuses, Tibetan Buddhist artistry, and the gateway to Mussoorie’s mountain air.

Expect flavorful thalis and kebabs, artisan coffee, and markets where brass, block prints, and spices perfume the air. Practical note: book intercity trains ahead (especially weekends), carry small bills for rickshaws, and plan Taj Mahal sunrise or late-afternoon visits for softer light and fewer crowds.

Delhi

Delhi is India’s capital and a tapestry of Old Delhi’s tangled lanes and New Delhi’s garden avenues. It’s where Jama Masjid’s sandstone steps meet modern galleries, craft museums, and a thriving café scene.

• Top sights: Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Khari Baoli spice market, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, Lodhi Gardens, India Gate (Kartavya Path).
• What to eat: Parathas, chaat, kebabs, butter chicken, south Indian dosas, mithai (sweets). Iconic stops include Karim’s (Old Delhi), Bukhara (ITC Maurya), and Indian Accent (modern Indian tasting menus).
• Local vibes: Browse Dilli Haat’s crafts, stroll Hauz Khas Village at dusk, and catch live jazz at The Piano Man.

Where to stay (Delhi): For deals and variety, browse VRBO New Delhi or Hotels.com New Delhi. Curated options: The Imperial, New Delhi (heritage elegance), The Leela Palace New Delhi (opulent service), ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel (home of Bukhara), The Suryaa New Delhi (South Delhi convenience), and Bloomrooms @ New Delhi Railway Station (clean, value, great for early trains).

How to get to Delhi: Fly into DEL (Indira Gandhi International). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Airport metro and prepaid taxis/ride-hailing get you downtown in 30–60 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, Connaught Place and India Gate

Afternoon: Land in Delhi and check in. Shake off jet lag with coffee at Blue Tokai (multiple outlets)—try a pour-over with a South Indian single-origin. If you want a snack, head to Saravana Bhavan in Connaught Place for crispy ghee roast dosas and filter coffee.

Evening: Walk the leafy boulevard to India Gate and Kartavya Path at golden hour; the memorial is beautifully lit at night. Dinner options nearby: Indian Accent (tasting menu: Kashmiri morels, duck khurchan tacos) or Pandara Road’s Gulati for creamy butter chicken and roomali roti. Nightcap at Perch Wine & Coffee Bar (Connaught Place) for a civilized glass and small plates.

Day 2: Old Delhi’s Lanes, Spices, and Stories

Morning: Start with breakfast at Chandni Chowk’s Chaina Ram (bedmi puri, halwa) or a hot paratha from Parathe Wali Gali. Visit Jama Masjid—climb the minaret for city views—then dive into Khari Baoli, Asia’s largest spice market (buy garam masala blends and saffron).

Afternoon: Lunch at Karim’s (mutton seekh, nihari) or Al Jawahar opposite. Afterward, let a guide streamline distances and history with this highly rated city tour:

Old & New Delhi City Tour – Half or Full Day Options Available

Evening: Cap the day in Dilli Haat for regional crafts and momos, or return to central Delhi for The Piano Man (Safdarjung Enclave) where rotating jazz acts pair well with Negroni riffs and truffle fries.

Day 3: Imperial Avenues and Mehrauli Monuments

Morning: Breakfast at Café Lota (National Crafts Museum): ragi pancakes, Andhra paneer, mahua ice cream. Explore Humayun’s Tomb—prototype for the Taj—in mellow morning light. Swing by Lodhi Gardens to see 15th-century tombs framed by flowers and joggers.

Afternoon: Head south to Qutub Minar and Mehrauli Archaeological Park for stepwells and Sufi tombs. Lunch at Qla (Mehrauli) for farm-forward plates and a terrace view, or Diggin (Chanakyapuri) for pesto pastas and baked brie in a leafy courtyard.

Evening: Dinner splurge at Bukhara (ITC Maurya)—the dal bukhara simmers overnight; pair with murgh malai kebab. Prefer modern small plates? Try Jamun (Lodhi Colony) for Goan chorizo pau and kokum cocktails. If you fancy a walk, Lodhi Art District’s murals glow under street lamps.

Day 4: Taj Mahal Day Trip by Superfast Train

Make today your Agra day—door-to-door logistics handled, maximizing your time at the Taj and Agra Fort. Early pickup, guided entries, and a comfortable train ride keep things smooth.

Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train - TOP RATED TOUR

Tip: Pack sunglasses and a hat; marble glare can be intense. Back in Delhi by evening—keep dinner casual at Khan Market’s Town Hall (sushi, dim sum) or quick rolls at Nizam’s.

Dehradun

Cradled in the Doon Valley with the Ganga and Yamuna on either side, Dehradun is a university town that breathes calmer. It’s an easy hop from Delhi and a launchpad to Mussoorie’s colonial promenades and Himalayan lookouts.

• Top sights: Forest Research Institute (FRI) and its museums, Robber’s Cave (Gucchu Pani), Mindrolling Monastery’s 60m stupa, Tapkeshwar Temple, Sahastradhara’s mineral springs. Optional Mussoorie detour.
• What to eat: Tibetan staples and momos at Kalsang AMA Café, Garhwali thalis, legendary pastries at Ellora’s Bakery, and robust north Indian gravies at Doon Darbar.
• Good to know: Evenings can be cool year-round; carry a light layer. Roads to Mussoorie are winding—start early to beat traffic.

Where to stay (Dehradun & Mussoorie area): Browse VRBO Dehradun or Hotels.com Dehradun. Popular picks: Jaypee Residency Manor (hilltop views near Mussoorie) and Hotel Ashrey (central, value).

Getting from Delhi to Dehradun: Fastest rail is the Vande Bharat Express (about 4.5–5 hours; AC Chair Car and Executive Chair). Check schedules and fares on Trip.com trains. Flights from DEL to DED (Jolly Grant) take ~50 minutes; compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Door-to-door, the morning train is often just as quick as flying once transfers are included.

Day 5: Delhi → Dehradun, FRI grandeur and Robber’s Cave

Morning: Depart Delhi on the Vande Bharat (early departure recommended; platform at NDLS). Book seats via Trip.com trains. Grab breakfast to-go from Blue Tokai or your hotel (sandwiches, fruit). Arrive Dehradun midday and check in.

Afternoon: Tour the Forest Research Institute: colonnaded halls, botanical museums, and film-famous corridors. Coffee at Y Café & Restaurant (Rajpur Road)—retro décor and club sandwiches—then wade into Robber’s Cave, where a cool stream runs between narrow limestone walls. Wear water-friendly footwear.

Evening: Dinner at Doon Darbar (signature mutton korma, chicken afghani) or Black Pepper (multi-cuisine, efficient service) on Rajpur Road. For dessert, Ellora’s Bakery’s walnut brownies and rusks are local favorites to take back.

Day 6: Monastery calm, springs, and departure

Morning: Visit Mindrolling Monastery in Clement Town; admire the towering stupa, vibrant thangkas, and prayer wheels. If time allows, continue to Sahastradhara for gentle walks by the mineral springs and hillside ropeway views.

Afternoon (Departure): Fly out of DED or return to Delhi by afternoon train. Check availability on Trip.com flights or seats on Trip.com trains. If you’ve a late departure, lunch at Kalsang AMA Café (steamed pork or veg momos, thukpa, honey-lemon ginger tea) before you go.

Food and coffee short list to save:

• Delhi: Indian Accent (tasting menu), Bukhara (iconic tandoor), Karim’s (Old Delhi classics), Café Lota (regional Indian), Perch (wine & coffee), The Piano Man (live jazz), Saravana Bhavan (south Indian), Blue Tokai (specialty coffee).
• Dehradun: Kalsang AMA Café (Tibetan), Doon Darbar (north Indian gravies), Black Pepper (family favorite), Ellora’s Bakery (pastries), Y Café (brunch & brews), Orchard (Pan-Asian near Rajpur Road).

Practical tips: Delhi Metro is clean and widespread; buy a rechargeable card at stations. Fridays the Taj Mahal’s main mosque area is busier—plan accordingly. In Dehradun/Mussoorie, mornings/evenings can be cool; a light jacket helps year-round.

In six days, you’ll savor Delhi’s layered history and Dehradun’s mountain-tinged calm—with an unforgettable Taj Mahal interlude. Trains keep travel easy, food keeps spirits high, and each day balances headline sights with local favorites.