Visiting India for an exam at iON Digital Zone (IDZ) and want to make the most of your week? This 7-day Delhi–Jaipur itinerary keeps exam-day logistics front and center while weaving in the region’s top experiences—from Mughal marvels and UNESCO sites to Rajasthani forts and artisan workshops.

Delhi’s layers of history run from the sandstone arches of Humayun’s Tomb to the soaring Qutub Minar. Jaipur—nicknamed the Pink City—pairs celestial science at Jantar Mantar with royal opulence at the City Palace and Amber Fort. Together they offer a concentrated taste of North India’s culture, cuisine, and color.

Practical note for IDZ travelers: your admit card will list the exact iON Digital Zone center (Delhi NCR and Jaipur have multiple). Plan to arrive 60–90 minutes early, bring required IDs only, and budget extra time for traffic. Use the Delhi Metro where possible, stay hydrated, and lean into light meals pre-exam. For flights into India, compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; for intercity trains in India, check Trip.com Trains.

New Delhi

India’s capital is a mosaic of eras: medieval domes, tree-lined colonial boulevards, and cutting-edge cafes. You’ll hop between Old Delhi’s spice-scented lanes and the calm of Lodhi Garden in minutes, then finish with fine regional cuisine or a chai stand beloved by locals.

Top sights include the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, Lodhi Garden, and the Kartavya Path (India Gate vista). Food is a headline act—from parathas and chole bhature to innovative takes on heritage recipes.

• Stay: Browse central options on VRBO (New Delhi) or curated hotels on Hotels.com (New Delhi). Look near Connaught Place, Khan Market, or Aerocity for easy transport.
• Getting around: Delhi Metro is fast and affordable; rides are typically ₹20–60 ($0.25–$0.75). For late-night returns, book cabs.
• Food highlights: Chandni Chowk (Paranthe Wali Gali), Karim’s by Jama Masjid (mutton korma, kebabs), Sita Ram Diwan Chand (legendary chole bhature), Saravana Bhavan (dosa + filter coffee), and Indian Accent (modern Indian tasting menus—book ahead).

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Land at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Check in near Connaught Place or Khan Market for central access—see Hotels.com or VRBO for options. Stretch your legs at Lodhi Garden, where Indo-Islamic tombs dot a leafy park frequented by locals.

Evening: Stroll Connaught Place’s Georgian colonnades. For dinner, choose Indian Accent (inventive plates like meetha achaar Chilean seabass) or Bukhara (slow-cooked Dal Bukhara and tandoor meats). For something lighter, Perch Wine & Coffee Bar in Khan Market pairs small plates with excellent brews.

Day 2: iON Digital Zone exam day + easy Delhi bites

Morning: Exam day. iON Digital Zone centers are spread across Delhi NCR; your admit card specifies the exact iDZ. Aim to arrive 60–90 minutes early; carry only allowed items and a government ID. Light pre-exam bites: Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters (espresso, croissants) or Saravana Bhavan (idli, upma) to keep things simple.

Afternoon: Post-exam, decompress with a gentle walk on the Kartavya Path from India Gate toward the Presidential estate. Lunch at Andhra Bhavan Canteen for a hearty, budget-friendly thali (refills of pappu and sambar win fans across the city).

Evening: Explore Khan Market’s boutiques. Dinner at SodaBottleOpenerWala (Parsi staples like berry pulao and salli boti) or Yeti—The Himalayan Kitchen (momos, thenthuk) if you crave something homely after a big day.

Day 3: Old Delhi heritage and South Delhi icons

Morning: Old Delhi immersion. Start at Chandni Chowk with jalebis from Old Famous Jalebi Wala and a paratha stop on Paranthe Wali Gali. Visit Jama Masjid (dress modestly; remove shoes), then take a rickshaw through spice-scented Khari Baoli.

Afternoon: Head south to Humayun’s Tomb—precursor to the Taj Mahal—then wander Lodhi Art District’s open-air murals or the serene ruins around Hauz Khas. Coffee at Blue Tokai or Euphoria Bakery if you need a pick-me-up.

Evening: See Qutub Minar’s fluted tower glow at dusk. Dinner ideas: Olive Bar & Kitchen (Mediterranean courtyard near Qutub), or Karim’s for an Old Delhi reprise if you can’t get enough of kebabs.

Jaipur

Jaipur’s old city glows in terracotta hues, a royal statement dating to 1876. Today it blends astronomy, artisan craft, and palace architecture—where sundials tower, bazaars hum, and thalis overflow with flavors like laal maas and ghewar.

Come for Amber Fort’s ramparts, City Palace courtyards, and Hawa Mahal’s iconic façade. Stay for kite-strewn sunsets at Nahargarh, blue-cup coffee at local roasters, and block-print workshops that connect you to centuries of design.

• Stay: Explore heritage stays and apartments on VRBO (Jaipur) and hotels on Hotels.com (Jaipur). Base yourself near the old city or C-Scheme.
• Getting around: Auto-rickshaws and cabs are easiest; the metro is limited but useful along MI Road. Start early to beat heat and tour-bus crowds.
• Food highlights: Rawat Mishthan Bhandar (pyaaz kachori), Laxmi Misthan Bhandar/LMB (Rajasthani thali, sweets), Tapri Central (chai with a view), Curious Life Coffee Roasters (specialty coffee), Baradari (modern Rajasthani plates in a palace setting), Spice Court (laal maas).

Day 4: Morning train to Jaipur + City Palace and Hawa Mahal

Morning: Travel Delhi → Jaipur. Express trains (Shatabdi/Vande Bharat) take ~4–5 hours and cost roughly ₹500–1,600 ($6–$20) in AC classes—search schedules on Trip.com Trains. Flights are ~1 hour plus airport time (often not faster door-to-door)—check fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Afternoon: Check in, then dive into the City Palace’s courtyards and museum rooms. Step next door to Jantar Mantar to see 18th-century instruments that track celestial movements with astonishing precision.

Evening: Photograph Hawa Mahal’s honeycomb façade from across the street at rooftop spots like The Tattoo Café or Wind View Café. Dinner at Baradari (City Palace complex) for soft-lit arches and dishes like smoked aubergine mash with millet rotis.

Day 5: Amber Fort, stepwells, and sunset at Nahargarh

Morning: Reach Amber Fort early to wander mirrored halls and ramparts before crowds arrive. Consider a guided walk to trace Rajput defense design and palace life. Coffee stop: Curious Life Coffee Roasters in the city before you head out.

Afternoon: Visit Panna Meena ka Kund (a symmetrical stepwell perfect for photos) and Jaigarh Fort for cannon lore and vast hilltop views. Lunch at 1135 AD inside Amber Fort (royal thali, ornate interiors) or return to town for LMB’s classic thali.

Evening: Drive to Nahargarh Fort for Jaipur’s best sunset—pink city blocks spread out beneath old battlements. Dinner options: Spice Court (fiery laal maas, safe veg choices too) or Samode Haveli’s courtyard restaurant for a regal ambience.

Day 6: Crafts, bazaars, and a stylish night out

Morning: Join a block-printing session in Sanganer or Bagru (your hotel can arrange a workshop and transport). You’ll carve or ink wooden blocks, print your own scarf, and learn about natural dyes—an unforgettable, hands-on Jaipur tradition.

Afternoon: Shop Johari and Bapu Bazaars for textiles, silver, and lac bangles—bargain politely and inspect stitching and dyes. Culture stop: Albert Hall Museum for Indo-Saracenic architecture and an eclectic collection that spans centuries.

Evening: Drinks at Bar Palladio—iconic cobalt interiors and a garden lounge make it a Jaipur classic. Dinner at The Rajput Room (comforting kebabs, curries) or a lighter salad-and-sandwich fix at Anokhi Café if you want a break from rich fare.

Day 7: Slow morning, last tastes, and departure

Morning: Brunch at Tapri Central: masala chai, bun maska, and pesto paneer sandwiches with city views. If time allows, quick stop at Galtaji (the “Monkey Temple”) for atmospheric pavilions and kunds.

Afternoon: Depart Jaipur by train (~4–5 hours to Delhi; see Trip.com Trains) or fly onward via Trip.com / Kiwi.com. If your iON Digital Zone exam is scheduled today instead, reverse this day with Day 2 and keep meals light before your slot.

Where iON Digital Zone fits in

Both Delhi NCR and Jaipur host multiple iON Digital Zone (iDZ) test centers. Your admit card will list the exact venue and reporting time. Expect security checks; arrive early, carry only permitted items, and plan 30–60 minutes of buffer for traffic. If the center is far from your hotel, use the Metro (Delhi) or prebook a cab (Jaipur) and keep a printed map/saved offline location.

Transport tools at a glance

• Flights (international/domestic India): Compare and book on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Trains within India (e.g., Delhi ⇄ Jaipur): Check routes, times, and fares on Trip.com Trains.
• Hotels and stays: Compare locations and reviews on Hotels.com (New Delhi), Hotels.com (Jaipur), VRBO (New Delhi), and VRBO (Jaipur).

Across a week you’ll handle your iON Digital Zone commitment smoothly and still experience the best of North India—Old Delhi’s tangled lanes, Jaipur’s palaces and stepwells, and meals you’ll talk about for years. It’s a balanced itinerary that respects exam timing while delivering serious travel joy.