Delhi and Patna tell two entwined stories: imperial capitals and riverside learning centers, Mughal marble and Buddhist enlightenment. In Delhi, dynasties rose and fell, leaving a skyline of domes, minarets, and modern boulevards. In Patna, the Ganga embraces one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities—gateway to Nalanda, Rajgir, and Bodh Gaya.

Expect big flavors and bigger histories. Delhi’s Old City is a maze of spice-scented gullies where halwais still hand-shape sweets; New Delhi’s garden avenues lead to museums and galleries. Patna’s temples and gurdwaras hum with devotion, while day trips unlock the quiet ruins of Nalanda and the towering Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya.

Practical notes: Delhi’s winters are crisp; summers are hot—plan early starts. Use the Delhi Metro and registered cabs; in Patna, pre-book rides and start long day trips before sunrise. Sample local staples—Delhi’s chole bhature and parathas; Bihar’s litti chokha and khaja. Always carry cash for small eateries and dress modestly at religious sites.

New Delhi

India’s capital compresses centuries: Sultanate-era Qutub Minar, Mughal masterpieces like Humayun’s Tomb, and Lutyens’ ceremonial axis from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate. By evening, the city pivots to rooftop cafés and modern bistros.

• Top sights: Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Raj Ghat, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Lotus Temple, Lodhi Gardens, India Gate.
• Why visit: world-class museums, photogenic architecture, electrifying bazaars, and a street food scene that defines North India.
• Where to stay: Connaught Place (walkable, central), Aerocity (great for flights), South Delhi (leafy, boutique stays).

Search stays: VRBO New Delhi | Hotels.com New Delhi

How to get in: Fly into DEL. Compare fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Nonstop international routes are frequent; airport–city transfers are fastest via Metro Airport Express or taxi.

Day 1: Arrival, Connaught Place, and India Gate

Morning: In transit to Delhi.

Afternoon: Check in near Connaught Place for easy dining and Metro access. Coffee at Blue Tokai (fresh-roasted pour-overs) or Indian Coffee House (old-school filter coffee and dosa). Stretch your legs in the colonial-era inner circle arcades.

Evening: Stroll to India Gate at dusk to see it glow, then dinner: pick Indian Accent (modern Indian tasting menu), Bukhara at ITC Maurya (legendary dal and kebabs), or Saravana Bhavan in CP (vegetarian South Indian classics). Nightcap at Perch Wine & Coffee Bar.

Day 2: Old & New Delhi Icons (Guided)

Cover the greatest hits efficiently with a guided city tour that balances Old Delhi’s bustle with New Delhi’s symmetry and gardens.

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

Expect Jama Masjid, a rickshaw glide through Chandni Chowk’s spice-scented lanes, Raj Ghat, and New Delhi’s Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, and the diplomatic boulevard past India Gate and Parliament. It’s an excellent “first read” of the city with historical context.

Post-tour dinner: In Old Delhi, try Karim’s or Al Jawahar for mutton korma and biryani; vegetarian diners can head to Shree Balaji Chaat Bhandar (aloo tikki, papri chaat) and Jung Bahadur Kachori Wala (fiery kachori).

Day 3: Taj Mahal Day Trip by Superfast Train (Agra)

See the Taj Mahal at ideal hours and still be back for dinner in Delhi. The Gatimaan Express whisks you to Agra in about 1 hour 40 minutes from Hazrat Nizamuddin station.

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

Most tours include roundtrip train tickets, station transfers, skip-the-line guided visits to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, and a local lunch. Typical timing: depart ~8:00 AM, return ~7:30 PM. Bring your passport for train ID and dress modestly inside monuments.

Evening back in Delhi: Late dinner near your hotel—Nizam’s Kathi Kabab (rolled parathas stuffed with spiced meats or paneer) or Sagar Ratna for a light South Indian meal.

Day 4: Gardens, Galleries, and Street Food

Morning: Walk Lodhi Gardens among tombs and parakeets; coffee and eggs at The Grammar Room (near Qutub) or a classic Delhi breakfast at Sitaram Diwan Chand (chole bhature) if you’re craving hearty. Visit Humayun’s Tomb afterward for serene Mughal geometry.

Afternoon: Explore the Lodhi Art District’s open-air murals; then head to Dilli Haat (INA) for handicrafts from across India—great for textiles and handloom. Lunch ideas: Andhra Bhavan canteen (spicy thali), or Yeti for Himalayan momos and thukpa.

Evening: Sunset at Hauz Khas Village’s 14th-century reservoir and ruins; then dinner at Jamun (regional Indian, vibrant interiors) or SodaBottleOpenerWala-style Parsi cafés if available nearby; finish with kulfi at Kuremal’s for traditional flavors like kesar-pista.

Patna

On the Ganga’s banks, Patna has been a capital since ancient Pataliputra—seat of the Mauryas and Guptas. Today, it’s the launchpad to some of Asia’s most revered Buddhist sites and home to one of Sikhism’s holiest gurdwaras, Takht Sri Patna Sahib.

• Top sights: Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Golghar granary, Patna Museum, Gandhi Maidan, Ganga ghats, and easy day trips to Nalanda, Rajgir, and Bodh Gaya.
• Eat local: litti chokha (roasted wheat dumplings with smoky mashed eggplant), sattu drinks, khaja sweets from nearby Silao.
• Where to stay: Fraser Road/Exhibition Road (central), Boring Road (dining), near Gandhi Maidan (green space).

Search stays: VRBO Patna | Hotels.com Patna

Getting from Delhi to Patna: Morning nonstops take ~1h45–2h; typical one‑way fares are ~$40–$90. Compare on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Prefer rail? Overnight/long-haul trains (Rajdhani and others) take ~12–14 hours; check Trip.com (trains); 2AC typically ~$30–$45.

Day 5: Fly to Patna, Museums and the Ganga

Morning: Fly Delhi → Patna (assume a ~9:00 AM departure, arriving before noon). Check in and refresh. Quick lunch: Bansi Vihar (vegetarian South Indian staples) or a fast litti chokha at local stalls near Maurya Lok.

Afternoon: Patna Museum (sculpture and Gandhara art; don’t miss the Didarganj Yakshi replica and regional galleries). Walk Gandhi Maidan, then climb Golghar’s spiral stairs for a sweeping Ganga view.

Evening: Sunset on the Ganga ghats; dinner at Takshila (Hotel Chanakya; North Indian classics), Pind Balluchi (family-friendly kebabs and tikkas), or 17 Degrees Rooftop (city views, multicuisine). Try khaja for dessert.

Day 6: Nalanda, Rajgir, and Bodh Gaya (Full-Day Pilgrimage)

Set out early for a profound day across three major sites—an unforgettable look at the roots of Buddhist scholarship and practice. Expect a long but rewarding day.

Nalanda Rajgir and Bodh Gaya from Patna

Highlights include the red-brick ruins of Nalanda University (from the 5th century CE), Rajgir’s hills and caves linked to the Buddha’s sermons, and Bodh Gaya’s UNESCO-listed Mahabodhi Temple, where the Buddha attained enlightenment. Carry a scarf or shawl and plan a simple vegetarian lunch en route.

Return & dinner: Back in Patna, keep it light—dal, roti, and a seasonal sabzi at a neighborhood dhaba, or regional thali back at your hotel.

Day 7: Takht Sri Patna Sahib and Departure

Gurdwara Patna Sahib Half Day Tour (Takht Sri Harimandir Ji)

Visit one of Sikhism’s five Takhts, commemorating the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh. Expect serene kirtan, a marble complex, and a warm langar (community meal) if timing aligns. Dress modestly; head coverings are required.

Lunch and departure: Quick bite near Fraser Road—simple thali or biryani—then transfer to PAT airport. If you prefer a pre-booked ride, compare options the day before and allow generous buffer time for traffic.

Optional Evening Add-Ons (If Your Flight Is Later)

• Khajekalan market for sweets and snacks to take home.
• A riverside stroll if the weather is mild.

Where to Stay (Pointers)

• Delhi: Named favorites include The Imperial (heritage), The Claridges (old-world), Lemon Tree Premier Aerocity (airport convenience), and boutiques in GK/Hauz Khas. Book via Hotels.com or browse apartments on VRBO.
• Patna: Look near Gandhi Maidan or Fraser Road for central access; properties like Hotel Maurya and Lemon Tree keep you close to museums and the river. Compare availability on Hotels.com or check apartment-style stays on VRBO.

Local Food Hit List

• Delhi: Parathewali Gali (stuffed parathas), Kuremal’s (kulfi), Sita Ram (chole bhature), Nizam’s (kathi rolls), Karim’s (kebabs), and modern Indian at Indian Accent.
• Patna: Litti chokha, sattu paratha, malpua, khaja from Silao; sit-down meals at Bansi Vihar, Pind Balluchi, Takshila, and rooftop bites at 17 Degrees.

Between Cities & Tickets: For flights anywhere on this route or beyond, check Trip.com and Kiwi.com. For rail within India, browse Trip.com (trains); reserve sleeper classes early in peak seasons.

Summary: In one week, you’ll trace North India’s arc from Delhi’s imperial avenues to Patna’s riverside spirituality, with day trips to Agra’s shimmering Taj and the scholarly hush of Nalanda and Bodh Gaya. Come hungry for history and snacks—the stories (and the spices) linger long after you’ve flown home.