India rewards curiosity. In a single week you can thread the Mughal grandeur of Delhi with a bucket-list day trip to the Taj Mahal, then pivot to Mumbai’s Arabian Sea vistas, art deco skylines, and irresistible street food. This route blends historic neighborhoods, living temples of taste, and world-class museums with practical pacing.

Delhi grew from seven cities into a capital layered with dynasties—from the Sultanate and Mughals to the British Raj—leaving behind forts, tombs, and lovingly manicured gardens. Mumbai, formed from seven islands, rose as India’s finance and film hub; ferries shuttle to ancient cave temples while sunset walkers claim Marine Drive’s curve each evening.

Visas are straightforward (check e-visa eligibility), and the best weather is generally October–March. Carry a scarf for temples, use bottled water, and expect to pay digitally—UPI and cards are common. Trains are efficient for day trips; flights connect cities swiftly. Come hungry; you’ll eat exceptionally well.

Delhi

Delhi seduces with contrast: incense-swirled alleys in Old Delhi, leafy boulevards in New Delhi, and sleek cafes in between. Monuments like Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar chart architectural revolutions, while the metro and ride-hailing make crisscrossing the sprawl surprisingly easy.

• Top sights: Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Red Fort (closed Mon), Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, Lodhi Gardens, Lotus Temple, India Gate and Kartavya Path.
• Food to chase: chole bhature at Sita Ram Diwan Chand, kebabs at Karim’s, refined regional plates at Indian Accent, and contemporary Indian at Café Lota.
• Fun fact: Qutub Minar’s 73-meter tower began in 1192; its iron pillar nearby famously resists rust.

Where to stay (Delhi): For palatial comfort, The Leela Palace New Delhi book on Hotels.com. Classic heritage with museum-grade art at The Imperial see availability. Business-friendly elegance at ITC Maurya check rates. Good-value, central rooms at Bloomrooms @ New Delhi Railway Station view rooms. Browse more stays: Hotels.com Delhi search or VRBO Delhi self-catered options.

Getting here and around: Fly into Delhi (DEL) and compare fares on Trip.com Flights. For trains (including the Agra day trip), use Trip.com Trains. The Delhi Metro is clean and quick; taxis and app rides fill the gaps.

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi (Afternoon–Evening)

Afternoon: Land in Delhi and check in. Shake off jet lag with specialty coffee at Blue Tokai (vivid single-origin pours) or Perch Wine & Coffee Bar in Khan Market.

Evening: Stroll India Gate and Kartavya Path at golden hour, when families gather and the arch glows. Dine nearby: Indian Accent for inventive tasting menus, or head to Old Delhi for Karim’s—generations-old kebabs and mutton korma.

Night: If energy allows, browse Connaught Place colonnades for sweets at Haldiram’s and a quiet nightcap back at the hotel.

Day 2: Old and New Delhi with a Private Guide (Full Day Tour)

See the essential Delhi sights efficiently with hotel pickup, AC transport, and a historian-level guide on this Viator bestseller:

Private Full Day New and Old Delhi City Tour

Typical stops include Jama Masjid, a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk spice lanes, Raj Ghat, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple exteriors, and drives past India Gate and Parliament. Red Fort is closed on Mondays; the guide adjusts accordingly.

Food notes: Start with chole bhature at Sita Ram Diwan Chand; mid-day, eat regional plates at Café Lota (crafts museum complex); finish with frontier-style dal and kebabs at Bukhara (ITC Maurya).

Day 3: Gardens, Tombs, and Design Districts

Morning: Walk Lodhi Gardens among 15th-century tombs and banyans, then explore the outdoor murals of Lodhi Art District. Brunch on crisp dosas at Carnatic Café in Lodhi Colony.

Afternoon: Visit Humayun’s Tomb (prototype to the Taj; allow 60–90 minutes). Continue to Qutub Minar’s sandstone marvels and nearby Mehrauli Archaeological Park’s ruined palaces and stepwells.

Evening: Browse Dilli Haat’s curated crafts for pashmina, ikat, and brassware (haggle kindly). For dinner, Indian Accent’s reservations are essential; alternative: Gulati in Pandara Road for butter chicken done right.

Day 4: Taj Mahal Day Trip by Superfast Train (Agra)

Experience the Taj without changing hotels on a tightly run rail day trip from Delhi. This award-winning option bundles train tickets, guides, transfers, and lunch:

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

Expect early pickup, Gatimaan Express (approx. 1h40) from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Agra Cantt, guided Taj Mahal visit, Agra Fort, time for marble-inlay workshops, and return by evening. Standalone train tickets typically run ~INR 700–3,000 ($9–36) depending on class; book on Trip.com Trains. Taj entry for foreign visitors is ~INR 1,300–1,600 (main mausoleum add-on recommended). Lunch suggestions if DIY: Peshawri (ITC Mughal) or Pinch of Spice for classic Mughlai.

Mumbai

Mumbai is India’s evergreen city: fishing village roots, colonial facades, Bollywood glitter, and an oceanfront people’s promenade. The most memorable moments are often simple—watching sunset on Marine Drive with a paper cone of bhel puri in hand.

• Top sights: Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (UNESCO), Kala Ghoda arts district, Marine Drive, Colaba Causeway, Dhobi Ghat, and Elephanta Caves (UNESCO; closed Mon).
• Food to chase: buttery seafood at Trishna, late-night kebabs at Bademiya, vegetarian hits at Swati Snacks, and nostalgic bakes at Kyani & Co.
• Fun fact: Mumbai has the world’s second-largest Art Deco collection after Miami—look up along Marine Drive.

Where to stay (Mumbai): Stay steps from the Gateway at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai see rooms. Bay views and polished service at The Oberoi, Mumbai check rates. Beach vibes at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach book. Excellent mid-range in Fort at Hotel Residency Fort view availability. Families like The Westin Mumbai Garden City see deals. More options: Hotels.com Mumbai search or VRBO Mumbai apartments.

Getting there and around: Fly Delhi–Mumbai in ~2–2.5 hours (often $50–130 one-way). Compare on Trip.com Flights. Use taxis/app rides; the local train is efficient but crush-loaded at rush hour.

Day 5: Fly to Mumbai, Fort & Marine Drive

Morning: Flight from Delhi to Mumbai (aim for a departure around 9–10 a.m.). Check in and refresh.

Afternoon: See the Gateway of India and the Taj Mahal Palace façade, then wander Kala Ghoda’s galleries and boutiques. If open, visit the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (museum; closed Mon)—a masterclass in South Asian art.

Evening: Walk Marine Drive’s Queens Necklace at sunset. Dinner in Colaba: Trishna for pepper crab and buttery garlic prawns, or Khyber for tandoori platters under Afghan-inspired arches.

Day 6: Elephanta Caves + Mumbai Icons (Full Day Tour)

Roll island caves and city highlights into one expertly run day:

Mumbai City Sightseeing with Elephanta Caves Full Day Tour

Start at the Gateway, ferry to Elephanta Island for colossal rock-cut Shiva sculptures, then return for landmarks like Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Dhobi Ghat, and the Oval Maidan Art Deco belt. Note: Elephanta Caves are closed on Mondays—swap with Day 5/7 if needed.

Dinner: Post-tour feast at The Table (global plates with seasonal Indian produce) or line up at Bademiya for smoky seekh rolls. For dessert, try Persian-style caramel custard at Kyani & Co.

Day 7: Markets, Street Bites, and Departure

Morning: Breakfast at Subko (Bandra) for craft coffee and viennoiserie, or stick central with Kyani & Co’s brun maska and Irani chai. Shop Crawford Market’s spice lanes, then hunt antiques at Chor Bazaar.

Afternoon: Last-minute souvenirs on Colaba Causeway; grab a vada pav at Aram (near CST) for a definitive Mumbai bite. Transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight; check fares on Trip.com Flights.

Evening (if you have time): A final Marine Drive stroll and kulfi on a stick—Mumbai’s simple luxury.

Practical notes: Museum/monument fees for foreign visitors are generally INR 300–800 in Delhi; the Taj is higher. Dress modestly for mosques/temples, and carry small notes for tips. Avoid Monday closures by swapping Day 5/6 if necessary.

Recommended supplemental tours you can swap into this plan (if you want an alternate Delhi day):

• Old & New Delhi Private Tour - Half or Full Day (Rated Excellent)

  

In one week, you’ll trace India’s arc—from Delhi’s layered capitals to the marble perfection of the Taj and the sea-breezed verve of Mumbai. Expect big flavors, bigger stories, and photos that smell like spice and ocean salt.