India’s north has many hearts, and in a week you’ll feel three of them beat. New Delhi anchors the journey with empires layered on empires—Mughal forts, Lutyens’ boulevards, spice markets, and some of the best food on the subcontinent. A day trip to the Taj Mahal from here is the postcard come true.

Patna, once Pataliputra, capital of the Mauryan and Gupta dynasties, hums with lived-in history. Gurdwaras tied to Guru Gobind Singh, a revitalized riverfront, and markets serving litti chokha show a city that’s old and surprising at once.

Varanasi needs little preface: sunrise boats on the Ganges, labyrinthine alleys perfumed by incense and sandalwood, craftsmen weaving Banarasi silk, and the nightly Ganga Aarti—a ritual you feel as much as see. Pack respectfully (modest dress for shrines), expect seasonal air quality swings in Delhi (masks help in winter), and bring an appetite for regional cuisines.

New Delhi

Delhi is a living museum with an appetite. From the red sandstone ramparts of the Red Fort to the filigreed domes of Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar’s victory tower, the city tells a 1,000-year story. Old Delhi’s lanes are a theater of spices, silver, and street snacks; New Delhi’s tree-lined avenues lead to India Gate and parliament.

Top sights include Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, Lodhi Gardens, the Lotus Temple, and the National Museum. Food lovers can dart between jalebi and kebabs in Old Delhi, then sit down for makhani magic at iconic North Indian restaurants.

• Stay: Search vetted stays on VRBO New Delhi or compare hotels on Hotels.com New Delhi.
• Getting in: Book international/domestic flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Airport Express Metro to central Delhi takes ~20 min (about ₹60); taxis/ride-hails are ~45–75 min depending on traffic (₹500–900).
• Signature tours:
  Private Full Day New and Old Delhi City Tour

  

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

  

Day 1 – Arrive in New Delhi, first tastes of the capital

Afternoon: Land and check in. If you want fresh air after the flight, stroll Lodhi Gardens—Mughal tombs, banyans, and parakeets set an elegant welcome.

Evening: Drive past India Gate at twilight; the Central Vista is beautiful when lit. Dinner near Connaught Place: try Saravana Bhavan (South Indian classics; paper-thin dosas) or United Coffee House (since 1942; colonial-era room, butter chicken and kheema on toast). For a kebab fix, head to Rajinder Da Dhaba (crowd-favorite mutton seekh, affordable and lively).

Day 2 – Old & New Delhi highlights (full-day tour)

Let a guide untangle the city’s layers with the Private Full Day New and Old Delhi City Tour.

Expect Jama Masjid’s courtyard views, a rickshaw whirl through Chandni Chowk (peek at spice alley Khari Baoli), serene Humayun’s Tomb, and Qutub Minar. Most tours include pickups; dress modestly for religious sites and bring a scarf for head coverings.

Post-tour dinner ideas: Karim’s near Jama Masjid (heritage Mughlai—mutton korma, tandoori roti), or Bukhara at ITC Maurya (front-row seat to North-West Frontier flavors; book ahead).

Day 3 – Taj Mahal day trip from Delhi

See Agra comfortably on the Taj Mahal Day Tour by Superfast Train—Gatimaan Express takes ~1h40 each way, maximizing time at the Taj and Agra Fort.

Most operators include station transfers, guide, and entry. Expect an early start and return by evening. Back in Delhi, wind down with chaat at Prabhu Chaat Bhandar (Bengali Market; papdi chaat, golgappe) or a comforting thali at Carnatic Café (fluffy kuzhi paniyaram, brilliant filter coffee).

Patna

Patna wears its antiquity lightly. This is where the ancient city of Pataliputra once presided over South Asia. Today, you’ll find the revered Takht Sri Patna Sahib (birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh), the Patna Museum’s treasures, Golghar’s granary-domes, and evening breezes along the Ganga Path riverfront.

Food is earthy and irresistible—litti chokha with smoky eggplant, malpua on festive days, and regional thalis. Patna is also a gateway for Buddhist circuits like Bodhgaya and Nalanda.

• Travel from Delhi (morning of Day 4): Fly 1h45–2h; typical one-way ₹3,500–8,000 ($45–100) via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Fastest trains take ~12–14 hours; check schedules and book on Trip.com Trains.
• Stay: Browse VRBO Patna or hotels on Hotels.com Patna.
• Signature tours:
  Gurdwara Patna Sahib Half Day Tour

  

  
  Patna Essentials Tour

  

Day 4 – Fly to Patna, Sikh heritage and riverfront

Morning: Fly Delhi → Patna. Check in and refresh. Grab a light brunch—try litti chokha at Pintu Litti Corner (charred wheat dumplings stuffed with sattu, served with smoky eggplant and tomato relishes).

Afternoon: Visit Patna Museum (sculptures, coins, and a feel for the region’s dynastic past) and climb Golghar for Ganges views if time and steps permit.

Evening: Join the Gurdwara Patna Sahib Half Day Tour to understand this Takht’s significance and listen to evening kirtan. Dinner at Takshila (Hotel Maurya; refined North Indian—dal makhani, kebabs) or Kapil Dev’s Eleven (cricket memorabilia, hearty mains; fun local favorite).

Day 5 – Patna’s past and present

Morning: Meet your guide for the Patna Essentials Tour, covering landmarks like Gandhi Maidan, the riverfront, markets, and heritage sites with context about ancient Pataliputra to modern Bihar.

Afternoon: Lunch at Bansi Vihar (vegetarian South Indian; crisp vadas, thali). If museums appeal, the Bihar Museum’s contemporary galleries complement the classic Patna Museum.

Evening: Sunset walk on the Ganga Path. For sweets, try khaja and tilkut from a reputed mithai shop. Rooftop bites at 17 Degrees (pan-Indian, city views) make a relaxed finale before tomorrow’s train to Varanasi.

Varanasi

Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities and India’s spiritual north star. Dawn breaks to temple bells and oars dipping into the Ganges. Days move through threads of devotion, scholarship, silk-weaving, and street food genius.

Top musts: sunrise boat ride past the ghats, an evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh or Assi Ghat, Kashi Vishwanath temple precinct, Sarnath (Buddha’s first sermon), and a wander through weavers’ mohallas for Banarasi silk.

• Travel from Patna (morning of Day 6): Fastest trains 4.5–6 hours (₹500–1,000 in AC Chair/3A; book via Trip.com Trains). Occasional direct flights ~1 hour (₹3,000–7,000) via Trip.com Flights.
• Stay: For riverfront grandeur, BrijRama Palace, Varanasi. Classic garden oasis: Taj Ganges, Varanasi. Heritage good-value: Hotel Surya, Kaiser Palace. Social stays: Stops Hostel Varanasi or Zostel Varanasi. Or browse broadly on VRBO Varanasi and Hotels.com Varanasi.
• Signature tours:
  Varanasi Full-day Tour with Guide & Boat Ride

  

  
  Varanasi Morning Boat Tour [RowBoat]

  

  
  Varanasi Evening Ganga Aarti Tour

  

Day 6 – Patna to Varanasi, first steps on the ghats

Morning: Train or flight to Varanasi; check in. Snack on kachori-sabzi near Godowlia for a local welcome.

Afternoon: Orient yourself with a slow walk from Assi Ghat towards Dashashwamedh Ghat—watch wrestlers practice at Tulsi Ghat akharas, peek into tiny temples, and note spots for sunrise viewpoints.

Evening: Witness the ritual blaze of lamps on the Varanasi Evening Ganga Aarti Tour. Post-ceremony dinner: Kashi Chaat Bhandar (aloo tikki, tamatar chaat) followed by Blue Lassi Shop (saffron or pomegranate lassi served in clay cups).

Day 7 – Sunrise boat, temples, silk—and departure

Morning: Glide along the river on the Sunrise Boat Tour as prayers rise with the mist. Afterwards, explore Kashi Vishwanath Corridor (respect security protocols) and wander the lanes for puja items.

Afternoon: Meet a local guide/weaver in a weavers’ mohalla to understand Banarasi silk brocade (ask before photographing looms). Early lunch at Brown Bread Bakery (organic breads, rooftop views) or Aum Café near Assi Ghat (healthy bowls, herbal teas). Depart in the afternoon—book flights on Trip.com Flights or trains on Trip.com Trains.

Evening (if you have time): A final apple pie at Pizzeria Vaatika Café by Assi Ghat is a Varanasi cult classic.

Where to eat and drink (quick picks by city)

• New Delhi: Breakfast at Sita Ram Diwan Chand (legendary chole bhature) or Indian Coffee House (retro CP institution). Lunch in Old Delhi: Karim’s (seekh kebab, nihari), Al Jawahar (buttery gravies). Modern dining: Indian Accent (inventive tasting menus) or Dum Pukht (slow-cooked Awadhi cuisine). Street-food crawl in Chandni Chowk for jalebi, parathe, and rabri—go with a guide if you prefer curated stops.
• Patna: Pintu Litti Corner (litti chokha), Bansi Vihar (vegetarian South Indian staples), Takshila (Hotel Maurya; classic North Indian), and 17 Degrees (rooftop, mixed menu). Try local sweets—khaja and pedas—from a trusted mithai shop.
• Varanasi: Kashi Chaat Bhandar (tamatar chaat, palak chaat), Blue Lassi Shop (thick seasonal lassis), Deena Chaat Bhandar (crisp aloo tikki), Brown Bread Bakery (all-day café with live music at times), Aum Café (vegetarian, calm vibe). Tea by the ghats at sunrise is a ritual in itself.

Getting around and practical tips

• Trains: For intercity journeys in India, check schedules and book on Trip.com Trains. Aim for AC Chair/3A for comfort.
• Flights: Compare domestic fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com; prices swing with festivals and school holidays.
• Temple etiquette: Dress modestly, remove shoes, and ask before photographing people/rituals. Carry small notes for offerings and tips.
• Seasonality: Oct–Mar is peak; Delhi can be cool at night. Summers are hot; hydrate and plan siestas.

Optional add-ons if you extend: From Delhi, a Golden Triangle loop with Jaipur; from Patna, a day to Bodhgaya and Nalanda; from Varanasi, a half-day to Sarnath.

In seven days you’ve sampled India’s kaleidoscope: imperial avenues and spice-scented lanes in Delhi, the layered history of Patna, and Varanasi’s river of light. Keep this guide handy—the best India trips are the ones you plan, savor, and then can’t wait to repeat.