December in North India brings crisp mornings, golden light, and festive evenings—perfect for exploring Mughal marvels and Rajput palaces. This 7-day itinerary places you in Delhi and Jaipur, with a dedicated day for the Taj Mahal. Expect winter specialties like gajar ka halwa, steaming masala chai, and smoky kebabs to warm your hands and heart.

Delhi layers centuries: Sultanate ruins, grand Mughal tombs, British-era boulevards, and today’s buzzing café culture. Jaipur, the Pink City, dazzles with honeycombed palaces, hilltop forts, and jewel-box bazaars—an ideal setting for Christmas week shopping and rooftop sunsets.

Practical notes: Nights can dip to 8–10°C (46–50°F), so pack layers. Winter fog can delay early trains and flights. Air quality in Delhi fluctuates—an N95 mask helps. For transport, compare flights and trains on Trip.com (flights) and Trip.com (trains). Book popular venues and Christmas dinners in advance.

Delhi

India’s capital is a living timeline: Qutub Minar from the 1100s, Humayun’s Tomb that inspired the Taj, and Lutyens’ tree-lined avenues. In December, Delhi’s gardens glow, craft fairs pop up, and cathedral choirs fill the air with carols.

• Top sights: Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, Lodhi Gardens and Lodhi Art District, India Gate, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Red Fort.
• Great bites: Bukhara (clay-oven kebabs), Indian Accent (inventive Indian), Karim’s (Old Delhi kebabs), Lota Café (regional Indian), Sita Ram Diwan Chand (chole bhature), Perch Wine & Coffee, Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters.
• Festive tip: Sacred Heart Cathedral near Connaught Place holds packed Christmas Eve services; arrive early.

Stay in Delhi: Connaught Place and central “Lutyens’ Delhi” are central; Aerocity is best for late flights. Browse stays on VRBO (New Delhi) or compare hotels on Hotels.com (New Delhi).

Getting in: Fly into DEL. Check fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Within Delhi, the Metro is efficient; for short hops, use taxis or app cabs.

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi (Afternoon/Evening)

Afternoon: Land at DEL and check into your hotel. Stretch your legs with a stroll around Connaught Place’s colonnades and Central Park for a first taste of the capital’s energy.

Evening: Start light with coffee at Perch (Khan Market) or a pour-over at Blue Tokai. For dinner, choose tandoor classics at Bukhara (reserve; try the Dal Bukhara and Sikandari Raan) or contemporary Indian at Indian Accent (chef’s tasting menu and blue cheese naan are standouts). Cap the night with hot jalebis from Old Famous Jalebi Wala or winter-special gajar ka halwa at Moti Mahal.

Day 2: Old & New Delhi with a Local Guide (Full-Day Tour)

Cover Delhi’s highlights efficiently with a guided tour that balances Mughal lanes and modern vistas. Stops typically include Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk spice markets, Raj Ghat, India Gate, Parliament views, Qutub Minar, and the Lotus or Akshardham temples.

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

For lunch, ask your guide to stop at Karim’s (seekh kebabs, mutton korma) or Lota Café (millet khichdi, jackfruit biryani). If you finish near dusk, swing by Lodhi Gardens for a golden-hour walk amid 15th-century tombs.

Day 3: Taj Mahal Day Trip from Delhi (Agra)

Today is for the Taj. Choose a superfast train for speed and comfort or a private car for flexibility. Expect a pre-dawn start and a late evening return. Besides the Taj Mahal, plan to see Agra Fort and, time permitting, the Baby Taj (Itimad-ud-Daulah).

Option 1 (Train, fastest): Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train - TOP RATED TOUR

Option 2 (Car, flexible): All Inclusive Day Trip to Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Baby Taj from Delhi by Car

Pro tip: Winter mornings can be foggy. If sunrise visibility looks poor, request a later Taj entry and begin at Agra Fort instead.

Day 4: Gardens, Tombs, Crafts—and Christmas Moments in Delhi

Morning: Coffee and croissants at Blue Tokai or a classic Delhi breakfast—chole bhature—at Sita Ram Diwan Chand. Visit Humayun’s Tomb for serene Mughal symmetry, then stroll the Lodhi Art District to see colorful murals by Indian and international artists.

Afternoon: Head to Qutub Minar’s soaring minaret and sandstone carvings. Break for lunch at Andhra Bhavan Canteen (thalis and weekend biryani) or Cafe Dori (European-Indian café plates) if you’re craving lighter fare. Shop regional crafts, shawls, and Christmas gifts at Dilli Haat.

Evening: If your trip coincides with Christmas Eve or Christmas Day in Delhi, attend carols or Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral near Connaught Place. For dinner, book Indian Accent (inventive tasting menu) or enjoy North Indian grills at The Great Kabab Factory (try the galouti). Warm up with saffron-infused kahwa or masala chai.

Jaipur

Jaipur, Rajasthan’s royal capital, turns winter into a pageant of light: pink-hued facades, mirrored halls, and fortress walls that glow at sunset. The city’s artisan legacy—block printing, gemstones, blue pottery—makes it a dream for gift shopping around Christmas.

• Top sights: Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Jaigarh & Nahargarh Forts, Panna Meena ka Kund, Albert Hall Museum.
• Food & drink: Rawat Mishtan Bhandar (pyaaz kachori), Laxmi Misthan Bhandar/LMB (Rajasthani thali), Peacock Rooftop Restaurant (tandoori + views), 1135 AD at Amber (royal setting), Bar Palladio (aperitivo vibes), Curious Life Coffee Roasters, Tapri Central (tea & snacks).
• Shopping: Johri & Bapu Bazaars for jewelry and textiles; Masala Chowk for a curated street-food court.

Stay in Jaipur: The walled Pink City places you near the palaces; C-Scheme and Bani Park offer calmer bases with easy access. Browse VRBO (Jaipur) or compare on Hotels.com (Jaipur).

Day 5: Delhi to Jaipur + Pink City Classics

Morning travel: Delhi → Jaipur. Train: 4.5–5.5 hours (Shatabdi/Vande Bharat), ~$11–25; book via Trip.com (trains). Flight: 1 hour, ~$30–72 via Trip.com (flights). Car: 4.5–6 hours on NH48.

Afternoon: Check in, then wander the City Palace complex (don’t miss the Sarvato Bhadra courtyard) and the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar astronomical instruments. Photograph Hawa Mahal’s honeycomb façade from the street; for a tea-and-view break, pop to a café opposite.

Evening: Rooftop dinner at Peacock (butter chicken, paneer tikka, live music) or a royal spread at Suvarna Mahal (Rambagh Palace; reservations recommended). Night stroll through Bapu Bazaar for mojris (leather juttis) and block-printed scarves.

Day 6: Amber Fort, Stepwells, and Sunset Walls

Morning: Start at Amber Fort before crowds. Explore the Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace) and ramparts; then walk or drive to the photogenic Panna Meena Stepwell. Coffee stop at Curious Life Coffee (roastery-led brews).

Afternoon: Head up to Jaigarh Fort for cannon lore and Aravalli ridge views. Lunch at 1135 AD inside Amber’s old precincts (order laal maas or a vegetarian Rajasthani thali). Consider a textile block-printing workshop in the afternoon to make your own scarf—Jaipur’s ultimate souvenir.

Evening: Sip at Bar Palladio’s turquoise salons or The Johri’s elegant cocktail bar. For a festive, family-friendly option, book Chokhi Dhani for folk dances, puppet shows, and traditional Rajasthani dinner platters.

Day 7: Sunrise Views, Last-Minute Shopping, Departure

Morning: Drive to Nahargarh Fort for sweeping sunrise views across the Pink City. Breakfast at Tapri Central (try the vada pav and cheese masala toast; excellent masala chai). Shop Johri Bazaar for gemstones, meenakari earrings, or blue pottery.

Afternoon departure: Fly or train out of Jaipur. Compare options on Trip.com (flights) or Trip.com (trains). If returning to Delhi for an international flight, allow 6–7 hours door-to-door in winter to buffer fog or traffic.

Optional Add-On (if you revisit Agra independently)

If you decide to spend extra time in Agra on another trip, consider:

Taj Mahal Skip-the-Line Guided Tour with Optional Add-ons

Where to Eat & Drink (Shortlist by City)

• Delhi: Bukhara (ITC Maurya; legendary tandoor), Indian Accent (modern Indian at The Lodhi), Lota Café (regional fare at Crafts Museum), Karim’s (Old Delhi, since 1913), Sita Ram Diwan Chand (chole bhature), The Great Kabab Factory (robust grills), Perch (wine & coffee), Blue Tokai (specialty coffee).
• Jaipur: Rawat Mishtan Bhandar (pyaaz kachori), LMB (mithai and thalis), Peacock Rooftop (classic North Indian, views), 1135 AD (Amber Fort dining), Bar Palladio (aperitivi), Curious Life Coffee Roasters (third-wave coffee), Tapri Central (tea room with city views), Masala Chowk (street-food court: papdi chaat, kathi rolls, kulfi).

Seasonal and safety notes: Carry a light jacket for evenings, and an N95 mask if you’re sensitive to air quality. Fog can affect early trains—choose mid-morning departures when possible. Avoid elephant rides near Amber Fort; opt for jeeps or walk the ramparts instead.

With Delhi’s history, Agra’s white-marble poetry, and Jaipur’s rosy glow, this Christmas-week itinerary captures North India at its most photogenic and flavorful. Expect brisk mornings, sparkling evenings, and markets teeming with gifts and stories to take home.