4am
Take a pre paid taxi from Delhi International Airport to Main Bazaar, Parahganj in the heart of Old Delhi and check yourself into hotel Namaskar. The taxi should cost around 250 to 350 rupees and the hotel is low budget at around 800 rupees per night. You get what you pay for; small concrete clad rooms, squatter toilets, solid beds with a couple of blankets, and a bucket and cup for washing.
Tip: You can get an upgrade to a shower and a Euro toilet but it will cost you more and you would be better to check into an all round nicer place for the price they will charge you.
6am
Get yourself an authentic Indian style breakfast from Sonu Café on Main Bazaar. Highly recommended is a Masala Dosa which is like a crispy pancake and spicy vegetables rolled to make a delicious, very affordable meal. Top it all off with a cup of steaming hot Chai Sweet Tea which will give you a sugary burst for the start of the day whilst admireing the roaming cows and dogs as you dine.
7am
Head down to the Delhi Railway Station, a short walk to the end of Main Bazaar, and book yourself a return ticket to Agra and the Taj Mahal. A 3 to 4 hour train journey each way makes this an easy day trip. 2nd class sleeper carriage bookings would be recommended on the train, getting you soft, roomy seating, sleeping options, and of course the blessed air con. This is unless you want to ride 3rd class (the cheapest option) and bear the journey with wooden seats, no windows, and no air con.
10am
Grab a cab or if you prefer the more excitable option, an autorickshaw, and head to the gates of the worlds most famous marble structure, the Taj Mahal. At the checkpoint, there are certain things you will not be able to take in so be prepared to get yourself a safe deposit box for these things. The guards at the checkpoint will happily show you how to do this. This is recommended anyway as pick pockets and scam artists are very prevalent in the area especially outside the gates.
Once inside take some pics and guide yourself, as navigation of the place is easy and unless you want to hear all the amazing facts about the Taj, a guide is not necessary. Make sure you get a picture of the marvellous structure in the waters reflection. You will have no problem getting somebody to take the shot for you but be prepared to pay a small fee for their help though.
Tip: Remember to remove your shoes before entering the Taj because if you don't, you will soon be told!
12pm
Grab a bite to eat and a refreshing Kingfisher at one of the many nearby cafes. If you're low on cash, head further from the Taj Mahal attraction to get the better deals. Definitely don't buy from the vendors at the entrance to the Taj. Alternately, you can wait for the train trip back to Delhi and buy from the many sellers that get on the train at the many stops. They are very affordable and usually have a generous selection.
1pm
Catch the 2nd class sleeper back to Delhi making sure you get in a few winks as you still have a lot to do before the day is out.
4pm
Back at Delhi Train Station, grab a bottle of water and an autorickshaw and get the driver to take you to the Red Fort via the Indian Government Buildings and India Gate. The rickshaw ride should cost you around 40 rupees to get to the Government Buildings but be prepared to barter and pick and choose for a good deal. The driver might wait around to take you on to the Red Fort but for a good price. But it's easy enough to find another willing driver anyway.
The Government Buildings and India Gate are within walking distance of each other and are really just photo ops for the share elegance and vastness of the buildings. Pics of the guards with big machine guns are not advisable.
Once at Red Fort, get yourself a guide and let him walk you through the structure as it is a fairly sizeable place and in some instances could be quite boring if you didn't know what you were looking at. They have some great stories and provide you with some added fun along the way. Just be sure he is not charging you an arm and a leg for the tour. In most cases he may ask you to give him a price to take you around so just compare with your taxi rides, food, etc and decide on a fair price. Tip him well if he does a good job.
6pm
For something a bit different and to ease your shopping urges, head to the Underground Markets, which incidentally are underground, and start spending. Get your fix of traditional clothing, items of jewellery, and everybody's favourite, a massive selection of counterfeit DVD's.
Tip: For DVD's, make sure you go to a place that has a DVD player so they can show you the quality of your purchases. All places say they are "very good quality" but you don't really want people clapping, cheering, and walking around in the middle of your blockbuster movie.
7pm
Walk to the nearby Connaught Circle to get your only taste of Western style shops in Delhi, including a McDonalds, which incidentally, is the only one in a city of about 8 million. Try the Maharaja Mac, India's answer to the Big Mac. If you have some spare cash, purchase a Naga Shawl which is a hand made rug that can be used as a wall hanging or for an extra blanket. These range in price from around 600 rupees onwards.
8pm
Head back to Pahraganj and eat dinner at Sam's Rooftop Restaurant on Main Bazaar. Yep that's right, it's a rooftop restaurant which offers you an amazing view of the streets below and the surrounding areas.
Tip: Order Indian meals rather than the European style meals they have on offer. They cook European meals very badly at Sam's and so a vegetarian paneer (potato) curry and a naan will do you and your stomach just fine.
10pm
Grab some takeaway Kingfisher big bottles from Sam's and head back to Hotel Namaskar for some much needed rest and relaxation before departure the following morning.
1am
Most of the taxi drivers to take you to the airport will be in bed at this time but fair not; most, if not all, sleep in their cars on the side of the road and will not hesitate to take you to the airport departure area, for a larger fee of course. Remember, because it is early morning and not a pre paid taxi, you will pay a lot more than you did for your fare into Delhi.
2am
Check in and rest up before your departure to wherever your next destination may be. Have fun!
