Gems of Delhi Tours

DURATION OF THE TOURS
from 3.5 to 4 hours

Go local with me!
Choose your itinerary from those I suggest below.
Carefully selected locations to create the right mix of experiences or a specific theme.
I make these programs keeping into account also the distances between locations
to avoid wasting time in traffic.

Old Delhi full immersion

This immersive tour will allow you to understand how the city of Delhi developed into the metro city we know today. The transition from the Sultanate, to the Mughal Empire, to British Raj shaped the area which is nowadays occupied by the vibrant India's capital.

But our focus will be Shahjahanabad, Old Delhi as is commonly called now. Once one of the most beautiful and richest cities in the world, during the VXII and part of the XVIII century. We'll walk through its bustling alleys and observe daily activities, interacting with the people. We'll also have the opportunity to visit some places of worship from the many Religions that here coexist and sample some local delicacies, in complete safety.

Let's take a dip in this chaotic world that will engage all your senses and will immerse you in one of the everyday realities of the many inhabitants of Delhi.

DURATION:
approx 4 hours

COST:
1 person Rs 10,000
2/3 people Rs 5,500 per person
4/5 people Rs 4,500 per person
6+ people Rs 3,800 per person

NOT INCLUDED in the price: tickets to monuments when required
INCLUDED in the price: one bottle of sealed mineral water per person, rickshaw to go back to the meeting point

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS:
My priority is the quality of the experiences I offer! For this reason I avoid groups above 6 guests unless specifically required. To me is important the interaction with the participants as well as the local people we will meet.

Old Delhi with Red Fort

NOT ON MONDAYS (fort is closed)

Although a huge part of the Qila-e-Mubarak, known today as the Red Fort, was demolished in circumstances that we will discover, an area still survives and brings us closer to understand its nature and the way life used to take place there. The residence of the Mughal Emperors from 1650 till 1857, when was taken by the British Raj army. Since 2007 is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From the Fort we'll reach the lanes of Shahjahanabad, Old Delhi as is commonly called now. Once one of the most beautiful and richest cities in the world during the VXII and part of the XVIII century. We'll walk through its bustling alleys and observe daily activities, interacting with the people. We'll also have the opportunity to visit one of the several places of worship from the many Religions that here coexist and sample some local delicacies, in complete safety.

Let's take a dip in this chaotic world that will engage all your senses and will drag you in one of the everyday realities of the many inhabitants of Delhi.

DURATION:
approx 4 hours

COST:
1 person Rs 10,000
2-3 people Rs 5,500 per person
4-5 people Rs 4,500 per person
6+ people Rs 3,800 per person

NOT INCLUDED in the price: tickets to monuments when required
INCLUDED in the price: one bottle of sealed mineral water per person, local rickshaw to exit Old Delhi

Qtub Minar Complex and Mehrauli village

The Mehrauli area is the only settlement, incorporated today in the metro city, that has never lost continuity in its existence, since the 8th century BC, despite the constant shifts of the center of power and the succession of different ruling dynasties.

Let's discover the first muslim settlement and the first mosque built in Delhi, located in the Qtub Minar Complex. We will understand how the city of Delhi developed into the metro city we know today, how the 650 years of islamic rule began, the first two Sultanates, and the most interesting figures who characterised them, through anecdotes and curiosities.
This site, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, attracts thousands of tourists every year, both indian and foreigners, and is among the most visited monuments in India.

From the historic complex, I'll take you to the urban village of Mehrauli, founded in the 8th century and now a Delhi neighborhood full of hidden treasures. Here, it's rare to encounter the tourists who flock to the Qtub Minar complex, yet we're just a 5-minute tuk-tuk ride away.
We'll stroll immersed in local life and visit the tomb of Adham Khan, the remains of the Zafar Mahal, the last palace built by the Mughals. We'll visit the Dargah, tomb, of the Sufi Saint Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki and understand the importance of Sufi masters. Along the way through the chaotic bazaar, if it's open, we'll also enter a 15th-century cemetery dedicated to eunuchs.

DURATION:
approx 4 hours

Humayun Mausoleum with Nizamuddin Dargah

Suggested as an afternoon Tour to enjoy the Dargah at its best

There are many reasons to visit these two places, so different yet linked by a common denominator.

The Mausoleum, built in the 16th century, is were the second Mughal emperor Humayun rests. This monument inspired the fifth Shah Jahan, 60 years later, to design the famous Taj Mahal, located in Agra and today one of the Seven Wonders of the modern World.
This site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, and the complex also includes other mausoleums.

At the end of this visit, we will cross the main road to take a step back in time, a cultural leap and a leap from peace to total chaos, entering the universe of the urban village of Nizamuddin, or Nizamuddin Basti.
There will be much to learn about Sufism and urban villages, including why this location was chosen for Humayun's tomb and many others in the area! We'll walk through the narrow, bustling alleys, where life has been unceasing since the 14th century. Finally we'll enter the heart of Nizamuddin Basti, the Dargah with the tomb of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, one among the most beloved Sufi Saint who lived between the 13th and 14th centuries. A place with a special energy, a gathering place for all who seek to escape, even for just a few hours, from the heavy burdens of life. Also one of my favorite places. Open to all 24 hours a day.

DURATION:
approx 3.5/4 hours

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and Mahatma Gandhi

NOT ON MONDAYS OR PUBLIC HOLIDAYS (Birla House will be closed)

A visit to the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, one of Delhi's most important Sikh temples, is not only an opportunity to learn the basics of Sikhism, its origins and the community's relationships with others, but also to see its principles put into practice. We'll also visit one of the liveliest corners of every Gurudwara, the Langar, where the concepts of equality, community, brotherhood and camaraderie find their highest expression. We'll enter the kitchen where thousands of meals are prepared every day, served to everyone, regardless of religion, nationality or gender. If you wish we can stop to share a simple meal with other visitors or offer our help in the kitchen.

Next, we'll visit Birla House, a colonial bungalow where Mahatma Gandhi was hosted during his last stay in Delhi and where he spent the last weeks of his life. The two rooms he occupied remain almost intact. We will go through his biography and the most significant moments of his life, engaging with photographs and a well done sequence of events reproduced with little figurine.
Finally we will pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi by standing in the garden in front of the spot where he was assassinated on January 30, 1948.
We will also talk about the partition of India after independence in 1947.

DURATION:
approx 4 hours

Stepwell, open air laundry and Sikh Temple

The visit to one of the most iconic stepwell built in the XV century will give us the idea of their presence in India and there were many also in Delhi, a few still survive scattered in the city, mostly in South Delhi.

From here we will move to an open air laundry to learn how these places are organised and meet the dhobi wale, the washerman, who come here everyday of the week to earn their income.

The visit to the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, one of the the most important Sikh temples in Delhi, is not only an opportunity to learn the basics of Sikhism, how it originated, how the community relates to others, but it is also the opportunity to witness their principles into action. In fact we will visit also one of the liveliest corners of every Gurudwara, the Langar, where the concepts of equality, a sense of community, brotherhood and camaraderie find their greatest expression. We will enter the kitchen where thousands of meals are prepared every day and served to anyone, regardless of their religion, nationality, or gender. If we wish we can stop here to share a simple meal with the other visitors or offer our contribute in the kitchen.

DURATION:
approx 3,5/4hours

Baha-ì Mandir (Lotus Temple) and Kalkaji Mandir 

NOT ON MONDAYS (Lotus Temple is closed)

This will be an opportunity to experience two of the many religious faces that make Delhi a city where perhaps every belief and spiritual philosophy finds a way to express itself, through the multiculturalism of its inhabitants who come from various parts of India.

We'll visit a very special place, a place of worship built in the 1980s by the Bahá'í religious movement, which began in the first half of the 19th century. Better known as the Lotus Temple, the Bahá'í Mandir is architecturally unique and, despite being relatively recent, is an interesting landmark for followers of all religions. Its interior is rather austere, but what makes it special is that anyone is welcome to step inside and pray to their own God or simply sit in silence or meditate.

From here we'll walk to Kalkaji Mandir and enjoy one of the most immersive experiences you can have in a Hindu temple. Dedicated to the Goddess Kali, this is one of the oldest temples in Delhi, much loved by locals and often visited on special occasions. It's an interesting opportunity to learn about Hinduism and perhaps have some unusual encounters amidst this frenetic, noisy and chaotic whirlwind.

DURATION:
approx 3/3,5 hours

COST:
1 person Rs 9,000
2-3 people Rs 5,000 per person
4-5 people Rs 4,000 per person
6+ people Rs 3,000 per person

NOT INCLUDED in the price: tickets to monuments when required
INCLUDED in the price: one bottle of sealed mineral water per person, one coconut water

Sikhism, Hinduism, Islam and Sufism

Suggested as an afternoon Tour to enjoy the Dargah at its best

This visit will give you the opportunity to explore three of the many religious communities that coexist in Delhi. We'll discover the main foundations of each and how they are felt in the daily life.
An interesting journey that will also impress you with the different energies that each of the three places spreads.

We'll begin with one of the most important places of worship for Delhi's Hindu community; the Pracheen Hanuman Mandir, dedicated to Hanuman, one of the most beloved Gods among the 330 million. Yes, 330 million!
Here you'll have the opportunity to understand more about Hinduism and what's so special about this temple, one of the oldest in the city, despite having been renovated several times over the centuries.

From Hinduism to Sikhism. We'll visit one of Delhi's most important Sikh temples, the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. Here I'll explain the foundations of Sikhism, its origins, how the community operates, and how it interacts with others. We'll also visit the Langar, the area where people actually practice what they preach. We'll visit the large kitchen and the hall where thousands of meals are served every day.

Finally, you'll take a leap in time; you won't simply be visiting another place of worship, but you'll also experience a cultural leap, a leap from the relatively tranquil places you've visited so far to total chaos, from a modern part of the city to the complex and chaotic universe of the urban village of Nizamuddin, also known as Nizamuddin Basti. You'll enter with me into the heart of Nizamuddin Basti, the Dargah that contains the tomb of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, one of the most beloved Sufi Saints, who lived between the 13th and 14th centuries. One of my favorite places.

DURATION:
approx 3,5/4 hours

Yamuna river life and tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

This tour will take us to one of the places where you won't believe you are still in Delhi, we'll go to the banks of the Yamuna, the second largest tributary of Ganges, worshipped as the daughter of God Surya, the sun, and the sister of the God of death Yama. For centuries a commercial thoroughfare, today it's a receptacle for everything the modern city unloads into it along its course, which crosses Delhi for about 22 km.
Despite this, its filthy waters are still sacred for those who perform ablutions and rituals, or even refreshing for those who choose to swim in it. This description should not discourage you, since this exceptional tour will be indeed something out of the box.
We'll visit a gaushala, shelter, for abandoned cows, managed by the adjacent temple. We'll walk through the neighbourhood and the riverside, we'll reach the most antic cremation ground in Delhi and learn about the last rituals.

From here we will go to Raj Ghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. Here his body was cremated on January 31, 1948, the day after his assassination. We will gather in front of the black marble platform that marks the spot where the funeral pyre was lit. Later we will stop to talk about his life and message.

DURATION:
approx 3,5/4 hours

Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

NOT ON MONDAYS OR PUBLIC HOLIDAYS (Birla House and National Gandhi Museum will be closed)

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, known as Mahatma Gandhi, great soul, or Bapu, father, spent his life in different places for various reasons, eventually founding his Ashram in Ahmedabad (Gujarat). Delhi was a frequent destination for him and here he died on January 30, 1948. We will visit Birla House, a colonial bungalow where Gandhi was hosted and spent the last 144 days of his life, immediately after independence and the partition of the Country. The two rooms he occupied remain almost intact. We will discuss his biography and the most significant moments of his life, also through photographs and an interesting display of figurine depicting key events. Finally, we will move to the garden where he was murdered and pay ou homage at the spot where he fell.

From here, we will go to the National Gandhi Museum, inaugurated by his closest friends, family and followers a few years after his death. Here, in an atmosphere of times gone by, we will find numerous old photos and original relics belonging to the Mahatma. We will also visit the reconstruction of his home within the Ahmedabad Ashram.

Finally, we will cross the road to reach our final destination, Raj Ghat, where his body was cremated on January 31, 1948, the day after his assassination. We will gather by the black marble platform marking the spot where the funeral pyre was lit.

DURATION:
approx 4 hours

Gems of Delhi Tours

Old Delhi full immersion

Old Delhi with Red Fort

Qtub Minar Complex and Mehrauli village

Humayun Mausoleum with Nizamuddin Dargah

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and Mahatma Gandhi

Stepwell, open air laundry and Sikh Temple

Baha-ì Mandir (Lotus Temple) and Kalkaji Mandir

Sikhism, Hinduism, Islam and Sufism

Yamuna river life and tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

Contact me to book your Tour

Baha-ì Mandir (Lotus Temple) and Kalkaji Mandir 