Excursion Overview
In the 17th century the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, made his capital Old Delhi; today it's a vivacious assault on the senses that you simply can't miss. Our half-day guided tour of Old Delhi focuses not only on the Indo-Islamic art and architecture of this ancient area, but also todays culture that is still so heavily influenced by its Mughal past. The tour starts by navigating the bustling and narrow streets of the mile-long Chandi Chowk. We feel the most captivating way to explore this area is on food as well as a traditional rickshaw. This ancient wholesale market is popularly called “The Silver Street”, and is surrounded by tiny shops and bazaars brimming with bargainous goods. Following on you will head to India's largest mosque, the Jama Masjid, which accommodates up to 20,000 people at any one time. Its tapering minarets and wonderful marble domes are a real highlight of Old Delhi. Afterwards we suggest visiting Gurudwara (a Sikh temple), which is often overlooked in classic tours of the area. This is one of the biggest (and cleanest) charitable kitchens in Delhi and here you can witness hundreds of people enjoying a free lunch. It's a similar experience to that of The Golden Temple in Amritsar. The volunteer cooks are more than happy for you to join in, perhaps rolling chapattis (Indian flat bread), stirring the huge pots of lentil stew or perhaps even serving! Afterwards head to The Red Fort Complex if time permits, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Although impressive, The Red Fort in Agra is arguably more outstanding, so feel free to miss this out if you are heading to Agra. All in all this is a fascinating tour that’s not to be missed.
Excursion type:
- Outdoor
- Indoor
- Active
- Culture
- History
Excursion Gallery
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First time clients of Holiday Architects and what a memorable trip they planned and delivered for us. Lisa and Clare put together 5 weeks of criss-crossing Sri Lanka and Rajasthan in India, whilst their excellent partners on the ground made sure we had the best experience possible. What made it so special were the quirky places we stayed, the unique experiences scheduled just for us and above all the generosity of our drivers and the many guides willing to share their personal insights on local customs and culture. It goes without saying we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Holiday Architects if you are planning that special trip and thank you Lisa and Clare, we loved it all!
Debbie O'Shea,
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We recently booked a holiday to India; we were helped all the way by Clare, who put together a wonderful itinerary for us. Whilst in India, we were really well supported by the local team. Our driver was fabulous and really looked after us. India is a truly amazing country with so much rich history, culture, wildlife and scenery. Above this, the people we met were friendly, interesting and interested, and a joy to meet. Thank you for a truly memorable trip.
HA India client,
”
Meet our India expert
We offer tailor-made holidays to suit a wide range of tastes. Our expert Clare is dedicated to all things India and is here to help you plan your perfect trip.
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