3 Days in New Delhi: Suggested Itineraries
Must-Do Experience, Tip - Suggested Itineraries, Tip - What to See & Do
Sprawling and kinetic, this busy, growing megacity of some 23 million people is the ancient capital of one of the fastest rising world powers. Delhi - New and Old - offers India in a microcosm. It is a megalopolis imbued with the wisdom and architecture of millennia, interspersed with modern marvels that range from the sublime, such as the magnificent Lotus Temple unfolding in 27 marble "petals" toward the sky; to the unabashedly globalized like the gleaming glass skyscrapers of Connaught Place (Rajeev Chowk).
Navigating New Delhi is no easy task, but is well worth the effort. This city of surreal splendors and brightly colored moments sprawls across seven ancient cities and 26 centuries, preserving pieces of each era with faithful resolve. From mind-blowing markets to extravagant temples, aromatic cuisine to bustling business districts, it is a place you will never forget.
Day 1: A Swirl of Color and Activity
The best way to get to know fascinating New Delhi is with a private day tour, featuring the city's highlights and expert insights into this intricate urban tapestry. You'll visit the city's most famous attractions, from the glittering spires of the Laxminarayan Temple, one of the first to disavow the caste system, to the imposing facades of the presidential and parliamentary palaces, as well as more modest monuments, like those honoring Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. In between the marquee sights, you'll see daily life in New Delhi, its beautiful mysteries illuminated by your guide.
Day 2: New Delhi Maze
Now that you're getting to know the endlessly fascinating maze of New Delhi, you'll feel more comfortable exploring its quieter corners on your own. But consider booking a half-day tour, to explore some aspect of New Delhi in greater depth. If you want to experience the small joys of daily life, rise and shine with the Sunrise Tour, where the scented hues of the Flower Market, Sikh temples, and traditional Indian breakfast will swirl kaleidoscopically around your small, private tour. Not a morning person? Consider the light and sound show at the Red Fort, illuminating the centuries-old edifice with modern showmanship. Other options include Gandhi's New Delhi, where you'll learn more about the Mahatma, and the Delhi Cultural Night Tour, where you'll enjoy a home-cooked family meal.
Day 3: Day Trips from New Delhi
Consider going farther afield on your third day. A half-day tour of Old Delhi takes you meandering through the narrow, busy streets and bazaars of the original city, where you'll enjoy authentic cuisine and a slice of city life. New Delhi also makes a comfortable base for trips to the city of Agra, just 200 kilometers (124 miles) away. Though it is most famous for the graceful Taj Mahal, Agra is a city of architectural splendors. You can see the most famous sites, including the massive 16th century Agra Fort, on a 13 hour day trip. If you have more time to spare, however, the region's attractions certainly merit a longer trip, such as this four-day tour visiting the jewelry-making center of Jaipur as well.
One of the best tours we had so far. Our guide, Mr. Mehran Uddin, was very knowledgable and attentive to our needs.
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Great trip. Worth doing if you want a more structured/organised itinerary. Our guide was excellent, very knowledgeable and knew intricate details about the 2 monuments.
Please note, it is a 5hr car ride each way from New Delhi. No scheduled refreshment stops along the way, so if you need, you will have to ask. The driver didn't speak much english, so good idea to get the hotel staff translate what you want before leaving. Don't expect much from the transport car, it is only an old simple bomb, but I guess it's all part of the experience! The tour guide will meet you in Agra.
Wear walking shoes, there is no dress sense in India and the more ill-fitting your clothes are the better.
At the Taj Mahal, get your photos taken by the local 'photographers'. Should cost about 50 - 100 rupees, and they aren't too bad. There are heaps of them, and you won't need to find them, they will find you. Remember don't pay until the end, as you are leaving they will come and find you.
Note on tips: If they don't charge you a service charge on your bill, then leave a tip of about 50-100 rupees. Otherwise, the service charge is about 3-5%. However, we tipped the guide about 500 rupees.
Note on Hawkers: There will be many hawkers attempting to either sell you stuff or beg. Trick seems to be not to give them any attention (no looking at them, never talk to them, don't say no or anything and just keep moving or doing your own thing) They will eventually leave. If you engage in any way, they will follow you everywhere, even to the loo.
Overall, great experience.
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This is a great tour. I recommend it if you either have little time or are planning to see Delhi for a few days or more. The tour gave my Wife and I a great outline and overall understanding of the city and it's culture.
The Guide was excellent. Very knowledgeable and approachable. We asked a few curly questions and he was honest in his responses.
The tour allowed us to make note of places where we could tour on our own later on, and equipped us with a better understanding of how to 'survive in Delhi'.
Note on dress: My wife advises other women to dress not worrying about what you look like but about covering yourself up. No exposed chests or anything below the knees. The men/boys can't stop staring.
Note on Tips: Most hospitality est' will charge a service charge, if they don't, tipping is about 5-10% depending on service provided. Like some other countries, many workers rely on tips as the source of income. We were told that many of the budget hotel/restaurants have workers who work only for tips and don't get paid a base wage.
Note on trading days: Many of the monuments/sites have days where they are closed. Check first before going to those places.
Don't expect much from the transport car. It is only a simple old bomb, but part of the experience. Traffic in Delhi is chaos, so recommend you have a bottle of water with you.
Overall, great trip and worth doing.
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3 Days in New Delhi: Suggested Itineraries Written by Viator
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