Delhi - Sightseeing the City
New Delhi was designed and built by the British in the 1920's - it's a city of wide boulevards impressive Government buildings, green parks, and gardens. In 1911 King George V announced the transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi. The King's architects, Lutyens and Baker, set in motion the design and construction of Delhi's eight cities - New Delhi. Lutyens designed an
"Imperial City" has palatial-sized buildings set amid broad tree-lined avenues punctuated by Mughal-style gardens, complete with fountains and shallow pools. It took 20 years to complete this immense undertaking only to have the British pack up and relinquish the subcontinent in 1947.
Later visit two monuments from Delhi's past - Qutub Minar (Historical construction of a landmark In 1199, Qutub-Ud-Din raised the Qutub Minar either as a victory tower or as a minaret to the adjacent mosque. From a base of 14.32m it tapers to 2.75m at a height of 72.5m) & Humayun's tomb (This tomb, which was built by emperor Humayun's wife, took eight years to complete and is regarded as an example of the early Mughal architecture. The emperor's wife, Begai Begum, was buried in the tomb and the structure is the first of its kind built in the center of a well-planned garden. The combination of white marble and red sandstone was a great influence on later Mughal architecture. It is generally regarded as a prototype of the famed Taj Mahal of Agra).
Your drive takes you along the ceremonial avenue, Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate (At the center of New Delhi stands the 42m high India Gate, an "Arc-de-Triomphe" like Archway in the middle of a crossroad. It’s almost similar to its French counterpart war memorial. It commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the First World War and bears the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the North-western Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919. The foundation stone was laid by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught in 1921 and was designed by Edwin Lutyens), President House (The palatial building built on an area of 330 acres with a private garden designed by the illustrious Lutyens, as the official residence of the Viceroy of India during British reign, is now the official residence of the First Citizen) and the Parliament House (This is the symbol of Indian democracy).
Old Delhi was an ancient walled city. Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1650 switched the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Shah Jehan possessing an exquisite talent, especially in architecture, created the seventh city and in the process brought about Delhi's glorious renaissance. Start the day with a cycle rickshaw ride through Old Delhi. Drive past the Red Fort, the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire. The fort is Shah Jehan's symbol of power and elegance, built behind red sandstone walls. Its main gate (Lahore Gate) faces Chandni Chowk, the perpetually congested avenue heading west from the Red Fort is filled with twisting lanes, small streets, and crowded bazaars. If you peer through a portico you may see a man getting shaved, silver being weighed, or any other conceivable form of intense commerce.
Also visit Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi; Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; and Chandni Chowk, the bustling and colorful market of the old city. Chandni Chowk was the commercial center of Delhi in the old-time and you will see it come alive in the morning as the trading day starts.
Optional Experience
Evening Food trails (with Rickshaw ride) in Old Delhi.
A cycle rickshaw ride around Old Delhi is a unique experience because you get to witness the city's sights and delights in a whole new way. Immerse yourself in this charismatic city’s intoxicating, yet chaotic charm on one of these light, three-wheeled vehicles are driven by an expert who understands how to negotiate what can appear to be non-navigable streets – it’s quite an art! This is an offbeat and truly “Only in India’ experience in the ancient city of Shahjahanabad.
The experience begins after the visit to Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. After this visit, hop on to your rickshaws and enter the colorful, narrow alleys and gullies of Old Delhi. Discover the gems of the main street of Chandni Chowk. Then proceed into busy streets which are forever bustling with the clamor and routine of daily trade, offering a glimpse of life back in the day and age when the city started as a commercial hub. Visit the famous firecracker market, see exquisite silver jewelry, antique items, perfumes, and piping hot, scrumptious jalebis, an Indian deep-fried dessert. Proceed to Kinari Bazaar or wedding market where one can buy all the paraphernalia required for an Indian wedding. At night, the gold and silver decorated borders, laces, and colorful embellishments in this lane twinkle, glitter, and shine, casting flirtatious looks upon innocent passers-by. Visit Asia's largest spice market, where spices, which in times gone by were once so valuable that they caused invasions and fierce battles, is still traded! On the way, you have the option of sampling some of Delhi’s delicious street food from Jalebis to samosas!
What's included?
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Breakfast
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Accommodation
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Tour