Begin the day with breakfast at hotel. Later, the tour guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you for a guided sightseeing of Old and New Delhi. This tour includes the following places:
Red Fort: The UNESCO listed World Heritage site is a fortress built in the 17th century during the Mughal rule. The name comes from Hindi word Lal, which means red and Quila which means fort and gets its name from the red sandstone used in the structure. The Red Fort is placed in an octet shape along the Yamuna River with a wall of about 2.4 km in perimeter and took almost a decade to be completed. The highlights of the fortress are Diwan-e-Am (Hall for public audience), a Rang Mahal (a water- cooled apartment of royal ladies) and a Pearl Mosque (constructed with white marble), museums, etc. The main entrances to the Red Forts are the Delhi Gate and the Lahori Gate, both of which face the renowned Chandni Chowk.
Jama Masjid: One of the country’s major mosques, Jama Masjid is a place where hundreds and thousands of Muslims offer their prayers. Constructed by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century, it is an architectural extravaganza. Awe at the long stretches of stairs, hefty courtyard and intricate carvings.
Chandni Chowk (Silver Street): Well-known as the most popular place in Old Delhi, it is a famous shopping spot as well as popular foodie hub. Known as the country’s best extensive market, here you can shop for traditional attires, electronics, street shopping and more. The famous Paranthawale Gali, known for its mouth-watering paranthas is located here as is the famous gold market, Dariba Kalan. In the olden days, the Chandni Chowk, meaning the ‘moonlit courtyard’ in the local language was designed by Jahanara Begum, Shah Jahan’s beloved daughter and was then populated by the well-to-do families of that time.
Raj Ghat: Set on the expansive gardens lying on the banks of Yamuna River, Raj Ghat symbolizes the spot where Mahatma Gandhi ‘The Father of the Nation was cremated in 1948 after his assasination in 1948. A dedicatory ritual takes place each Friday, in his memory.
India Gate: A free-standing 42-meter high arch built-in 1931, India Gate commemorates the memory of the 90,000 soldiers of the Indian Army who died in World War I. The walls of the arch are covered in engraved names of the warriors. Also, the eternal flame of Amar Jawan (Immortal Soldier) is lit here adding to its appeal.
Rashtrapati Bhavan (President’s House): The authorized residence of the President of the country, the Rashtrapati Bhavan was designed by British architect Lutyens in New Delhi. The official residence of the Viceroy when the British ruled India and now the President is an architectural magnificence.
Humayun’s Tomb: The UNESCO World Heritage, the inspiration behind the Taj Mahal, the Humayun’s Tomb was built nine years after the death of the Mughal Emperor by the Haji Begum (widow of Humayun) in his memory. The garden tomb is a splendor of Indian architecture.
Qutub Minar: Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Qutub Archaeological Complex was built by the Muslim King; Qutab–ud–din Aibak in the early 12th century. The brick minaret (tower) rises to 72.5 meters tall and its base is a mosque. The complex has ruins, tombs and other remnants of Indian history and architecture.
Overnight stay in Delhi.