When you decide to visit India, you first land in either Delhi or Mumbai. India offers much more diversity, but you get the first impression of India through these cities. In this article, we will discuss how to make the most of your trip to Delhi and enjoy the splendid things the capital city of India offers to its visitors.
Go unconventional
When you plan to visit India and land up in Delhi, don’t go by the established rules. I don’t mean that you should violate the rule of law. I just want to say that you should be slightly unconventional in your approach and leave no stone unturned to discover the hidden gems which many tourists often miss.
Delhi is a glorious city that blends modernity with rich history. It is endlessly fascinating as it’s the melting pot of different cultures – ancient Hindu and Buddhist culture, medieval and Persian influence and imperial British influence.
Be it the ancient monuments or the exotic Indian cuisine, Delhi offers unlimited fun and delight to a curious tourist. Just like other historical destinations including Rome and Greece, you will feel that many ancient civilizations are still breathing under the ruins of these monuments, the trail of which can be found everywhere in Delhi. The city truly reflects eternity and spirituality.
What does Delhi offer?
Delhi has been home to several civilizations that have left a strong mark on the capital city of India. Delhi is lush green and that’s the reason it is fun to even walk on its pavements. Besides being the cultural and political center of India, the city is a paradise for food lovers. From medieval Mughlai foods to Indian vegetarian dishes and Western cuisines, Delhi is a home away from home for people from different parts of the world.
It has been observed that many tourists are not able to make the most of their trip to Delhi, because of many reasons. First of all, there is no definitive guide to visit Delhi and secondly, it’s a vast, crowded and busy metropolis and there are no customized packages available. Delhi offers a variety of options, in terms of accommodation, sightseeing and exploring its culture.
Accommodation
Most of the people prefer to stay at hotels in Delhi near Paharganjor Karol Bagh that are adjacent to New Delhi railway station. The areas are called budget conscious travelers’ ghetto, but that is only a misconception. These days there is no dearth of cheap hotels, homestays, hostels, boutique hotels, and normal hotels in Gurgaon and Delhi. You may choose the one that is convenient for you or near the location you would prefer to stay in.
I would recommend you to avoid crowded places and choose an area that is in the leafy, green, serene and upscale locations of Central or South Delhi. These areas are considered to be the safest places for foreign nationals.
Transportation
Connectivity is not an issue these days, thanks to the Metro railway, which is air-conditioned Mass Rapid Transit System across Delhi and national capital region that includes NOIDA, Faridabad, and Gurugram. It is easily accessible, fast, cheap and safe option to travel across Delhi. The women’s car is always the first car in the direction of the moving train. There is a separate pink signage on the platform for the car and women travelers can easily spot that. You can also try app-based cab services such as Ola or Uber, however with some precautions.
The best ways to explore Delhi
Exploring Delhi is not an easy task. What makes it even more complex is the fact that the city is stacked withmultiple layers of history. If you plan your trip by yourself and start travelling on your own, you will soon be exhausted and frustrated. So, if you want to explore Delhi, you may take the help of the following groups:
- Delhi by Foot (run by RamitMitra)
- Delhi by Cycle
- Urban Adventures Delhi
- Delhi Food Walks
- Salaam Baalak Trust Street Walk
For the best experience, try to split your tour into small segments according to localities and sites. For example, you can choose Central Delhi and Connaught Place for one day. The next day you can choose Mehrauli. One to two daysare required to explore the Walled City of Delhi, which is also called Old Delhi and includes areas such as ChandniChowk, Jama Masjid, and Red Fort. You will enjoy the visit to this area to the maximum, if you take Delhi by Foot as your tour guide. DBF recently organized an event – Ramadan feasting and sightseeing at night, which is the best way to explore the hidden fun most of the tourists are never able to enjoy.
In Central Delhi, you can visit Connaught Place, India Gate, RashtrapatiBhavan, HumayunTomb, Lodhi Tomb, Safdarjang Tomb, Janpath, Khan Market, Imperial Hotel, PragatiMaidan, Delhi Zoo, and Raj Ghat, etc.
The Walled City of Old Delhi is a paradise of food lovers. You can visit Old Delhi food joints, such as ParantheWaliGali, and restaurants near Jama Masjid.
In South Delhi, you can visit Lotus Temple, HauzKhas village, Tughlakabad Fort, and QutubMinar, etc.
Thefts, pick-pocketing and other crimes
You might have heard the stories, where tourists are ripped off in India. For example, you buy some stuff for Rs. 500, and then you’ll be shocked to know that only two stalls next to it, it is available only for Rs. 300 or 200. This frequently happens, but this is a small amount if converted to a foreign currency. People often call it“foreigners’ tax”. It’s better not to argue for such things. It is not worth it. While shopping, check prices at different stalls before you buy anything. Window shopping will help you save money.
Safety tips
Crimes are increasing everywhere across the globe and not just in India. India is as safe or unsafe as any other country in the world. However, if you exercise precautions and self-awareness, you will stay safe. Don’t get too close to strangers, and use your intuition to stay away from criminals, swindlers, and thieves. Use verified cab services and take complete details of the driver and cab number, before you ride it. Try not to board a cab, while you’re drunk or during odd hours.
Money
Pickpocketing is common at the crowded places and markets, so don’t keep your cards and cash in one place. Keep your cards and cash in a separate wallet, pouch or money belt. Wallets for pouches containing money and cards should be kept in a small backpack while traveling through busy streets, marketplaces and metro trains. Keep a small amount of cash in your wallet and nothing else. So in case, it is lost, you don’t lose much.
Health
Avoid unhygienic places and restaurants. Restrict yourself to bottled water, when it comes to drinking water. Find a place where you can eat freshly cooked food. Avoid salads at Dhabas, the local eating joints. Always keep your hand sanitizer ready before you eat food.
Dress and attire
It is important for foreigners to know about the cultural norms of India. Women are supposed to dress modestly and cover their shoulders and legs. If you don’t do it, you may invite stares. The best option is to wear loose cotton dresses that can be easily found in cheap Delhi markets. Avoid tight fitting and revealing clothes. Kurta pajama for men and salwarkameez for women are easily available at all cheap local markets such as Sarojini Nagar, Janpath, Lajpat Nagar and ChandniChowk.
Final words of advice
All places in India are good for vacation, but the special ones worth mentioning are Goa, Manali, Dharamsala, and Darjeeling. Further, India is an ancient country, where you can experience a lot of things such as personal transformation, Yoga and meditation, mindfulness, spirituality and understanding of medieval history. You can get yourself tattooed with Sanskrit slokas and enjoy spiritual visits to monasteries, temples, dargahs and ashrams. Have you seen the tattoo in Sanskrit on the arm of Katy Perry that means “Go with the flow”?
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This content made possible by site supporter Miten Shah.
Photo by Frank Holleman on Unsplash