Delhi
Discover Delhi
Busy, bustling and brimming with history, India’s capital city will leave a lasting impression. It is an unforgettable destination, with its collision of amazing history with bustling modern life. Expect colours, noise and chaos! This city within cities is one of the three Golden Triangle destinations, and as a shopper’s paradise, history lover’s haven and foodie’s utopia, the delights of Delhi will appeal to everyone.
Thing to do in Delhi
- Visit New Delhi. This district of Delhi serves as the capital of India and seat of the three Indian Government branches. New Delhi is home to a multitude of museums and galleries, as well as the India Gate inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
- India Gate is the national monument of India and was built in 1931 to commemorate the 90,000 Indian Army soldiers killed whilst fighting for Britain in World War 1. Rising to almost 138 feet high, the gate was designed by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, along with other prominent buildings in New Delhi such as the Rashtrapati Bhawan (formerly the Viceroy’s House), Janpath (the ‘people’s way’, the main north to south road), the Rajpath (‘King’s Way) ceremonial boulevard and the National Archives of India
- Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The stunning Humayun’s Tomb in New Delhi was the first garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent and inspired many architectural innovations, including the Taj Mahal. The impressive Red Fort Complex is named after its enormous sandstone walls and was constructed in 1546 for Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal Emperor of India, as the palace fort of the new capital Shahjahanabad. High above the ground stands The Qutb Minar, a”victory tower” at 72.5 metres, making it the tallest minaret in the world built of bricks with its spiral staircase of 379 steps
- Take a ricksaw ride around Old Delhi. Nothing quite prepares you for your first visit to Old Delhi! Travel the busy streets and alleyways of Old Delhi and you’ll encounter a never ending network of cars, rickshaws, cattle, monkeys, traders and shoppers, all adding to the charm
- Visit Jama Masjid – the biggest mosque in India, constructed by over 5000 workers between 1650 and 1656. This amazing place of worship was originally called Masjid e Jahan Numa, meaning ‘mosque commanding view of the world’, and has a courtyard large enough for 25,000 people to pray in at once
- The black marble platform and the eternal flame of Rajghat mark the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated on 30th January 1948
- Constructed from sandstone, the Birla Mandir (or Laxminarayan Temple) was the first Hindu temple to be built in Delhi. Created between 1933 and 1939, the side temples are dedicated to Shiva, Krishna and Buddha
- The beautiful flower shape of the Lotus Temple is made up of 27 freestanding marble-clad petals forming nine sides. This award-winning piece of architecture is a designated Ba’hai House of Worship
- Foodie Delights – Tempt your tastebuds with the delicacies of Delhi, from rich Mughlai curries to the sumptuous street food snacks such as kebabs, aloo tikka (spicy pasties) and sticky-sweet jalebi (orange coils of batter in syrup)
- Shopper’s Paradise – From the multi-floor markets of New Delhi to the bustling street bazaars of Old Delhi, you’ll find everything from clothes, and footwear to food and handicrafts, for the perfect souvenir.
The best way to see Delhi
If you would like to visit Delhi, why not take a look at one of our wonderful ATOL and ABTA protected holidays? Please remember all our private tours are designed to meet your exact requirements, and the tours mentioned are just examples to help inspire you. Contact our travel experts on 01792 315499 or email info@aitholidays.com for more information.
