Description
The capital of India and home to all three branches of the Indian government, New Delhi is a unique urban metropolis that you’ll have the chance to explore with this fantastic sightseeing tour of the city. As you drive through the busy streets of this remarkable city, you’ll see the Rashtrapati Bhavan – the official residence of the President of India – and India Gate – a monument to the Indian soldiers that died in the First World War and the Third Anglo-Afghan War – before exploring Rajiv Chowk; also known as Connaught Place, this is a major financial, commercial, business, and entertainment centre in New Delhi and a fantastic place to immerse yourself in the modern culture of the Indian capital. Throughout, you’ll also have the chance to sample local cuisine – including street food like samosas, bread pakoras, and fritters. Throughout the day, you’ll also visit Humayun’s Tomb, the first garden tomb to be constructed on the Indian subcontinent, and the impressive Qutub Minar – a minaret standing tall at the site of La Kot, Delhi’s oldest fortified city. An excursion balancing historical landmarks with bustling marketplaces, and the chance to sample local cuisines like samosas, bread pakoras, and chat papri, this tour is both authentic and informative; you’re not going to want to miss this. Alongside a tour of Old Delhi, this tour of New Delhi’s modern landmarks compliments your time in the Indian megacity perfectly and provides you with a comprehensive experience of the history and culture of this unique destination.
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Things to do
The Rashtrapati Bhavan
An impressive 340-room palace sitting within the 320-acre Presidential Estate in the heart of New Delhi, Rashtrapati Bhavan (on which construction was completed in 1929) is currently the official residence of the President of India; formerly the Viceroy’s House during India’s period of British colonial rule, this is the second-largest residence of any head of state in the world and was interestingly built with 700 million bricks and a minimal amount of steel supports.
India Gate
Formerly known as the All India War Memorial, this monument stands as a memorial to all the Indian Army soldiers who died in the First World War and the Third Anglo-Afghan War between 1914 and 1921; drawing on ancient Roman architectural styles, this was built as part of the British Imperial War Graves Commission of 1917 – which was done to commemorate and remember soldiers who died in the First World War across the commonwealth.
Ravik Chowk
Also known as Connaught Place, this area of New Delhi is one of the city’s main business, financial, and commercial centres – and is regarded as a major tourist destination due to its’ shopping and nightlife; the ninth-most expensive office location in the world, Ravik Chowk is also home to a central park where a large national flag flies in the centre.
Humayun’s Tomb
Commissioned in 1558 by Humayun’s first wife and chief consort, Empress Bega Begum, this remarkable structure was the first garden tomb in India and the first building to utilise red sandstone in construction to such a scale; the complex surrounding the tomb represents an important development in Mughal architecture and highlights the early influences of Persian designs and architectural styles.
Qutub Minar
Located at the site of Delhi’s oldest fortified city, Lal Kot, Qutub Minar is one of the most iconic minarets in India; built between 1199 and 1220, the surface of this ‘victory tower’ is intricately decorated with inscriptions and geometric patterns.