Delhi: Old & New City Custom Tour with Tuk Tuk Ride & Pickup

Summary

Chandni Chowk rickshaw rides, Lotus Temple silence, Delhi’s flavors

You’ll weave through Old Delhi by tuk tuk with your guide, taste street food in Chandni Chowk, pause for reflection at Jama Masjid and Raj Ghat, and end your day beneath the quiet curves of the Lotus Temple. Expect laughter, new smells, and moments that linger long after you’re back at your hotel.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the sound—honking, sure, but also that bell from a cycle rickshaw somewhere behind us. Our guide, Rakesh, waved us over at the curb in Connaught Place, grinning like he’d just heard a good joke. “Ready for Old Delhi?” he asked. I nodded but honestly, I had no idea what I was ready for. The tuk tuk ride through Chandni Chowk felt like being in the middle of a festival—vendors shouting over each other, flashes of marigold garlands and spice sacks piled higher than my head. The air smelled like cardamom and something frying (pakoras maybe?). At one point a man selling jalebis tried to hand me one right through the window; Rakesh laughed and said I should try it if I wasn’t afraid of sticky fingers.

I didn’t expect Jama Masjid to feel so peaceful after all that chaos outside. We left our shoes at the entrance (the marble was cool underfoot) and just stood there for a minute, letting the quiet settle in. There was this little breeze moving across the courtyard—Delhi’s heat is famous but that morning it felt almost gentle. Later at Raj Ghat, people were laying fresh flowers by Gandhi’s memorial stone; nobody said much but you could feel everyone thinking their own thoughts. It’s strange how loud Delhi can be and then suddenly not at all.

Lunch came somewhere between monuments—I never got the name of the place but it had steel plates and lassi so thick you needed two hands to lift it. Rakesh told us about his childhood in Karol Bagh while we ate; he pointed out Lodhi Gardens as we drove past (“good for evening walks if you’re not too tired”). By afternoon we’d seen India Gate shining white against the sky and stopped at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib where volunteers handed out sweet prasad in tiny bowls. The Lotus Temple was last—the guards asked for silence inside but even outside something about its shape made everyone whisper anyway.

I keep thinking about that tuk tuk ride—how close everything felt, how nothing really prepares you for Delhi except being there with someone who knows where to look. If you want a day trip in Delhi that doesn’t feel rushed or boxed-in (and includes pickup so you don’t have to figure out metro lines), this is probably it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full day tour of Old and New Delhi

• Pick up from hotel between 8-10 AM
• Visit Akshardham Temple
• Visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
• Visit Raj Ghat memorial
• Take rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk
• Visit Jama Masjid mosque
• Heritage walk in Old Delhi lanes
• Drive past India Gate and stroll Rajpath
• Pass by President's House and Parliament House
• Visit Lotus Temple
• Drop off at preferred location

Top questions

How long does the customized Delhi tour last?

You can choose either a full-day or half-day option depending on your preference.

Is hotel pickup included in this day trip?

Yes, pickup is available from anywhere in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad or Faridabad.

Can I customize which attractions we visit?

Yes—you can plan your route with your local guide based on what interests you most.

Are entry fees or meals included?

No entry fees or meals are mentioned as included; water bottles are provided though.

Is transportation wheelchair accessible?

Yes—all transportation options are wheelchair accessible on this tour.

What’s special about Chandni Chowk on this tour?

You’ll take a rickshaw ride through its busy streets to experience local life up close.

Does this tour include visits to religious sites?

Yes—you can visit places like Jama Masjid, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Akshardham Temple and Lotus Temple.

Will there be time for street food tasting?

Your guide can suggest spots for street food tasting during your customized itinerary.

Is this suitable for families with kids or elderly travelers?

The tour is suitable for all ages and fitness levels; strollers and prams are welcome too.

What’s included

Your day includes personalized guiding from a local expert, private transportation with flexible pickup and drop-off anywhere within Delhi or nearby cities (Noida, Gurugram etc.), bottled water throughout the journey, plus all parking charges and tolls covered so you can focus on exploring instead of logistics.