Private Old & New Delhi Day Tour: Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar & More

Summary

Delhi Full-Day Sightseeing Tour with Local Guide

You’ll cover both Old and New Delhi in a single day—exploring ancient mosques, lively bazaars, royal forts, peaceful temples, and modern landmarks with a local guide who knows all the shortcuts (and best snack stops). Private car makes it easy; stories from your guide make it memorable.

What’s the experience like?

The morning air in Delhi has its own flavor—spicy chai from roadside stalls mixes with the buzz of rickshaws. Our driver met us right at the hotel lobby, and before I knew it, we were weaving through the city’s early traffic toward Deer Park. The park itself is a bit of green calm before the day’s rush—locals jogging, squirrels darting around, and that faint scent of wet earth if it rained overnight.

We met our guide near Sunheri Masjid and hopped into a tuk-tuk for the real Old Delhi experience. Chandni Chowk was already alive—vendors shouting over each other, carts stacked with marigolds and sweets rolling by. Our guide pointed out tiny alleyways where families have run spice shops for generations. You could almost taste cardamom in the air.

The first big stop: Jama Masjid. Standing in that huge red sandstone courtyard, shoes off and toes cool against the stone, you can’t help but look up at those minarets. Our guide shared how it took 5,000 workers to build this place back in 1656. From here, you catch glimpses of Red Fort just across the way—a reminder of how close everything sits in Old Delhi.

Red Fort is massive up close. There’s this echo when you walk under its gates—kids laughing somewhere inside, pigeons flapping overhead. The walls stretch on for what feels like forever (our guide said it’s about 2 km). It’s easy to imagine Mughal emperors living here centuries ago.

Next up was Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. We covered our heads with scarves offered at the entrance and stepped inside to hear soft hymns echoing off marble walls. The water tank out back is still believed by locals to have healing powers—a story our guide told us as we watched people quietly filling bottles to take home.

A quick drive brought us to India Gate—the names of thousands of soldiers carved into its stone are hard to miss. There’s always a crowd here: school groups snapping photos, street vendors selling roasted peanuts wrapped in old newspaper.

We rolled past Parliament House and Rashtrapati Bhavan next—those grand white buildings set behind neat lawns and iron gates. Our driver slowed down so we could get some good shots from the window; security is tight but you get a sense of how official everything feels here compared to Old Delhi’s chaos.

Later, we had a choice between Humayun's Tomb or Akshardham Temple (we picked Humayun's). The gardens are peaceful—birds everywhere—and the tomb itself is all red sandstone arches and white marble domes. Our guide explained how it inspired the Taj Mahal later on.

The afternoon sun was hot by now as we headed south to Qutub Minar. It towers above everything else nearby—you can see it from blocks away—and there are always school kids on field trips running around its base. The carvings on those bricks are wild when you look up close.

Last stop: Lotus Temple. Shoes off again before walking across cool marble floors into that silent hall shaped like a giant flower bud. Even with crowds outside taking selfies, inside it’s quiet enough to hear your own breath.

If you want, there’s an optional visit to Raj Ghat—the spot where Gandhi was cremated—before heading back. By evening, our driver dropped us wherever we wanted in Delhi (we chose Connaught Place for dinner). Long day? For sure—but I felt like I’d seen every side of this city: old markets, royal palaces, sacred spaces, and modern boulevards all tangled together.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Old and New Delhi

• Pickup from hotel
• Tuk-tuk ride through Old Delhi bazaars
• Visit Jama Masjid
• Tour Red Fort
• Visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
• See India Gate
• Drive past Parliament House
• Drive past President's House
• Visit Humayun's Tomb or Akshardham Temple
• Visit Akshardham Temple or Humayun's Tomb
• Visit Qutub Minar
• Visit Lotus Temple
• Optional visit to Raj Ghat
• Drop-off at chosen location

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes! Pickup and drop-off from your hotel (or airport/train station) are included anywhere in Delhi or nearby cities like Noida or Gurugram.

Can I choose between Humayun's Tomb and Akshardham Temple?

You sure can—you’ll have time for one or the other depending on your preference that day.

Are entrance fees covered?

All entrance fees for listed attractions are included in your tour price—no hidden costs at any monument.

Is this tour suitable for everyone?

This tour involves some walking and isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or certain health issues; otherwise it fits most fitness levels.

What should I wear?

Dress comfortably for warm weather; bring something to cover your head at religious sites like Gurudwara Bangla Sahib or Jama Masjid (scarves provided if needed).

What’s included

Your private transport (air-conditioned), expert local guide throughout the day, bottled water whenever you need it, all entry tickets covered upfront—and flexible pickup/drop-off wherever suits you best in Delhi NCR region.