Private Delhi Tuk Tuk Tour: Old & New City Hidden Gems Guide

4.92

(79 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

Delhi’s streets always have a hum to them—sometimes it’s the rattle of a passing tuk tuk, other times it’s just the distant call of a chai vendor. Our day started early, right after sunrise when the city’s still shaking off its sleep. The first stop was the Red Fort. You can’t miss those massive red walls—standing there, you almost feel the weight of history. Our guide, Rajiv, pointed out little details I’d never noticed before: faded carvings on the gates and the way morning light hits the marble inlays. There was a faint scent of incense drifting from somewhere nearby.

We zipped through Old Delhi next—past cycle rickshaws and fruit carts—to Jama Masjid. I had to take my shoes off at the entrance; the cool stone felt good underfoot even though it was already warming up outside. Inside, it was peaceful despite all the city noise just beyond those walls. Rajiv shared stories about Shah Jahan and how this mosque once echoed with royal prayers.

Bottle of water in hand (trust me, you’ll need it), we made our way to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. The kindness here is real—you’re offered sweet prasad and can watch volunteers cooking in giant pots for anyone who walks in hungry. The sarovar (holy pond) glimmered in the mid-morning sun, and I caught myself just sitting quietly for a minute or two.

The tuk tuk ride over to India Gate brought us into New Delhi’s wide boulevards—totally different vibe from Old Delhi’s tangled lanes. We stopped for photos and watched kids flying kites on the lawns nearby. Rashtrapati Bhavan looked almost unreal from afar, like something out of an old movie.

Humayun’s Tomb was next—a UNESCO site that feels surprisingly calm despite being so close to busy roads. There were birds everywhere, and if you listen closely you might hear gardeners chatting as they sweep leaves from the paths. Our guide explained how this place inspired the Taj Mahal’s design.

We kept moving—Qutub Minar rising up out of nowhere in Mehrauli, then finally Lotus Temple with its white marble petals shining against a blue sky. Shoes off again inside; it’s quiet enough that you can hear your own footsteps echoing.

But honestly? My favorite part was wandering Chandni Chowk on foot near sunset—the spice market is wild: bursts of cardamom and chili in the air, vendors shouting prices, people squeezing past each other with bags full of snacks or flowers for evening prayers.