Welcome to Old Delhi with Masterji Ki Haveli
Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, scents and tastes of the old part of Delhi - the perfect alternative introduction to India. Bypass the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid in favour of day-to-day life, family anecdotes, intriguing insights and mouth-watering snacks. Then, accompany your guide to the beautifully restored Masterji Ki Haveli for a delicious home-cooked meal.
Old Delhi is often both one of the first places travellers visit in India, and one of the most overwhelming. Chaotic, crowded and crumbling, it can be difficult to know where to start, especially if you are still feeling jet lagged. We recommend a non-typical tour that will quickly have you feeling at home in this fascinating city, and which includes ample tasty snacks.
Delve into Old Delhi’s narrow streets, crowded with people, animals, and just about every form of street transport you can imagine. Get hemmed in by buildings in various stages of disrepair, and shops and market stalls that line every inch of available space. Glance up at precariously-festooned electrical cables and mysterious shop signs. Open your ears to the hum of everyday life, the tramp of feet, the crackle of frying oil, and the ever-present beep of horns. Watch in awe as your guide seamlessly navigates you through this scene whilst describing the history of the area, unravelling the mysteries of daily life and sharing personal anecdotes.
From the busiest thoroughfares to the quieter side streets, your guide will introduce you to some of the local residents. Stop to nibble on traditional snacks like papri chaat - crispy fried dough, topped with boiled potatoes, chickpeas, tamarind chutney, chaat masala and crunchy sev - followed up with some sweet kulfi.
Along the way you’ll see sights that will never make it near the guidebooks - always the mark of a great tour in our opinion. And whilst we don’t want to spoil all of the surprises, we think you’ll enjoy a very special ‘secret’ vantage point, from where it feels like you can overlook the whole city. For a final flourish, you’ll be welcomed into the historic Masterji Ki Haveli for yet more delicious dining.
Unlike the majority of tours we arrange, this isn’t a private experience, and you’ll join a small group of fellow explorers along with a guide who is an Old Delhi specialist. We think it's a great way to start feeling right at home in India, and for those worried about missing out all of Delhi's better known attractions, we guarantee they’ll still be there when you’ve finished!