Day 2
Delhi sightseeing tour
Delhi is a favorite tourist destination of India. Delhi is probably the richest capital in the world in terms of ancient lineage of culture, history, cuisine and monuments. After having delicious breakfast in Delhi hotel, embark on the tour of Delhi. Delhi is divided into two parts- Old Delhi and New Delhi. Though both Delhi were built in planned manner but New Delhi is equipped with modern infrastructure and planning, suitable to new age requirements. Old Delhi is primarily characterized by Red Fort, Chandni Chowk and Jama Masjid, built by Shah Jahan.
Since Red Fort doesn’t have much preserved to look at from inside, most of the sightseeing tours exclude visiting Red Fort from inside. Red Fort contains two of India's most sumptuous buildings, the Diwan-i-Aam and the Diwan-i-Khas (halls of public and private audience). The Diwan-i-Aam is the larger and perhaps more splendid of the two, but the latter demonstrates the perfection to which chiseled architecture, making use of pure marble. It was in the Diwan-i-Aam, however, that the famous jewel-encrusted Peacock Throne stood beneath a silver ceiling. In the tails of the two peacocks that decorated the throne were so many precious stones that estimates of its worth begin at around thirty million dollars and mount dizzily upward.
Running directly from the front of the Red Fort is one of the most famous streets in the world, Chandni Chowk, which means 'silver street'. Chandni Chowk is characterized by a slow-moving traffic jam of bullock-drawn carts, horse-drawn carriages, man-drawn rickshaws and men without any means of conveyance carrying huge burdens on their shoulders. Back in the 17th century, when Shah Jahan proceeded sumptuously down Chandni Chowk, it was considered to be the wealthiest street in the world.
Chandni Chowk is a maze of labyrinthine alleys. Amid labyrinth of meandering, crowded, noisy alleys stands the noble Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, built in the 17th century by Shah Jahan out of red sandstone and white marble. Typically Mughal built the onion-shaped domes and the minarets that narrow as they rise. It is a beautiful, elegant structure that creates an atmosphere of profound peace and tranquility.
During visit of Chandni Chowk, you will have rickshaw ride in Kinari Bazar area and hence will be enjoying exotic India experience. Later on, proceed to visit famous and must-see monuments of New Delhi- India Gate, Raj Path, Parliament, President House, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar and Lotus Temple. After visiting and exploring Delhi, return to Delhi hotel for overnight stay.