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Delhi By Locals

Delhi Tours with Locals

Explore Old Delhi, New Delhi, its food, markets, monuments and everyday life with people who call the city home.

Duration

1.5 Hours to Full Day, Multi-day also possible

Experiences

Heritage • Food • Culture • Local Life

Tour Type

Private & Small Group Options, Customisable

There isn't just one Delhi.

Delhi can feel like several cities folded into one.

In Old Delhi, narrow lanes lead through centuries-old markets, places of worship, spice shops and neighbourhoods where everyday life unfolds around historic monuments. A few kilometres away, New Delhi opens into broad avenues, gardens, government buildings, museums and landmarks from a very different chapter of the city’s history.

You can stand outside the Red Fort, ride a rickshaw through Chandni Chowk, walk through the Spice Market, visit a Sikh temple and its community kitchen, explore monuments such as Humayun’s Tomb or Qutub Minar, or simply stop for chai and watch the city go about its day.

With Delhi by Locals, you don’t have to experience all of Delhi in one particular way.

Spend a full day exploring Old and New Delhi, take a three-hour walk through the old city, discover its food, travel by tuk-tuk or motorbike, or visit a neighbourhood most travellers never see.

And if none of those quite fits, we’ll build a Delhi experience around what interests you.


What Could Your Day in Delhi Look Like?

There is far more to Delhi than you can fit into a single itinerary.

Depending on the tour you choose, your time in the city could take you through the historic lanes of Old Delhi, the landmarks and gardens of New Delhi, local markets, places of worship, food stops and neighbourhoods where you can experience everyday life.

Explore the lanes and bazaars of historic Shahjahanabad.

Your experience could include Chandni Chowk, the Spice Market, Jama Masjid, a Sikh temple and community kitchen, Red Fort from outside, local markets and a rickshaw ride.

This can be explored as a dedicated Old Delhi tour or incorporated into a longer Delhi sightseeing day.

Discover a different side of the capital through its monuments, gardens, avenues and neighbourhoods.

Depending on your interests and available time, stops could include India Gate, Lutyens’ Delhi, Agrasen ki Baoli, Lodhi Garden, Bangla Sahib, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, Gandhi Smriti, Connaught Place and other places across the city.

Taste Delhi while learning about the people, traditions and neighbourhoods behind its food.

Explore Old Delhi’s food streets, visit local markets and try dishes selected as part of our dedicated food experience.

Some of the most memorable moments don’t necessarily happen at monuments.

Travel by metro or rickshaw, have chai, navigate a local market, talk with your guide, learn a few Hindi words or simply watch a neighbourhood wake up around you.

Already know what you want to see?

Tell us what interests you, how much time you have and how you like to travel. We’ll help build a private Delhi itinerary around you.

PLAN A CUSTOM DELHI TOUR

Experience the Many Sides of Delhi

History, faith, food and everyday life sit side by side here. Your Delhi experience can bring together the parts of the city that interest you most.

Walk through Old Delhi

Step into Chandni Chowk's historic lanes, markets and neighbourhoods and discover a part of Delhi that has been evolving for centuries.

Discover Delhi's Monuments

Explore landmarks such as Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, India Gate, Agrasen ki Baoli and others according to your interests and available time.

Experience the Spice Market

Walk through the sights, scents and activity of Asia's largest wholesale spice market 'Khari Baoli' and learn about the ingredients traded here.

Travel and Eat like a Local

Ride the metro, hop into a rickshaw or tuk-tuk, stop for chai and discover local food along the way. How you move through Delhi can be part of experiencing it.

Visit a Sikh Temple & Community Kitchen

Visit a Gurudwara and learn about Sikh traditions, including langar, the community kitchen where meals are prepared and served to everyone.

Understand Life in a Delhi Slum

Visit Sanjay Colony and learn about everyday life, work and some of the challenges faced by people living in one of Delhi's low-income communities.

Experience India with Locals!

A standard itinerary can tell you where to go. Our local guides help you understand how India feels, works and lives. 

With Delhi by Locals, you can:

And you don’t just have a trip planner. You have people in India looking out for you.

Everything You Need to Explore Comfortably

What’s Included:

  • Private or public transportation depending on the tour chosen
  • Pickup and drop-off at your hotel/airport for private tours
  • Local guides for each tour
  • All vehicle-related costs, including parking and tolls
  • Mineral water
  • Trip coordination and support throughout your journey

Can be Arranged at Additional Cost:

  • Hotel accommodation
  • Monument entrance tickets
  • Food and meals
  • Car seat
  • Wheelchair
  • Additional activities and experiences

Who It Is For: 

  • First-time visitors
  • Families
  • Couples & solo travellers
  • Food & culture lovers
  • History & photography lovers
  • Older travellers

The tour can be customised depending on the audience and your interests.

Good to Know before You Travel

Getting Around

Travel by private car or public transport, with walking for monuments and experiences. Metro, auto-rickshaws and tuk-tuks can be included when appropriate.

Weather

India's weather varies considerably by season. We'll help you plan appropriately for your travel dates.

Accessibility

The itinerary can be adapted around different mobility needs. Old Delhi is not wheelchair accessible, so we'll plan accordingly.

What to Bring

Comfortable footwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, weather-appropriate clothing, some cash and your passport/ID.

Clothing

Modest clothing is recommended when visiting religious places. You may need to remove your footwear at some sites.

Please Remember!

Carry a copy or digital version of your passport/ID while travelling, while keeping the original safely at your hotel. NRI residents should carry their OCI card as well.

Choose Your Delhi Experience

From a few hours in Old Delhi to a full day across the city, choose the experience that suits the way you want to explore.

OR CREATE YOUR OWN DELHI TOUR

Have something different in mind?

Tell us what you’d like to see, how much time you have, who you’re travelling with and anything you’re particularly curious about. We’ll help create a private Delhi experience around your interests.

Here's what our customers say...

Alina A
@alinaaS8451YK
This tour is absolutely incredible!! Our guides, Salman and Badal, were so attentive, knowledgeable and kind. They took us to the most incredible spots in Old Delhi. Every part of the tour is exciting. There is truly not a dull moment.They way they engage with and talk about these places was so interesting and personal. We learned so much and really connected with our guides.The mission of Delhi by Locals is so incredible too! 50% of all the profits go to their nonprofit and they've helped so many of their students reach wonderful opportunities through education.This will be the highlight of your trip! Do not miss Old Delhi with Delhi by Locals!
Val Swift
I highly recommend working with Pradeep and the team at Delhi by Locals (DBL) if you are travelling to Delhi (and beyond in India). Delhi was the first stop in our 4 week travels in India Sept/Oct 2022 and DBL gave us the perfect introduction and welcome to India. The customized itinerary for my husband and I included:
1. New Delhi sightseeing (with charming and knowledgeable guide Salman 😊) We covered many “sights” and had a great first day orientation to Delhi - and India. The vibe was being shown around by a friend.
2. Motorcycle tour - whilst not for the faint of heart, we highly highly recommend. Pradeep and Salman drove, my husband and I were passengers. We felt safe, part of the city, and it gave us a really sense of the city and the poetic chaos and energy.
3. Old Delhi / Food Tour - combined to work in our schedule Pradeep gave us a real feel for the exciting old city; seeing places we wouldn’t have visited with a larger group or a less personal guide. We were able to taste a wide range of local food (safely, with no tummy issues) but also experience how that food fits into life.
4. Temples, mosques, places of worship across religions - a highlight being the Gurudwara community kitchen
5. Real life in Delhi slum - part of the whole picture of India, requiring a sensitive approach. Pradeep also leads Learning by locals which runs educational programs in this area - so taking this tour with DBL is a responsible, respectful way to gain insight
More than just providing tours, Pradeep and team truly cared that we had an amazing experience in India - helping with things like getting a SIM card, using Uber to estimate prices for auto rickshaws, navigation and timing tips for catching trains out of Delhi, etc etc. He also helped organize a car in Agra and a tour guide in Varanasi. I like to think of myself as an independent traveller - but it was great to know that there was someone looking out for us to make sure we had the best experience possible.
Pieter Bos
My wife and I recently visited India for the first time, and after a lot of research we chose Delhi by Locals for our tours. One of the best decisions of our trip. Pradeep was amazing from start to finish, helping us organise three tours across two days.On our first day, Salman guided us through both Old and New Delhi, bringing the city to life and making it an unforgettable experience. The following day, we made the trip to Agra for the Taj Mahal, which Pradeep had arranged without a hitch. Another great guide and another highlight of our visit.On top of that, Pradeep also sorted out a last-minute airport pickup when we arrived late at night, connecting us with a reliable driver in no time.I'd recommend Delhi by Locals to anyone visiting India, and I'll be doing exactly that with every friend and family member who plans a trip!
Christine
@F241LHchristinew
The tour is highly recommended, extremely authentic, and provides a very good impression of life in the slum, how people earn money, the living conditions, and also a lot about the education and opportunities for the children. Learning by Locals is an NGO that aims to support youth with education and help them become more self-confident in order to grow. The proceeds from the tour support the program. Our guide Badal did a great job, spoke very good English even though he has only been learning the language for four years, and provided us with a lot of interesting background information. Great tour if you enjoy exploring more than just the typical sights. Highly recommended. The meeting point at the metro station worked very well, with WhatsApp contact on the day of booking.
Amélie B
@Z3850MVam_lieb
It was an excellent tour. Our local guide Salman guided us through the narrow streets of Old Delhi and led us to safe locations with great Indian dishes. The street food was very delicious and did not cause any health problems. We always felt in good hands with him. A clear recommendation!

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Our full-day Old & New Delhi Sightseeing Tour can be shaped around your interests and available time. If none of our existing Delhi tours fits what you’re looking for, you can also request a custom private tour by filling this form – ‘Plan My Delhi Tour‘.

If you’d like an overview of both Old and New Delhi, choose the Old & New Delhi Sightseeing Tour. For a deeper experience of the historic city, choose the Old Delhi Tour. Food lovers can choose the Old Delhi Food Tour, while the tuk-tuk and motorbike tours offer alternative ways to experience the city.

If you’re unsure, tell us what you’re interested in and we’ll help you choose.

Yes. Our Old & New Delhi Sightseeing Tour is designed for this and usually takes around 7–8 hours. Because Delhi has many places worth visiting, we’ll help prioritise stops according to your interests and available time.

Yes. If you’d like to combine experiences, such as sightseeing with a food tour, Old Delhi with New Delhi, or another combination of our Delhi tours, we can help create an itinerary around your available time and interests.

Share what you’d like to experience in our custom Plan My Delhi Tour form (for a completely private tour). Alternately, if you’d like us to share recommendations and need help planning based on your preferences, fill out our Plan or Combine Delhi/Agra Tours form.

Some Delhi attractions close on particular days, especially Mondays. For example, the Red Fort, National Museum and Gandhi Smriti are closed on Mondays. Opening days and hours can change, so we’ll plan your itinerary around the attractions available on your travel date.

For the Old & New Delhi Sightseeing Tour, entrance tickets are not included because the monuments you visit depend on your chosen itinerary. We’ll help you plan the route and explain which attractions require tickets.

It depends on the tour. Food is included in the Old Delhi Food Tour. On other tours, meals are generally not included unless specifically stated.

Hotel/airport pickup and drop-off are included with the Old & New Delhi Sightseeing Tour. For several shorter Delhi experiences, the tour begins at a designated meeting point and hotel transfers can be arranged at an additional cost.

Several tours are private, while some experiences offer both private and group options. Check the individual tour page for the exact format, or contact us if you’re travelling with a larger group.

Many experiences can be adapted, but accessibility varies considerably by location. Old Delhi in particular involves busy streets, uneven surfaces and areas that may be difficult to navigate with a wheelchair. Tell us about any mobility requirements before booking so we can recommend the most suitable route.

Comfortable footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended. When visiting places of worship, modest clothing may be required and you may need to remove your shoes. Your guide will let you know what to expect.

Yes. Depending on your interests and availability, we can arrange experiences such as cooking classes, Bollywood dance, yoga, family dining and community experiences.

You’ll have local guides for each tour who know their destination personally. They will also share stories and personal experiences around the tour. 

We’ll do our best to support you in genuine emergencies and unexpected situations and adjust the itinerary where possible. There may be additional costs involved in changes to bookings or accommodation.

We can’t promise that every problem can be solved. But we can promise that you won’t simply be left to deal with it alone.

As soon as you know your travel dates are best, but we may be able to accommodate bookings as close as 48 hours before the start date, depending on availability.

A 30% non-refundable payment is required to confirm your booking. The remaining 70% can be paid by card before the tour starts or in cash later, depending on your preference.

We’ll respond within 48 hours based on your requirements and connect with you to finalise your itinerary and other details. Once everything is confirmed, we’ll proceed with the booking.

We cannot guarantee changes after the booking has been confirmed because arrangements may already have been made. Genuine emergencies and situations outside your control will be handled case by case, and we’ll try to accommodate them wherever possible.

All of our guides speak English and Hindi. Guides speaking French, Japanese, Italian, Chinese or any other languages may also be arranged depending on availability.

Have more questions? Reach out to us at delhibylocals@gmail.com or Call/WhatsApp at +91 9599679235

Travel that gives something back.

Since 2017, Delhi by Locals has supported Learning by Locals, a community initiative helping young people develop skills and opportunities for their future.

When you travel with us, you’re not simply paying for a tour. You’re supporting a business that believes travel can create connections and opportunities beyond the traveller. 

50% of our profits are invested in youth empowerment.

Not sure which Delhi Tour you want to pick yet?

You don’t need to arrive with an itinerary.

Tell us how much time you have, what you’re curious about and how you like to travel. We’ll help you find an existing tour or create a Delhi experience around you.