Things to Do in Delhi

Delhi is eager to tell you stories, stories accumulated since ages as the city has served as the capital of several civilisations prior to ours. Your first impression of Delhi might conclude at a presumption of the city being too crowded to serve for travelling purposes, but there are different layers of knowing Delhi. Once you start immersing in the eternal city with its endless activities to do, it is hard to look back and not smile at the memories you made here.

• Discover the narrow bazaars of Old Delhi
• Witness the Taj Mahal
• Stroll the Lodhi Gardens on a Sunday afternoon
• Shop at the Khan Market and take a break to sip coffee at Café Turtle
• Visit Qutub Minar
• Visit National Museum
• Listen to devotional music sung at dargah of Nizamuddin Auliya
• Witness Humayun’s Tomb
• Taste the infamous street food of Delhi at the Khan Market

Here are the best camping options for your Delhi visit –

Manali camping adventure – 
This is a 2 night and 1-day camping adventure from Thrillophilia. As a part of your camping adventure, you will be engaged in 7 km rafting, river crossing, trekking, rappelling, bonfire, and other adventures. 
Cost – 1000 INR per head 

Rishikesh’s beach camping and river rafting – 
This beach camping activity is a 2 night and 1-day activity. Your Rishikesh camping package will be inclusive of camping, hiking, river rafting, bonfire, cricket, and badminton activities. 
Cost – 900 INR per head. 

Mashobra camping adventure – 
Mashobra camping adventure is a 2 night and 1-day activity. Camping, trekking, rappelling, flying fox, commando net, rope balancing, rope climbing, Burma bridge are some of your outdoor activities. Amongst the indoor games, you have volleyball, playing cards, ludo, chess, and badminton. 
Cost – 2200 INR per head

Nag Tibba camping and trekking –
Nag Tibba Camping and Trekking is a 2 day and 1-night activity. Here, you will be trekking for a distance of 4 kilometres to reach the base camp of Nag Tibba. 
Cost – 3050 INR per head. 

Kheerganga trekking and camping adventure – 
Kheerganga trek is a 2 night and 1-day adventure. Trekking, hiking, and camping are chief adventures of this destination besides sightseeing. 
Cost – 1200 INR per head.

Being the capital of India, Delhi has not ruled out the inclusion of adventure sports within its boundaries. Enough camps and organisations cater to the visiting or native adrenaline junkies. Also, the thrilling locations and the amazing infrastructure of some of the adventure camps have given this sport a feasibility that is hard to deny. Check out the most popular adventure sports found in the vicinity of Delhi:

• Zorbing
• White water rafting
• Rock climbing
• Cliff jumping
• Balloon safari
• Kayaking
• Shooting
• Bungee jumping
• Paramotor

Delhi offers altogether a new experience in every weather. Here’s a weather break-sheet to plan your Delhi tour accordingly – 

April to June – 
This is the period when Delhi faces extreme temperatures. April to June is an off-season for Delhi tourism. Thus, you can easily find some good and budget-friendly cozy stays. However, make sure to wear sufficient sunscreen to protect your skin from the city’s extreme temperatures. The temperatures can rise up to 45 degrees and beyond. 

July to September – 
July to September is reserved for the monsoon season in Delhi. The capital is best enjoyed during this period as the monsoons paint the surroundings with a beautiful hue of green. Visitors tend to crowd the lush green gardens of Delhi during this season.

October to March – 
This period marks autumn in Delhi. The winters here are crisp and pleasant and because of it, this is the best season to plan your visit here. Temperatures may drop below 2 degrees so make sure that you carry sufficient warm clothes while travelling here. Yet, this remains the peak season for sightseeing and shopping.

Several Gurgaon based adventure camps and other such camps come with tons of aerial activities that at times they seem better than the ones done from natural locations. With Delhi’s thoughtful inclusion of several adventure sports, the aerial activities are diverse here. You could even enjoy the amusement rides if flying in the air is too intimidating for you. Check out the most popular aerial activities here:

• Parasailing
• Balloon safari
• Paramotor
• Cliff jumping
• Bungee jumping

There are ample of things to do in Delhi. People with different tastes and interests do not need to browse for a specific reason to visit here. Delhi has something to entertain every single soul visiting here. Here’s a list of what you can do in Delhi – 

Sightseeing – 
Delhi is amongst those few cosmopolitan cities in the world which are blessed with both natural and man-made wonders to adore. Right from UNESCO’s world heritage sites to temples to exotic gardens and memorials, Delhi has a lot in store for all age-groups. Qutub Minar, India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb, Parliament House are some places to explore here. 

Shopping – 
Tourists visiting Delhi find it difficult to resist shopping here on the streets. Lajpat Market, Janpath, Karol Bagh, Sarojini Market are some of the shopper’s paradise. These local markets in Delhi offer budget-friendly souvenirs and other accessories to take back as memories. 

Ride a rickshaw or bicycle – 
Delhi locals either prefer rickshaw or cycles for short distance travelling. Almost every metro station and bus stand of Delhi has a cycle and auto stand outside it. This is surely a fun-filled way to explore Delhi. 

Attend events of importance – 
Delhi is a land of administration. Reaching Delhi during national days of importance will leave you spellbound with the celebrations. If you are fortunate enough, you may even get a chance to hear the Prime Minister addressing his national fellows on the occasion of Independence Day and Republic Day. 

Enjoying Delhi street foods – 
Those who visit Delhi frequently will definitely know the worth of street foods here. Every nook and corner here has got some or the other local delicacy or cuisine to try. Bhel puri, samosas, noodles, momos, golgappas, Dahi Bhalla are some jaw-dropping options here.

With heaps of adventure activities to do in Delhi, tourists from all over the world remain attracted here. Rock climbing, kayaking, cliff jumping, zorbing, balloon safari, water scooter riding, motorboat riding, and pedal boating are the most popular ones. Here’s a list of other adventurous things to do in Delhi –
- Power paragliding (Gurgaon) 
- Flyboy Air Safari (Gurgaon)
- F9 Go Karting (Gurgaon) 
- Flying Fox (Neemrana)
- Paintball (Lock n Load)
- Bungee Jumping (Wanderlust Adventure Sports)
- Wall Climbing (Shikhar Adventure Park)
- Zipline (Awara Adventure Park)
- ATV Ride (Malpura)

Although Delhi itself does not entertain many wildlife parks, yet the ones offering wildlife safaris around Delhi are enough to sweep you off your feet. Yet if you are looking for a more intense safari of the India sanctuaries, then it is recommended to decide on a nearby weekend destination like Ranthambore to quench your thirst.

• Sariska National Park, Near Alwar, Rajasthan (230 Km)
• Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan (405 km)
• Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh (453 km)
• Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Rajasthan (190 km)
• Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand (230 km)
• Rajaji National Park, Uttarakhand (220 km)

Aerial activities stands the best amongst other things to do in Delhi. People with tough skins can definitely try these adventures once – 
- Power paragliding at Sohna
- Paragliding at Nainital
- Motorized paragliding at Gurgaon 
- Fun day at Fly India Adventure Resort
- Paragliding at Halan
- Paragliding at Mussoorie 
- Flyboy Air Safari at Gurgaon 
- Joyride Adventure

There is nothing like walking or hiking to unravel the mystery that Delhi beholds. What better way to shed light on the narrow alleys, winding paths and witness the rich heritage of the territory? Take a day off from touring and get to know Delhi on an intimate level, trying out the tangy street foods while strolling from streets to streets until your feet give away. Take a cue from the following popular hiking trails in the cities of Delhi:

• Lodhi Gardens Heritage trail
• Old Fort to National Zoological Park trail
• Connaught Place trail
• Mehrauli Archaeological Park trail

The cycling community of Delhi is consolidated yet is very welcoming to take in new eager cyclists. Step outside early in the morning and proceed towards Rashtrapati Bhavan or India Gate only to see that there is a horde of cyclists making their rounds in the city. The cycling ecosystem in Delhi has improved over the recent years and one can see that the number of cyclists has increased considerably. The easy-going approach of the cycling groups here is what tourists adore the most. People with all levels of expertise see themselves blending into the group only to leave a sigh of contentment at the end of the day.

• Najafgarh Wetlands
• Asola Bhardwaj Lake
• Dwarka to Sultanpur ride
• Gurgaon-Faridabad Road
• Dhaula Kuan to 11 Murti on Sardar Patel Marg
• Sanjay Van in Qutub Institutional Area

Cycling Adventure in Delhi takes you from the Old Delhi to Udaipur haveli to other historical wonders. Here are some cycling tours to experience when you step in Delhi for the first time-
- New Delhi Bicycle Tour – 2000 INR (3 hours) 
- Old Delhi Bicycle Tour – 2000 INR (3 hours)
- Shah Jahan Bicycle Tour – 1852 INR (3 hours)
- Windrush Rising – 36000 INR (5 days and 4 nights)
- Haveli Bicycle Tour – 1850 INR (3 hours) 
- Raj Bicycle Tour – 1850 INR (3 hours)
- Yamuna Bicycle Tour – 1800 INR (3 hours)
- Bir and Kangra Valley Mountain Biking Trip – 14500 INR (4 days and 3 nights)

Road trips are hard not to love; the breezy air swirling your wisps your hair, or the sultry afternoon sun drawing out beads of sweat from you. If you were looking for short road trips from Delhi, then you would not be disappointed. With Delhi, the extent of various road trips goes endless, as you could travel as far as Kangojodi or as close as Damdama Lake.

• Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
• Mathura – Vrindavan
• Morni
• Mussoorie
• Kangojodi
• Kasauli
• Sariska

If you are in search for some different Delhi thing to do for this break, here’s a list of some of the best road trips from Delhi – 

Manesar – 
This is an offbeat experience and a perfect camping spot for a weekend away from Delhi. 
Distance - Manesar is at a distance of 49 km from Delhi. 
Route - Going via Gurgaon is always the best and most preferred routes to travel here. 

Damdama Lake – 
This is a famous picnic spot listed amidst other Delhi things to do. Air ballooning, trekking, and parasailing are the activities to be enjoyed here. 
Distance - Damdama Lake is at a distance of 55 km from Delhi. 
Route - Delhi-Alwar highway is the best route to travel here. 

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary – 
This sanctuary is considered as Delhi’s famous sanctuary. 
Distance - Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is located at a distance of 48 km from the mainland of Delhi. 
Route – You can take either Dabri Gurgaon road or NH9 highway to reach this point. 

Camp Wild Dhauj – 
Camp Wild Dhauj is well-known for adventurous activities to do in Delhi. Burma Bridge, rappelling, monkey crawling, flying fox, and wall climbing are some of the activities to be enjoyed here. 
Distance – Camp Wild Dhauj is at a distance of 50 km from Delhi. 

Badkhal Lake, Botanix Nature Resort, Surajkund, Mathura, Alwar, Vrindavan, Barsana. Neemrana, Kuchesar, and Garhmukteshwar are other favored spots to experience road trips from Delhi.

Delhi is safe for nightlife enjoyment. However, you should be able to take the necessary precautions, especially when you are a solo female traveller. Every solo women traveller should be well-equipped about personal safety, security, and protection measures. This can ensure that you remain safe at night on Delhi roads. Here’s a list of places where you can enjoy your Delhi nightlife – 

India Gate – 
The night light at India Gate during the night is worthy of witnessing. There’s no entry fee and time restriction to visit India Gate. 

Connaught Place – 
There are many local markets, restaurants, and cafes to explore at Connaught Place during night time. 

Hard Rock Café – 
Dwelling in Hard Rock Café during the night is a favourite pastime activity for the locals. On average, you’ll need approx. 2500 INR per head to enjoy their servings. 

Kingdom of Dreams – 
This is a place meant for live theatre performances. Art innovations and live stage performances are common here. There are different prices for every session. 

Hauz Khas, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Ambience Mall, Chandni Chowk, Social, Karim’s, Sky Bar & Lounge, and Paranthe Wali Galli are some places meant for nightlife enjoyment here.

With Wanderlust in New Delhi, you need not worry about travelling all the way up to the mountains to have the experience of a lifetime. All the staff here are professionally trained in Germany and provide you with harnesses that are strictly German based. So enjoy jumping off the cliff, as you are attached to an elastic cord and feel the rush of adrenaline overwhelm your body and mind.

The cost here is INR 3000 and allows ages from 14-50 years to engage in this thrilling activity.

Here’s a list of some outstanding weekend getaway destinations when you do not know what to do in Delhi –

Rishikesh –
Distance – 237 km from Delhi 
Activities – Bungee jumping, river rafting, and flying fox. 

Manali – 
Distance – 538 km from Delhi 
Activities – River rafting, trekking, and camping.

Shimla – 
Distance – 343 km from Delhi
Activities – Paragliding, mountaineering, and river rafting

Kullu – 
Distance – 497 km from Delhi 
Activities – River rafting, paragliding, and camping

McLeodganj – 
Distance – 470 km from Delhi 
Activities – Camping, Kareri River Trek

Kasol – 
Distance – 519 km from Delhi
Activities – Adventure camping, and Kheerganga trek 

Auli – 
Distance – 388 km from Delhi
Activities – Camping, skiing, trekking

Rock climbing is one of those adventure sports that people presume to be a piece of cake, yet the mentally and physically exhausting activity is a challenging task that requires an adept level of mental and physical fitness. Be it climbing across an artificial or natural rock formation, both are equally formidable. These are the most popular places in Delhi that offer decent and safe rock climbing experiences:

• Damdama in Gurgaon
• Aravalli Biodiversity Park, Gurgaon
• A New Delhi park between Qutub Minar & Saket metro station
• Dhauj Rocks In Gurgaon

Amidst other Delhi things to do, trekking has always won the hearts of people reaching here. If you are a trekking freak, here are some trekking destinations to explore – 

Triund Trek – 
This trek is for the avid bird watchers. Triund trekking adventure is best to enjoy during the period between March to December. 

Nag Tibba Trek – 
People participate in the Nag Tibba Trek to experience some splendid views of Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Kedarnath, and Gangotri mountain ranges. February to June is the best trekking season here. 

Tosh Valley Trek – 
This trek is known to offer some stunning views of Himachali scenery and the Tosh waterfall. 

KheerGanga Trek – 
There are numerous majestic waterfalls lined up along your KheerGanga trekking route. The period between May to November is the peak trekking season here. 

Kedarkantha Trek – 
Located in close proximity to Har Ki Doon, Kedarkantha Trek is amongst the best trekking adventures of Garhwal Himalayas. Hanging valley and Swargrohini peak are the key attractions of this trek. 

Valley of Flowers Trek, Pin Parvati Trek, Har Ki Doon Trek, Hampta Pass Trek, Dayara Bugyal Trek, Deoria Tal Trek, Chandrashila Trek, and Benog Tibba Trek are some other trekking destinations around Delhi.

People often look to reach their destinations within a minimum time span to enjoy their tour to the fullest. From the capital territory, within a span of 10 hours, you could choose to travel to the most magical Indian travel destinations in a ride so wholesomely fresh and rejuvenating that you would not want the train to stop ever.

• Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir - 9-10 Hrs
• Ranthambore, Rajasthan - 4 to 8 Hrs
• Naukuchiatal, Uttarakhand - 8-10 hrs
• Orchha, Madhya Pradesh - 5 to 7 Hrs
• Barog, Himachal Pradesh - 6 to 9 Hrs
• Shivpuri, near Rishikesh - 6 to 8 Hrs

India’s capital has a complex mixture of ethnicity and culture that calls for the establishments quenching the thirst of all sorts of people accumulating here from across the country. The contrasting ambience of Delhi is so cleverly accommodated in a single setting that it is hard to feel out of place here. With pubs, shopping arcades, IT hubs and colleges to admire, Delhi’s idea of pub hopping, too, is pretty impressive.

• Rodeo, Connaught Place
• Barrels, Vasant Vihar
• Guppy by ai, Main Market
• i-Kandy, Gurgaon
• Kitty Su, Connaught Place
• Kylin Sky Bar, Ambience Mall

Here are some luxury train experiences to be enjoyed in Delhi – 
- Maharajas’ Express – The heritage of India (8 days), Gems of India (4 days)
- The Indian Panorama (8 days)
- Indian Splendour (8 days)
- Treasures of India (4 days)
- Royal Rajasthan on Wheels – 7 nights and 8 days
- Palace on Wheels – 7 nights and 8 days
- The Deccan Odyssey – 7 nights and 8 days
- Royal Orient Train – 7 nights and 8 days
- Fairy Queen Express – 1 night and 2 days

The happening life of Delhi comes out during the night time when the unadventurous lot has been put to bed. Be it spots for photographing, ghost walking or night gazing, Delhi has accumulated the country’s best nightlife experiences into a single spot. Although you might not be knowing where the hidden chilling spots and the real nightlife of Delhi are, the list below might give you some idea:

• Hard Rock Café, Saket
• Area 69, Ardee City
• Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk
• BluO, Ambience Mall
• Streets of Shahjahanabad, Old Delhi
• Parthasarathy Rocks, Mehrauli road

It is more or less safe to take walks and enjoy the entrancing nightlife of Delhi, yet it is recommended to stay with your gang unless you are driving past the ghost walking places.

Here’s a list of the best things to do in Old Delhi –
- Indulge in India’s freedom struggle history at Red Fort. 
- Stroll around the Qutub Minar. 
- Offer Namaz at Jama Masjid.
- Visit UNESCO’s world heritage site – Humayun’s Tomb. 
- Go for a rickshaw drive at Chandni Chowk. 
- Recall the sacrifices of some great Indian personalities at their memorials in Rajghat.

Once you are done with the historical and colonial monuments of Delhi pay a visit to the amusement parks here. Delhi’s expertise in amusement rides mostly beats all other Indian states, bringing you a thrilling weekend experience with your family and friends. These are the most popular amusement parks in Delhi you can visit with your kids:

• Unitech Amusement Park – Adventure Island
• Aapno Ghar, Village Shikhopur
• Fun ‘N’ Food Village, Kapashera Border
• Entertainment City (E-City), New Okhla Industrial Development Area
• Splash Water Park, Alipur
• Parkash Amusement Rides & Fun World, Patparganj Road

The Mughal architecture of Delhi is significant to India’s history. Nestling several historical monumental creations of India, little could go amiss in Delhi. From taking sultry afternoon strolls to spending an entire day in an adventure camp, Delhi’s day out activities are full of versatility with intriguing flavours of the Mughal Empire served on the streets.

• Take foodies’ day out at the Kamla Nagar Market
• Take a heritage walk and visit Mehrauli Archaeological Site, Red Fort, etc.
• Test your bargaining skills at Sarojini Nagar
• Take the Haveli cycling tour
• Have a gym class in the Lodi Garden
• Attend a comedy gig at a restaurant
• Listen to the Sikh band playing at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

One of the favourite road trips of the Delhiites is the Manali road trip, which takes about twelve hours (537 km) to reach via NH 44. If you were looking for adventurous delights in Manali, then you would not be disappointed at all. The scenic vistas of this destination coupled with breathtaking turbulent streams and snowfields are the signature of Manali.

• Zorbing
• Nature walk
• Trekking
• Skiing
• River rafting
• Paragliding
• Mountain biking

It is not uncommon to want to take a break from the mundanity that daily life comes with. Delhi, though not the apt place for nature lovers, comes with the country’s some of the most appealing weekend destinations you would not want to miss. The Ghats, hill stations and the trekking experiences make these destinations attract tourists every weekend, be it in summer or winter. Here is a list of weekend getaways near Delhi.

• Kareri Lake
• Kheer ganga
• Renuka Lake
• Hat Koti
• Sangla
• Brij Ghat
• Dhanachuli

The best way to reward yourself with a break is to take a trekking holiday if you are all about nesting in nature’s lap. If it is not enough for you, then you could always set up a camp and rock the bonfire with your friends or colleagues. Delhi is nearby to several auspicious trekking destinations making the younger Delhiites literally drool over the Himalayas.

• Chopta Chandrashila Trek
• Dodital Trek
• Bedni Bugyal Trek
• Kedar Kantha Trek
• Auli Gorson Bugyal Trek
• Bhrigu Lake Trek
• Hampta Circle Trek
• Kareri Lake Trek
• Triund Trek
• Beas Kund Trek

Kingdom of Dreams is an unparalleled destination in Gurgaon in NCR Delhi for those who want to pay respect to the Indian culture and ethnicity through the mediums of art, music, craft, musicals, drama, mythological shows, carnivals and cuisine.

This is a one-stop spot for both foreigners and Indians alike, who want to know the country from a cultural angle. With Nautanki Mahal, Showshaa Theatre and Culture Gully ready to cater to the cultural cravings of the people, the Kingdom of Dreams would consume your entire day.

For the shopaholics, Delhi should be your paradise. Not just with the incredible spice collection, but Delhi has exotic shopping complexes featuring handicrafts, brassware, hippy clothing, paintings and what not, where you can test your bargaining skills and get mesmerised with the narrow bazaars of the medieval era. Some of the bazaars specialise in cultural performances as well, thereby, not letting you get bored while shopping.

• Janpath and Tibetan Market
• Khan Market
• Paharganj
• Chandni Chowk
• Sarojini Nagar
• Lajpat Nagar (Central Market)
• Dilli Haat

Jaipur is a popular weekend getaway destination from Delhi as it takes around 5 hours (293 km) to reach there via NH 48. Being the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is brimming with the Rajput glory of the early eras bringing the country’s most exquisite collection of palaces, forts and havelis. Check out the most famous activities Jaipur is known for:

• Enjoy the scenic sights at Jal Mahal
• Go on a cycling expedition at Nahargarh Fort
• Ride on an elephant at Amber Fort!
• Get a taste of the vibrant Rajasthani culture at Chokhi Dhani
• Taste the sweets at Laxmi Misthan Bhandar
• Attend the Kite festival and Dhulandi Festival

As Rajasthan is much closer to Delhi than other major destinations of India, the people residing in the capital or the ones who have come to visit Delhi could avail the option of taking a desert safari tour from Delhi. The Thar Desert with its awe striking panoramas of the vast desert horizons beats any other scenery of the country. Take a look at the following desert safaris around Delhi:

• Sam Dunes
• Jaisalmer Fort

Villages near and around Delhi are culturally and ethnically so rich that taking tours there are as rejuvenating as strolling in the misty mountains. The typical culture, tradition and lifestyle of the villagers could be most evidently felt by spending an entire day witnessing the villagers, taking part in their cuisines and interacting with the locals.

• Alsisar
• Gajner
• Kumbhalgarh
• Osian
• Samode

If you are keen on experiencing a travel back in time, then the luxury train journeys should be your salvation, provided that you have loads of money to spend. India is magnificently transformed into an era 100-200 years ago showcasing the brilliance of the past in the furniture, cuisine, comfort and setting. Get ready to have an experience of a lifetime with the following luxury train journeys:

• Deccan Odyssey
• Royal Orient Train
• Fairy Queen Express
• Maharajas’ Express
• Royal Rajasthan on Wheels

Paragliding is the safest and the most fun option for those seeking a formidable adventure experience at the beginner’s level. The cost starts from INR 2,500 and depends on the spot you picked. Since a guide accompanies you, there is nothing much for you to worry about except witnessing the mind-boggling vistas that come with the sport. With several adventure camps catering to the adrenaline junkies’ need, Sohna power paragliding and Flyboy Air Safari in Gurgaon are the best of all.