Old Delhi heritage walk
Old Delhi, the walled city built by Shah Jahan as Shahjahanabad, is best seen on foot or by cycle-rickshaw rather than by car: Chandni Chowk's main bazaar street, the Jama Masjid, the spice market at Khari Baoli and the tangle of lanes behind them. A guided walk of three to four hours covers the main sights without getting lost in the lanes, which is easy to do alone.
Reviewed by Experience My India Editorial Team · Updated 13 Sept 2026
Government-approved operatorApproved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
- RouteOld Delhi
- IncludedSightseeing
- Free cancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours before the start
- Private guide and vehicle
- Reply within four hours, 9am-9pm ISTA named specialist, the same person from first reply to departure.
- No payment to start planningYou receive a written quote first; nothing is charged to start planning.
Itinerary
Chandni Chowk
Step 1
- The walled city's main street, built in the seventeenth century as its central bazaar, still lined with shops trading much the same goods as it always has.
Jama Masjid
Step 2
- Shah Jahan's grand mosque, one of the largest in India, with a wide sandstone courtyard; one of its minarets is often open for visitors to climb for a rooftop view over the walled city.
Khari Baoli spice market
Step 3
- A short walk from the mosque, this wholesale spice market is reputed to be among the largest in Asia — sacks of chilli, turmeric and cardamom stacked along a single dense lane.
The lanes behind the main streets
Step 4
- A cycle-rickshaw is the easiest way through the narrower lanes behind Chandni Chowk, including food lanes such as Paranthe Wali Gali, known for stuffed flatbread stalls that have operated for generations.
Step 1 · Chandni ChowkFor reference only. The final plan is confirmed in your written quote.
Highlights
- Chandni Chowk is the walled city's main street, built in the seventeenth century as its central bazaar and still lined with shops trading much the same goods — textiles, jewellery, electronics, wedding cards — as it always has.
- A short walk from the mosque, Khari Baoli is a wholesale spice market reputed to be among the largest in Asia, sacks of chilli, turmeric and cardamom stacked along a single dense lane.
- Mornings are considerably calmer than afternoons, when Chandni Chowk gets genuinely dense with both shoppers and traffic. Keep a close eye on belongings in the crowded lanes and bazaars, as you would in any dense old-city market.
Full description
Includes
- Private, knowledgeable local guide for the walk
- Cycle-rickshaw stretches where the lanes call for it
- Route planned around the crowds
- Recommendations for the food lanes as you go
Not included
- The Jama Masjid camera fee if you bring a proper camera
- Food and shopping along the way
- Personal expenses
Price
Experience My India quotes this trip in INR after confirming your dates, hotel category and group size. The written quote names every hotel and inclusion, and nothing is charged until you approve it.
Important information
Old Delhi
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
- No payment is taken until you approve the itinerary.
Honest cautions
- This is a walk best done on foot and by cycle-rickshaw, not by car — the lanes are narrow, crowded and largely closed to private vehicles. Dress modestly for the Jama Masjid, where a robe is sometimes provided at the entrance for visitors in shorts or sleeveless tops, and you'll need to remove your shoes in the courtyard.
How booking works
Send an enquiry
Dates, who is travelling and how you like to travel. Two fields to start.
We check availability
Hotels, guides and permits for your dates, with honest alternatives if something is full.
Price and hotels named
Every hotel and inclusion is named before you pay anything.
Written quote in INR
One document, no hidden lines, valid for the dates it quotes.
You approve
Change anything you like. Nothing is charged until you say yes.
A named specialist runs it
The same person from first reply to departure, Mon–Sun, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM IST.
Your trip designer
Gurudutt Kaushal
Founder, Experience My India · IIT Jodhpur
Gurudutt Kaushal founded Experience My India and set the two rules every trip here runs on: hotels and guides are named before you pay, and a human replies within four hours. Your itinerary is designed by one of the 35+ destination specialists on his team and checked against our vetting standard.
Trust and protection
Ministry of Tourism approved
Approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
Registered business
GSTIN 09BZFPM8067A1Z9
4.3 / 5 on Tripadvisor
Independent guest reviews
No payment to start
A written quote first; charged in INR only after you approve.
Why book with Experience My India
Government-approved operator
Approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
500+ vetted local guides
35+ destination specialists plan every trip by hand.
Human help, every day
Mon–Sun, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM IST · +91 73022 65809
No payment until you approve
You receive a written quote first; nothing is charged to start planning.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Old Delhi walk take?
Three to four hours covers Chandni Chowk, the Jama Masjid and the spice market at a reasonable pace, with time in the lanes behind them. It can run longer if you want to properly explore the food lanes.
Can you drive through Old Delhi?
Not through most of it — the lanes are narrow and often closed to private vehicles, which is why cycle-rickshaws and walking are the normal way round rather than a car.
Do I need to dress a certain way for the Jama Masjid?
Shoulders, knees and generally arms should be covered, and a robe is often available at the entrance for visitors who arrive underdressed. Shoes come off in the courtyard, and there's sometimes a fee for bringing in a proper camera.
Is Old Delhi safe to walk around?
Yes, with the normal caution you'd use in any dense, crowded market — keep an eye on your belongings and agree cycle-rickshaw fares before you set off.
What is Khari Baoli?
Old Delhi's wholesale spice market, reputed to be among the largest in Asia, a short walk from the Jama Masjid. It's more a working market than a tourist bazaar, which is part of the appeal.
Request a quote
Tell us when you're in Delhi and we will arrange a local guide for Chandni Chowk, the Jama Masjid and the lanes behind them.
- Private guide and vehicle
- Reply within four hours, 9am-9pm IST
- No payment to start planning
Customer reviews
No reviews for this experience yet — we publish guest reviews after each trip.
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