NEW DELHI – TIME OUT-MUSEUMS

MUSEUMS

NATIONAL MUSEUM
Janpath. Among the collections are 5000-year-old relics of the Indus Valley civilisation, varied exotic paintings, old manuscripts and mural paintings from Buddhist shrines in Central Asia. Open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Monday closed.

CRAFTS MUSEUM
Pragati Maidan. A delightful open-air museum, with Indian craftsmen at work. Here amidst the rustic surroundings of a typical Indian village, every month craftsmen from different parts of India exhibit their trade. A small sales counter sells items made on the spot. Open 9:30 am – 5:00 pm. Monday closed.

NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM
Chanakyapuri. Here original engines and bogies are parked. A small toy train takes children around the museum. A small rail museum is alongside. Timings: Oct to March 9:30 am – 5:00 pm. April to September 9:30 am – 7:00 pm.

TIBET HOUSE MUSEM
1 Institutional Area, Lodi Road. Ancient Tibetan paintings and other artifacts. Open 9:30 am – 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm – 5:30 pm. Closed on Saturday & Sunday.

SHANKAR’S INTERNATIONAL DOLLS MUSEUM
Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg. A unique collection of dolls from all over the world. Open 10:00 am – 5:30 pm. Monday closed.

NATIONAL PHILATELIC MUSEUM
Daktar Bhawan, Sansad Marg. Collection of stamps – both national and international. Open 9:30 am – 12:30 pm & 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm. Closed on Saturdays & Sundays.

GANDHI SMRITI MUSEUM
5 Tees January Marg. Contains books and personal possessions of the Mahatma Gandhi. Open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Closed on Monday & Public holidays.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Barakhamba Road. Collection of flora and fauna of the country. Open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Monday closed.

NEHRU MEMORIAL MUSEUM
Teen Murti Marg. Displays memorabilia and personal possessions of the first prime minister of India. Open 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Monday closed.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Red Fort. Contains relics and rare archaeological collection of the Mughal and British periods. Open 10:00 – 5:00 pm. Closed on Monday.

GANDHI MUSEUM
Opposite Raj Ghat. Has a rare collection of Mahatma Gandhi’s personal possessions, specially of the freedom-struggle days, including books, magazines, etc. Open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Monday closed.
NOTE: Where not mentioned, the museums are closed on Mondays and public holidays.

New Delhi Eating Out

India Gate, New Delhi

Eating Out of Hotels
Eating out has become fashionable, come of age, one might say, in Delhi. Restaurants that are high on creativity and style are aplenty. In fact, Delhi has seen a surprising rush of new openings – and you can get stand alone restaurants that serve authentic Japanese, titillating Mexican, original Indian, or simply Lebanese. Every local shopping / residential area can be expected to have a spread of eateries, but we have chosen the best of them – the ones you could definitely pick for an evening (or afternoon) out because of the food / ambience.
ESSEX FARMS
Aurobindo Marg
A spread-out place with gardens – the reason it is a popular venue for events. Serves multicuisine (noon – 11:30 pm)
KARIM’S
Jama Masjid
Almost an institution, Karim’s is a name that translates into kebabs and tandoors. The location, near Jama Masjid, creates a certain ambience, which is part of the whole Karim’s experience. (12:30 – 3:30 pm & 6:30 – 11:30 pm)
BUKHARA

Hotel ITC Maurya
Bukhara proves to be, without a doubt, the mother of all authentic Indian food experiences. The signature (and massive) hot naans and malai kebabs join the slow-cooked dal bukhara in taking your palate on a journey that will delight. You’re also encouraged to eat with your hands within the earthy and rustic interiors.
RAJINDER DA DHABA
Safdarjung Enclave Market
Starting out as a tiny counter in Safdarjung Enclave Market way back when, the man behind Rajinder De Dhaba has now branched out to include five more pseudo counters to his roster over the years. Serving malai tikka rolls and mutton seekh kebabs in plastic silver plates, this is the ultimate joint to soak in the Dhaba experience. Be prepared to stand in line to wait for your food, we promise it’ll be worth it.
SAGAR RATNA
Defence Colony Market
Efficiently serving perfectly crispy, paper-thin stuffed dosas, mini idlis, Sagar Ratna is a one-stop shop for South Indian food (mostly vegetarian). There are franchises all over the city but the original location in Defence Colony Market is utterly magical: don’t miss out on the South Indian coffee, offered in a funky steel glass.
OLIVE BAR & KITCHEN
Mehrauli
Helmed by celebrity chef Sujan Sarkar, Olive Bar & Kitchen stands tall in a row of cobblestoned streets, nestled among boutiques and bars, boasting an almost European kind of vibe. The bohemian vibe with an open-air courtyard has turned it into a quintessential spot for Sunday brunch, filled with Mediterranean food, of course.
ANDHRA BHAVAN
Ashok Road
Although Delhi is home to a whole set of “state Bhavans,”  paying homage to Andhra Pradesh, stands out. A simply fashioned canteen in the Lutyens Delhi area, the venue is all about dipping into the South of the country with the non-vegetarian thalis. You cannot leave without sampling the mutton curry (available only on weekdays) and the hyderabadi biryani on the weekends.
LAZEEZ AFFAIRE
Malcha Marg
Since inception, Lazeez Affaire has come to be known for its superior service and delectable, ‘Lazeez’ khaana. Lazeez Affaire Malcha Marg was the first set up by Priyank Sukhija in the year 1999. Serving an interesting combination of Indian & fusion cuisines from two well-located outlets in the capital, the place is a popular spot for an outing with friends and family.

New Delhi Arrival. Getting Around

BY AIR

Delhi is amongst the best connected cities in South Asia and is the most important gateway for north India. All major international airlines of the world operate services to Delhi connecting it to, virtually, all parts of the world. On the domestic network, Delhi is one of the two major hubs for air travel with flights reaching out to the most distant corners of the country. There are number of flights everyday to all the metros. Air India, Vistara Airline, SpiceJet, AirAsia, Go First and IndiGo cover most of the routes.

AIRPORTS
New Delhi has three main airport terminals about 4 kms apart. Terminal 1 and 2 are domestic airports. Terminal 3 is international airport. Vistara Airline operate it’s domestic and international flights from terminal 3. All terminals are linked by regular coach services operated by Airports Authority of India (AAI), who provide complimentary coach transfers between these terminals for bonafide passengers.
The AAI coaches are parked outside the arrival terminals. The coaches operate on an hourly basis during the day and every half an hour during the night.
The airports have restaurants, restrooms, snackbars, coffee / tea vending machines, a business centre, pre-paid taxi counters, pay phone facilities, mobile phone counters, foreign currency exchange counters and duty free shops (only at international terminal).

TRANSFERS
Delhi airport is 20 km from the city centre. Counters from where pre-paid taxis are hired is located outside the arrival area. A large board has information on the taxi fares based on the zones that are demarcated on the basis of the distance covered from the terminal.
You should retain the payment receipt for the taxi until you reach your destination after which you can hand it over to the driver.
Delhi has good network of metro train. To reach city centre from airport take a metro train from terminal 3. Metro station at terminal 3 is located opposite exit gate number 4 at arrival. Metro train takes only 20 minutes from terminal 3 to reach city centre.

BY RAIL
New Delhi is conveniently connected by trains to all the metros and most of the important tourist and trade destinations in the country.
The Rajdhani is a super fast express train that connects the capital to all the important state capitals. With comfortable airconditioned cars and excellent in-train facilities, this is an effective way to travel. Similarly, The Shatabdi Express is an important train for short distances (5-6 hours) with air-conditioned seating and good on-board services.
Delhi has four major railway stations servicing trains leaving for different destinations.
New Delhi Railway Station is the major junction of the capital and all major trains towards the East, West and South of the country begin and end here. New Delhi Railway Station is only a 10 minutes walking distance from Connaught Place and within short driving distances from hotels.
Nizamuddin Railway Station, just off the flyover close to Hotel Oberoi, services most of the southbound trains and is a convenient drive from the suburban hotels to the south of Delhi. Some important day trains like the Taj Express and Gatimaan Express also begin here. Gatimaan Express is the best train for people who want to visit Taj Mahal Agra in one day.
Old Delhi Railway Station services many eastbound trains and meter-gauge traffic to Rajasthan and Gujarat. If you are taking a train from Old Delhi Railway Station, it is advisable to keep ample time for traffic snarls and to get an early start, specially from suburbs.
Sarai Rohilla Station covers most of the trains bound for Rajasthan. Some trains to Gujarat and to the North that begin at the New Delhi Railway Station also have brief stoppage here. Sarai Rohilla is a convenient and shorter distance away from locations and hotels in the west of Delhi like Karol Bagh area hotels.
Delhi Cantt Railway Station in the cantonment area, about 5 km away from the airport, is the boarding point for the famous luxury train – Palace on Wheels. Jaipur bound trains including the Shatabdi and trains to Ahmedabad that begin at the New Delhi Railway Station stop here briefly.

INTERNATIONAL TOURIST BUREAU
1st Floor, New Delhi Railway Station. This is where you need to go if you hold an Indrail pass, or wish to avail of the tourist quota reservations.
Reporting Time: Since there are no check-in formalities for trains, there is no specific reporting time but reaching the railway station 15-30 minutes before the departure of the train will give you time to settle in comfortably, specially if your ticket is waitlisted or RAC. Allow time for travelling to railway station specially during morning and evening rush-hours.

BY ROAD
Delhi is well connected by road with many major cities. It is 200 km from Agra, 399 km from Ajmer, 446 km from Amritsar, 741 km from Bhopal, 249 km from Chandigarh, 319 km from Gwalior, 261 km from Jaipur, 586 km from Jammu, 604 km from Jodhpur, 490 km from Kanpur, 505 km from Kota, 569 km from Lucknow, 478 km from Pathankot, 368 km from Shimla, 876 km from Srinagar, 635 km from Udaipur and 765 km from Varanasi.
Delhi is linked by bus services of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and state road transport corporations of neighbouring states to all important cities and destinations in north India.

FINDING YOUR FEET
Air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned cars can be hired, self-driven or chauffer-driven from various car rental agencies. Charges vary according to the type of car, distance and usage.
Metered yellow-top taxis are easily available. Pay by the meter. Auto rickshaws (Tuk Tuk) are available and are also more economical, at roughly half the taxi rates. These too are metered.

CITY TOURS
There are various city tours available in Delhi. Delhi City Sightseeing Tour is available by private car. One can book Delhi Day Tour and explore old and new Delhi by private car. Delhi Temple Tour is best for people who are interested in temples. There is another evening tour of Delhi. Delhi Night Tour can be booked through tour operator. Passengers can also be picked up for these tours from hotels in Delhi.

New Delhi Introduction

India’s capital and an important gateway into the country, Delhi is a bustling metropolis – an interesting mix of fast paced modernisation and carefully preserved antiquity. For tourists, Delhi’s strategic location allows easy access to the rest of the country by road, rail and air. This is also one of the prime reasons for foreign rulers to have repeatedly chosen Delhi as their seat of power. Modern Delhi, divided as Old and New Delhi, is a conglomerate of seven cities that has spread out and intruded beyond the river Yamuna right upto the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Old Delhi expanded around Shahjahanabad, the seventh city of Delhi. Built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan, it is a maze of crowded streets and intensely colourful bazaars. Lutyen’s Delhi, the seat of the British Raj, includes the President’s Palace, the Secretariat, India Gate and the Parliament building. The beautiful tree lined boulevards around Lutyen’s Delhi, Diplomatic Enclave, Connaught Circus, Janpath, and the burgeoning modern residential area form a part of the ever expanding New Delhi. Starting with the Slave Dynasty in the 12th century through the Mughal rule, upto the two centuries of British colonisation, Delhi has endured the ravages of time and also enjoyed prosperity under various rulers. Qutab Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, the Coronation Park, Mutiny Memorial – all stand testimony to an illustrious past. Even as a point of entry and exit Delhi has much to offer. And if first impressions should be the last, Delhi’s metropolis with high rise buildings and concrete flyovers interspersed with well-laid gardens, magnificent domes and Victorian buildings, form a fitting prelude to the rest of the country.

Delhi Sightseeing Tour

Delhi City Sightseeing Tour
Qutub Minar, New Delhi

Delhi Sightseeing Tour with Guide

Covering: Old & New Delhi
Duration: 8 Hrs.
Tour Cost: USD 29 Per Person (Minimum 2 People)

OLD DELHI:

Jama Masjid – An eloquent reminder of Mughal religious fervor, India’s largest mosque was built by Shah Jahan in 1656 at the height of Mughal power. The mosque stands opposite the Red Fort. There is not very much to see within, but the building withh its onion-shaped domes is a good example of Mughal architecture. Take off your shoes before entering.

Raj Ghat – Memorial to Mahatma Gandhi the father of Nation is a place where he was cremated.

NEW DELHI:

Goverment Buildings – Visit (Drive Pass) India Gate, President’s House, Parliament House.

Qutab Minar – The Qutab Minar is a commemorative tower built by Allauddin Khilji in the 13th century. It is five stories high, each story clearly distinguished by a projecting balcony. The buildings around are also worth wandering through.

Humayun’s Tomb – Its on Mathura Road, was built in the mid 16th century by Haji Begum, wife of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun. It displays characteristics of the Mughal style with high arches and double domes, and is considered the forerunner of the Taj Mahal.

Lotus ( Bahai ) Temple – The Lotus Temple also known as Bahai temple a house of worship completed in 1986. Notable for its Lotus flowerlike shape has become a prominent place of attraction in New Delhi. It remain closed on Sunday.

Service Include:

  • Transportation by AC car
  • Car Parking, Airport Parking, Tolls Tax, Fuel, Driver allowance
  • Service of English Speaking Guide
  • 1 Mineral water bottle per person in the car
  • Airport transfer Pick up / Drop off (If you don’t have hotel in Delhi)

Service Exclude:

  • Any expense of personal nature like tips, lunch,dinner, drinks, camera fee etc.
  • Monument entrances

Note: These rates are applicable for pick up and drop from hotel in Delhi Only.

Tour Guide Delhi, India

WHAT IS A TOUR GUIDE?

At Companion Journey Pvt Ltd we measure success not only in the visitor numbers, but in the experiences we create, the new opportunities for meaningful employment and the understanding that is fostered between people from different backgrounds and different corners of the world and our tour guides play an integral role in this.
Tour Guides are often one of the first people to welcome tourists and the last to bid them farewell. Their role is to enhance our visitors’ experience and be ambassadors for India as a tourist destination.

Definition of Tour Guide
Tour Guides act as ambassadors of the country, they are the first to meet and welcome tourists and they are often the last ones to bid farewell to them when they leave the country.
Various international organizations such as the World Federation of Tourist Guides Associations (WFTGA) define a tour guide as the person who guides visitors in the language of their choice and interprets the cultural and natural heritage of an area, which person may possess an area specific qualification. Such specifications are usually issued and/or recognized by the appropriate authority.
A tour guide is someone who points out the way and leads others on a trip or tour. Generally, a tour guide works at a specific location, city or province. In some cases, guides qualify to guide throughout an entire country.

Importance of Tour Guides
Tour guiding is a very critical component of the tourism value chain. They play an essential role in ensuring repeat tourist visitation to India through creating a positive image of our country.
In India, tour guiding is a regulated profession governed by national legislation and policies. Any person that would like to become a tour guide must undergo training as part of a formal qualification under department of tourism., Upon being deemed competent, such person will receive a license issued by Ministry of Tourism.

Characteristics of Tour Guides
The role and function of a guide is to organise, inform and entertain. Guides are mainly freelance and self-employed. Work is often seasonal and may involve working during unsociable hours. Work is usually obtained through direct contact with tour operators and other agencies and therefore, guides must be self-sufficient and be able to market themselves.
The manner in which tour guides interact and treat tourists is very important because it gives a lasting impression about the country in general. The Code of Conduct and Ethics that tour guides signs prescribes the way in which qualified, legally registered tour guides must conduct themselves whilst on duty. Registered tour guides who fail to abide by the Code of Conduct and Ethics could be subjected to formal disciplinary hearings and be charged with misconduct.