Delhi Old Delhi City Tour: Tuk Tuk & Street Food Review

Old Delhi! Very, very rarely does just the mention of a location call to mind such images: throngs of people, an abundance of history seeping from almost every corner, and cuisine…oh, the delicious, tantalizing food. I got the opportunity to, like, actually experience it all firsthand via a walking and tuk-tuk tour. Want to know what that was like? Just continue reading!

Setting the Scene: What’s Old Delhi Really Like?

Old Delhi! Picture this if you could. It’s almost as if extremely small lanes are filled to the brim with shops selling pretty much everything you could probably think of. Spices, saris, hardware, wedding decorations – really, you name it, and you could probably find it there. Carts selling treats are vying for space alongside pedestrians and the occasional motorbike attempting to squeeze through, you know? The air is so thick with the aromas of street food. It is actually a lot, yet, at the same time, very invigorating. So, you can easily spend days just wandering about, soaking in the atmosphere.

Why Choose a Guided Tour, That Is?

Ok, so, here is something I think is kind of key. Old Delhi, a great place that it is, it can seem, you know, like, slightly intimidating. It is actually incredibly easy to become lost in the little pathways, or to perhaps feel overwhelmed by the intensity. Plus, when it comes to the food, it is obviously great, it’s something that could be risky if you don’t know where to find food that has a certain level of quality. A guided tour can really, very, change the game. I think this, as it, actually, gives you insider information, a pre-planned route, and, rather vitally, assures you that you can eat without worrying later. That’s why the ‘Delhi Old Delhi City Tour with Tuk Tuk Ride & Street Food’ grabbed my interest so much.

My Tour Experience: Tuk-Tuks and Tasty Treats, That Is

The tour began, naturally, near a fairly handy metro station. My tour guide, whose name I learned was, Arjun, it turns out was extremely friendly and just radiated with plenty of knowledge about the vicinity. After quick introductions, we then dove right into what felt almost like a maze of pathways. That is when I also first saw a tuk-tuk! Very quickly that actually whisked us into the middle of the action. Actually traveling by tuk-tuk is actually quite a blast; the open-air feel combined with almost immediate zipping in and out of traffic gave me an entirely new appreciation for, almost, Delhi drivers.

A vital, I mean, truly important feature of the tour, in my view, actually revolves around sampling all types of food, things I wouldn’t know even existed without my kind guide! We tried gol gappe, which ended up exploding with taste, then dahi bhalle that practically melted right when I put them in my mouth, plus parathe that I could smell as soon as the vendor took them from the fire. Arjun seemingly knew all of the spots favored by the locals, something you just could never get unless you did a whole bunch of asking or actually were from there yourself. With almost every treat he even provided a history lesson, explaining the dish’s beginnings along with ingredients; that actually, for me, greatly boosted my enjoyment of the treat itself.

Exploring the Sights: A Blend of History and Culture

This tour was about far more than just filling up, really. In between the stops for treats, Arjun led me on quick trips to quite a few, frankly iconic spots. The Jama Masjid felt like the most awesome sight. It gave me a little moment of introspection to consider the vast history encapsulated right there. Next, we were almost straight off to Chandni Chowk, basically Old Delhi’s major commercial road. I mean, to this day, the place is an actual sensory overload and seeing all the commerce was quite interesting.

So, too it’s almost as if Arjun gave little tidbits along the way involving Delhi’s history plus some cultural stories that actually painted a surprisingly complete picture of the region, I actually felt, when our tour ended, really filled with new facts in my head. I wasn’t only simply full, I mean physically from snacks, but my knowledge reserves were topped off, too!

Is This Tour Right for You?, Is That So?

So, after speaking about how my tour went, how does anyone actually know if it would also be awesome for you? You could just, I dunno, flip a coin, but I have other suggestions. I think anyone that wants to be introduced thoroughly to Old Delhi, especially the food element, would benefit greatly from a tour just like this. It, in particular, is definitely suited for individual travelers, young families, or perhaps just anyone needing a helping hand to learn Old Delhi without having to worry about finding tasty things to eat.

Actually, I also believe it actually is a wonderful thing to experience for photographers or other folks whose artistic side is a bit amplified because it is very clear Old Delhi has something aesthetically awesome no matter where you look. So long as large group tours or very private customized experiences are of very high value to you, you may or may not feel happy with the default offering.

But, actually there are things that some could view in a slightly negative light too. Someone with walking limitations could feel frustrated with some aspects, as much of the travel has to happen on foot. Delhi can get very, very packed during certain times; a claustrophobic person would just need to mentally get set. Lastly, to fully get what’s happening around you will actually require you to hear things pretty darn clearly. So those dealing with some form of auditory issues might need to bear this in mind.

Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Your Tour Experience

I just don’t think it matters how good a tour could be, the experience is truly improved through smart thinking and preparation, do you know what I mean? So I do have thoughts about this.

So wear some clothing that isn’t something you worry so, so much about. As can be assumed, locations that see thousands upon thousands on the daily are probably going to have a little dust in the air.
Remain very, very hydrated! Delhi, especially when it is the summertime, sees a high level of temperatures so you should sip a little water whenever possible.
As for what I said regarding safety when it comes to food: be brave! Never avoid treats unless you know in your heart you could have a bad reaction.
When haggling you could definitely come out the victor. Always be considerate about how far you try and drive down prices, actually.
Most important! Get totally engaged! Listen intently when your tour guide has something to say and never shy away from posing thoughtful questions!

Final Thoughts: Old Delhi is Totally Worth Exploring

So, is it any good? The ‘Delhi Old Delhi City Tour including a Tuk Tuk Ride & Street Food’ offers such an awesome, educational and intensely flavorful introduction to a great locality. Arjun’s insight, actually plus all those carefully selected culinary indulgences came together for something you need to actually attempt. Therefore, it is my belief, the trip is more than worthy. Are you ready to experience all it offers for you, I hope? I sure think so!

#Delhi #OldDelhi #TukTuk #StreetFood #IndiaTravel