Delhi Travel Guide

Delhi - New Delhi
India is often said to be a country of contrasts, well nowhere is this more evident than in Delhi. Old Delhi and New Delhi are like two different worlds that co-exist within the confines of the metropolis of Delhi. New Delhi is a rich modern city of wide leafy avenues, tree-lined boulevards, open parks and colonial mansions. In Old Delhi, visitors will find an interesting selection of colourful bazaars and narrow winding alleys, manic and noisy. New Delhi is the capital city of India situated within the metropolis of Delhi and is the seat of the Government of India and of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

Considered by many to be the gateway to Indian, Delhi is a popular destination for gap year students, backpackers and explorers who see it as the place to begin their fantastic Indian adventures. Accommodation suitable for everyone is here in abundance, ranging from luxury hotels to cheap rooms and hostels. Delhi provides great access to the road and rail network extending to all parts of the sub-continent but should be considered as a destination in it's own right rather than just a staging post. The area of Delhi boasts of 175 monuments recognised as being national heritage sites including The Jama Masjid (India's largest mosque) The Red Fort, Qutab Minar and Humayan's Tomb. The Taj Mahal is situated in the city of Agra, within visiting distance.

All the contrasts and traditions that are typically India are to be found in Delhi from the rich to the poor, from the modern to the old, from the squalor to the exotic splendor. You will see bullock carts travelling alongside the very latest luxury cars and don't forget the abundance of motorised rickshaws.

Location
Located in Northern India, Delhi borders the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh to the East and Haryana to the North, South and West. Delhi lies almost entirely in the Gangetic plains which along with the North Indian River Plain is a large and fertile plain encompassing most of northern and eastern India, The Yamuna is a major tributary river of the Ganges and the low-lying Yamuna flood plains although prone to recurrent floods, provide fertile land suitable for agriculture. The Delhi ridge reaching up to a height of 318 m forms the most dominating feature in this region. It originates from the Aravalli Range in the south and encircles the west, northeast and northwest parts of the city.

Climate and when to travel
The best time to travel to Delhi for a holiday is in October-November and in February-March. At this these times of year the days are warm and sunny and the nights are cool. December and January can be extremely cold and prone to heavy fog. With temperatures of up to and even exceeding 45°C, a Delhi summer (May, June and July) is best avoided unless you are acclimatised to intense heat. During the summer months you are also likely to experience a dry heat and dust storms. High humidity will be experienced as the monsoon season begins towards the end of June. Most of the rain falls between July and September but they differ from the tropical rains that you experience in India's coastal cities.

Flying to Delhi - New Delhi
All international flights into Delhi will arrive at The Indira Gandhi International Airport of Delhi. You can read more about the International airport including transfers to the city here >>
Delhi Airport | The Indira Gandhi International Airport