REVIEW · NEW DELHI
Private Old and New Delhi Sightseeing Tour
Book on Viator →Operated by Joyful Holidays · Bookable on Viator
Delhi has two faces, and this tour fits both. This private Old and New Delhi day gives you easy transport plus a real mix of Mughal-era chaos and government-city polish. I like that you get a private guide who can connect the dots fast, and you also get a bonus rickshaw ride that makes Old Delhi feel less like a checklist.
One thing to keep in mind: not every stop’s entry fee is included. Jama Masjid and Qutub Minar are listed as ticket-not-included, so you’ll want to decide whether the all-inclusive option is worth it for you.
In This Review
- Key things you’ll notice on this tour
- A smart first-timer combo of Old Delhi and New Delhi
- How the private car and guide keep the day simple
- Old Delhi sights: Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk by rickshaw, and Red Fort views
- From Raj Ghat to India Gate: serious landmarks plus photo stops
- New Delhi stops: Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament, Bangla Sahib, and Agrasen Ki Baoli
- Qutub Minar and the entry-fee reality
- Price and value for $99, plus who should book
- Should you book this Old and New Delhi combo tour?
- FAQ
- What time does pickup happen?
- Is this a private tour or a shared group tour?
- Do you get a rickshaw ride?
- Is lunch included?
- Are entrance fees included for all monuments?
- Which main sites are part of the route?
- How long is the tour?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key things you’ll notice on this tour

- Air-conditioned private car with a uniformed driver so you’re not wrestling traffic or transit
- Rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk for an Old Delhi taste that feels hands-on
- A guided itinerary across eras, from Jama Masjid and Raj Ghat to India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan
- Temples and calm stops, including Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and Agrasen Ki Baoli
- Qutub Minar as the big-ticket moment, with entry fees that may be extra depending on your option
A smart first-timer combo of Old Delhi and New Delhi

This is one of the cleaner ways to see Delhi when you don’t want to plan, route, and re-route all day. Old Delhi gives you Mughal-era grandeur and street-level energy, while New Delhi shows you the wide avenues and monumental buildings built for a modern capital. The payoff is that you get context, not just photos.
I particularly like how the day is built to change pace. You start with iconic Old Delhi landmarks, then you mix in memorials and major New Delhi landmarks from the road, and you end with two calmer cultural stops. You’ll also be able to customize the order a bit with your guide, which helps if you care more about architecture, history, or just watching daily life.
A private format also means you can ask questions on the spot. And based on guide feedback I’ve seen, the guide experience matters here—Vivek is specifically praised for being a kind, respectful storyteller, and that kind of attention is a big deal if you’re traveling solo.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in New Delhi
How the private car and guide keep the day simple
You start with pickup around 9:00 AM (or whatever time you select) from Delhi, Gurugram, or Noida. That matters because Delhi’s sights are spread out, and getting to them on your own can turn into a half-day of logistics. With a private air-conditioned vehicle and a driver, the day runs like a planned day, not a stressful scavenger hunt.
Your tour includes a private guide, so you’re not just moving from monument to monument. A good guide helps you understand what you’re looking at—why Jama Masjid and Qutub Minar are important, why Raj Ghat is set where it is, and how India Gate fits into the story of the city. And it’s not only big history words: Vivek’s style is described as respectful and attentive, which you’ll appreciate when you’re navigating busy places.
The tour also includes packaged drinking water, which sounds small until you’re standing in sun and crowds. And the operator uses a mobile ticket, so you’re not chasing paper.
If you have mobility constraints or strong preferences (more photos vs. more walking), this private format is where you’ll feel the benefit.
Old Delhi sights: Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk by rickshaw, and Red Fort views

Old Delhi starts with Jama Masjid, one of the most significant Mughal mosques in the area. You’ll spend about 30 minutes there, and the ticket note is important: the entry ticket is listed as not included, so you should expect to pay separately unless you choose an option that covers monument entrance fees.
Right after that, you’ll head toward Chandni Chowk and do the best bit for most first-time visitors: a rickshaw ride. It’s around 30 minutes, and it’s a great way to experience the market’s pace without walking every step. Chandni Chowk is described as one of the oldest markets and also as a chaotic wholesale stretch lined with hawkers and porters—so go in with flexible expectations and expect to slow your photos down.
Then there’s the Red Fort. You’ll do an exterior photo stop rather than a full visit. The reason given is that much of the building is acquired by the Indian Army, so think of it as a “see it and frame it” moment, not a museum-style stop.
If you’re short on time in Delhi, this Old Delhi block gives you the right mix: a major monument, a sensory market ride, and a landmark you’ll recognize instantly.
From Raj Ghat to India Gate: serious landmarks plus photo stops

After Old Delhi’s intensity, the tour steps into reflection and empire-era memorials. Raj Ghat is a simple but powerful stop: a black marble platform by the Yamuna River marking where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated after his assassination in 1948. You’ll have about 30 minutes, and since it’s listed with free admission, it’s usually an easy win time-wise.
Then you transition into New Delhi’s monumental axis with India Gate. You’ll stop for photos at the 140-foot-tall war memorial-style gateway. It’s one of those sights where your guide’s context helps a lot—if you know what you’re looking at, it feels less like a big arch and more like a message in stone.
Next you’ll do drive-by photo stops at major government and presidency landmarks. The tour includes exterior views of Viceroy’s House, which became the President of India’s home and is popularly known as Rashtrapati Bhavan. You’ll also see Parliament House from the road, designed by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker.
These are not long walking stops, but they’re useful if you want structure. You see them in daylight, get photos, and keep the day moving without adding extra entry fees or queues.
New Delhi stops: Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament, Bangla Sahib, and Agrasen Ki Baoli
The middle of the day is where you get balance: big civic Delhi from the road, then religious and architectural stops that feel more human-scale.
First, you get the New Delhi photo rhythm—Rashtrapati Bhavan and Parliament House—so you understand how the capital’s layout works. If you’re trying to picture where government power sits in the city, these quick stops help your mental map.
Then you slow down at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. This is one of Delhi’s prominent Sikh gurdwaras, and it’s listed with entrance included. You’ll have about 1 hour here, which is enough time to look around calmly and appreciate the setting without feeling rushed.
After that comes Agrasen Ki Baoli (also known as Ugrasen Ki Baoli). This is a short stop—around 15 minutes—but it’s architecturally interesting: an ornate stepwell that once served as a water reservoir. Entrance is listed as included, so you’re not forced to make yet another on-site decision.
If you tend to get tired at too many “big” monuments in a row, this section is a good reset. It also gives you a more everyday Delhi feel—less performance, more place.
Qutub Minar and the entry-fee reality

The final major highlight is Qutub Minar, a world heritage site with a legendary timeline. The tall minaret was constructed in 1192 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak, later completed by Iltutmish. You’ll spend about 1 hour here.
One practical note: the entry ticket is listed as not included. That means your cost can vary depending on whether you choose the all-inclusive option. If you want to avoid decision fatigue (and avoid ticket purchases during a busy day), it often makes sense to pick the option that includes entrance fees.
Also, plan your timing for crowds. The tour duration is about 7 to 8 hours, so you’re not spending a full day here, but you should still be ready for queues and security checks typical at major heritage sites. Your guide’s timing should help, but it’s still a popular place.
If Qutub Minar is a top priority for you, think of this as the keystone stop. Everything else feeds into it: you’re seeing major religious architecture and then arriving at one of Delhi’s most famous towers.
Price and value for $99, plus who should book
At $99 per person for about 7 to 8 hours, the value is mostly in the private format: air-conditioned transportation, private driver, private guide, a rickshaw ride, water, and (depending on your option) buffet lunch plus entrance fees.
The tricky part is the option mix. The tour says buffet lunch and entrance fees are included only if you choose the all-inclusive option. Jama Masjid and Qutub Minar are explicitly ticket-not-included, while Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and Agrasen Ki Baoli list entrance included. So your real out-of-pocket cost depends on which option you select.
When I think about who this fits best, three groups stand out:
- First-time visitors who want a structured introduction without DIY chaos
- Solo travelers who want a guide who’s described as respectful and attentive (Vivek is a good example)
- People who like variety: markets, memorials, major civic sights, and two calmer architectural/religious stops
If you like heavy walking or you want long museum time at every stop, this may feel a bit “drive-and-photo” for some civic landmarks—but it’s still a strong way to see Delhi in a single day.
Should you book this Old and New Delhi combo tour?
I’d book it if you want a smart first look at Delhi with private logistics and enough variety to keep the day interesting. Choose the all-inclusive option if you hate paying multiple on-site tickets or if you know Qutub Minar and Jama Masjid matter to you.
Skip it or adjust expectations if you’re hoping for deep, inside-the-building time at every major landmark—some big sights are exterior or photo stops. If you’re okay with that trade-off, this tour is an efficient, guide-led way to understand Delhi’s two worlds without wasting your holiday on transportation stress.
FAQ
What time does pickup happen?
Pickup is set for around 9:00 AM, or at your given time. It’s offered from your preferred location in Delhi, Gurugram, or Noida.
Is this a private tour or a shared group tour?
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group participates.
Do you get a rickshaw ride?
Yes. The tour includes a rickshaw ride to Chandni Chowk for about 30 minutes.
Is lunch included?
Lunch is included as a delicious buffet lunch only if you select the all-inclusive option.
Are entrance fees included for all monuments?
Not for all stops. Entrance fees are included only if you select the all-inclusive option. Jama Masjid and Qutub Minar are listed with tickets not included, while Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and Agrasen Ki Baoli list tickets included.
Which main sites are part of the route?
Key stops include Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk (rickshaw ride), a photo stop at Red Fort from outside, Raj Ghat, India Gate photo stop, Rashtrapati Bhavan and Parliament House photo stops, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Agrasen Ki Baoli, and Qutub Minar.
How long is the tour?
The duration is about 7 to 8 hours.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.



























