We negotiate with the tuk tuk driver to take us to the Agrasen ki Baoli step well. 

The well is built deep into the ground with steps leading all the way down. It is one of the oldest structures in New Delhi having been built in the 14th century.

 

After more negotiations with yet another tuk tuk driver we hop in and head off to the Presidential Palace and Parliament buildings. You need to book well in advance to tour them, so we walk around and take pictures.

Back in the tuk tuk we motor down the Rajpath to India Gate. The Rajpath is a wide boulevard between the Presidential Palace and India Gate. The driver drives us around both sides of the n of the India Gate. The area around it reminds me of the park in front of the Eiffel Tower. Many locals are picnicking.

Humanun’s Tomb

Then onto the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Humayun’s Tomb. This site is not to be missed. There are actually many tombs in the large gardens but the tomb of the Mogul Emperor Humayun is the crown in the centre. Its actually the precursor of the Taj Mahal.

The graceful arches, beautiful carvings and artful scrollwork in the windows make this a truly spectacular sight. From the upper part of the tomb, I hear the palm trees whispering in the  breeze.

A nearby smaller tomb is equally beautiful on a smaller scale…and there are not all the people to contend with.

I climb the platform steps. One of the double doors is open the other shut. As I get to the entrance the shut one slowly blows open as if bidding me welcome. Creepy but I enter. His and hers graves occupy the middle of the floor. The only sounds inside are the soft cooings of a few pigeons. Their wings make an eerie sound as the fly across the roof. One side of the doors blows shut.  There’s an air of abandonment.

We visit a few more tombs before grabbing a tuk tuk to Lodhi Gardens.

Lodhi Gardens, Safdarjung’s Tomb and Back

Lodhi Gardens is another New Delhi must see. The park is filled with gardens, magnificent tombs, ponds, creeks, a fountain and birds. I especially love the green parakeets.

Many people are picnicking, playing cricket or just enjoying the scenery.

Some guide books tell you to get in and out of New Delhi as quickly as possible but I disagree. There are peaceful gardens and other treasures in this city.

I’m exhausted but we visit one more site on our way to the subway; Safdarjung’s Tomb. It’s gorgeous in the afternoon sun.  We visit for a half hour before getting on the subway.

The trains are packed, packed, packed. People are so crunched together that I don’t have to worry about holding the rail. We make a train line change and within 20 minutes, beginning to end, arrive back at our hotel.

Costs