Government Tourist Office: 88 Janpath. They are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. You will need to ask for info as rarely is it on display. There are also offices at the airports and they can be contacted on 5694229 or 5665296. The other tourist office is the Delhi Tourist Corporation and it can be found on N.Block, Connaught Place or give them a call on 3313637

Adventure Club Is only open to Indian nationals above the age of ten years and promotes adventure activities. The club provides special packages in all adventure activities - parasailing, mountain expeditions, trekking, rock climbing, adventure camps and water sports, including river rafting in the Ganga. Further details are available at the Delhi Tourism Adventure Tourism Division, 10th Floor, Mayur Bhawan, Connaught Place, New Delhi.

Art Galleries abound and there is much to see. Cruising through the different art exhibitions and galleries of Delhi, one transcends to a different world altogether. Delhi can boast to having one of the most prestigious art galleries, The National Gallery of Modern Art, an institution in itself. In 1976, The Lalit Kala Academy, with the help of Delhi Development Authority, set up studios known as Garhi, the artists’ haven. Inspired by the city of art in Paris, where artists are provided with studios and lodgings, Garhi was built on these lines.

At Anandgram in Qutab Mehrauli is the Sanskriti Kendra, a serene sprawling sanctuary for artists, craftsmen, as well as visitors. Set amidst eight acres of land dotted with two thousand trees, the Sanskriti Kendra was the brainchild of Mr. O. P. Jain, a distinguished art collector. Here craftsmen live in mud huts reminiscent of their village homes while, scholars are provided complete studio, workshop, library, and residential facilities. The Kendra has an art gallery for exhibition of work of artists, an auditorium and an open-air amphitheatre.

Other important art galleries in Delhi include AIFACS Gallery, Art Heritage, Art Today, Azad Bhawan Gallery, Center for Contemporary Art, Delhi Art Gallery, Dhoomimal Art Center, National Gallery of Modern Art, Triveni Kala Sangam, Wadhera Art Gallery, Sahitya Kala Parishad, and many more.

Azad Hind Gram Tourist Complex located at National Highway No. 10 at Tikri Kalan is a project developed by Delhi Tourism to honour Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and to create quality leisure space with wayside amenities for the citizens. Located within two km of the Delhi Haryana border on NH-10, it offers extensive plazas, an amphitheatre, tourist information centre, souvenir and garden shop, food kiosks, a restaurant and convention facilities. For further details, please contact 5183102

Bars Anyone who has been to Delhi returns to tell stories about the Rodeo Bar, A-Block, Connaught Place, because of the mock saddle seats at the bar and its Indian waiters dressed, quite preposterously, as cowboys. The Pegasus Bar, L-Block, Connaught Place, is the most convincing attempt in Delhi to replicate an English pub. The Maurya Sheraton, Diplomatic Enclave, has a lively bar behind the lobby of the hotel, with a golfing theme, while Henri’s at the top of the Meridien Hotel, Windsor Place, offers a fine panorama of the city. The celebrated Cavalry Bar, in the Oberoi Maidan Hotel, Civil Lines, is a relic of the Raj and will appeal to those who like bars to be simple yet smart. Rick’s, situated in the Taj Mahal Hotel, 1 Mansingh Road offers live music. In Defence Colony Market there is a new and deafeningly noisy bar above the restaurant, Gola. Vasant Vihar boasts a TGI Fridays – very popular with hip young Delhiites – and the Golden Dragon, both situated in C-Block, Market. Expresso bars are increasingly popular and can be found in many areas of the city. The Barista chain is the most widely established.

Ballooning The Balloon Club of India on 8-B, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, telephone 3317977 is a wonderful way to view the surrounding area. Check it out…you won’t be disappointed. Balloons generally hold from one to ten people and can rise to heights of over 800 feet. The other place to contact regarding this sport is Wanderlust located opposite the Hyatt Regency, New Delhi. Contact them on 6875200 for more information.

Bike Safaris are an excellent way to discover Delhi and its surrounds. Call Indian Shepherds located at 491, Pocket C, Sector A, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi on 6898191 for more information.

Billiards (Snooker) If your hotel doesn't have these facilities and you are ken on a game then pop by one of the following venues and challenge someone to a game. Vertex, located at G-31 Kalkaji Extension call them on 6487180 or 6487280. Cues,
opposite the Priya cinema, 38 Vasant Vihar Community Centre. Give them a call on 6140598 or 6140475. Blade Point located at Jassum House, 44 AY 2 Kalu Sarai. Phone 6861353.

Bird Watching in Delhi is a pleasant pastime and can be done at the Ridge and the green areas surrounding the cities historic monuments. In winter, the Delhi Zoo is transformed into a small bird sanctuary with migratory birds halting by its artificial lakes. Painted Strokes, Pintail Ducks, Bar headed Geese and spot bill ducks are among the migratory birds which can be seen here. Delhi's tree - lined avenues are also reach in avian life. So are the forests of Ridge, which harbour more than 100 species of birds, from peacocks to predators. The Ridge is accessible through narrow paths that lead off Sardar Patel Marg.

Boating Delhi Tourism has provided paddleboats on various bodies of water in the heart of the city. These include the lakes near India Gate, Purana Qila- Prasad Nagar Lake and Naini Lake in Model Town. A variety of fiberglass boats have been acquired by the Corporation and can be hired at reasonable rates. Special training programs in kayaking and canoeing are organized at the latter too.  

Bowling can be done at First Bowl located at 32, Milestones Complex, Delhi-Jaipur Bypass, Gurgaon Phone them on 8-322528 or at Leisure Bowl which can be found at Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, Vasant Kunj. They can be contacted on (91-11) 6895247 or 6121574 or you can try Little paradise located at 12/7, Mathura Road, Faridabad. Call them on 8-278469 and another good venue is at Qutabowl located at the Qutab Hotel, Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg. Call them on 6862711 or (011) 652 1234  for more information. Then there is Bowl Out located at the Hotel Surya Continental J- Block, Community Centre, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi. Call them on 5122881/80. There are others too and your best bet is to ask which, if any are located close to your hotel on arrival.

Bungee Jumping Wanderlust Travels has set up a mobile crane for bungee jumping in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. This is a great activity for those brave folk out there. If you are not up to it yourself, you can get some photos of those who are mad enough to give it a go.

Camel Safari An ideal trip for those with time to spare and with the desire to experience the subtle sunset shades of the desert and the solitary magic of the rolling golden sands. Camel safaris are available in the Thar desert, and range from one to fifteen days duration. The best safaris are in the heart of the Thar, in the Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner region, and will pass tiny villages and remote trading posts. Another popular area is the Shekhawati region. The safari organisers attempt to recreate the atmosphere of the old caravan journeys; music, traditional food and campfire hospitality are all part of this unique experience. Staff are available for assistance, and all necessary equipment is provided.

Casinos There are no casinos in Delhi as gambling in India – except on the racecourse – is illegal.

Cinemas The following is a list of movie houses (cinemas) and their telephone numbers if you wish to watch Bollywood and other films.

• Anupam PVR-IV, Saket : 6865999

• Priya PVR-I, Vasant Vihar : 6140048

• Chanakaya, Chanakaya Puri : 4674009, 4670423

• Golcha, Deriyaganj : 3265192

• Liberty, Karol Bagh : 5722998

• Odeon, Connaught Place : 3322167

• Plaza, Connaught Place : 3320753

• Satyam, Ranjit Nagar : 5797387

• Sheila, Paharganj : 7772100

Craft Go to Matia Mahal’s Pahadi Bhojla and you will find umpteen jewellers shops where they fashion beautiful bangles and necklaces out of bone. Their predecessors were ivory craftsmen. However, with the ban on ivory, they were compelled to change their raw material and switch over to bones of buffaloes and camels instead.

Zardozi is the art of embroidery with gold thread. These craftsmen work intricate designs on silk, velvet, and even tissue materials. Insignias, pulpit covers, embroidery on the robes of bishops and even the Pope are all created here.

Silver The medicinal value of silver paper (varak) is well known. Thin sheets of silver paper are still wrapped around sweets and even betel leaves. If you are looking for the authentic one, go to Matia Mahal again. A few of the craftsmen who beat silver into thin sheets, by hand, still live here. You might have to do a little asking around to reach some small workshops.

Lacquer work bangles are one of the old art forms still living in Shahjahanabad. Bright shades of yellow, red, and blue are perked up with tiny pieces of mirrors and gold-coloured borders with beads to add that extra touch.

Pottery Common to many parts of Delhi are the potters. Not only do they fashion pots for the hot summer, which, in spite of refrigerators, are still greatly in demand, they also fashion beautiful clay and paper-mache dolls.

Cricket In India, cricket reigns supreme and is played everywhere, from smart cricket clubs to the grassy spaces of New Delhi and street corners. If you are keen on a game, just ask any of the locals playing on the nearest patch of open grass, and you’ll be invited to join in. If watching is more your forte, go and watch a professional game. In Delhi, Test Matches are played at Ferozshah Kotla Stadium, located on Bahadur Shah Zhafar Marg, between September and March. Attending a Test Match here is quite an experience and is not for the faint-hearted. For more info call the Tejpal Cricket Club on 2051994 or the Sunrise Cricket Club on: 2484611.

Cycling can be done at the Yamuna Velodrome, Indraprastha Estate. Phone it on 3731613 for more information. If that doesn't take your fancy then perhaps renting a bike and peddling your way around New Delhi's outlying areas might, such aas one of the fascinating Bike Safaris on offer? Whatever your fancy, it's a wonderful way to keep fit.

Dance Shows If its dance and music you are interested in, then you can choose which kind you prefer watching and concentrate your energies in that direction. If it’s the classical dance form you want to view, go to the Kamani Auditorium or Siri Fort. Triveni Kala Sangam has an auditorium too. Then there’s India International Centre on Lodhi Road that offers very good programs. In the cooler months, many dance and music festivals are organized and every corner of the city is alive with various interpretations of movement and sound.

Fishing This is a wonderfully relaxing pastime and if you enjoy this sport or want to try your hand at it, pop down to the Badhkal Lake, Surajkund, Okhla located on Mathura Road (closed on Mondays)

Fitness Centres In Delhi, fitness centres mean status and the well groomed keep in shape at Arya Vaidya Sala, South Extension telephone (011) 462 1790 and Nelson Health Club, Hotel Samrat, Chanakyapuri. Phone (011) 611 0606. Many of the five-star hotels also provide exercise facilities for their guests

Flying Take to the skies and discover Delhi and her surrounds from the air. This can be done at the Delhi Flying Club, Safdarjung Airport. Give them a call on 4618931

Gliding is another skyway to enjoy Delhi and its surrounding landscape and is certainly a lot quieter than being on terra firma. For information on this peaceful activity give the Delhi Gliding Club, at Safdarjung Airport a call on 4436052. They have daily flights departing anytime from 1 pm till sunset except Wednesdays. Excellent western air disturbances make it possible to glide as far a field as Calcutta from here, although typically flights are less ambitious. Generally, the best seasons are September to November and March to June.

Golf Several golf courses offer visitors temporary memberships, under certain conditions. For more info ask at your hotel on arrival or give the Delhi Tourism folk a call. Most local golf clubs issue temporary memberships to visitors. Clubs to call are the Army Golf Club, Delhi Cantt. The Delhi Golf Club, call Dr. Zakir Hussain Road on 4362235 or 4361236, the DDA Siri Fort Sports Complex phone 6467842 or the Noida Golf Club phone 8572753 or 914-72753. The Arawali Golf Club, Surajkund Tourist
Complex, Hotel Raj Hans, Faridabad Golf Club on 8214810 or 91-214810 Caddies and ball-spotters are available on the courses. (Please note that the above golf course telephone contacts may not be correct as at the time of writing I received differing information...you are therefore advised to double check on arrival in Delhi - editor)

Hang Gliding is rapidly growing in popularity and it is one which provides an exciting way of seeing the landscape of India. There are clubs in Pune, New Delhi, Bombay, Chandigarh, Shimla, Devlali and Bangalore. Many hang-gliding sites in India (particularly in the Himalaya region) have been highly rated by experts, and the climate of the country gives particularly good thermal soaring effects in the summer months; the monsoons are the only bad period for this sport. For more information or to partake in this type of sport pop out to Water Banks, the lakeside Swiss camp 42kms from south of Delhi or give the place a call on any of the following telephone numbers: 4679059, 4679107, 6875200, 6111889, 6881206

Horse Racing Delhi Racecourse, off Safdarjang Road, can be contacted on 301 2943 and has regular meetings during the racing season, which runs from October until the end of April. Delhi’s racecourse is an informal, almost provincial course, in marked contrast to Mumbai’s grand stands and spacious lawns. There is a large covered shed, which contains the bookies’ pitches.

Horse Riding is a wonderful pastime for the whole family and the following establishments have horses for hire as well as lessons for beginners. The Delhi Riding Club located on Safdarjung Road can be contacted on 3011891 or if you have kids with you try the Children's Riding Club on 3012265. The other place to contact for more info is the Delhi Gymkhana Club Limited 2, Safdarjung Road, ND-11. Phone: 3015533.

Jogging is popular at Lodhi Gardens in South Delhi and Nehru Park in Chanakyapuri.

Kabbadi is a team sport combining the characteristics of wrestling and rugby and is worthwhile watching.

Kho kho is an evolved game of catch and hockey combined, in which India regularly produce sides that challenge the best in the world. Watch a game a learn something new.

Live music The Jazz Bar, at the Maurya Sheraton, Sardar Patel Marg, features a live jazz show every evening, performed by Indian musicians. The Tavern, at the Hotel Imperial, on Janpath, offers the same in its restaurant-cum-bar.

Motor Rallying The topographical diversity of India makes it ideal for running road rallies, over anything from desert roads to beach, hill, mountain and forest tracks. There are many picturesque vintage car rallies, but also events featuring more modern vehicles, providing a supreme test of a driver’s mastery of both machine and conditions. Principal among these are the Monsoon Rally, the Charminar Challenge and – most demanding of all the Himalayan Car Rally. This rally is usually divided into four legs totalling of Himachel Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. For more info call 6835258.

Motor Sports If you like the roar of engines and the smell of fuel get in touch with the Performance Car Racing Trust on 147 Kilokari, Ring Road, or phone them on 6835258. They have information on rally racing. For other motor sports such as Vintage Cars contact the Statesman House at 148 Barakhamba Road or call them on 3315911-17

Mountaineering contact the Indian Mountaineering Federation, Benito Juarez Road on 4677935 or try 4671211, 6883412 before you set out as here are numerous rules and regulations you will need to follow as well as your requiring permission before you set out. Not only that it’s always a good idea to let the authorities know before you set off on this type of intrepid adventure.

Music Concerts Music connoisseurs have a variety of sounds to choose from. The auditoria where these concerts are held are the same as the dance programs. Whether Indian classical, Hindustani or Carnatic, or the lighter ghazals, there is no dearth of choice. When a particularly well-known singer comes to town, it is usually well covered by the press. The papers also reserve a column in their daily editions to display a list of programs for the day. These programs include not only the visual arts but also lectures on a wide variety of topics by scholars or luminaries in that particular field. To see the craftsmen of the city and the country make their wares, you must go to the crafts museum in Pragati Maidan and Dilli Haat. They try to display this form of indigenous talent and let the craftsmen benefit from their skill at the same time.

Musical Fountain at Ajmal Khan Park is spread over an area of five acres and provides a refreshing getaway from the bustle of the city. The musical fountain is in operation for two hours every day after sunset except on Tuesday. For further details, please call 3524834

Nightlife Delhi is not exactly famous for its nightlife. Most of the city's discos, nightclubs and bars are in the deluxe hotels, which means they tend to be exclusive and expensive. Other nightlife options include movies, plays and music concerts. Popular evening events of particular interest to foreign visitors are the sound-and-light shows staged nightly at both Red Fort and Purana Qila.

Parasailing For the truly adventurous, parasailing is available at Kanwar Shikha near Sohna in Haryana, about 60 km from Delhi. Soar like an eagle under the watchful eyes of professional instructors. No advanced training or special skills are required to learn this inexpensive sport, which can be enjoyed by any one weighing between 40 kg and 80 kg without any element of risk under the watchful supervision of trained staff. Parasailing is under an open parachute with the aid of a special rope hooked up to a jeep. As the jeep moves, the parachute opens and the para-sailor ascends to a height of about 100m Since the parasailing is limited in number and the flying hours regulated, bookings will have to be made in advance. The sport is also available at the Safdarjung Airport under the guidance of trained experts. Call them on 4617623.

Polo is a very popular sport throughout India and you will have the opportunity to see some brilliant horsemanship at the Polo Club, 61 Cavalry Cariappa Marg, Delhi Cantt. Call them on 3299444/777 Note: The polo season is from October to March only.

Rock Climbing Equipment and training is provided to aspiring rock climbers in and around Delhi from October to March for more information contact the tourist authorities. Call them on 3317011, 3321238, 3321242 or fax them on 3321246. There is an artificial wall on Benito Juarez Marg, or the real thing at Lado Sarai Adventure Park. Delhi Tourism provides the requisite equipment and training to scale the rocks in the vicinity of the Qutab Minar. In fact Delhi is the centre for most rock climbing activity in India, the prime area being Tughlaqabad. Slightly further a-field, excellent climbing may be had in the Aravalli Hills (particularly Dumdama, Dhauj and Nuh). Beyond Pune on the Western Ghats the gentle hills from picturesque rock formations and many places are ideal for climbing. Further north, the Manali valley and Rohtang Pass regions of Himachal Pradesh are popular, as are the Chamundi Hills in Karnataka and the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttar Pradesh. More gentle climbs can be had in the area of Mount Abu and Sariska (Rajasthan). Excepting the monsoon periods, rock climbing is virtually a year-round activity, and most equipment can be hired locally.

Roller Skating can be done at the Talkatora Skating Rink or in some parks in the city.

Sailing can be done on a number of lakes within the city or you can watch the real action at the Defence Service Sailing Club (for members only) Okhla, ND-25. Phone: 6910863

Shooting The Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range on Surajkund Road, will more than cater to your shooting needs. Give them a call on 6986802.

Skiing is fast becoming a popular sport. Facilities are offered by some resorts in the north of the country. The two major ones are Gulmarg in Kashmir and Kufri in Himachel Pradesh, set in some of the most beautiful mountain landscape in the world. Contact  3322251 or 3325320 for more information.

Squash If your hotel doesn’t have a court visitors are welcome at any DDA Sports Complex or Clubs throughout the city.

Sound and Light Show at Purana Quila The historic Purana Qila, which has stood witness to Delhi’s rejuvenation, periods of anarchy and the rise and fall of empires, is the venue for the spectacular sound and light show which brings alive the history of the capital. The viewer is transported back in time to where Delhi, the great empire rose and fell; where citadels of emperors appeared and disappeared; a city of mysterious eternity whose old ruins proclaim a majestic and imperial past and whose present pulsates vibrantly with the ever flowing life force of India. For details about the show contact 4629365, 4603178

Swimming If your hotel doesn’t cater to this wet activity, there are others around the city that do, as follows:

• Talkatora Pool phone 3019901

• National Stadium Complex opposite India Gate, near Patiala house. Call them on 3389470

• NDMC Pool Nehru Park, Laxmi Bai Ngr. School and Sarojini Ngr. Phone: 6110552

Tennis Again if your hotel doesn’t have courts the following places welcome guests who are ken on a game:

• Delhi Tennis Association on Africa Avenue. Phone 6515899

• Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Bhishama Pitamah Road. Call them on 4629400

• National Sports Club of India opposite Purana Qila, Mathura Road. Phone 3385564

Trekking India is the ultimate destination for a trekking holiday, offering everything from short and easy excursions to the long challenges of the snowy peaks. To take a trek in India is to rediscover the awesome majesty and beauty of nature around us. Trekkers are reminded that it is forbidden to enter Restricted and Protected Areas without the correct documentation. Please consult the Tourist Office before departure or local tourist offices on arrival in India to ascertain what restrictions may apply and what documentation may be required. The trekking season varies from region to region; check with the Tourist Office for further information. In general, the season runs from April to June and September to November.

Water Sports A multi-sports and leisure complex has been created by Delhi Tourism at  Bhalswa Lake, situated at Delhi’s north-eastern edge. This offers facilities for boating in pedal boats, kayaks, canoes and speed boats. Keen anglers can also indulge in fishing. Hovercraft and water scooters are also available here. Pedal boats at reasonable rates are available at the Hari Nagar, India Gate, Purana Quila and Naini lakes. Special training programmes in kayaking and canoeing are organised at all the lakes. Call the Tourist Department for more information.

White Water Rafting or River Running is a fairly young sport in India. The snow-fed mountain rivers that run down from the mighty Himalayas make northern India one of the best regions in the world for this sport. Amateurs and first-timers have their choice of quieter waters, but with the promise of a passage through some truly spectacular riverside landscapes. Some rapids hit Colorado 8 (the highest is 10) on the scale, but most are on the 4 to 6 grade. The main regions are Ladakh, Garhwal and the four rivers of Himachal Pradesh. For more information contact the Indian River Runners Association, 606 Akashdeep, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi. Phone: 331 3229

Yoga The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Nataraja Centre, Community Centre, East of Kailash phone 648 0869 offers yoga classes.

______________________________________________________________________

...................Hotels in New Delhi.................

5 * Deluxe Hotels
Ashok Hotel New Delhi  ||  Hotel Hyatt Regency New Delhi   ||  Hotel Le Meridien New Delhi  ||  Hotel Radisson New Delhi  ||  Hotel The Oberoi New Delhi  ||  Crown Plaza Surya New Delhi  ||  Hotel Grand Intercontinental New Delhi  ||  Maurya Sheraton New Delhi  ||  Hotel The Taj Palace New Delhi  ||  Hotel The Park New Delhi  ||  Centaur Hotel New Delhi  ||  Jaypee Vasant Continental New Delhi  ||  Park Royal Intercontinental New Delhi  ||  Hotel Grand (Formely Grand Hyatt)  ||  Hotel The Taj Mahal New Delhi

5 *  Hotels in New Delhi
Hotel Ambassador New Delhi  ||  Hotel Siddharth New Delhi  ||  Hotel Claridges New Delhi  ||  Imperial New Delhi  ||  Hotel Uppal's Orchid New Delhi  ||  Hotel Nikko New Delhi  ||  Hotel Marriott New Delhi 

4 *  Hotels in New Delhi
Hotel Cannaught New Delhi  ||  Hotel Oberoi Maidens New Delhi  ||  Hotel Diplomat New Delhi  ||  Hotel Hans Plaza New Delhi

3 *  Hotels in New Delhi
Hotel Center Point New Delhi  ||  Ashok Country Resort New Delhi  ||  Hotel Broadway New Delhi  ||  Hotel Ranjit New Delhi  ||  Hotel Lodhi New Delhi  ||  Hotel Samrat New Delhi  ||  Hotel Qutab New Delhi

2 *  Hotels in New Delhi
Hotel Regent Continental  ||  Hotel Rudra Castle  ||  Hotel Sun Court  ||  Hotel Bill Palace  ||  Hotel Clark Inn  ||  Hotel Metro Heights  ||  Hotel Classic  ||  Hotel Metro City

Home   ||  Contact us  ||   Sitemap