Once you arrive in Delhi, pick up a local guide book (e.g. Rupa publishers). If you are planning on driving, you can hire an aircondtioned cab for the day and visit areas within 250 km. If you are flying, go north to Himachal or Kashmir particularly during summer months - most places can be reached within 1 hour of flight time.

These are a few ideas for day or half day trips that you can do locally. If it is outdoors, make sure it is not a hot day in summer:

  • If you are visiting Qutub Minar, combine with nearby Mehrauli arcehological park for a full day trip. For details, click here (with photos) for a 2009 visit and here for a 2006 visit.
  • Heritage walk around Chandni Chowk (near Red Fort)and Chawri Bazaar. This is half day starting early. Click here for more.
  • If you are stuck in Delhi in the hot months, check out the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) near Connaught Place.  Plan on a 2-4 hour visit. If you want to sample the art of Indian artists online, click here.
Delhi is a great gateway to many getaways. Here are some out of town (multi-) day trip options :
  • Bhangarh, the ghost town. For more, click here for a recent trip experience (with photos) or here for factual details. This is off-the-beaten track tourism.
  • Abhaneri, the site of 8th century stepwell. For more, click here for recent trip experience (with photos) or here for factual details.This is off-the-beaten-track tourism.
  • Sariska, the tiger sanctuary. For more, click here for recent trip experince (with photos) or here for factual details. This is a popular tourist spot and should be realtively easy to arrange.
  • Agra is possible to visit by means of a number of transport options including escorted tour. This is probably the easiest trip to arrange. Plan on the must-do Taj mahal as well as the enchanting Fatehpur Sikri fort.
  • If it is summer and you want to head out to cooler parts, try McLeodgan (seat of Tibetan Govt). For a recent trip with photos click here. Also find information here. This is a relatively popular tourism spot.
  • Haridwar (official site) and Rishikesh are couple of popular pligrimage sites that offer multiple sightseeing opportunities. Rishikesh is cooler and offers fantastic white water rafting.Train for Haridwar leaves early in the morning and comes back late at night.
  • Airconditioned buses leave from Bikaner house (near Connought Place) for multiple cities in Rajasthan including Jaipur. This is preferably a multi-day trip.
  • Golden temple of Amritsar is a good spot. Read here for more. Also, the host of Bizzare Foods ate langar here.
  • Shimla is not always safe to visit but it is a great spot. Read here for more.