TRAVEL TIPS
NEW DELHI
OVERVIEW TRANSPORTATION VISÃO GERAL TRANSPORTE ATTRACTIONS ATRAÇÕES
WHERE TO STAYONDE WHERE TO EAT SHOPPING COMPRAS FICAR ONDE COMER
OVERVIEW Visiting New Delhi is like going on a time travel.
within the city, being Hindu and English the
The union of the ancient indian culture with all
most spoken ones. The good news is that
the modernity that there is makes the capital of
Indians really strive to speak good English
india one of the most exotic and stunning places
in order to communicate. By the way, Indian
in the world. It takes a tourist just a quick tour
people are very curious to meet foreigners,
on the streets to face temples, palaces, ruins,
so don’t be scared if someone asks to take a
women dressed in saris, recently built buildings
picture with you.
and, of course, cows wandering around. India is a very religious country and because Not even the chaotic traffic, where cars,
of this there are images of at least one of
motorcycles, rickshaws and pedestrians vie
the thousands of Hindu gods anywhere you
for space on the streets, can make India a less
go. Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu are the most
inviting place. But be aware: to understand
important and, as believed in Hinduism (the
New Delhi is bound to be open to new
most common religion in India), they have
cultures. There are 25 different languages
created the world. Other popular gods are
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS NEW DELHI
Ganesha (the one with many arms and an
There is no doubt that Indian’s capital is
elephant head) and Krishna (the one that
fascinating. So don’t let the obstacles abash
walks playing a flute). If you want to get in a
your tour by the wide avenues with modern
temple, you must leave your shoes out and do
building or by the narrow streets with
not take pictures.
historical constructions. Enjoy the charming
In the modern side of New Delhi lies the city’s
some people say, you will not come back the
nightlife, which is busy and restless as any metropolis in the world. Countless pubs and disco clubs have been established over the last years and many of them play electronic music until dawn. As Indian women generally do not walk alone on the streets, unaccompanied
and mysterious New Delhi. And if it true what same after this trip.
BEST TIME TO VISIT The best time in the year to visit India is between October and February, when it is winter and the weather is more bearable. In the other hand, it is worth remembering that between March
tourist can drag too much attention. To avoid
and September is a good time to make this trip,
undesired approaches, wear clothing that
because it is not too hot yet and it is low-season,
covers arms and legs and that are not too tight.
which makes all the prices excellent.
WEATHER Temperatures in New Delhi differ widely depending on the season. From April to June, when it is summer, the temperatures can reach 40ยบC. The monsoons time (seasonal winds) goes from July to September. During the winter, which lasts from October until February, the weather is more pleasant, reaching 24ยบC.
TRANSPORTATION
To the visitor, the best way to cross the city is riding a rickshaw or tuc-tucs (tricycles that carry up to three passengers). They are everywhere. Other options are either the riquixรก, a kind of taxi pulled by human force, or the cycle rickshaws, bicycle-moved carts that carry up to two passengers. Both are good options for a quick tour. Buses and subway are the way for a public transportation. The International Airport, Indira Gandhi, is one of the biggest in the world and is located 20km from the city centre.
For a tourist in New Delhi walking on the streets can be quite a challenge. As in any major city in India, all the roads are full of cars, bicycles, motorcycles, buses and even animals, and it is not easy to find a traffic sign that puts an order in the mess.
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS NEW DELHI
ATTRACTIONS New Delhi clearly translates the sacred and ancient Indian culture. On the streets there are lots of images of gods, temples like the Jami Masjid, museums and historical places. Most of them are free to visit. For those who appreciate contemporary art just go to the many galleries on the southern side of the city. The following are the major routes for you to enjoy.
RED FORT Classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, its more than two kilometers of red stone wall are very well preserved. Also known as Lal Qila, the fort was built on the seventeenth century
HUMAYUN’S TOMB
by the emperor Shah Jahan, the same one who
Built in 1565, the Humayun’s Tomb makes
built Taj Mahal. He intended to transfer the
the tourist delighted. The place distinguishes
capital from Agra to Deli.
by the beauty of its gardens decorated with
GURDWARA BANGLA SAHIB TEMPLE
canals and fountains. Apart from the remains of Humayun (a Mongol emperor that governed
Located on Connaught Place, this is the biggest
India on the first half of the sixteenth century),
temple in New Delhi. Men and women knee
this complex also houses the tombs of other
around its majestic throne where the sacred
member of the Mongol dynasty.
book is held while three men wearing white play and sing oriental music.
JAMA MASJID MOSQUE Considered the most beautiful mosque in India, Jama Masjid has a capacity to accommodate 25 thousand people. For its construction were necessary five thousand people working over six years. Built basically in red sandstone, the mosque has finishings in white and black marble with details in gold. The worshipers use its courtyard for their religious rituals. To reach the top you must climb 130 steps.
QUTAB MINAR This is the oldest Islamic building in India and also the highest stone tower. It was designed to symbolize the Islamic law on Delhi. With a diameter of 14.32 meters at the base and about 2.75 meters at the top, the tower is decorated with calligraphy representing verses from the Holy Koran.
GANDHI MEMORIAL Also known as Raj Ghat, the Gandhi Memorial is an open space where can be read the last words pronounced by the famous pacifist leader. The Gandhi’s body
considered the most appropriate to honor the
was cremated at this place, so the location is
greatest of all Indian leaders until today. The black marble deck keeps covered in flowers throughout the year, and the gardens around are excellent for relaxing.
RASHTRAPATI BAHVAN Located on the heart of Lutyens’ Delhi, this is the official residence for the President of India. It is also the biggest house for this purpose in the world. Until 1950 it was known as “Viceroy’s House” and served as the residence of the Vice King of India.
WHERE TO STAY New Delhi offers several accommodation options including hotels, guesthouses and hostels, and none of them costs more than U$30 a day for the basic service. The average standard hotels are located on the Sunder Nagar neighborhood, and have bar, café and rooms with TV and air-conditioned. The most sophisticated ones are in the city centre and
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS NEW DELHI
have services like SPA and massage. The
gol gappa (little crunchy pastries filled with
hostels have just a few rooms, so booking
spicy vodka). They are served at both fancy
in advance is recommended. They are fully
restaurants and popular ones.
equipped and offer breakfast. The diversified Indian cuisine also includes light recipes, like the panner kofta (balls of
WHERE TO EAT
goat cheese sauce with spices). For breakfast, the curd (a type of yogurt) is traditional. In the afternoon you must not forget to have a chai (tea). The masala one is served everywhere.
There are plenty of local restaurants in New Delhi that serve the typical Indian food: hot
If you want to vary the menu, a good option is
and spicy, where the sauces seduce with their
to appeal to the western restaurants or even
colors, textures and scents.
other Asian cuisines, like Japanese. You can also find pizzas, pasta and hamburger. However
The dishes that highlight on the menu are
eating beef is a sin over there, because cows
tandoori (baked chicken with a thin slice of
are considered sacred animals by the Indians
wheat flour bread), roasted lamb and fish
– that is why fast-food restaurants serve only
tikka. Other common dish in Delhi is the vodka
sandwiches with lamb burger.
SHOPPING
STREET MARKETS If the intention is to enjoy what is peculiar to India, the tip here is to know the street markets on New Delhi. There tourists can find
At purchase time, tourists in New Delhi take
jewelry, carpets, clothes, shoes, handicrafts
advantage. As everything in India is cheaper,
with gemstones and spices – all with very low
they can get good products with better prices.
prices. In Old Delhi, an antique neighborhood,
The rule in Delhi, however, is to bargain. In the
there is this popular commercial corridor
heart of the city, near the Rajiv Chowk station,
known as the Indian “25 de Março”.
there is several retail chains, with both Indian and foreign brands. There is also perfect for
CURRENCY
those looking for jewelry, crafts and electronics.
The Indian Rupee is the official currency of India. Twenty rupees are equivalent to
For those looking for more sophisticated products,
approximately U$ 0,40. There are exchange
the city has many famous shopping malls. But
offices all on the main city’s landmarks.
there prices are not too much marketable. Some say that New Delhi is a shopper’s paradise, so the trick is to enjoy the wide offering of products with low prices and save money.
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS NEW DELHI
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
91 11 100
INTERNATIONAL CODE CITY CODE POLICE
BRAZILIAN EMBASSY IN NEW DELHI
(91 11) 2301-7301