NGO

Delhi is a city of contrasts, where the ancient and modern sit side by side. To really get a feel for this amazing metropolis, it’s worth exploring with a local tour company like Reality Tours and Travel India. Their expert guides will introduce you to all the highlights of Delhi, from the historic sights of Old Delhi to the vibrant markets of Chandni Chowk. You’ll also get to experience some of the city’s unique traditions, such as attending a Hindu puja ceremony or observing the art of Mehndi (henna) painting. And unlike many other tour companies, Reality Tours and Travel India is committed to responsible tourism, with 80% of the costs going directly to their partner NGO, ensuring that your visit has a positive impact on the local community.

So why not explore Delhi with Reality Tours and Travel India and discover the city’s hidden treasures for yourself? I did two of their tours whilst based in Delhi for my PhD research; the Sightseeing via Public Transport tour, which offers an affordable alternative to a private sightseeing tour, and the Sanjay Colony tour, to learn about life in slum communities and learn about the work of their NGO Reality Gives.

Delhi Sightseeing via Public Transport

Delhi is a bustling metropolis with a rich history and diverse culture. There’s so much to see and do, it can be overwhelming for first-time visitors. Reality Tours and Travel India offers a unique way to explore Delhi via public transport. This guided tour takes participants on a journey through the city using only local buses, metro trains, and rickshaws. Not only is this a great way to see Delhi from a local perspective, but it’s also an educational experience. Participants will learn about the city’s history, culture, and infrastructure while getting an insider’s view of daily life. If you’re looking for an authentic and educational way to explore Delhi, Reality Tours and Travel India is the perfect option.

No trip to Delhi would be complete without a visit to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, one of the most important Sikh temples in India. Situated near Connaught Place, the Gurudwara is easily accessible and welcoming to visitors of all faiths. The building itself is an architectural marvel, with marble walls and intricate carvings. Inside, the main hall is a peaceful oasis, decorated with flowers and Sikhs performing devotional music. Visitors are welcome to participate in the temple’s activities or simply watch and learn. The Gurudwara also provides free meals for all visitors, regardless of religion or social status. With its beautiful setting and welcoming atmosphere, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is a must-see for any traveler to Delhi.

Next we explored Lodhi Gardens, a beautiful green park teeming with history. After lunch, we visit the majesty of Humayun’s Tomb… built in the 16th century, this mausoleum is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture, with its graceful domes and arches rising against the sky. Today, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visitors can explore the tomb complex at their leisure.

The mausoleum itself is located in the center of a large garden, and it is surrounded by intricate courtyards and smaller tombs. Within the mausoleum, Humayun’s body is laid to rest in a simple but beautiful tomb chamber. Visitors can also see the tomb of Humayun’s wife, which is decorated with delicate carvings and inlaid with precious stones. With its fascinating history and beautiful architecture, Humayun’s Tomb is well worth a visit. Whether you are interested in history or simply want to admire some exquisite architecture, this site is sure to impress.

Sanjay Colony Slum Tour

At first, I was apprehensive about booking a slum tour, as I had several worries about the notion of “slum tours…” would people be exploited? is this a form of ‘poverty porn?’ After reading a few reviews online from people who had previously had the same doubts before recommending the tour, I decided to go ahead with it, and it was great!

Sanjay Colony is a small slum built on 25 acres of land located in the south of Delhi near the Bahai Lotus Temple and Iskcon temple. The tour allows visitors to spend a couple of hours walking around and visiting small-scale businesses, a small temple, a mosque and residential areas, learning about working and residential life and “witness how despite the challenging living conditions it remains an area charged with positive energy and strong community.”

The tour was guided by a local from Sanjay colony, so he was showing us the community where he grew up and where he still lives today. I think my apprehension towards slum tours came from a preconceived notion I had about slums, which was largely negative. The tour was much like other tours I’ve done in other countries where you visit ‘local villages’ and see how people traditionally live and work. Sanjay Colony is a vibrant community and touring it gives an insight into what life is like for about 50% of the population of Delhi. The fact that they live in relative poverty is just a coincidence, and it isn’t what the tour is about at all. The tour is about the sense of community, what daily life is like for Dehli-ites, and how the proceeds from Reality Tours is invested back into communities like Sanjay Colony through their NGO. There are no photos allowed on the tour, to ensure that residents have their privacy, and people aren’t the focus of the tour at all; it’s about the community as a whole.

If you ask a Westerner what they think life is like in a slum community in India, you’re likely to get a very specific answer. They might say that it’s crowded, dirty, and dangerous. And while slum communities can be all of those things, there’s much more to them than that.

In India, there’s a big difference between legal and illegal slums. Legal slums are big cities like Mumbai, where the government provides basic services like water and electricity. Illegal slums are smaller towns where the government doesn’t provide these services. So why do people live in slums? Well, it’s often cheaper than living in a regular house, and it’s closer to where they work. Life in slum communities is often seen as dirty and dangerous, but it is actually full of vibrancy and opportunity.

People in slum communities are typically part of a close-knit community. They help each other out, look out for each other’s children, and support each other through tough times. Education is also highly valued in slum communities, and there are often opportunities for employment. For example, many people set up small businesses selling food or goods. While life in a slum community is certainly not easy, it is full of opportunity and richness.

Visiting a slum community like Sanjay Colony with Reality Travels and Tours is a great way to see what life is really like for residents, in a way that is not only non-exploitative, but gives back to the community through their NGO.