Here’s how to travel on budget from Kathmandu to Delhi with Family!!!

Timing and Weather:

End of January, the coldest month during the winter in South Asia. While the Gangetic plains experience “Sit-leher”, phenomenon with cloud blanket covering the earth with misty cloud, the mountains are slightly warm due to visibility of sun which is the most beautiful sun around the year. Yet, Indian Capital was always in our mind thus Delhi became our destination.

Mode of Travel:

Me, my spouse-Brinda, my two year old daughter embark on a journey to Indian capital by land. Traveling from Kathmandu to Delhi or vice-versa have two options direct 1.5 hours flight or 2 days of bus or train journey. But we chose the combination of bus and train journey from Kathmandu to Delhi. A bus from Kathmandu to Belahiya (a border town in Nepal adjoining Sonauli) overnight travel, sharing cab from Sonauli to Gorakhpur of 2 hours journey. The train station Gorkahpur is headquarter for North East Railway Division, so most of trains here are point of origination.

Had it been for me traveling alone or without kid, I would definitely have traveled in the Sleeper class, I just enjoy the vibrancy of the railroad travel of the sleeper class. Strangers trying to befriend, “Hijaras” chasing young guys for blessing money, and hawkers selling things here-and-there, performers singing and dancing. On the contrary, many cases of theft, robbery by intoxication, swindling are common which goes unreported. I lost my boots at Howrah while traveling from Bangalore. With no shops open being Sunday, I had to roam Kolkata on bare feet, imagine that. However, the luxury of travel escalates in AC bogie, infact it’s the price worth. Tickets include, bed sheet and pillow and sometimes even lunch or breakfast. The travel was smooth except for the late departure from Gorakhpur. It was an overnight travel so early morning by eight o’clock we reached New Delhi Railway Station.

Stay location and Hotel:

Choosing stay area has been the most arduous task before any travel I did, be it business travel or leisurely trips or vacations. As I stayed three years in Delhi, I can validate that central Delhi is the best place to stay for a budget traveler. Among many locations, I prefer Karol Bagh to Pahargunj. The later being more convenient to railway, convenient eateries, tourism sites, Karol Bagh always tops in terms of locality and safety. Pahargunj has a quaint feeling, catering to business travelers, tradesmen. While, Karol Bagh is among the oldest retail market in Delhi from clothes, shoes, toys, bags, foods of all delicacies, just name it. Just another form of supermarket with cheaper options. It’s a good to go stay area around Ajmal Khan Road at Karol Bagh with ample of eateries and hotels at budget. Importantly, the area is close to city metro service.

Rudiments on tour of Delhi

Touring across Delhi can be bit perplexing, there are many attractions which are of historic significance. There are retail tour operators selling “an one day tour” packages by the name of “Delhi Darshan”, which only offer least, just see through on major monuments by bus. For me who like to delve into history, had in mind to explore the places of Moghuls, Turkish and Lodhis as well. We did a brief tour of Lodhi Garden, Safdarjung Enclave, Hauz Khas, Tomb of Humayun and Akhshardham, by our own. And, I know there were many places missing, Delhi is just so big, it’s inevitable to miss. Most of the places are garden with structures and palaces from the past. As a tourist, Hauz Khas can be a special one as it offers bohemian vibes with narrow allies and restaurants, these places reminded me of Haji Lane of Singapore. All these destinations are nice to roam and play have picnic so my two year daughter did thoroughly enjoyed the heritage tour. But for a kid like her, it’s the greenery and open spaces that she enjoyed the most. Running across the historic garden as a four year kid, amazing isn’t it!

Tour Package -Delhi Darshan

“Delhi-Darshan” is another effective way to see Delhi for just Indian Rupees 200. This one day trip covers various attractions in Delhi which starts from Lal Qilla or the Red Fort. During our trip, we were given a very nice seat on request as we were traveling with child. Our trip mostly focused on post-independence monuments, like Gandhi Mandapam, Gandhi Memorial Museum, House of Indira Gandhi and Rajeev Gandhi. Just an hour and half at each places. They usually don’t miss the Lotus Temple and Qutub Minar.

Around Old Delhi

So far the area around Red Fort itself is a big tourist monument, three places Chandani Chowk- Chawri Bazaar, Jama Masjid-Meena Bazaar and Red Fort can be clubbed together for a day. With a child, it can be tiring to traverse across 15-20 kms on foot but cheap rikshaw-ride is available anywhere in the oldest part of Delhi. The Old Delhi is an experience of market rush, foods and the century old heritages in shops and Havelis or the old buildings. Jama Masjid and Red Fort being the Moghul monument, and amazing part is Red Fort in itself has a lots to offer, there are museums and amazing are the British era administrative buildings. Old Delhi is for basically for shoppers, history lovers or someone who wants to enjoy the food and culture, but with kid it was a big turn off, at these places, my kid just enjoyed the Rikshaw Ride.

Central Delhi, Luxury and Eateries

Talking about British monument, Connaught Place is another destination where travel to Delhi cannot be complete without stepping here. We all loved it here, including my daughter. Connaught Place offers plenty space to walk with vacant spaces, big wide roads and offers shopping experience from notorious Palika Bazaar to high-end luxury brands. The major attractions were the British era buildings which were quite fascinating to see, and the iconic underground Rajiv Chowk Metro station. With high rise building and parks like Jantar Mantar makes the area quite good spacious and feel of that developed city. The best part was dining at Connaught Place. The whole area is the hub for restaurants. We all loved the time spent there the evening was the coolest one, with street performers all across and many activities for kids to play makes the area tourist friendly, just recalling how nice was the time spent at Connaught Place.