New Delhi

Delhi is one of the largest and fastest-growing cities in the world. Bursting at the seams, it teems with sights, sounds and smells; its vibrancy and cultural diversity radiate from every street scene. There are architectural marvels, colorful shops, delicious food, wonderful people and the ever-present throng intermingled with sacred cows and stray dogs. It is a place rich in history and steeped in contrasts: old and new, aromatic and smelly, pristine and grimy.

New Delhi, India’s capital, lies at the center of the metropolis of Delhi. The best way to get around New Delhi is by rickshaw or tuk-tuk (motorized rickshaw). The passenger experience can be a little hair-raising initially, but it’s richer than being sealed up in a car. Even if you’re not an architecture or history nut, a tour of the city’s buildings is a must.

The Lotus Temple, Humayun’s Tomb, the temples of Akshardham and Laxminarayan, and the India Gate are not to be missed, but Delhi’s architectural jewel is the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Sanskrit for Presidential House), the largest chief-of-state residence in the world. Flanked by Parliament House and the Secretariat, the complex is enormous. Just up the street is the Bungalow Zone: street after street of British Raj–era mini palaces with magnicent gardens.

For high-end shopping and dining, visit Connaught Place, where aficionados of art and history will nd several world-class museums and galleries. Just north of New Delhi is the walled city of Old Delhi. Although much of the wall has been lost, the magnicent entry gates still stand. At the centre of Old Delhi is the Red Fort, a 17th-century palace fortress. Don’t miss the nearby Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Wander the street bazaars of Old Delhi on foot for a rich shopping experience.

Not only are there plenty of things to see and do in Delhi, there are many interesting cities in close proximity that are definitely worth exploring. The best way to plan your trip is through a tour operator, and even better, one like Outjourneys that is completely dedicated to showcasing Delhi and the rest of India to gay and lesbian travelers. They will tailor a vacation to remember, whether it is for relaxation or adventure. Visit the Outjourneys website for details and contact information.

The gay scene
You won’t nd a gay district or village in Delhi, but there are regular gay nights at various locations across the city. Listings for gay spaces and events can sometimes be found online, but one of the best ways to be in the know is to ask the locals as the events that rotate between friendly venues are more likely to be publicized by way of emails and SMS messages.

Tuesday nights at Pepper in South Delhi’s Chanakyapuri neighborhood is a long-standing favorite place to start. Zoo in the Garden of Five Senses has gay-popular alternate Saturdays for dancing or lounging outside on their patio. Guys can also be found cruising in meeting places such as Nehru Park in Chankyapuri or the New Delhi Station. Less risky perhaps are Kalph Kaya Spa and Spartacus Spa, the two saunas for men. You can also connect with gay Delhiwallas at squirt.org.

Travel tips
The warm sunny days, cool nights and foggy mornings between November and April represent the best weather window for your visit. May and June are hot and sticky, with the monsoon season beginning to recede in early October. Foreign nationals entering India need travel visas. Getting them can take awhile, so plan ahead. Check with your Indian consulate for forms and procedures. See your doctor at least a month before you go to ensure your vaccinations are up to date.

Shorts and T-shirts are not culturally appropriate in India. Walking around in public in a tank top is like walking around in your underpants. You won’t get ticketed, but you may be turned away from some attractions and businesses, and you will get strange looks. Wear long pants and light shirts. And take a light jacket for the cool mornings and evenings if you’re travelling in winter.

A 10 percent gratuity is customary for waiters, guides and service providers. Fifty rupees is standard for bellboys, luggage handlers and general service staff. Avoiding Delhi Belly is not difficult if you avoid ice cubes and use bottled water for drinking and tooth brushing. Stay away from milk and uncooked dairy products, and choose raw fruits and vegetables you peel yourself. Consider forgoing meat; vegetarian dishes are common and very tasty.

Getting there
Virtually every major air carrier offers regular service to Delhi, but the trip is a long haul from North America, so choose your airline carefully. Indira Gandhi International Airport is modern and reasonably easy to navigate. It’s 20 kilometres from the city center, but ground travel can be very slow because of traffic, so plan accordingly. Delhi’s efficient transit system includes both rail and bus service to the city center. Airport Express trains run every 20 minutes between the hours of 5am and 11pm to the New Delhi Railway Station. Taxi and car rental information is on the airport’s website. For rail information, go to the Delhi Metro website. For bus schedules and information, search online at Delhi Transport Corporation.

Getting around
Public transit systems run by Delhi Metro rail with six lines, a total length of 189.63 km (117.83 mi) and 142 stations, plus the buses of Delhi Transport, are an efficient and inexpensive way to get where you need to go. Taxi fares are paid in advance and depend on how much baggage you have and how far you’re going. It’s best to avoid unlicensed taxis, but state-regulated booths are easy to nd. The Delhi Traffic Police website has specic information and booth locations.

Renting a car for the day is a comfortable, hassle-free way to get around, and drivers can be great sources of information. Ask the concierge at your hotel for arrangements, and plan to spend $40 to $50 for the day. Remember, Indians drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Tuk-tuks and rickshaws are available on most every street corner and at most monuments and public spaces. Just be sure to set a price before you get in. Short tuk-tuk trips will cost around 20 rupees; 100 rupees (about $2) should get you across the city. Rickshaws are more plentiful in Old Delhi; expect to pay 20 rupees for an average ride or 100 rupees for a nice tour of Old Delhi.

Pink Pages is the national gay magazine of India. IndjaPink is a gay men’s travel website, with information and tours for all of India.

Outjourneys staff are pioneers for gay tourism in India, showcasing the beauty and romance of this vast country. Pinkvibgyor offers gay & lesbian holiday experiences to exotic places across India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Indian Ocean islands. Wire provides “Inspirational gay & lesbian travel experiences, to discover India your way.” Nomad Traveller, travel consultants based in Jaipur, Rajasthan, can also help with Indian travel arrangements, offering tours and handling all accommodations and transportation details.

Indian Gay Tours is a travel agency with package deals and arrangements for LGBT individuals or groups.

Delhi Tourism and the Indian Ministry of Tourism each lists hotels, restaurants, events and attractions in Delhi.

For the most up-to-date travel information on Gay New Delhi, see our City Guide, Listings Guide, Events Guide and Activities Guide.