New Delhi Slum Walking Tour

Opening your eyes to life in a slum.

Nice, respectful walk through the community. The guide is well known under the locals and presents the tour like a visit of his friends. People are very curious and open so you feel quite safe. You also learn about the integration of the community into the city life and how it works economically. However, expect very bad hygienic conditions and poor air quality for european standards. If you dont mind this, I fully recommend this tour.

A unique perspective of Delhi

Very humbling experience. One of my most memorable in India. If you're up for it I highly recommend it, but it's not for the faint of hear. Bring as little with you as possible, and no pictures allowed. It's a big shock at first and I had a bit of trepidation, but I felt safe inside. It's like a different city within Delhi.

Slum tour

Very nice tour, very kind Tourguide. Felt save walking the slums with him. Also Knows a lot of people living in the slums.

A revealing journey through the unrevealed heart of a Delhi slum.

It was a really interesting tour. our guide was knowledgeable and clearly knew the area as many children and residents acknowledged him and stopped to talk with him as we wondered through. We drank chai in one small shop, talked with a couple of the local men there. Then into a Tissue Bread making shop. What an intense small room but really interesting. Stopped to talk in the market path and a local home where the ladies create henna tattoos. Then back to our starting point. If you want something other than the regular tourist tour then consider this one.

Delhi walking tour

An incredible and thoughtful experience. Santan had a beautiful energy and the way he shares the stories of the community was super loving and in depth. We felt so welcomed and very safe during our tour. Thank you Santan!

An exceptional experience!

Santan is an excellent guide who manages to show you the very human side of the slum in a way were you get close to the lokals in a respectfull manner. I would definitely recommend this tour and Santan to anyone!

A very humbling experience

I love to learn more about the locals and the reality of the people of the countries I visit, and this was a good way to do that. The slums are an alternate reality to what I'm used to so it was a very interesting experience to connect with the people and learn more about their culture and their day to day life. My guide Santan was extremely friendly, and made me feel safe at all times. We talked to a couple of the locals that he was familiar with, and he took me on a short walk around the area. Grateful to him for the experience, will definitely recommend

A must educational experience

It is not my first slum tour, and it was not such a big shock to me, but it is definitely something to experience in order to correct the personal focus. The tour was well organised, the guide was punctual and knew the topic in debth. I can't say I enjoyed the tour as there is nothing to enjoy among people's misery, but I would definitely recommend it as a compulsory part of any trip to India. It will change your perspective about life values. Thumb up from me.

This tour is a must if you want to see all sides of India

Santan my guide was a lovely person. He was very kind and caring and so respectful to the lovely people we visited. He asked us not to take photos once we entered the area which I thought was very considerate and respectful to the people living there. They were so happy to meet us and were fine to let us walk around and look at how they live. They had a lovely community spirit and had shops, food stalls etc. We watched a bakery in operation and sat down in a little shop for a tea. The children were so cute and very interested in us. It was a great experience and I’m so glad I did the tour and would recommend it to anyone. I felt very safe and comfortable. Definitely do this tour!!!

Good tour in Delhi - Buen tour in Delhi

A good experience in Delhi. Santan was very attentive and he showed us a slum that he knew well. We were able to contact people who live there. And we could see the reality of Delhi. Totally recommended if you have time in Delhi. Una buena experiencia en Delhi. Santan estuvo muy atento y nos mostró un slum que conocía bien y pudimos contactar con personas que viven allí. Y pudimos ver la verdadera realidad de Delhi. Totalmente recomendable si tenéis tiempo en Delhi.

Great tour in Delhi - Buen tour en Delhi

A good experience in Delhi. Santan was very attentive and he showed us a slum that he knew well. We were able to contact people who live there. And we could see the reality of Delhi. Totally recommended if you have time in Delhi. Una buena experiencia en Delhi. Santan estuvo muy atento y nos mostró un slum que conocía bien y pudimos contactar con personas que viven allí. Y pudimos ver la verdadera realidad de Delhi. Totalmente recomendable si tenéis tiempo en Delhi.

Highly recommended

Santan was a very friendly guy who seemed to know everyone in the slum. I expected guns and crime stories but was shown everyday’s life of ordinary people. Eye opening experience!

Highly recommended

Santan was a very friendly guy who seemed to know everyone in the slum. I expected guns and crime stories but was shown everyday’s life of ordinary people. Eye opening experience!

Highly recommended for no doubt

For people who being indecisive to take this tour since it’s quite controversial topic - it’s not a tour it’s more like an occasion to get to know the people/lives in the community and share your love. Tbh after this I got complicated feeling since I could offer nothing to change the situation but at least we could learn how the community itself runs sustainably somehow and what would be a significant key to help them become independent. Also, people in the community treat/trust the guide as family that helps me to feel get closer with them. Let’s share your love and learn about one real part of India!

Humbling Real Life Experience! The Best!

The world is so unequally yoked and it kills me to know that some people are living extreme realities, more so than others. It doesn’t make much sense to me but what I do know is Love was Found in ALL SPACES within this tour! Extremely Humbling Experience. Life Changing ✨ This tour was done with such love and integrity! Santan is an INCREDIBLE GUIDE! He had a way of making this NOT FEEL LIKE A TOUR but having us be one with the community who was soo loving , open, curious, and kind! We gave back to the community instead of coming there to exploit them or take advantage. Tell your friends so they too can come give love, energy and connection! I am forever grateful! Go there with an open heart and open mind and leave them with more than you came with! They deserve love and good energy! Be the change ✨

Closer to the world

We had opportunity to join a tour guided by Santan. The topic of poverty is very sensible, but Santan approaches the people from community with compassion and is being treated as an old friend. We strongly recommend the activity for the ones who wish to step off the beaten path and learn about humanity.

Amazing experience

Recommended for seeing a different New Delhi. Our guide Santan was very kind. Someone who was in New Delhi and wasn't on this trip, it's as if he wasn't in New Delhi

We highly recommend this tour

We did the slumtour and we highly recommend! It was a great experience and chance to see how people live and work in the slums

Shocking & enjoyable

The guide: 1. Engaging 2. Knowledgeable 3. Made us feel welcomed into the community we visited 4. Used our tips to buy food & treats for the children 5. Gave us an opportunity to go into the bakery to watch the men at work - I even had a go at making the feather bread which makes their daily production of 12,000 units, even more astounding 6. Had reservations about going to look at a slum but actually we were given an opportunity to meet a community who are happy & look after each other 7. We ate fantastic food 8. One of us enjoyed a fantastic head massage The guide helped us to access at ATM afterwards. He was very pleasant & we’d highly recommend him.

Best tour in india

Happy to see many people many lovely childrens. First time tryed their food donut and chai is my favorite. In this tour I realize that how different lives we all have. Thank you for good experiences thank you for wonderful tour! Santan!

Don’t miss this opportunity

A strong experience emotionally and humanly. Recommended for seeing a different Delhi. The guide is kind and clear. Thank you

Balance your India experience

The New Delhi Slum Walking Tour was a truly humbling experience. I am so pleased to have added this to my return itinerary of Delhi. Santan's in-depth knowledge of the colony & his rapport with the residents added great depth to the tour. I would highly recommend this tour to balance your India experience.

It was memorable visit....

It was memorable visit. We brought some gifts with us for the children and they really liked it. Highly recommended

Eye opening experience

Really awesome getting to see how the people in the slum live. Unfortunate that we weren't allowed to take any photos though. But all in all, it was an eye opening experience and I would definitely do it again 👍

Very moving experience

Our guide Santan has deep knowledge of the community and is very well known among the residents. Entering the community is an immediate jarring to the senses. At the entrance, one passes through a recycling area where all matter of waste is processed. Then we crossed over railroad tracks on a busy freight line that bisects the community. Santan told us that over 50,000 people live there with some families present for generations. Much of the community is located under a very high up freeway system, which provides protection from the rains and probably cooling in the hot summer months. The lanes were very narrow and Main Street had all the food and supplies the residence could require The people in our sitelines were decently clothed, had positive dispositions and seem to have sufficient nutrition available. They have work opportunities supplying food for residents within the community as well as outside. There are also factories. One of my favourite parts was purchasing a few dollars of candy and distributing it to very happy small children. It’s a very humbling experience, looking at how this city within a city operates, and how the residents conduct themselves with such dignity. It is an uplifting experience, and should make us all appreciative of what we have.

Go on this tour!

Don’t miss this tour on your trip to New Delhi. There’s nothing like it! The company is highly ethical and the tour does a lot to unpack the stereotypes we hear about these communities and help travelers learn in an appropriate and welcomed way.

Off the beaten path tour.

I loved this tour. It gets you off the beaten path of the typical tourist trail. India is highly diverse. It’s more than just monuments and this tour takes you to a side of India you would not be able to see on your own. We also did a cooking class with him at his home and got to see a local neighborhood which is highly different than the tourist neighborhoods. It was also great to get the feel of dehli life with his family in his home and his amazing neighborhood. I also really liked the tour leader. He is highly engaging and easy to talk to, a great personality for this profession— Kristin and Marc.

Amazing experience

Amazing tour, really respectful and eye opening. The guide really knows the people and allow you to speak with them. We felt safe and welcomed!

My wife and I booked this...

My wife and I booked this trip last minute, and had a very memorable experience. Santan, our guide, was very friendly and helpful. We felt comfortable and safe at all times, and also learned a lot during our tour with Santan. Like it says in the description, this tour is immersive, not intrusive. And thats exactly what we had. It was kind of a casual hangout where we slowly walked around, sat down for a while, met the members of the community, and the children. The curiosity and excitement shown by the children were my personal highlight.

Authentic, super friendly and amazing

Fantastic experience with a great guide. Santan has walked the route since he was a child, and knows everyone along the way. Everyone’s super friendly and Santan makes sure you’re comfortable and getting the most out of the experience. At no point will you feel unsafe. In some ways you are joining Santan for his regular walk more than a tour, but that only makes the experience more authentic. You’re not pressured to buy anything along the way at all - there’s actually not really an opportunity as the vendors are only selling day to day things people in the slums need (meat, vegetables, sweets). Do not miss this amazing experience!

Stunning experience

If you are in Delhi you can’t miss it. That’s a side of the city that will leave you speechless. Santan is patient and professional.

Unforgettable

This was really something to see, think about and reflect on. My guide, Santan, was perfect. Once at the site it was obvious his close connection to his local community would be a key feature. Every few minutes there were conversations with locals, with children, with stall operators. Fascinating and at times overwhelming as I tried to take it all in. An exceptionally strong sense of community prevails with people relaxed and friendly to each other. This is really worth the experience beyond the often startling visuals.

Love seeing those kids’...

Love seeing those kids’ smiling faces. They seemed to be so happy, and great to see the community is self-sustaining themselves. A completely different world from mine but very happy to see it works for them.

Try it

It is almost impossible to accurately explain why you should go on this tour. It will open your eyes to a different world in which not everybody is miserable in their poverty. Be brave and learn from your experience in the slum.

First solo travel to India slum

This is my first time visited to slum and I went alone. Thank you Santan for being my private tour guide today! He is so friendly and know New Delhi so well. Definitely this is a very slum visit experience for me. Santan will always make sure your safety, so you no need to worry much. Thanks and I will come again 💯

Highly recommended

I appreciated the delicacy and respect of the guide in accompanying us on this tour, which was very strong and at the same time fascinating. Recommended for those who want to see India at 360°.

Must do tour.

Really worth doing if you are interested in understanding how most of the world lives and how lucky you are. It’s safe and our excellent guide,Santan, explained how to behave respectfully and when it was ok to take photos. He was very respectful towards the residents and diligent with the care of our group. He answered everyone’s questions honestly. Despite the apparent poverty there were lots of smiling faces and no pestering for money. We bought 40 packets of cookies for smiling children and they lined up to accept them (almost). It’s a bit smellier than the rest of Delhi and very messy and uneven underfoot (wear appropriate shoes), there’s a lot of litter and dirty water. You see things that you wouldn’t normally see and it’s fantastic.

Highly recommended

Yesterday I took part in this exciting tour. It lasted a little less than the marked duration, but it was still very profound. I appreciated the gentleness and respect of the guide to take you inside the homes of the people living in the slum. Apart from a couple of photos (at designated points), out of respect for the people who live there, no photos are taken. Highly recommended for those who want to see India at 360°.

Very interesting experience

Fascinating couple of hours. Our guide Santan was knowledgeable and has good contacts in the community, so we didn’t feel like intruders. I would recommend this walk to all visitors to New Delhi.

Not tour ! Like a Just walking

The Slum Walking Tour in New Delhi was so deeply immersed in the local culture that one could forget it was a tour. The ability to have this experience was evidently built on the profound relationship between the guide and the people of the slum. What stood out during the tour was the meticulousness of the guidance and explanations. The guide provided us with intriguing information about the history and culture of the slum, always making an effort to offer clear explanations. They not only guided us through the tourist spots but also conveyed the stories hidden behind the slum with a deep understanding and respect. Despite arriving 30 minutes late, the guide welcomed us with a smile. Their cheerful demeanor made the interaction with the residents of the slum more relaxed, contributing to a warm atmosphere throughout the tour and fostering a natural connection between tourists and locals. He is not just a tour guide; he has forged close connections as a member of the slum community. Consequently, we were not mere tourists but had the opportunity to experience genuine interaction with the local people. This tour provides a unique opportunity to feel the bond with the local residents, offering a valuable time to deepen cultural understanding beyond typical tourism experiences. ニューデリーのスラムウォーキングツアーは、ツアーという感覚を忘れるほど地元に密着していました。 この経験ができたのはガイドとスラムの人々との深い関係性に基づいて成り立っていることが感じられました。 ツアーで際立っていたのは、案内や説明が非常に丁寧であったことです。 ガイドは私たちにスラムの歴史や文化に関する興味深い情報を提供し、その際には常に分かりやすい説明を心掛けていました。 ただ観光地を案内するだけでなく、深い理解と尊重をもってスラムの背後に潜むストーリーを伝えてくれました。 また、３０分遅刻したにも関わらず笑顔で私たちを迎えてくれました。 彼らの明るい態度は、スラム地域の住民との交流をよりリラックスしたものにしてくれたと思います。 この笑顔は、ツアー全体に温かい雰囲気をもたらし、観光客と地元の人たちとの間に自然なつながりを築いていました。 彼は単なるツアーガイドではなく、スラム地域の一員として、そこで生活する人々と親しいつながりを築いています。 そのため、私たちも単なる観光客ではなく、地元の人たちとの本物の交流を体験することができました。 このツアーは観光とは違った地元の人たちとの絆を感じながら、異文化の理解が深まる貴重な時間を過ごすことができます。

Highlight of our stay in Delhi

This tour was the highlight of our stay in Delhi. There isn't much to describe as it is definitely an must have experience. My partner and I were a little bit skeptical about this tour, as we thought it might be insensitive like looking in a fishbowl. It was not at all like that! It was very casual, Santan our tour guide was very casual and knew alot of the locals. Great tour! Must do in Delhi! Thanks Santan

Safe and Trustworthy Guide

I went on the Slum Walking Tour with John and felt safe the whole time. It was clear the citizens knew and respected him, allowing for translated conversations, which helped create a memorable experience. Such a worthwhile trip for everyone to speak with the citizens, shop owners, and children. It's one thing to read or it on TV, it's another to walk its streets. Was a rewarding experience. Thank you, John.

Slum Tour

What an amazing tour. It truly shifted my view of Delhi. The people in the slums were wonderful, and meeting a local family who shared how to make chai was a highlight. Our guide, a local, was so friendly and knowledgeable. I am a solo female traveller and places like Delhi can be a little intimidating, but I felt so at ease and safe during this tour. Everyone is so welcoming and is so fascinated in seeing tourists. I recommend this tour to anyone visiting Delhi, it was an unforgettable experience

Honest and insightful.

As with a lot of things in India there is a lack of trust, but this felt like a very genuine tour. I was hesitant but learnt a lot and am glad I went. At no point was there any pressure to give extra money which there definitely could have been given the emotional content of the situation. Great to meet some real people just living their lives.

Goof tour well worth the time and effort

A young lad took me round had a good knowledge of the people and so on - it needs to tell you which gate the tour stats from. I had a good time and only wish I had more time on my hands to of spent in the area

Just do it!

What an amazing once in a life time experience! Jon was a great guy who was patient and kind, we enjoyed his company. He obviously works very hard. We took our 14 year old daughter and she felt included and although some sights challenge her we felt she gained a great insight into her peers life in Dehli. It was lovely to see such happy children who were obviously loved and looked after. The food and drink we ate there was delicious and the biryani was the best we tasted in Dehli by far. We were initially hesitate to try the food but glad we did. Thank you to the lovely ladies who welcomed me when I had to use their toilets! The environment was by nature male dominated and it would have been lovely if my daughter and I could have spent sometime with the local women and girls. I did chat to a lovely young woman by the fruit stall and it was a pleasure to buy the children some fruit. To the young man and his dad who welcomed us into his home I wish him well with his studies and congratulate him on his beautiful English. Xx If your reading this review, just book it! It's an experience you will never forget.

Great tour

Excellent and sensitive tour. Santan knows all the locals well and is kind and knowledgeable. The tour is a good length and well worth it

very good to bring pens...

very good to bring pens and note books for the children. the guide John was good and helpful. to try this tour. thanks

One morning to remember

Very interesting and please bring some pens, note books etc for helping children to study as they need. Thanks to all for the experience

Great experience

Such an amazing experience! The children were so sweet and so happy to have us around. Thank you to our tour guide John. He knew everyone and had some nice chats with people along the tour. Even got to make a samosa. People are so nice and friendly. Never felt uncomfortable at all. Really recommend this tour to anyone coming to Delhi. Thank you so much