A must-do in Old Delhi – The Rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk – Delhi

If you go to New Delhi, booking a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk, the old part of Delhi, is really a must-do if you ask me. Then you will see and experience the old city of Old Delhi as you probably recognise it from travel preparation. The small, narrow roads that are super busy with all the pursuits you can think of.

We, my father and I, started our rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk at the Red Fort and went right into those beautiful old, small streets. The area of Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi, which was also what I was all about.

Rickshaw / riksja or auto-rickshaw?

The word rickshaw is the Dutch translation of riksja. The word riksja itself originated in Japan. Apart from the old-fashioned rickshaw, you also have the auto-rickshaws a lot in India. Do you know what the difference is? An auto-rickshaw is an automated vehicle and the rickshaw is human-powered. So the rickshaw is a bicycle taxi where a space has been created behind the bicycle for the customer. Often with a canopy so you can sit dry or out of the sun. The picture below shows old-fashioned rickshaws.

You also regularly hear the name trishaw. This refers to the same as the old-fashioned rickshaw, a three-wheeled non-motorised vehicle.

Does a rickshaw have a motor?

If a rickshaw is motorised then it is officially no longer a rickshaw but an auto-rickshaw. Then you really enter another layer of traffic of course. You are then talking about registered vehicles with license plates etc.

And that auto-rickshaw I know all too well…having done 2x rickshaw challenges in India. I once drove 600 km around Chennai but also once 2000 km from Mumbai to Chennai. Truly one of the most amazing travel experiences ever!

Chandni Chowk district – Old Delhi

Chandni Chowk traces its origins to the 17th century, during the time of Emperor Shah Jahan. He built a large, square bath in the centre of this part of the city. At night, this bath was illuminated by the moon and that is where the name of this district originated, moonlit square (roughly translated).

At this moonlit square was a bustling trading place back in the day and now many cities in India have a Chandni Chowk. So this refers more to a vibrant trading place. And I can assure you that you are going to experience it on a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk.

What to look out for during
your Rickshaw Ride in Chandni Chowk

Safety in Chandni Chowk – The busy streets of Old Delhi

I really love the hustle and bustle of those small streets. Everything being traded and chai being drunk in a doorway, lovely! You do have to pay attention in those crowds, of course. Because it is very crowded, you can start to overlook things happening close to you. I have never lost my bag but then I always keep it within sight and reach. I always have a hand on it or at least an arm or leg through the handle.

Do also read what my friend Emiel of Act of Traveling has to say about it in Traffic in India: Terrible of Terrific

The Rickshaw Ride in Chandni Chowk – Old Delhi

It was not the first time for me to be in Old Delhi…. I was there for the third time and again I saw that huge Red Fort and found it impressive. As always, there was a long queue at the entrance and again I decided not to go in.

We dove right into those old streets of Chandni Chowk, where everything is sold…. From food, jewellery, clothes to household goods and everything else you can think of. The streets are super packed and the houses and streets are so full of electricity wires, it’s really unbelievable! The occasional short-circuit and hence fire here is certainly not surprising….

Can you imagine all this?

This is precisely why it is so much fun to do this rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk. You marvel at the strangest places in the strangest situations and that’s what makes it so much fun! The contact with the people is also mostly very surprising. People in India are always curious and very open in contact, which is exactly what makes it so much fun if you ask me.

Going for a Rickshaw Ride in Chandni Chowk – Old Delhi

Closing the streets for maintenance? Nooo!

You can pass right?

Visit the Jama Mashid – Chandni Chowk

India’s largest mosque, the Jama Mashid, stands here in Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi. If you want to go inside here for a while, it is free but you pay INR 300 to take photos too.

I didn’t do that but if you go up the stairs you can enjoy the great view from above. Looking into some of those busy streets gives you an good idea of the density of the area. Hearing the siren of the firetruck slowly going by shows you how busy the streets are. There is hardly any room to spare even for a firetruck. I hope it came in time for the ones that needed the fire fighters.

I took several pictures during the rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk but mostly just enjoyed the various views you get.

Will you take a Rickshaw Ride in Chandni Chowk – Old Delhi

Duration & Costs in Chandni Chowk

We paid our Rikshaw man INR 300 for an hour in Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi.

He drove us in the rickshaw through some of the streets of Chandni Chowk and of course gave us time to get out where we wanted time. You can get lucky with a guy who tells a lot but ours wasn’t really a guide. That would have made it more fun and informative.

Also book your Old Delhi Tour by tuktuk / Rickshaw

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Hope you love this beautiful world as much as I do!