The best way to explore any city is on foot. Walk about and savour Delhi’s sights at a slower pace and it’ll yield many surprises. The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) organises heritage walks to raise awareness about conservation. The walks cost between Rs 50 and Rs 700 and history experts, conservationists or architects accompany the group. The best time to go is from October to April though the walks are organised all year round. Expect a group of 10 to 30 people.

So explore the ruins of Old Delhi, walk thro-ugh Mehrauli Archaeological Park or spot birds at the Okhla Bird Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. The adventure’s afoot!

Kashmiri Gate Walk

Delhi Heritage Walks takes people around the Kashmiri Gate area. It begins at the Nicholson Cemetery near the Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) where many British soldiers, killed during the 1857 Mutiny, are buried. The walk takes you to the St James Church where William Fraser McDonell, awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery, is buried and ends at Lothian Cemetery, Delhi’s first British cemetery.

Hot ticket!

The walk takes place on dates specified on the website. Delhi Heritage Walks charges Rs 200 per person for the two-hour walk. Go to www.delhiheritagewalks.com.

Mehrauli Archaeological Park

Explore the Mehrauli Archaeological Park in the shadows of the Qutab Minar, with monuments, tombs, mosques and stepwells of different periods excavated, restored and conserved by INTACH.

With Delhi Heritage Walks, start at Dilkashan, Lord Charles Metcalfe’s (the acting Governor General of India between 1835 and 1836) guesthouse, touch Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb dedicated to Sufi saint, Jamali and his follower, Kamali, followed by Balban’s tomb (who ruled Delhi from 1266 to 1287).

Hot ticket!

Check the website of Delhi Heritage Walks for dates. The two-hour walk costs Rs 200 per head. Go to www.delhiheritagewalks.com.

Old Delhi Walks

One can also walk with Dr Navina Jafa, performing artist and cultural historian. The one-and-a-half hour walk through the Walled City is centred around its cuisine, leisure activities and courtesan culture. The food walk takes you to the age-old restaurants of Chandni Chowk while the leisure walk introduces you to activities like rearing pigeons or kite flying. Chawri Bazar, where many of erstwhile courtesans lived, is the hub for the walk on courtesan culture that ends at Ghalib’s haveli.

Hot ticket!

Mail to njafa@airtelmail.in to register for details of upcoming walks. Charges vary from Rs 600-Rs 750 per walk. INTACH’s walks cost Rs 50. Go to www.intachdelhichapter.org.

Flower Walk

To experience spri-ng, walk with Red Earth that organises experiential tou-rism. The director, Himanshu Verma, takes you through the wholesale flower markets of New Delhi, Shahjahanabad and Mehrauli. Start at the flower market on Baba Kharak Singh Marg (near Connaught Place) at 7am. After a walkabout, take the metro to Chandni Chowk and head to the Genda Phool Mandi at Fatehpuri Masjid. The flower sellers here mill around from dawn to about 9am. Another metro ride takes you to the Mehrauli flower market.

Hot ticket!

Red Earth’s walk costs Rs 800. It includes breakfast and metro and cycle-rickshaw rides and takes about three hours. Go to www.redearthindia.com.

Bird Walk

Want to spot the White-throated Kingfisher or Indian Pond Heron in the heart of Delhi? Walk around the Okhla Bird Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, one of Delhi’s best-kept secrets. The park on River Yamuna has migrant and resident birds.

Hot ticket!

The Delhi Bird Watching Society walks are free and organised on Sundays at 6am. The best time to go is October to March. Bird enthusiasts accompany you. Call 9212534869, 9810008625.