Deer Park

Delhi offers limited opportunities for strolling in nature, seeing wildlife, and getting a breath of fresh air, but Deer Park is a happy exception. Here you can spot peacocks, monkeys, large fruit bats, and, of course, many deer, which are inside an enclosure. There are also some Mughal-era tombs. It’s a pleasant place to chill out, jog, or take a picnic, especially if you’re traveling with kids.

Most people visit independently, but private guided tours of Delhi with flexible itineraries may be able to include a stop at Deer Park.

• There’s no entry fee to the park.
• Feeding the animals, or throwing anything at them, is prohibited.
• Solo travelers, particularly women, may prefer to avoid visiting early in the morning or at dusk, as they might feel unsafe.
• There are a couple of public toilet facilities within the park.

The Delhi metro is by far the easiest way of getting around the massive city, but Hauz Khas Village isn’t that close to a station. Unless you’re staying in the area, catch the metro to Green Park station on the Yellow Line, then take an auto rickshaw from there to the village (bargain hard with the drivers as it’s a short ride, but they will invariably try to overcharge). The main entrance to Deer Park is right beside where autos and cars park, before entering Hauz Khas Village itself. There’s also an entrance on the Safdarjung Enclave side of the park.

The park is open from sunrise to sunset, which varies according to the season. It’s a nice place to walk at any time of year, but less so during Delhi’s blisteringly hot summer (May–July) or humid monsoon season (July–September). Visiting the park can be a nice respite from the polluted city when air quality is particularly bad.

On the southern side of Deer Park, and with views across the treetops into the park, Hauz Khas Fort is another beautiful place to spend time while in Hauz Khas Village. The complex houses the remains of a 13th-century stone fort, a mosque, and a madrasa (Islamic school). There’s an entry fee to the site.