City of Pearls

MEETING POINT

Durations
Group size

1-20

Live language guide

English

About

We explore the historic city centre of Hyderabad along with the foundational monuments built in 1591 CE. We go back in time to the building of the city and climb to the gallery of the monumental Charminar for views of the surrounding Old City. After a cup of Irani chai and Osmania biscuits at Nimrah Cafe, we explore the Bangle Bazaar, where the shiny handmade Hyderabadi banles are made and sold. We then make our way to the Chowmahalla palace, from where the Nizams ruled Hyderabad till 1948 CE.

 

On Fridays, the Chowmahalla Palace is closed. We go to the British Residency, the alternative seat of power to the Nizams who ruled from the Chowmahalla Palace.

Included / Excluded

  • All entrance tickets
  • Mobile photography tickets
  • All snacks and beverages on the tour
  • Bottled water
  • Guide throughout the tour
  • Any other expenses like shopping

Itinerary

  • Historic city center

    The centre of the planned city of Hyderabad which was built as an alternative to the old capital that was bursting at the seams.
  • Charminar

    Hyderabad's foundational monument and the symbol of the city from the moment it was built. We will climb to the gallery to get a view of the surrounding historic city centre.
  • Nimrah Cafe and Bakery

    One of Hyderabad's best known tea shops. We will stop here for a spot of Irani chai and Osmania biscuits.
  • Bangle Bazaar

    An authentic marketplace where the famed super-shiny handmade Hyderabad bangles are sold. Good for a photo op or to buy the perfect souvenir.
  • Makkah Mosque (outside)

    One of the biggest mosques built by the Qutb Shahi kings, this also holds the tombs of the later Asaf Jahi kings.
  • Chowmahalla Palace

    See where the last kings of Hyderabad lived as recently as the 1960s, and marvel at the grandeur that marked their everyday life
  • British Residency (Only in Fridays)

    The seat of power of the British in Hyderabad, famously associated with a tale of an officer of the British crown ‘going native’, marrying a local noblewoman and building the Residency as a grand house for them to live in together.

Departure and Return

Morning departure: 9:00AM
Afternoon departure: 2:00PM

Duration

3 to 4 hours
Duration varies depending on the time we spend shopping in the bangle bazaar and having chai at Nimrah

Additional Information

For a full refund, cancel at least 7 days before the experience is scheduled to start or within 24 hours of purchase by writing to us at mail@thwc.in

Cancellation at any other time might incur a cancellation fee of up to 100% of the amount already paid. Write to us at mail@thwc.in and we will sort it out for you.

We will always try and accommodate your requests. But we do reserve the right to charge a cancellation fee according to the situation or costs already incurred by us.

Contact us on WhatsApp / Call on: +91 701 331 0387
Telegram: TheHyderabadWalkingCompany

Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are stronlgy recommended. Wear comfortable and sturdy footwear. Dress so that your knees and shoulders are covered, as some of the places we might go into are of religious significance.

FAQs

Wear comfortable walking shoes, and clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are highly recommended.

Most parts of the Old City do not have usable restrooms. However, we have usable restrooms at Chowmahalla Palace, British Residency, Golconda and the Qutb Shahi tombs.

Everything is paid for on the tours, and your guides will not ask you for any money. Do carry money in Indian rupees if you want to do any shopping for souvenirs.

Yes – the tours are interesting and appropriate for children aged 8 and up.

All our tours are in English.

Yes. All our tours are done on request, and an advance booking is essential.

Yes, walking tours are generally safe. Our Guides are knowledgeable about the area and prioritize your safety and comfort.

Our walking tours are leisurely and cover a manageable distance with frequent stops. Do ask us if you have any soecific requirements and we will be happy to help you.

Testimonials

Hear from Our Happy Explorers

rowena r
rowena r
October 14, 2023
Verified
Fantastic tour of the Kingdom of Diamonds Navin is so passionate and knowledgeable about Hyderbad’s history and culture, which really shines through the tours. Learning about Golconda’s architecture and history made me appreciate the ruins amongst which I was walking and really brought the past to life. 10/10 recommend! Thank you so much
Caroline
Caroline
May 28, 2023
Verified
Fantastic Tour of Hyderabad with a Wonderful Guide I was in Hyderabad on a work trip and had some free time on the weekend to explore the city and decided to book this tour. I was very glad I did - Navin was an exceptional guide and super friendly! His knowledge and passion for Hyderabad history is unmatched and I learned so much in such a short period of time. He also provided some wonderful local recommendations and tips. I will recommend this tour to my colleagues who will visit Hyderabad in the future and to anyone who wants to learn more about this city, culture and history! Thank you again, Navin!
Shonali
Shonali
January 2, 2023
Verified
Amazing tour with Navin ! Hyderabad walking tour with Navin is a must thing to do when in Hyderabad ! With this immense knowledge in the subject and of the by lanes of the city we as a family of 4 which included by term kids were mesmerised with the tour We visited Golconda fort , char minar , choodi bazzar , tombs and understood the history and could appreciate the architectural marvels with help of Navin ! Both my kids were al praises for his walks , the way he conducted them and also his patience ! He exactly knew when to halt , stop , give a breather , not to forgot the umpteen places he took pics with us so that we go back with best memories ! The biscuit chai breaks were lovely ! He also guided us to good eateries which is a must for any vacation ! Hyderabad ka taste mazedaar ban gaya with Navin’s interesting walks ! A must do for any one who comes to Hyderabad !
Alka S
Alka S
November 15, 2022
Verified
Interesting insight into the history of Hyderabad My husband and I did a private tour of the Golconda fort and Qutb Shahi tombs. It was an interesting experience and we enjoyed learning about the Qutb Shahi dynasty. Navin is a knowledgeable and engaging tour guide.
Fonzhero
Fonzhero
October 10, 2022
Verified
Time well spent. Currently in Hyderabad for two weeks with work from the UK but really only had Sunday to do something of my choosing so it had to be good. I wanted to see old Hyderabad, learn some history and experience a less corporate part of the city. This tour ticked all my boxes and exceeded my expectations. Navin really knows his stuff and it is super interesting. Explains it all really well. He knows all the good spots/angles for the best photos. Nice friendly guy. I opted for hotel pick and drop off and that all went smoothly. Driver was a nice chap also. Wish I had more time to do another one of his tours.
Scott S
Scott S
August 22, 2022
Verified
Awesome experience - One of the Best! Hyderabad is a beautiful melting pot of different cultures and Navin is an expert in navigating the beautiful city. He is truly a gifted tour guide. Highly reccomended!
Chris P
Chris P
July 31, 2022
Verified
Definitely Recommend Madhu was a great guide and I really enjoyed myself on this tour! My tour took place in the morning before things got too crowded, so it was not too crowded at all. Madhu was knowledgeable, friendly, and fun to tour with. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Hyderabad!
ShamsSeattle
ShamsSeattle
July 3, 2022
Verified
Definitely a Must Do: Navin is a very informed guide Navin is an excellent tour guide. His knowledge of the history of this city is amazing. He can seperate the facts, the folklore and the religious connotation. Which makes it really interesting. He curated a tour to fit my asks. He talked at length about the culture, the significance of the region, the historic implications for the buildings. I would recommend a half day set aside for this experience at least. Also, the food choices: Yum!
FoodiePilgrim
FoodiePilgrim
May 23, 2022
Verified
Navin's knowledge makes this tour uniquely valuable! Navin is full of the kind of deep knowledge of history and the locale that immeasurably enriches the already incomparable experience of exploring the Old City, and he delivers it in an engaging way. Importantly, he's very easy to understand even in a crowded marketplace. My friend and I had an extra day after a business meeting so we decided to see the old city in the morning before it got too hot. That was a good plan: I expect I will long remember sitting on a wall in the shade of a venerable banyan tree in the courtyard of the Chowmahala Palace with tired feet and an exquisite breeze!
Suchi G
Suchi G
April 16, 2022
Verified
Great way to discover Hyderabad's secrets Absolutely loved the City of Pearls walking tour we did with Navin. Hyderabad offers up a rich array of history and culture and food, but a lot of it is lost to the chaos of a modern Indian city. With the Hyderabad Walking Company, you can come a little closer to discovering the city's secrets, whether that's a street-cart breakfast when the roads are quiet, or the many rollicking stories about the rulers. Navin's itinerary was chalked out well, ensuring we had enough breaks for rest and beverages and even photos. Navin's enthusiasm for history is infectious, and he brings to the tour a good mix of knowledge and fun. We came away enamoured by the city, and also felt satiated thanks to the lovely food and chai. Need to go back for the other tours!
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