Storytelling walk · 3 hours· Walled City
Havelis of Lahore
Behind the carved doors of the androon shehr
The Walled City is full of havelis you would never find alone, hidden behind shopfronts and unmarked doors. We knock, and we go in.
From the street, a haveli is a doorway. Inside, it is a courtyard, three floors of jharokas, painted ceilings and a family that has usually been there for generations. Some are schools now. Some are falling down. A few are being restored, slowly, by people who love them.
On this walk we visit a handful of the best: the Sikh-era Haveli Nau Nihal Singh, now a girls' school with the most painted interior in the city, Haveli Dhyan Singh, Mubarak Haveli where the Koh-i-Noor was once kept, and a couple of smaller ones whose owners let us in because we have been coming for years.
Chai happens on a rooftop, with the whole Walled City around you.
An exploration of
- Haveli Nau Nihal Singh and its painted rooms
- Mubarak Haveli and the Koh-i-Noor
- Rooftop chai over the Walled City
- Doors that only open because someone knows the family
The route
Stop by stop.
- 1
Bhati Gate
- 2
Haveli Nau Nihal Singh
Sikh-era, now Victoria Girls High School.
- 3
Mubarak Haveli
Where Ranjit Singh kept the Koh-i-Noor.
- 4
Haveli Dhyan Singh
The prime minister's haveli.
- 5
Lal Haveli
Painted balconies, a photographer's favourite.
- 6
Rooftop chai
A break with a view.
- 7
Lohari Gate
We end here.
On the walk
From previous editions.
Included
- ✓A Lahore ka Ravi storyteller for the whole walk
- ✓A chai stop midway (chai is on us)
- ✓Bottled water
- ✓Entry tickets to any sites on the route
Not included
- –Transport to and from the meeting point
- –Personal shopping and extra snacks
- –Gratuities, never expected
Good to know
- Wear comfortable shoes. The galiyan are uneven and we walk slowly, but we do walk.
- Dress modestly. Mosques and shrines ask for covered shoulders and knees, and women will need a dupatta or scarf for the mosque.
- Children are welcome. Under 6 walk free, and prams do not work well in the old city, so bring a carrier.
- Photography is encouraged, except where our host asks you to put the phone away.
- We go ahead in light rain. In a real downpour we move the walk and your booking moves with it.
- Some havelis are working schools or homes, so exact access can change on the day.
Dates
Choose your morning.
Tap Book on any date to get your tickets on High Tribe. If a date is full, join the waitlist.
Past editions
Previous runs of this walk.
Good to know
Questions before you book.
How do I book a tour?
Bookings are made through our website. Pick a date on the Upcoming walks page and tap Book. We recommend booking in advance, as spots on our walks are limited.
How do I pay?
Tickets are sold through High Tribe, our ticketing partner. Tap Book on any date and you will complete payment there. For private tours, schools and companies, we send payment details directly.
Where do the tours start?
Each route has its own meeting point, which we share with you once your booking is confirmed. Most walks begin in or around the Walled City.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable walking shoes are a must, as our routes cover narrow lanes and uneven ground. We also suggest modest clothing, as many sites are places of worship, plus water and a camera.