Travel Tip Number 9 - Guides

Dear Reader, by now you must be asking yourself -- if I have all this information, why do I need a tour guide?

The answer is very simple. A tour guide is essential. We visit India because the culture is just that different -- perhaps the mirror opposite of what we are used to. To experience that difference in the most enjoyable way -- we MUST have a tour guide. A Tour Guide takes care of us in the most basic ways -- as an interface with all the hotels, drivers, local guides, restaurants, etc. By interface I also mean protection. India is so crowded with enthusiastic ebullient people who want to help. If you were traveling alone, you might interpret this as an attack. Especially we Americans, who are used to doing everything for ourselves. We are not used to this level of helpfulness. We are not used to this level of being observed. And it is true -- our every move seems to be watched by all (good and bad if you like).

But if you stay within your own level of understanding about how the world works, i.e. travelling alone and protecting yourself, you will MISS the culture of India and its great gift to the world. The people of India have an openness and friendly quality that invites you to be part of their greater extended family at every turn, in ways you cannot imagine. But if you are traveling with a trusted guide, you can relax into the process. You can enjoy this unusual culture. You can enjoy your trip with a continual feeling of safety. The trip will feel like a true Pilgrimage and not a punishment.

There is also a monetary benefit to being on a tour. Our tour company gets us the best discount prices at hotels because we are a group. You could not travel through India alone and get the discount prices from hotels and private transportation that the tour company gets for us.

So planning ahead and traveling with a tour group is really the best way to travel!