Nowadays, travellers are looking for an experience and not a journey. When tourists plan a trip to India they know quite well that they are going to face a multitude of experiences which can range from the most hilarious to the very bizarre. In terms of travel themes, India has to offer a lot, whether you are passionate about wildlife, pilgrimage, adventure, scenic beauty or culture. The tourist inflow of the country continues to grow with each passing year and the Indian travel and tourism industry expects a tourist inflow of 10 million in 2010, when India will host the Commonwealth Games.

Travelling to the wonderland of India can prove to be an epic adventure, if only you are equipped with the correct destination knowledge and are guided properly throughout your trip to India. A number of travel management companies can be found at the single click of your mouse, but finding one that is a local expert and can guide you properly and offer you personalised tours of India is a difficult task. It is very important to know whether the travel agent that is helping you plan your trip is a local expert or not.

A bit of Internet research, in this regard, will help you a lot. Look for a really good travel operator or management company that offers a variety of tour packages to India. Read about the cities and tourist attractions and the activities you can indulge in or you would like to enjoy during your holidays in India. After you have done considerable research, you can now easily make a wish-list for yourself taking in some of the most famous and tourist preferred places to visit in India. Now, as you are sure of your preferred travel theme and have known a bit about the cities and attractions that you want to visit, almost half the task is done. Next, you need to talk to your travel operator and have a preliminary discussion with their travel experts. You can also send them your travel details along with your preferences and they’ll get back to you with free itinerary suggestions.

As you get in touch with the travel management company, also talk to them about escorts and guides and always ask for a local guide who can speak your language frequently. Also make sure that you talk to them clearly about the accommodation options and know the hotel category or the hotel name beforehand. That you don’t need to look for another car rental service provider after your arrival in India, you can also make sure whether the travel operator you are in touch has car/coach rental facilities. If possible, they can also do some necessary documentation work for you. In a nutshell, you should look for a travel operator which can prove to be your one-stop solution for all your travel needs.

Always get a detailed itinerary from your travel agent and read every line of it. Should you have the slightest confusion, contact the travel operator immediately and clear your doubts. Be very clear about the inclusions and exclusions of your tour packages. Also find out whether there are any options of adding tour supplements, if need be. Ask your travel agent for tourist testimonials. This can be a good way to find out about the service standards and the quality control that the travel company delivers.

When planning a tour to India, always stress upon the cultural aspect of the country. Plan to visit the countryside and remote villages and interact with locals. Remember to participate in fairs and festivals that can give you an insightful view of what India is all about. Pilgrimage destinations in India also hold tonnes of significance if you are planning to see India inside out. But wherever you are and whoever you meet, always remember to respect the culture and uphold the traditional values that India has long been known for. If all goes well, you’ll soon be having the time of your life in India.