Odigos Guides

Uncover Portuguese history and influence on these incredible tours in Goa. Gain a deeper understanding of the state’s colonial past on visits to Sé Cathedral and the Basilica of Born Jesus—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These epic tours include a visit to the city of Panaji, where you see the impact of the Portuguese in Fontainhas, the Latin Quarter. Catch incredible views of the Arabian Sea or simply enjoy the local flavours of this place. 1. Cultural & Heritage Trail Experience authentic Goa on this amazing walking tour of the old town with our fun and entertaining storytellers. This walking tour will give you a great induction of the city, its history, its vibrant culture, and its people with lots of wonderful stories about the city, fun facts and must do things in the city. We follow a unique style of ‘infotainment’ to ensure that you enjoy the tour and don't get bored, irrespective of whether you love history or not, this walking tour will be a unique, fun and memorab

Though traditional wisdom dictates that job security can be found only in office jobs, many young people are challenging that notion these days. Coming up with new and exciting ways to follow their passion, while making money at the same time, is one of the key characteristics of many today. Travelling and learning about the history and culture of places around is a passion for many. There are a few ways to turn travelling into a business opportunity like blogging and becoming a travel guide. If you love to meet people from different parts of the country and the world, and share your cultural heritage with them, becoming a tour guide is a great option. Here are the steps you need to take if you want to know how to become a tour guide in India.  In order to become a tour guide you first have to pass an entrance exam. After that you have to enrol in the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, an institute that holds training programmes on behalf of the Ministry

Mysore, or Mysuru as it is now called, is a beautiful city in Karnataka close to Bengaluru. Known around the world for its sandalwood, rosewood and silks, this now modern city retains its old-world charm. According to legend, in the ancient days the city was ruled by a demon. From temple visits in the morning to shopping souvenirs in evening, here’s how to make the most of a day in Mysore. Morning Start your day by visiting the Chamundi Hills which is very famous for Chamundeswari temple dedicated to Goddess Chamundeswari, an incarnation of Goddess Parvathi who took this form to destroy Mahishasura. Moving further, you will find two popular palaces, one is the Mysore Palace that is often referred to as ‘City of Palaces’, a former palace of the royal family of Mysore that is still their official residence. Get yourself a tour guide who will help you understand the history in a better way. The other is Jagan Mohan Palace which houses the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery and one of the

Known as the Oxford of the East, Pune was once the city for students and retirees. With the IT boom its demographic has changed to include people from all walks of life. A melting pot, the city has people from around the country that call it home. Pune has a rich history, it rose to prominence with Sivaji, the famous Maratha ruler who spent his childhood here. Whether you’re in Pune for a day or a week, there is always something to do here. Aga Khan Palace Commissioned in 1892 by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III to help neighbouring people during a famine, this beautiful monument stands on a 6.5-hectare plot. The palace became a site of national interest as Mahatma Gandhi, his wife Kasturba Gandhi and sectary Mahadeobhai Desai were interred here along with other freedom fighters from 1942. Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadeobhai Desai died here, the monument was donated to the Gandhi Smarak Samittee in 1972. The importance of this place in the freedom struggle will be best explained by

A sacred Hindu festival that attracts visitors from around the world, the Kumbh Mela is a spectacular sight. According to legends, demigods and demons were fighting for “amrit” or the elixir of life when a few drops fell into four places on Earth – Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. Depending on the placement of the planets, the sun and the moon according to astrology, one of these places is rumoured to develop mystical powers. People believe that being physically present in these places at this time grants them access to these mystical powers and that is why the Kumbh Mela is held. Every three years a normal Kumbh Mela is held, every six years is an Ardh (half) Mela and every twelve years Purna Kumbh Mela takes place. The Maha Kumbh Mela is held every 144 years. The last Maha Kumbh Mela was held in 2001 with over 60 million attendees. The Kumbh Mela of 2019 will be held between 15th of January to the 4th of March. People from around the world come to the Kumbh Mela to

Gujarat has added a new must-visit-destination under its wing and that is Statue of Unity. The statue, dedicated to Indian Statesman and Independence activist Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, is also the tallest statue in the world. The height of the statue is 182 metres and 600 feet approx. It was designed by Indian sculptor Ram V. Sutar and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31st October 2018 to mark Patel’s 143rd birth anniversary. The statue is located on the river island named Sandhu Bet facing Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada riverbed. It is twice the size of the iconic Statue of Liberty New York and five times taller than the Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. It surpasses the height of Buddha statue at the Spring Temple Buddha, China, which previously held the crown as the tallest statue in the world. It also made another record to build in shortest period of time as it took only 33 months to construct and used around 109 tonnes of iron.   The timings to

Whether you’ve lived in Mumbai all your life or moved recently, the fast-paced city can be overwhelming at times. Though there is plenty to do in this great metropolis, there are bound to be times when you would like to get away. Luckily, Mumbai has some of the most stunning places for a great weekend getaway. Here are some of the best places for a weekend getaway close to the city. Karnala Bird Sanctuary:   If you enjoy bird-watching, this is a great place for you. About 60km from Mumbai on the Mumbai-Goa highway, the Karnala Bird Sanctuary is home to 150 species of birds and many migrate here as well. The sanctuary is located on the Sahayadri range, making it a lovely holiday spot for families. If you don’t have the luxury of a two day weekend, this is close enough for a day trip too.  Pawna Lake: Located about 10 km away from Kamshet, this artificial lake is very popular for a weekend out of town. The best way to get back to nature after spending so much time in the bi

Known as the Garden City, Bengaluru is one of the most scenic cities in India. The capital of the state of Karnataka, Bengaluru is also an IT and start-up hub and you’ll find many busy young people there thinking about their next big ideas. While there are a number of things you can do while visiting Bengaluru, here are some of the most fun.  The Bangalore Palace:   Built in 1887 by King Chamaraja Wadiyar the Tudor style palace took about 4 years to complete. The land where the palace stands belonged to the principal of a cantonment school, Reverend J Garrett but was bought from him by the guardians of the King. There have been many changes and renovations made to the palace since then. You can book Eslavath Rajesh Kumar, a tour guide who is well versed about the history of the palace. Cubbon Park :  This beautiful 300 acre park is located at the heart of Bengaluru and is a favourite among dog walkers, joggers and couples too. The park was named for Lord Cubbon was b