Odigos Guides

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 Minis...

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 ...

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 timing...

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 ...

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 fo...

One of the most colourful and chaotic cities in India, Jaipur is popular with foreigners and Indians alike. The Pink City, as it is also called, is a beautiful holiday destination with no shortage of things to see. The Jantar Mantar, the City Palace, the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur showcase some of the most stunning examples of Rajasthani architecture. The city is also home to delicious delicacies from local cuisine as well as excellent options for those that prefer international fare. Perhaps one of the reasons that make this city such an attractive destination are the local arts and crafts.  An excellent way to enjoy these creations is to take a guided tour of the arts and crafts bazaar of the city. Bilal Hussain , a local guide is knowledgeable and friendly, both ideal to enhance your experience. Walks are also advisable so you don’t miss any of these lovely designs. Jaipur’s arts and crafts are unique, the artisans have retained the secrets of their crafts for ce...

Delhi is perhaps the most interesting place to visit in all of India. A city as diverse as it is large, Delhi has been the capital of India for centuries beginning under the Mughals. The history of this Indian gem makes it an important destination for anyone interested in history. Though there are over a hundred monuments and an undetermined number of ruins, Delhi is a city of rich historical and cultural value and an important tourist destination. The marvels of Delhi can be intimidating, Odigos has numerous guided tours suited to every need. As a capital city, Delhi has always been a melting pot with people from around the country making it their home. The thriving Mughal dynasty brought travellers and artisans from around the world too. As people came to make this city their own, they brought with them many of their own cultures and habits. These blended with those of other people and the locals to make the unique heritage of Delhi. This is also why Delhi’s food is so ...

Mumbai a cosmopolitan metropolis, earlier known as Bombay is largest city of India and one of the most populated cities in the world. The city of Mumbai is situated on the central west coast of India along the Arabian Sea. Apart from this, it also has some major universities, museums, theaters, galleries.  Mumbai is a good entry point for traveler in India because you can find both Western standards and discover something new. Day 1:  Start your day in the most touristic neighborhood Colaba. First landmark to visit is Gateway of India, built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and his wife Maria von Teck to Mumbai Its dome shaped structure and magnificent architecture makes it is one of the popular landmarks of the city. Facing this, there is Taj Hotel, which is one among the majestically built hotels in India. On moving further you can find one of the popular museums, The Prince of Wales Museum where you can see objects from field of art archelog...

Jaipur is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. It is also known as pink city because of the dominant color scheme of its buildings. Rich in its historical heritage, every corner of Jaipur holds an interesting culture and touch of old-world charm. 1.     Hawa Mahal You would not have thought about visiting Jaipur if it was not for the beautiful Hawa Mahal or Palace of Wind, constructed on red and pink sandstones and has 953 small windows called Jharokhas by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh.   The best part is windows of this palace which have been designed in such a way that irrespective of the time or season of the year, cool breeze always persists inside the palace, making it a popular summer holiday destinations. 2.    Amber Fort Next to visit is Amber Fort, located high on Aravalli Hills is not to miss place in Jaipur. The palace owns four levels and Sheesh Mahal or the ‘Palace of Mirror’ is also one of the c...

Taj Mahal “Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones.”- Sir Edwin Arnold, English Poet You would not have thought about visiting Agra if it was not for the beautiful white-marble mausoleum, Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan constructed Taj Mahal in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz and it nearly took 21 years, 32 million rupees and 20000 artisans to build the ivory white beauty. Now that’s called Love! The place gets quite crowded by the day so the best time to visit would be around sunrise and you wouldn’t even have to go through the frustration of standing in a long queue. Night visits happen just 5 days a month that is on a full moon night and 2 days before and after the full moon night. Agra Fort Next up is the Agra Fort. It is probably the second most popular place in Agra after the Taj Mahal. So, before the Mughal emperors shifted their capital to Delhi, Agra is where they stayed and this was t...

Travelling means exploring new places trying out local food and experiencing different cultures. However, if you stick to the beaten-tracks you may end up missing out on the best that a place has to offer. And so here are 6 best reasons why choosing an experienced and knowledgeable private local tour guide may prove to be the best decision you make during your vacation.     Extensive knowledge of the city Your guide book and planned itinerary may be handy but it’ll probably not match the insider info that your local tour guide has. A private local tour guide will not only have extensive knowledge on the history and culture but will also have real time info of where to expect the least crowd, best time to visit a place, recent news about different locations, road and terrain conditions, safety guidelines etc.   Discover Lesser Known Places If you love searching beyond the obvious and finding out about places that aren’t on the popular tourist rou...