Local spotlight: Q&A with a local expert in India

A sensory explosion, India is a vast and unforgettable country. Whether you’re weaving through the streets of Jaipur or spotting tigers in Madhya Pradesh, its sheer diversity is sure to surprise and inspire. Nested among incredible landscapes, India’s stunning temple complexes and vibrant food and festival scenes are just the beginning of what it has to offer. While the Golden Triangle may represent a well-trodden path, there are still plenty of undiscovered corners of India simply waiting to be explored. To uncover its best secrets, read our India local expert interview today: we caught up with Nutan to talk tradition, travel, and getting the best out of this sprawling country.

What is your favorite place in India and why?

Hampi in the state of Karnataka is my favorite place in India. Hampi was the capital of the fabulous medieval kingdom of Vijayanagar. Today, the ruins of the great Empire are strewn across it. Hampi is set in a beautiful landscape – rolling hills littered with enormous boulders and the Tungabhadra River running through the center of it. It has a certain magical quality to it. An important aspect of the area is that excavations are still going on and you could be a witness to the unearthing of an important piece of history.

What three words most represent India for you? Any why?

A country of 1.3 billion, it is impossible to summarize it in three words. A 19th-century British scholar best describes India:

‘India is a miniature world, a lesson in chronological survey of human history, a collection of all race types and a study in culture. It is a museum of anthropology’.

What is Indian culture like?

Ancient, diverse and complex.

Stretching back over 5,000 years, India’s culture has been enriched by successive waves of migration which were absorbed into the Indian way of life. These new people were made an integral part of the culture without annihilating their originality, culture, customs or language. Each group was allowed to maintain its own rules and way of life. allowing them to develop within their own parameters. This diversity is what makes Indian culture so unique.

What is your favorite Indian food?

Lentils (dal) and vegetable curries (subzi) are my favorite. They are cooked in a variety of ways in India, but I prefer the way they are prepared in my home state of Maharashtra.

Do you know any cool facts about India that most people wouldn’t know?

• Three quarters of the Himalayas are in India
• There are 16 main languages and more than a thousand dialects spoken in India
• Four of the world’s biggest religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism) originated in India
• The world’s largest number of fairs and festivals are celebrated in India

What are the experiences people traveling to India definitely shouldn’t miss?

Try street food: you can find it at every nook and corner in India, and it is not to be missed! The country is so diverse and each state has its own cuisine to share with visitors. Eat where you see a crowd because locals know the best places.

Walk: if you have the time and inclination, there is truly no more inspiring and rewarding way to experience India than on foot. Whether it is quaint mountain villages, bustling small towns or old and forgotten parts of large cities, these are best experienced on a walking tour.

Participate in a temple ceremony: Indian villages, towns and cities are dotted with Hindu temples, where every morning and evening a ceremony takes place called puja. It is a truly mesmerizing experience.

What inspired you to become a local expert in India?

Having worked for a number of years in the business of destination management in India, I could not help but notice some glaring issues which affected the quality of travel experiences being offered. My business was set up to:

1. Change and revise the industry: whilst a number of new hotels have cropped up all over the country, tours of India have not changed much for many years now. We wanted to try and revitalize the way people see our country!
2. Offer expert and passionate guides who know the sights, sounds and smells of the area rather than monument-hopping.
3. Offer authentic experiences, as more and more people are no longer traveling for the old-style ‘sand and beach’ tourism and predictable experiences. Travelers these days are looking for stimulating experiences that give them the touch and feel of the local culture and interaction with real people.

What have been your most memorable experiences as a tour operator?

Village walks in the Himalayas, experiencing tribal culture in the North-East, and going on a trans-Himalayan safari in Ladakh – these are some of the most memorable experiences that I have had as a tour operator.

What’s next for your company?

For us, we are constantly revising our tours to make sure we offer unique experiences. Every two years we endeavor to revisit the entire country all over again – looking for new ideas and ways to do existing tours differently. Because India is such a huge country, this challenge keeps us engaged year after year.

Do you have any top tips for TravelLocal customers thinking of visiting India?

Avoid drinking tap water while in India: Consumption of bottled water is always advisable. Please do not forget to check that the bottle is sealed before you purchase it.

Food: if you are not used to eating Indian food, go easy on the spices and give yourself a few days to adjust to the heat. You may also seek advice from your guide if you wish to try food at local restaurants.

Visiting places of worship: removing your shoes before entering temples, mosques or gurudwaras (Sikh temple) is essential. Avoid taking leather goods of any kinds (bags, belts, etc) and cigarettes into places of worship. Finally, make sure you are appropriately dressed – no shorts or sleeveless tops in places of public worship.

We’ve got ask – do you have a dream destination you want to visit?

Orissa on the east coast of India is a hidden treasure, and I would love to visit it. The state offers everything – a 500km-long coastline, mountains, lakes and rivers, wildlife reserves, temples, monuments, and vibrant festivals.

Make it happen

Feeling inspired by this interview with a local expert in India? If you want to experience what this magnetic country has to offer, head to our destination page for more information and let our local experts help plan your perfect tailor-made trip to India.