The ghats of Varanasi, India’s oldest and most sacred city
Help for first time visitors: New India tours
Travel in India is not easy, especially if you’re a first time visitor to India. I am the first to admit it. I have said many times: you need someone to hold your hand. And India tours are the ideal solution. Here’s why. When I was in Delhi in January 2013, I got a call from a young Australian woman named Fiona. She was in a travel office in central Delhi and she was worried.
Fiona had been looking for the India Tourism office on Janpath, but was steered towards the office she called me from, on a back lane, away from the main street. The men in the travel office were trying to sell her and her friend expensive jeep tours of Rajasthan and she felt something was amiss. It certainly was. The girls were in the wrong office, and they were about to get scammed. And, unfortunately, this is am all-too-common occurrence.
This is why I am partnering with a reputable travel & tour company based in both Delhi and Ontario, Canada to offer custom tours, orientation packages, personalized one-on-one advice and other travel services such as airport pickup and car hire. I want to help you travel safely, reliably and well in India.
Konark Dance Festival 2012, Orissa, India
Travel safety for women
Women are also understandably concerned about safe travel in India, following a much publicized gang rape (please see my post Is India safe for women travellers?), and so are solo travellers. These tours and travel services are for you.
I am currently putting about a dozen itineraries together and will be announcing details soon. The tours are based on some of the most enticing and popular aspects of Indian culture such as yoga, food, dance, wildlife and photography, as well as city tours.
Fully customized: go when you want
The Breathedreamgo Tours are not fixed-date, and will be fully customizable: You can go when you want, by yourself, with a friend or a group.
City tours will be 1-day, 2-day or 3-day. In Delhi, they will include airport pickup and the option of staying at a centrally located and very upscale bed-and-breakfast.
If you only need specific services, such as airport pickup or a car-and-driver, I can arrange that, too.
Personal service … from me!
I know India. I have travelled from one end of the country to the other, mostly by myself, on six trips totalling 17 months, over the last seven years. I have gained a lot of knowledge and skill about where and how to travel in India — and yes, travelling in India is a skill!
If you book a tour, you get an orientation package from me; and also either 30 or 60 minutes of my time (depending on which tour you book). You can use the time for itinerary consultation or to get advice and tips on what to bring, what to wear, and where to go, what to eat, etc.
So, if you are longing or planning to go to India, contact me at tours [@] breathedreamgo . com to find out more and to get on the mailing list for announcements.
The streets of Old Delhi swirl with chaos and colour
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Welcome to Breathedreamgo, the India-inspired, meaningful adventure travel blog. I traveled to India for 6 months in 2005 on a trip that changed my life, and I've been back again and again. Now, I'm passionate about the power of travel to transform, and I write travel stories, guide tours and speak at conferences. To find out Why India? read 
This is great news Mariellen! I can see this being so successful for you! I’ll definitely be on one of those tours in future
Cristina recently posted..There is More to Germans than their Wieners
Thanks Cristina! You’ve been to India so you know how important it is to have someone you trust making your travel arrangements. It’s unfortunate there are so many conmen in India.
Mariellen Ward recently posted..Top 5 Photographs
I think women can travel with safty if she take care of some little things like her company and surroundings. You can travel alone and enjoy yourself. I never understand why you are affraid of these things. Understand your power and enjoy your life.
Shailesh Jangra recently posted..Relationship
I agree Shailesh, women can take control and travel safely. However, I DO understand why so women are reluctant: we are brought up to feel weak and afraid. We need to overcome those messages and realize we are powerful. This is the journey of a lifetime.
Mariellen Ward recently posted..Ode to the lady traveller: Why we need the #WeGoSolo movement
Yes Mariellen, this is the right thinking.
Your thoughts can encourage those women who are afraid of solo travel.
Shailesh Jangra recently posted..Movie Drama
I stumbled upon your blog and can’t wait to dive in!
I have been toying with the idea to travel to India and volunteer at Animal Aid Sanctuary… and hopefully do a bit more travelling! I am hopefully going in September/October and would be really interested in your tours!
Thanks Andrea, keep reading, I will be posting more information soon
Mariellen Ward recently posted..Life of Pi: Film and music shimmer
I think this is a good service Mariellen. There is no substitute for personal service. Well done and best wishes to you.
Shalu Sharma recently posted..Visiting Golghar in Patna
Really very good Mariellen…… it’s a good services for first time travelers and specially for women travelers. Best of luck
your service looks terrific, save the pic of you with elephants They are mistreated, and no one should be encouraged to ride an elephant.
If you connect with Wildlife SOS India, you could facilitate tourists helping the wildlife of India http://www.wildlifesos.org
Hi – I’m interested in a trip to India during the summer of 2014! I would most likely be travelling on my own. I’m interested in culture, dance, yoga, food, shopping and visiting an orphanage or school as I am an elementary school teacher. Could you please let me know if you have any tours planned for that time and/or reputable tour companies other than yourself that you might recommend (I wasn’t able to see any tours by breathedreamgo.) I have heard that summer is not the best time of year to travel to Inda however due to my teaching contract, I would not have the availability to travel until my summer break.
Thank you kindly, I hope to hear from you soon:)
Dalyce