The travel business is a great personal 'need'. I will seek half a minute of your time to tell you briefly about myself. There is perhaps no reason for this, except to give you a bit of an insight into the background of the person who is seeking to handle your travel arrangements. I am from a Bengalee (Calcutta - Mother Teresa) middle class well educated background who grew up without parents and all the negative complexes that come with it. I have no formal training in the travel business. I started the business 14 years back with USD 8 (Rs. 335) from a shed primarily to make friends and 'get back to the world' - so to say. I have ever since tried all possible to ensure that I do not fall in the eyes of the people who have trusted me with their trip. We have had tremendous success with the business. Today we have our own office building well-trained staff and our deluxe transport. However, I did not notice these things happen. I just kept enjoying my work and the relationships I built. The manifestations of success listed above just kept happening on the side. I feel the business has given me back my self respect, status and above all friendship and trust of so many people. Hence, life has been a bit of a roller coaster ride for us and today I can sense a definite shift in priorities. As life is moving on, my need for money and wealth for myself is diminishing. Things that I never had - friendship, trust, relationships etc. - are assuming greater significance. This is what the travel business is bringing to me.

It is the above shaping of Tapas Banerjee, that has led to the shaping of the Tapas Banerjee brand of tours.

What is this brand ?

With all that has been said above, it does not require a wizard to figure out that people are the center of our focus whether it be our people client or people in the destination. We want our clients to have a greater 'feel' of the destination, and not just a 'cold' superficial touristy overview.

Home Visit & Dinner With An Indian Family

It was during the regim of Prithviraj, in 1191, that Muhammad of Ghori invaded India. Prithviraj died fighting the sultan's army, and with the establishment of the Sultanate in Delhi, a new era began.

Me and my wife, Krishna invite home for dinner each guest passing through Delhi. This would give our guests an opportunity to experience a typical Indian home, how they live, their attitude to things etc. This would be an opportunity to experience typical Indian home food as well as typical Indian hospitality. The idea is to give you an insight into not only the country, but, also the people who actually make up the country. But this is a two way street, and, I must let out a secret. The home dinners appear on the surface as a value addition to the tour, but, the secret is that this gives me a great satisfaction - I want to see and interact with the people who have trusted me. This reminds me at all times the reasons for gaining initiation to the travel business.

» Lifestyle Experiences :
We not only bring to you the tourist sites, but, the highlight would be when we shift our focus exclusively from monuments. We accept that cities in Rajasthan have great monuments which speak of the creative heights achieved historically by the artists and craftsmen of the land. However, besides touring these monuments in these cities, we would also have opportunities to walk through typical bazaars and shop for traditional specialties of each destination. We would ride 3 wheel cycle rickshaws (accompanied by peals of laughter from the onlookers as well as the passengers), ride elephants, witness traditional occupations such pottery, agriculture, brickmaking, cotton fabrics etc all being made by hand using traditional tools and implements. We would also stop during our journeys to visit typical traditional homes that are still mud plastered with a coat of cowdung paste (Even bullshitting is for a reason !!); markets that are all on the pavements, roads (sorry trails !) are broad enough to permit only a one way traffic of donkey carts !!

» Our Guides :
These are 'not just' guides. These are people from well educated cultured middle class families who can discuss with you on a diverse range of topics within a friendly and family atmosphere. The idea is we want you to relax, trust us, and, hence see 'better'.

» Our Hotels :
We suggest handpicked hotels where we not only have value for money rates, but, these should be places that have atmosphere and charm without compromising on the amenities that discerning tourists would seek. Of course the personalisation of service, which is the cornerstone of our endeavour is an implicit requirement.

» Understanding Your Trust :
We are delighted to receive your trust. I must however tell you that I am fully alive to the responsibility that comes with this entrustment, and, will do all possible not to fall in your eyes. We are looking forward to a long term relationship with our clients based on mutual trust and honesty. We want to benefit from your good will and will do all possible to ensure that we generate enough of it. The other problem is that in the travel business it is very difficult to communicate to people the quality of services we provide as well as our attitude to the business. Hence, it is for this reason that we maintain an exhaustive reference list of clients who could speak for us. That is something that we offer to all our clients (if requested). In fact, we need to constantly update this list and each booking that we generate is expected to be added to this list(Only name and e-mail, with consent). We will of course bend backwards to ensure that guests do not deny us this opportunity.

Finally, the attitude is that of making a friend. I feel fortunate and humbled to be in a business that gives me the opportunity to both make money as well as friends out of complete strangers - can I ask for more ? I am extending a hand of friendship and an opportunity to experience our brand of India travel.

Client Feedback

Clients identity have been protected, but full names and e-mail details would be made available upon request.

I am only too pleased to give a reference for Tapas and his company, Trinetra .

A colleague and I have been using Tapas to arrange our group visits to India every year since 1990. Indeed my first group was his first group when he opened up in business for himself. He decided to open his own business because he felt the companies he had worked for in the tourist industry in India were not giving the kind of service he believed tourists wanted and deserved. He is a man of great honour, is trustworthy and reliable. He will arrange the best deal he can for you, and will always be concerned for your welfare.

In fact he will do his utmost to arrange for you whatever you want. One year I had asked for (what I later realised was) a very punishing schedule, encompassing huge distances. Tapas delivered, and I got the schedule I wanted, but after that year I always put a rider on my requests-- is this do able and is it sensible! India is so huge, it is easy to look at it and think of covering distances as we do in the West-- this is not the same experience in the East!

I have no hesitation in recommending Tapas to you. As I say, he has consistently given us excellent service and value for money over the last 14 years. many of the people who came with me in the first 2 years, have returned with me on numerous occasions. They know the visit will be a good one, well organised and structured through Trinetra Tours.

I hope you enjoy India, it is a stunning wonderful country.

Best wishes
Ms. Julie Wooldridge. U.K.
jerryjuliewooldridge@tesco.net

Tapas Banerjee at Trinetra Tours has arranged several group tours for me, and his organisation has always been excellent. Hotels have been of a high standard, and guides and drivers have been friendly and helpful. I have no hesitation in recommending him to you.

Best wishes,
Ms. Sue Bishop. UK
suebishop.photo@btinternet.com

I am always pleased to offer a reference for Trinetra. There are not enough superlatives in the English language to describe the level of service they provided during our tour of Rajistan.

If you meet Tapas, you will certainly be impressed with his warmth and friendship.

One memorable example of excellent service: We took a side trip to Nepal, and the return flight was unexpectedly canceled. The next flight left barely enough time for our connection from New Delhi to the United States. Tapas' people met us at the airport, and hand-guided us through the maze of pre-check-in inspections. We literally ran with them to baggage check-in, managed to get our boarding passes, and boarded the plane. Phew! Two lessons: Avoid the Nepalese airline (Singapore Airlines flew the same route), and make sure you've got a friend in New Delhi!

I wish you well, and a safe journey. Do not hesitate to write if you have any other questions.
Mr. George Henderson. USA
gth@san.rr.com

Dear Tapas,
Grettings from London!
We arrived safely home last night. We wish to thank you and your team - in particular Pal for a very efficient , professional, courteous and understanding way in which you handled our trip.

We have had the most memorable holiday. It is a pity that we did not have the opportunity to tell you about the trip and have dinner at your house!. Never mind next time I promise! We did try to call you from Cochin but had problems with the telephones

I thought I should provide you individual feedback fro our trip for Bangalore and kerala.

Bangalore - Transport pick up and guide - excellent. One minor comment. The driver could not communicate well and had the guide not been there at the airport pick up we would have problems communicating!

St Marks hotel which we booked directly should certainly be on top of your list! Very professional, helpful and courteous staff. I met the general manager and the M.D. Very Professional, courteous and helpful people. I am sure they will be able to offer you a corporate rate. Talk to J. P.MENON GENERAL MANAGER - you can say I have recommended them to you!

Munnar - Excellent overall. Club Mahindra was very good. we were looked after very well as J. P. Menon had called them! The Kerala Travels and the Driver - John were excellent. John was very knowledgeable and become one of the family member by the time we finished the trip!

Coconut Lagoon - Excellent, breathtaking and a very memorable experience!

Travanacore Heritage- lovely property, good food. However not all the staff were of satisfactory standard in comparison to Club Mahindra or Coconut Lagoon.

Hilton Trident - Cochin - Excellent. Should go on top of your recommendations!

Overall - Excellent, memorable and most enjoyable trip. Any travel agent can organise the trip but it is people like yourself who make the difference! The manner in which our trip was handled from the beginning to end is a great credit to you.You have earned our name being used as a reference! You are true to your every word and this is very important. Any trip is about trust and relationship. You may wish to recommend our itenary to others!

We will certainly recommending you to our professional colleagues, friends and family - Take care and keep up the good work. Our best wishes are with you and your team and long may you continue to serve others as you have served us. Ramila Manek, Nikhil and Nishma wish to convey you and your team their deepest appreciation for a most memorable trip.

Regards
D. Manek
dilip@dial.pipex.com & HOFS@rcgp.org.uk