Meet Hari: Our India Holiday Specialist
Sales Manager: Indian Subcontinent Team
Born in Hyderabad, Hari attended school in the Nilgiri Hills and university at Chennai and Madurai, where he studied hospitality management before going on to work for the Taj Group of Hotels for six years. Since he joined the team a decade ago, he has travelled to every corner of the Indian Subcontinent, building up what can only be described as an ‘encyclopaedic knowledge’ of his specialist destinations.
On his most recent trip, Hari re-visited the classic ‘Golden Triangle’ of Delhi–Agra–Jaipur, continuing on to Jodhpur and southern Rajasthan. An unexpected highlight was the ‘Kingdom of Dreams’ extravaganza in Delhi, in which dancers and musicians from across India perform on mock-ups of famous national monuments – a delightfully kitsch, exuberant spectacle that serves as an engaging introduction to India.
When not devising holidays for TransIndus clients, Hari enjoys cooking spicy Andhran curries for his family and appreciative colleagues at the office, where he now heads up our Indian Subcontinent team.
Travel high
Hampi, Karnataka. “The glorious view at sunset time over the Virupaksha Temple and Hampi bazaar from the top of Hemakuta Hill was one I’ll remember forever. The golden light, the boulder hills, banana plantations along the river and ancient feel of the ruins combine to magical effect.”
Favourite hotel
Jawai, Rajasthan. “Jawai is more a luxury safari camp than a hotel, but the description fails to convey the magic of the surrounding landscape, where dozens of leopards live in crevices among low, granite hills. The local Rabari herders are forbidden from hunting them, and are repaid by the government if any of their animals are killed, so the big cat population thrives as nowhere else. The tents at the camp are retro 1930s Hollywood style and the service is exceptional. I loved every minute of my stay there.”
Travel tip
“In Delhi, spend a day experiencing authentic aspects of local life in the Old City around Chadni Chowk. Numerous clients of ours have enjoyed a course in traditional kite making, and visiting local pigeon fanciers who fly their birds Persian-style in the evenings from their rooftops, controlling the flight of their flocks with whistles and calls against the backdrop of the old Mughal minarets and domes – a pastime enjoyed here since at least the time of Shah Jehan.”
Contact Hari at [email protected] to discuss your holiday plans in India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan or Nepal.
