There are a number of ways to discover a city. If the weather is a delight, the city is pedestrian friendly and there are ample tourist information counters, it’s easier to navigate on your own. You could take up walking tours, use public transport to stop by at different city attractions and occasionally, seek a guide’s help. Since Hyderabad, or for that matter most burgeoning Indian cities, can be intimidating to a first-time visitor, tour services comes into play. A relatively new entrant to this zone in Hyderabad My Way, with its customised tours. Preeti R Chowdhry, who teaches at Geetanjali Devshala, is an avid traveller who felt the need to plug the yawning gap that exists in regular tours that most often do not take tourists beyond popular monuments and landmarks.
“It’s been a year since we launched Hyderabad My Way and we’ve networked mostly through social media and with TEA (Twin Cities Expatriates Association),” says Chowdhry.
At the moment, Hyderabad My Way organises tours for small groups of 4 to 6 members to ensure personal attention and guests can choose from the different signature tours (see box). “In each of these tours, we try to go beyond the most obvious. Hyderabad is not only about the Charminar and Golconda Fort. There’s a wealth of history to be explored, from Paigah Tombs to several other historical sites,” says Chowdhry.
The tours are flexible and worked to suit different time frames. For those visiting Hyderabad on work and looking to explore the city in the evenings, there are half-day tours available. The itinerary can factor in a traveller’s requirement to experience the diversity of Hyderabad’s culture, customs and traditions, people, cuisine, art, crafts and more. “If a group is interested in visiting a family in the city, getting to know their traditions, lifestyle, or observe them over a session of cooking, we do that as well,” informs Chowdhry.
Signature tour categories
Taste of Hyderabad: Explore Hyderabadi cuisine
Social grace: Get a glimpse of people’s life in the city and nearby villages.
Mystic hands: A closer look at the crafts of the city.
Shopper’s paradise: Explore markets in the city.
Inspiring landmarks: Visit historical landmarks, places of worship and museums.
For details, check www.hyderabadmyway.com
