Hello, my name is Shashidharan. Welcome to the Dharans Tours & Travels site. I've been in the travel industry for over 30 years now, but it was only recently that I decided to turn entrepreneur and set up shop. How it all happened is a long story, and, you bet, an interesting one to read.

After graduating in Zoology from Edward Brennen College, Tellicherry (under Calicut University) in 1972, I left for Delhi in the winter of 1973.

My first job was with a company, which was into manufacturing break parts and break hoses.

Business was good. I was in the sales department. A fairly monotonous job, this one, it left me bored no end.

My first break in the travel industry was with Iyer & Son Travels Pvt Ltd, Delhi, that specialised in handling Japanese tour groups to India. It was a job I liked from day one, and I haven't looked back since then.

After doing a couple of rounds with small and big organisations of the same caliber, I decided to move into the big league.

In 1979, I joined Mercury Travels in the Inbound department. A wholly owned subsidiary of The Oberoi Hotels, Mercury was THE company, one always wished to work for. In fact, I was one of the lucky few, who got trained in the inbound operations. It was a thoroughly professional training programme in classic tours, leisure travels and specialised tours like camel safaris, horse safaris, elephant safaris, trekking in the trans Himalayan ranges, river rafting in remote Zanskar region, spiritual tours, etc.

I mastered in Inbound operations, itineraries all over India, Nepal & Sri Lanka and learnt the operations inside-out. I was also fortunate to be able to escort groups of distinguished and eminent people all over India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. It was a dream come true.

In the 90s, I left Mercury to explore the world outside. Moving in and out of small organisations, where a Manager in those days had to do everything himself; a great experience after Mercury.

Then in the mid 90s, I joined UVI Holidays Limited, the third largest foreign exchange earner in India. Almost immediately, I was entrusted with their charter business in Goa. It was precision work to manage the charters with almost 1000 tourists coming every week. A very demanding but nevertheless fun job.

After a while, I assumed charge at their Mumbai office, overseeing the All India Operations. Here I used to manage business worth 300 million rupees, with a core team of 12 people.

I finally left UVI Holidays as their CEO in 2002 and decided to start my own travel agency.

During the last 30 years, I have witnessed a sea change in the business. From the main line business of Inbound tourism, it has expanded to a very strong Outbound tourism, Corporate tourism, Leisure tourism and Health tourism industry.

Today, we plan different kinds of tours; Corporate, Leisure, Business, Spiritual, Special Interest Tours, Wild Life, Trekking, Camel, Horse & Elephant Safaris, Wedding Tours, Conferences, Seminars, School and College Group Tours etc. But the underlying spirit and philosophy remains same... EXCELLENCE as THE BOTTOMLINE..

I have a lot of friends in the industry, around the world, who keep sending me tourists. I give them the best possible itinerary based on the number of days. Right from making all the necessary arrangements with the hotels, airlines, guides, etc.
I partner with some of the best associates all over India. People who have been trained to provide the highest quality services. Like myself, they have been around in the travel industry for years.

The best of associates, look after my clients all over India. People who have been trained over the period to provide quality services. They have been there, like me, for years in the trade, who understands the guests and their needs. These are the people who know the quality of services my clients demand and provide the same. Whether it is the remote part of Ladakh in the North or Kanyakumari in the South.

I'm sure, I'll make your trip a very memorable one. Would you like me to plan your itinerary too?