We are thinking about a trip to India, and I've been spending a lot of time surfing looking for places/activities that might interest us. Last night I came across a website offering, as they promote themselves, special opportunities for places only known to them. These are described as places for unique and more luxury private, customized tours for their customers. As I started to read the description of one of the options, it started to ring a bell and greatly reminded me of the offerings of a small guesthouse I had just recently contacted myself. Sure enough, reading the two descriptions, this was the same homestay and trekking opportunity--a 3 night /4 day package. Then, I found another upscale type website promoting boutique hotel, special places, unique opportunities etc. Same kind of idea as to their target market. They were also offering this exact same package.

Direct from the providers, the cost of this package is $513 per person (still not cheap). But, from the tour operator, the exact same package is $1225 per person.

Yes, investigating and researching and discovering the places one wants to visit is time-consuming. But, almost 2 1/2 times the price to have someone else book this for you!!!! I've always known this intuitively that the middleman takes a huge markup, but this is incredible.

I'll continue to do my own research and booking rather than buying a big package tour.......That way I'll be able to take a lot more trips.