India/Sri Lanka
Jonny Bealby +
Insider Tip: The Chandrabhaga Cattle & Camel Fair near Jhalawar, India, happens on the same full moon as the Pushkar festival; it easily attracts as many Rabari tribespeople, but is far less touristy.
Years as Agent: 13.
Other Specialty: Pakistan.
Fee: Varies.
Carole Cambata +
Top Tip: Don’t miss early morning prayers at the Thiksey monastery, near Leh, in northern India. “When the prayers end, the younger monks suddenly run outside laughing to play. It’s a wonderful spectacle.”
Years as Agent: 30.
Other Specialty: Asia.
Fee: Varies.
Sandee Litwin
Special Booking: Litwin organized a wedding in Jaipur, India, complete with camels and Bollywood-style dancers.
Years as Agent: 30.
Other Specialty: Europe.
Fee: $150.
Ellison Poe
Excited About: For the ultimate culture fix, head to the Festival of the Tooth, in Kandy, Sri Lanka, a celebration in July that commences with the planting of a jack tree and ends with the firing of cannons.
Years as Agent: 29.
Other Specialty: East Africa.
Fee: From $150.
Ashish Sanghrajka *
New Favorites: Bordering the Nagarhole forest in Karnataka, India, the sustainable Orange County Resort is a must-see; and in Nairobi, Kenya, he’s crazy about Sankara, a boutique property with a 1,000-bottle wine cellar.
Years as Agent: 12.
Other Specialty: Kenya.
Fee: $500.
Japan
Noriko Townsend *
New Favorites: The old Nakasendo Road between Magome and Tsumago runs into thick forest where soft adventurers can spot boars, black bears, and serows.
Years as Agent: 16.
Other Specialty: China.
Fee: $150.
Duff Trimble +
Excited About: The rise of Japanese single-malt whiskeys. Trimble will put together a tour of the country’s best producers, including Yamazaki, outside Kyoto.
Years as Agent: 9.
Fee: Varies.
Southeast Asia
Wido Schaefer **
Excited About: Singapore, particularly the Fullerton Bay Hotel and new Marina Bay Sands resort.
Years as Agent: 35.
Other Specialty: Argentina.
Fee: From $100.
Icon Key
* Tour Operator
** T+L’s Travel Agent Advisory Board, 2011
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