Apart from various travelogues, road maps and adequate research, exploring an entirely new or unknown place also demands a tourist guide. As the name suggests, a tourist guide or a tour guide is someone who guides visitors and interprets the historical, cultural and natural heritage of the place. Sometimes, tourist guides are locals or natives of the place and hence help you discover places that elude travel magazines and even the citations in tourist maps. So, if you are planning a trip to Madhya Pradesh, it is better to hire a tourist guide who will escort you throughout your journey and will also help you see the place in a new light. Check out these tips before you hire a travel companion, to ensure you are not hoodwinked or misguided.

* If possible, pick a tourist guide who holds a license number and has registered with the Government. They are more dependable and generally charge reasonable fee, as compared to the private guides. Unaccompanied females must be extra careful before they hire a guide.

* Always make sure that you fix the fee of the entire guided tour in advance. All the financial negotiations should be done before you start the tour. It will ensure that the guide does not try to swindle you or charge unreasonable fee afterwards.

* Generally, it is recommendable that you provide a well-deserved tip to the guide, if you are satisfied with his job. This is however not mandatory. Also, see that you do not go overboard with the generosity and provide a hefty or extravagant tip.

* To be on the safe side, it is recommended that you do not entrust your valuables (like handy-cams, jewellery and cash) to the tourist guide. He might misuse your expensive items, and in worst cases, trick you and run away with them.

* Make sure that you are pleasant, but not overfriendly. Avoid being haughty or rude, but do not drop down the professional relation. Never disclose too much personal information that is unnecessary and irrelevant. It might lead you to grave trouble.

* Lastly, do not make an exhibition of your expensive belongings (like jewellery or cash) in front of the guide. Such conditions generally make you more vulnerable to avoidable threats and dangers.