Is there a reason you want a small group tour (as opposed to traveling independently)? Certainly in Nepal there is no need for a group tour - very easy to do on your own. We're soon off on our first trip to India and we are traveling independently.

You might want an agent to make arrangements for you in India (drivers, for instance), but unless you like traveling in a small group there is no need to do so.

I disagree. I traveled to India and Nepal as a couple with a guide/driver and I would never do it again to India. I'm a world traveler and in India you need some insulation from the beggers that harass you the minute your car stops. Unfortunetly the women begging have gold bangles up to their elbows and they think begging from toursits is better than working.

I just returned from Egypt with a group tour since I was told that it would be a similar experience to India when I was thinking about going. I loved the tour and the country because I didn't have to haggle everything. I went with SmarTours and you can see my comments on that thread. India almost put me off all world travel but now I am considering going back with a group tour. The sites in these 2 countries are breathtaking and I would love another visit.

Wild, haven't you answered your own question? Reading your SmarTours comments on the other thread, it seems you should be going with them. Why not, if you were happy? Just do it.

I've traveled in India too, quite a lot. It can be difficult for the first-timer, even a 'world traveler'. I've certainly had my melt-down moments. Actually, all that hassle only occurs around the tourist sights and backpacker areas.

Dealing with it, finding a way through it and out the other side is a bit of an art. Next time, try and get off the beaten path and you'll find a whole other India - well, multiple Indias. It's not really about visiting sites at all.

But I think what you want to do is look, not touch - and that's perfectly fine. That what I started off doing - out of pure terror at the prospect of beggar-attack. You are correct, there are wonderful things to see - if only those pesky Indians would get out of the way.

Unfortunately there are 1.2 billion of them and very few of us. I'm not sure where that leaves us. In a bus with 44 others, by the look of it, behind the safety of bullet-proof glass, determinedly looking neither right nor left, barreling towards the attractions.

I guess that's as good a way as any. It's certainly easier, as you've discovered. There are some horrible villains bottom-feeding off the tourists there, as I suspect you've discovered. But 45 people? Couldn't you find a smaller group at least? Do SmarTours do groups of 15? Or do you really want to totally insulate yourself?

You're actually missing the best bit. The people.

Dogster, you might have missed my point, this was my first group tour and I was pleasantly surprised by how nice it was. All my travel prior to this trip was independent. I have lived in Iran, traveled all over Asia, Europe and some of Africa and in India beggers not only hassled me but they also touched and worse, pulled on me. That is not acceptable to me from anyone. For a newbie, a group tour might be a nice introduction to a country. And I also believe that this forum is a place to offer advice or experiences and you should not put me down because I have a different opinion.

Well, we are quite experienced travelers (and ran a tour operation ourselves for years). Although we travel independently over 85% of the time having someone else handle the sometimes complex logistics, vetting, costing, and so on can be a holiday in itself.

Plus the dynamics of a small group often provides entertainment and camraderie on its own. Depends on how we feel and for India and Nepal we feel like a small group. [Then again I joined a 60 person Caravan group two years ago for the Copper Canyon so go figure..]

I've done both group and independent travel and enjoy both - for different reasons at different times. I don't think I'd enjoy a large group, but it's personal preference. My daughter and I went to Egypt with Gap, and loved it. Our group was about 12 to 15. We found it perfect for us. There were enough people to give us a break from each other (and meet some new people), but not so many that it was impersonal. We had a great time. Several years ago, my sister and I went to Central Europe with Intrepid (she strongly prefers groups), and they, too, did a great job with a small group (about a dozen). I'm planning a trip to India in early December and rather than go solo, I'm joining Intrepid again, and expecting a good time.
I can definitely recommend both Gap and Intrepid as two companies that offer reasonably priced tours that don't insulate you too much but do provide the ease of having the logistics taken care of, along with the comfort of being in a group - but a small one.

Plus, by the way, you do get a fair amount of free time, so you're not chained to the group all the time. Both companies are moderately priced, in fact, I think they're a pretty good bargain.

Thanks, Alt. I've done Intrepid and Imaginnative traveller before and like them both so they are definitely on the list. But hoping to find suggestions other than these usual suspects!

Well, I survived 10 weeks in India on my own, and I'm going back this trip, but if I were going with a group it would probably be Intrepid. However, I'd also take a look at Peregrine/Gecko, Adventures Abroad, REI, Explore! (possibly, I wasn't too happy with them in Jordan), Exodus - all smaller groups on the more budget end. No way would I go anywhere with a group of 40+. But if you just want to have the logistics taken care of there are several recommendations in TRs on this board for outfits that provide itineraries and cars and drivers.

So far have scoured all the usual suspects and only one had a trip (in their printed catalog) which was 85% of what we wanted. Called and turns out that trip no longer exists and has been replaced by a newer one which is not suitable. Oh well.

So it's quite looking like a mix/match of a small group in conjunction with some FIT on each end. Not ideal but it could work. At least we will get to all of the places on the must see list and only have to spend about 2 days at other places.

Take a look at OAT (Overseas Adventure Travel), never more than 16 in a group. Went to India with them about two years ago with a group of 12. Wonderful guide, hitting the high spots of northern India. Adequate free time. I've been on 5 trips with them and have always been satisfied. Most recent trip with them was to Cambodia, Laos, little bits of Vietnam and Thailand in May of this year.

I think a small group tour can be great fun!!! But in the absence of finding a small group that suits your needs, I think your best bet is to get an itin set up with car/driver/"reasonable" hotels, via one of the agencies specializing in India . They will have connections for the Nepal segment, if you chose to not plan Nepal on your own.

There are several recommended on the INdia forum. We each are passionate about our favs. Research there, and definitely compare three. Prices and ideas, even for the similar itin, vary.

I understand what you are saying. On my first trip back to India after 40 yrs, with limited time,and this time with my daughter, I wanted things a bit more predictable, I wanted to feel comfortable and safe, facing the "unknown." Our tour planner/travel agent--like the other well-recommended ones on this site-- understood intuitively what and where we wanted. We had (twice now) fantastic trips!!!

I did look at OAT but aside from them being on the expensive side their itineraries (I believe they had 2) were too far off from what we want.

Nurse, are you speaking of this India forum or some other one?

With all the reading and studying I'm doing it seems like I could already have something 95% planned (other than accommodations which I am avoiding at this point).