Tossing around options for a trip next year. India is a possibility. I have never visited India though have travelled through Asia etc. Would probably limit myself to northern India for a duration of 2-3 weeks touring. Although I would like to see the main tourist attractions such as Taj Mahal etc. I particulary enjoy seeing and experiencing places/cultures not on the standard tour itineraries. Any suggestions that would give me a good exposure to northern India that also incorporates something a little different as well?? Any suggestions re tour companies that may conduct these sorts of tours?? Thanks

No clue bout your budget but good personal experience with

www.tucantravel.com for small groups...

buddhapath.com good for me for some off the beaten path tours

of a more spiritual nature...

makemytrip.com good packages

affordabletours.com great comp site for more upscale ie Globus

indiamike.com if you want to self guide veyr dodgy usually

for first timers...

travel.state.gov for crime safety

insuremytrip.com always wise and mdtravelheath.com for tips

on how to avoid the dreaded "Delhi Belly"

Happy Travels,

Thanks qwovadis for the useful info!!

Tell us your budget and level of travel , then we can be more helpful.

india is fantastic... one minute you can see the taj, and the next minute you can visit the confusion of downtown agra---huge contrasts...

with 2-3 weeks you could see delhi, varanasi, agra, jaipur and perhaps a couple of less touristed places in between...

for the so called golden triangle i suggest a driver and suv for a more in depth touring experience, allowing you to see and experience lots of small hamlets if you wish.

i like castle and king in delhi to assist me with some of my arrangements...

warning, many hotels prices are outrageous in india

Thanks for all your replies, muchly appreciated. kmkrnn ....Budget, whilst not unlimited is not too much of an issue. Staying in top end accommodation can be too culturally insulating, although reasonable cleaniness is a priority to avoid sickness whilst travelling. Will splurge just to experience unusual accommodation or activities. Thanks

Staying at high end hotels is not culturally insulating at all. Indians travel and stay there too. Often you may be there at the same time of an Indian wedding or other "cultural" event. All of the employees are Indian too.

so what are you really asking for?

Fatith Pandian , at her tour company, has helped us twice with tours (individual) one to North, one to South. I am ecnosing the itinerary page for some of their tours--which were completely flexible after she figured out what WE wanted.
There are other other highly recommended tour planners on Fodors india forum

For ideas, see Indiamike. lookf or posts from Snonymous or Ocean Tragic, for example--just two of MANY THOUSANDS who post there.

http://www.indianpanorama.in/tours.html

sorry, i forgot to send this link to Faith's (not Fatith) company, above

mmmmm....2 weeks is certainly short,well 3,just about ok for 'North India'.Time is relative.I recall a poem...
Time is too slow for those who wait,
Too swift for those who fear,
Too short for those who grieve,
Too long for those who rejoice,
But for those who love(travel in this case)...
Time is not.

To try out different cultures you may move out two other parts of the country as well...

for example if you visit the North Easter states you will find hundreds of tribes with distinct cultures, language and rituals... On the other hand you'll discover completely different culture and cuisines if you move south... However, if you are limited to the North you may consider Uttrakhand that will offer abundance of natural beauty as well as spiritual destinations and will also give you a feel of teh great Himalayas...
Check out my Valley of Flowers trip last year in Uttaranchal...
http://travellingslacker.com/2011/03/valley-of-flowers/

Many thanks for all your replies, internet links(Ta CaliNurse) and poem! Got some homework to do. By the way J_N stunning photos of the Valley of the Flowers; never heard of the place..Wow!

Jitaditya, I enjoyed your Valley of the Flowers report and photos. We were in Sikkim last year and are looking for unusual destinations in India for future trips.

Must visit Golden Temple and the city beautiful Chandigarh.....