Mily

I am planning a trip to India in 2002 and would appreciate any suggestions as to the best tour companies to consider for this trip. I have started researching Cosmos and Abercombie & Kent, but I'm sure there's others out there with great reputation, which could help me plan this unforgetable trip. Although I've travelled to a few third world destinations including Africa, I realized from the postings in this site that I will need an expert to help me in planning this trip. Finally, I've also been reading a lot about the inmense culture shock that India could be for a westener. Is it much more intense than Egypt? Thanks for your help.

Frances

We did a tour of Northern India with Cox and Kings at Easter.We were very impressed and would definitely travel with them again

dick

My trip from hell was organized by Uniworld 2 years ago, so can not recommend them to you. Don't know if Isram Tours covers India, but they did a very good job in Egypt. India is more intense than Egypt as there is extreme poverty almost everywhere. The tour guides literally beat off the beggars at the palace of the winds so we could take pictures. The Indian vendors at the tourist stops are very agressive and will come very close to you - no respect for that "zone" we are all used to. The country is beautiful and if you travel by bus/car they drive on the wrong side, so if you are on foot, look both ways-especially on one way streets!

Kathy

My husband and I travelled to India with Smartours. You can check out their website at smartours.net. The price was great and the tour a great experience. Tour groups paying a great deal more than we did were staying at the same hotels and were on the same flights. Feel free to contact me personally.

sandy

I also went to India w/SmarTours (this past Nov). We had an excellent guide/escort, Amit Chadha, as well as very good/interesting local guides. Our accommodations were first class and the food was good. Do check out their website (www.smartours.net). <BR> <BR>I've been to Egypt and I agree with Dick, the vendors in India are the worst I've ever encountered, very, very agressive. <BR> <BR>Very interesting country but very poor and dirty. <BR> <BR>Sandy

John Roberts

Mily, <BR>We chose a small company out of NYC and we had a private tour that lasted 20 days, all transportation,hotels,private guides,meals and admissions. It was just for the 2 of us,customized to our desires. We used Pollina Tours & Travel in Flushing,NY. The owner is Masih (pronounced Ma-See) and his father works out of the New Delhi office. We went to India & Nepal(in 1996) but,as we flew KLM on a consolidators fee,also arranged by Masih,we also spent 3 days in Amsterdam at a 5 star hotel-also at a great price. <BR>We suggest you give him a call-718-321-7873. We had looked at a lot of India tours,including group travel, and Masih gave us a private,superior trip at a cost equivalent to a lot of group rates. <BR>Let us know if you need more info.

stephanie

miliy

stephaine

mily <BR> <BR>I recently rtnd in Nov from my trip to India. We used Gate 1 we had a wonderful tour leder and and had terrific local guides.From start to finish it was a most enjoyable experience. However there is another tour Smartours.net you might want to look at their trip. It was the same itinerary, they stayed at the same htls and they paid less...They shadowed our tour all thru India.However i dont know if you are able to extend your stay or arrive early as we did..we arrived a day early in New Delhi and departed a day later from Bombay. <BR>Both companies have websites <BR>Gate1.com <BR>Whom ever you choose to go with I know it will be an experience of a life time!

Kathy

When we travelled with Smartours two and a half years ago we were able to change the dates of our flight and extend our vacation. The fee for this was $100 and I thought quite reasonable.

jennifer

Don't know if you'd be interested, but cross cultural solutions (i'm an intern there) offers awesome volunteer trips to india. Couples, singles, even families (with older children) have gone and had the most memorable experiences of their lives. We offer trips from three weeks to six months. If you're intrested, check out the website (www.crossculturalsolutions.org) or email me! If not, GOOD LUCK!! India is incredible.

Mika

I would like to answer Dick:<BR>We have been 3 times to India had absolutely no trouble with vendors or beggars. The country is extremely poor or very very rich and if you can't cope with it don't go again. The only place I would never want to see again is Varanasi, everybody is dead or dying.<BR>Travel agent: we went to a local travel agent which is a specialist for India, told him where we wanted to go, got a hired car with chauffeur (you are not allowed to drive-and if you get there you will see why)and had no problems whatsoever. I do not even know which Indian agency looked after us. They were efficient and good.It is a country for experienced travellers, and it is phantastic. How long are you going? 3 weeks is minimum, the country is enormous and the roads are bad. We shall go again. I have been to Egypt and I agree, there the vendors are the very agressive.

Mika

http://www.compasstoursandtravels.com/itin.html<BR>Here I am again - I think we travelled with Compass Tours. Have a look at it.<BR>

Cathy Routhier

I had to laugh when reading the last response since I am about to recommend the same local travel agent in India - Compass Tours and Travels. <BR> <BR>I have been researching our trip to India for quite a while. I received SITA, Himalayan Travel, Cox & Kings,and Pollina Tours brochures and spoken to some representatives. We were advised by friends to check out local Indian travel agents since US tour operators actually pay Indian travel agents to give you the tour.That is why their prices are so much higher. We found a reputable travel agent who's head office in in New Delhi, <BR>but he has several offices all over India. For the same tour we are paying half the price and will not be traveling on a bus or with a group, but have our own car and driver. He also added several excursions we had not even thought of and offers a much more comprehensive and well thought out program. The name is Compass Travels and Tours. The email address is [email protected] and the owner's name is Durjay Sen Gupta. I was even fortunate enough to meet a woman who just got back from a 3-month trip <BR>arranged by him who said "He is excellent at what he does." I also got quotes from Indian travel agents who <BR>are "American Express representatives," feeling safe that they were reputable. Americanexpress.com has their names and websites listed. They also offerred <BR>exact tour programs and hotels at virtually half the cost. We just ended up going with Compass because he was <BR>very concerned about every detail that would make our trip perfect. I am just trying to point out that the locals may do a better job and save you some money at the same time.

robin

Have travelled once through an agent in Bogota who was working with this company and the second time round travelled directly with the company in New Delhi. They are ideascell tours. They specialise in middle budget travel and have very good information. You could contact them [email protected] <BR> if you need any other info I will be glad to help <BR> <BR>robin <BR> <BR>[email protected] <BR> <BR>

Durjay sengupta

Hi, <BR> <BR>What a wonderful experience to have my name in this travel forum. I would like to thank everybody who has played a part in it. Welcome to India - I am waiting for you friends. <BR> <BR>Thanks and regards, <BR> <BR>Durjay <BR> <BR>PS: Mily, if you have not yet finalised your trip, do let me know.

Milank

If you need value for money tours with professional advise please write to <BR>[email protected] <BR> <BR>Thanks