we would like to find a mid priced small group tour of of India. We looked at OAT and the price is good (about $5000 for 18 days)but there are long bus rides on several days. We looked at Abercrombie and Kent and they fly between cities so no long bus rides but they stay in very expensive hotels and the tours are very expensive(about $10,000). Can anyone recommend a good and reliable small group tour that stays in good but not exclusive hotels and flies between cities with prices between these two? Thanks for any advice you can give us!

Are you adamant about a group tour? If so, I can't help. However, if you will consider getting a car and driver from an agency, then I will suggest an agency that some folks here, including myself, have used: Indian Panorama. The main contact for tour planning there is named Tim, and he can help you customize a trip according to your interests. They also arrange your hotels, and can fit any budget. When I first started travelling with a car and driver in Asia, it seemed so bourgeois, but now I would not travel any other way. There is always at least one annoying person on those group tours, so why would you want to share your vacation with someone like that?

I think you will surprised to find out you will be paying less this way.

I agree with every point made above:

On the 1 small group tour I’ve taken in my life, about a dozen participants, one annoying woman spoiled it in one way or another most days.

India is a budget travelers dream, no need for prepackaged anything. Economical arrangements of all kinds can be made for every aspect of travel by agents in the country, no need to pay extra for a useless middle-man. Your tour will be a private affair to include just what you want, nothing you don’t, for a price likely less than a cheap group. Travel by car & driver, train, plane, whichever is appropriate for each leg of the journey.

One more nice thing I discovered on my first such trip, should you wish to deviate spontaneously from the planned itinerary, very likely it can be accommodated with a days notice. Try that on a package tour and see how far you get. I see no advantage whatever buying a canned tour in India.

The private, independent tours by an Indian agency could be as cheap as a small group tour. These are flexible and there you see the advantage noted above.
Happy travels!

I can second CaliforniaLady's recommendation of Indian Panorama (and Tim). We had a wonderful trip with them last November. If you work with Tim, be pro-active. Give him your general requirements (comfort level, must-see's, anything you feel is important) and let him propose an itinerary. Then work with him to tailor it exactly to what you want - research the proposed hotels, schedule, other recommendations he might make, and provide your inputs. Tim is extremely knowledgeable, but he can't read your mind, so do your homework and work with him,and you'll have an amazing trip.

Les, it's great to read your feedback on your trip last November! I recall your very first question about that trip in the planning stages, two years ago. In it I recommended Tim and Indianpanorama, so am very happy that it turned out well for you.
I'm planning another trip to India for January ...with Tim's help of course!
California Lady...Hello!! Good thing you went to Kerala last year...I fear much of what you saw there (eg backwaters) will, post-floods, be un-doable for me.

CaliNurse, recommendations from seasoned travelers such as you is one of the best reasons for frequenting these forums.
Thank you!

I can only emphasize what has been said and recommend to go for a private tour. When we did it, it was in the end even a little cheaper than a group tour and we had so much flexibility. We loved our driver and the agency gave us the opportunity to mix between mid-range and a few palaces for accommodation. Got for it