small group tours to india
 

Hello,
I am researching group tours (would be my first) for 2-3 weeks in India,this coming February, with some independent travel added on. I wonder if anyone had any experience with On the Go's "Passage to India" tour...or Nat Geo Journey's "Discover India" tours? I have never gone on a group tour, but India is so overwhelming that I thought to give it a try. These two seemed to be the best mid-level tours offered.
Any other suggestions. I hope to hit the typical places around Dehli- Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi, Udaipur, Ranthambore, thinking this would be a good starting point. My partner and I are in the 40-50s range, photographer/ journalists and New Yorkers who enjoy adventure, music, architecture, wild life.
Thank you!

Are you sure you want a group tor? If so, National Geo is probably the best of the lot. But let me suggest you contact a local agent in India and have them set up a customized tour for you. It probably won't cost more than the National Geo tour (these tend to be pricey( and you'll get to see/do exactly what you want. No waiting for people who are chronically late or staying in hotels you don't like, or group dinners at hotels serving "international" cuisine!

Some of the local agents people here on the Fodor's Asia board have used include: Castle and Kings, Legends and Palaces, Panorama. I know there are more, but I can't come up with them right now. I'm sure others will jump in and give you more suggestions.

While any of these agents will be glad to suggest itineraries, do figure our what you want.

Hi Kathie,
Thanks for you reply. After thinking long and hard, it seems a (small) group could be fun, different viewpoints, camaraderie, etc. We will also be on our own for a week, so we can get both perspectives.
The Nat Geo is a "journey" tour, about 1/4 the price of the "explorer" tour, which includes a photographer. But the hotels seem less appealing than the On the Go Tour.
Thank you again,
Andrew

I traveled with Indian Panorama this last September via a private tour, and I must say that it is the way to go. Car and driver for a smaller car is about $50 per day, and maybe a bit more for a larger car. I have taken a couple of group tours in my life, and several day tours, and I have found that most people are nice, but there are always a couple of annoying people that spoil the fun. People in India are super friendly, so you will have no trouble meeting locals, which to me, is much more interesting than hanging out with fellow travelers.

I recommend that you investigate private tours, and see what they offer. My favorite part of Indian Panorama was having a local employee take me on a sunrise walking tour, and a sunset food safari. These could not have been accomplished with a large group, as we talked one on one with several local people on both of the walking tours.

Tim from Indian Panorama, who actually is from New Zealand, can be contacted at:

[email protected]

CaliforniaLady, you took the words out of my mouth. Totally gree with your recommendation and reasoning. I've traveled "solo" with Indianpanormaa, and , never felt "alone" or that I was missing something, not being in a small group tour.

Kathie, this is I think the company you refer to in a couple replies about possible tour planners, when you've recommended "Panorama." The company is IndianPanorama, and as CL mentioned, Tim is one person there (among many great staff) with whom to discuss India trip interests.

NY Pigeon, do you mean wild life or wildlife? (-: Good that you and partner will be doing the trip alone, but I suspect it might be smoother /more 'seamless"  (to the extent that is possible in India!) to do the entire trip on your own vs switching in the middle from /to a group.

Either way you decide, I suspect you'l love India!!

Thank you all, I will reconsider the private tour and have contacted IP

CaliNurse, thanks for the correction on the name of the company!

You're welcome, Kathie. As you know, there are so many copycat names of businesses in Asia, i wanted to clarify it.

p.s. All, the removed comment was from an advertiser.

I am glad you are exploring your options with a private tour. It's so nice to have your own private driver. My driver caught on quickly that I liked to take pictures of locals and their animals, so every single time we passed a local and/or animal, he said, "Would you like to stop?" I can't imagine doing that on a bus tour.

Indian Panorama works with all budgets. Their lower range hotels that they use start at about $50 per night, and go up from there, so if you stay at the cheapest place, and get the smallest car, you can get away with spending only $100 per night.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I eat only vegetarian in India. My driver knew exactly where to stop for lunch every day, and he found great "pure veg" restaurants. Lunch averaged about $2 per meal.

Please report back and let us know what you decide.