Hi -

I will likely have an opportunity to spend a week travelling in India after a few weeks working in Bangalore. The time frame is early September. I have many questions, but the biggest one is this:
What are the merits of taking a week-long tour package, vs. hiring a private driver, vs. taking the trains around the country and fending for myself? When I travel to Europe, I usually just make my way around by myself, occasionally signing up for day-long guided tours. However, I think India will be a bit trickier to navigate, so the chaperoned approach is worth consideration.

My preferences:
- I'm travelling by myself. Meeting like-minded travellers is great, although I also like independence.
- I loathe "shopping trip" tours
- I really appreciate docents who are very knowledgible - give me a feel for the inside story.
- I don't want a shared room, but other than that, my accomodations can be simple.
- I like a mixture of seeing some famous sights, and getting a sense of what normal life is like.
- I like a mixture of cultural and natural experiences.
- I'm "middle-budget".
- The private driver option is interesting, if it's not expensive.
My tendency is to go on a few organized day tours, and arrange my own travel and accomodations. A packaged tour that resembles what I would do otherwise would keep it simple for me, however. What are people's recommendations?

(Note: I'm leaning towards travel in the "Golden Triangle", although my work is in Bangalore, and I might just stay in Southern India instead).

personally after reading your likes and dislikes i think you might find the private driver the best situation....in 7 days you really cannot cover very much territory so that might work well with a driver too

a frequent first trip involves the golden triangle which works well for a driver too...delhi-agra-jaipur...

i had a driver for 11 days in an suv two years ago for about $450...

To adbrown, if you're already in Bangalore then take in the southern India experience as it is rich with its own culture and history.

The Moghuls didn't go into south India so by many accounts south India has more of the authentic India in it. Language, food, and culture are quite distinct between north and south. Most travelers seem to do the north India sites, but you will have a great opportunity to see the south end of the country.

You are correct to plan differently for India than you would for Europe. Fending for yourself, by yourself while travelling solo in India, especially the first time there, is not a good plan in my opinion. A tour package may be the best option and will releive you of the stress of planning everything. Just get on the bus and enjoy.

I agree that since you'll already be in the south it would be a good idea to stay there. I very much enjoyed Mysore, and you could also consider Kochi. I traveled on my own by train, having bought an Indrail pass and had the reservations made ahead of time. I think it's a great way to meet Indians and see the countryside, but I also went the car and driver route a few times. This site: seat61.com/India.htm has lots of info on Indian trains. This site: www.indianrail.gov.in has schedules and a route map (under Trains at a Glance). Description of my trip is at: www.wilhelmswords.com/asia2001.

I would recommend flying to Cochin and then doing Cochin (2N), Periyar (1N), Kumarakom (2N), Houseboat cruise(1N), Allepey or Kovalam (2N) & then fly back to Blr. If you end in Kovalam you fly back from Trivandrum otherwise if you choose Allepey, fly back from Cochin.