Well, I have to start somewhere! Here goes....
 

I have never seen such a plethora of Tour Companies when I've "googled"! Is there a post where some are recommended on this Forum? Or a driver/guide?

We're in the last stages of planning our trip to Cairo (leave in 5 weeks) so I don't
have the time I wish to research for our trip to India in April/May.

We want to do the Golden Triangle, plus another week in Southern India, including places such as Rajasthan, Udaipur, Juipar, Jodhphar, Jaisalmer

I'd appreciate any help finding the helpful posts that I need to read. I have only read through tour agency offers (and got totally confused)

Well, I have also read some interesting sounding posts on here and have to see that I've enjoyed the humour in spite of not knowing the personalities yet. Isn't Fodor's great!

There are 2 of us (seniors) and have about 2 weeks, and thought we better go with a Tour Company for this although we have *NEVER* traveled any way but independently..... (Yikes - my dh is not happy about this as he likes to go his own way at his own pace)

Thanks for any help.

go to search and look for rhkkmk India and look at Why India and Greetings from India for a start.

Are you aware that India will be VERY hot by April/May?

Thanks for the replies, and I will have to admit, No, I didn't know the weather - I was rather thinking it would be opposite - like Egyypt and coolish. I may have to reschedule......

Better to know now. You would have been in for big surprise, and not in a good way.

There are people who travel there in the summer, but the heat and humidity can be oppressive.

The latest I have gone to India is the end of March and it can be over 100 degrees daytime temp already.

For the places you want to see, you want to be able to be outside and enjoy. India is generally best October to March.

We were in India at the same time this year and it was very hot, however it's an incredible time to see tigers if this is something you're thinking of.

Well, I'll resist the temptation to give you bite 'cos you haven't done any research, but I like your nick so much I'll be nice.

O.K. Mama - my Brah-h-h-h Mama, lemme take you by da hand..

Yup, Jaya is right, it's gonna be super-dooper hot. Suck it up - or don't go. First major decision. It was 44 in Delhi last May, 45 in Varanasi. This enough to fry you, Mama.

So, let us know what you think.

as for a tour company - this is all about money. As you are both nearly 100 years old, apparently [so am I lol] don't try and save a buck. Pay too much and let them do it. Nobody does luxury travel like the Indians.

Go luxury. You'll come back fresh as a daisy if you play it right. We all basically agree in here - individual travel, as few guides a possible is the best. But, if you're freaked out and totally confused, then grab a two week individual tour and just let them do it all for you. It's O.K. - you're allowed.

Now, you have two weeks and you want to do Golden Triangle AND South India. It's clear you don't even know where any of it is. MAP. Google Map. Do it. Look at map.

You can't possibly go to Udaipur, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Agra and Delhi in seven days.

I'm sobbing here. I'll have to stop. Mother of God. Bless you. Just do the teeniest, weeniest bit of research, eh?

Just for me.

some of us like to use a company to assist with the planning and execution for the trip and to supply a driver...i used castle and king in delhi...it worked well...i made some of my own hotel res and got them cheaper...

that said the perfect time to visit india is starting in november thru to february...

Jaya,
I'm convinced. I don't do that well in hot climes, as I sweat profusely and it's hard to see with sweat in your eyes!So now I'm thinking next Jan maybe.

Dogster,
Your posts are what got me hooked. Have you thought of compiling the posts and doing a book? (I'm serious about this) So I could answer your post all day, but just will say for now that ok, I'll research! Actually I'm the Research Queen. We read books, watch docs, study, study and read Forums until our eyes ache.

We're still studying for Egypt, but I'll have to admit that I started a book about India last night (White Tiger) and read way into the night.

And the Brahmama nick is that we two retired teachers are raising Brahman cattle for our cash cows to allow us some money for travel. Teachers' pensions won't do it! And unfortunately we always travel on a Budget. Or we couldn't travel. No problem - we've never had a bad trip and actually prefer the way we do it. Yep, you got it, old as dirt and trying to see all we can while we still *can*....

rhkkmk,
I've looked at that Website to get ideas - thanks for the reccy. Actually I've gotten some tour guide emails since I posted, but I ignore un-solicted email offers as a rule!

I'll be back. (think of it as a promise and not a threat!)

Big smooch Brahmama. I'll be watching for you. And I'm flattered that I've inspired. But here are some easy ways to start:

Ignore everybody who has contacted you from here. Instead go to:
www.sawdays.com
you can trust this list of great places to stay.
I think you've got two weeks - try make it three. I understand you wanna do all the usual things - no problem - but, actually, the bits of India that AREN'T on the normal tourist trail are more interesting.

I'll hold back from suggesting till you come back in here - but don't get too locked on the obvious. I've been to India five times, nearly seven months there last year - but I still haven't seen the Taj Mahal.

Go read my posts on Goa. They are buried in 'Dogster: The Great Stumble Forward, India.' That should put you off that place. lol.

The issue you'll find challenging is that, the more you research, the more there is to find. Mind spasm results [I didn't use the word I was going to there... lol]. It's normal. Plus, you'll be besieged with Idiot Indian travel companies who just DON'T UNDERSTAND that you may not want to spend eight hours in a car every day.

Remember, the more they drive you, the more money they make. Whose money? Yours. This will seem strange, but the more you fly, the better it is. Cheaper, too. Go to

www.flykingfisher.com just to see costs. Goota go - I'll be back to finish this is a mo.

The problem is that if[when] you go to the OBVIOUS places, you'll just be besieged by the obvious tout/hassler/guide horror that India is so good at. A week in Maheshwar - a place that nobody has ever heard of - will reward you ten times as much. But, of course, with limited time and funds you want to see the obvious - like everybody else.

Maybe Brahmama, you're like me. I kinda get the feeling I'd better do it NOW, in case one of my legs falls off, incontinence strikes, dementia sets in.

I too could chat forever, but let's do that research a bit first. A rule of thumb to go by:

One hundred kilometers driving will/can/might/probably could take you about three hours. I always plan 25 K an hour traveling time.

Second rule of thumb. Long car journeys in India get very old, very quickly. [Not unlike me]

Third rule: overnight train journeys might seem romantic and practical. They are, assuming you get to sleep. If you don't, there's ANOTHER day lost as you bumble exhausted around the sights. That's when India will joyously EAT YOU ALIVE. lol.

I'll keep an eye out for you and try and steer you in the way of the Dog. [Cairo, eh? Wow, I've had some doggy adventures in THAT town]

If possible, do Feb instead of Jan.

January is chilly and foggy and can/will cause travel delays.

February is beautiful for whether.