Tour group recommendations for a friend?

maree · Jun 22nd, 2004, 09:35

A woman at my work has just sent me this e-mail...

Quote:

I have enough airmiles for a trip to Delhi. As the Humanities Department India expert - do you know of a tour company that I could get a short group tour with in the area?

As I've never done a group tour, I e-mailed back suggesting to her that if she wanted to do her own customised trip with a driver then Namaste India Tours was the way to go (NIT.... Have given her your web address to look at). However, she may wish to join an existing group so does anyone have any recommendations? Sorry tour operators... but I'm only interested in recommendations from people here who have used your services. I'm not going to give her the names of operations I know nothing about so please don't post yourself on this occasion

.

Thanks everyone.

guerik · Jun 22nd, 2004, 11:12

Hi Maree,

I travelled with Intrepid Travel and really enjoyed myself - it's basically like "organised backpacking" if that makes sense. A group leader that knows their way around and organises tickets etc, but you still travel on local transport and eat in local restaurants etc.
I'm happy to refer them as I had an excellent time

skell · Jun 22nd, 2004, 11:51

I can second that. My friend has traveled numerous times with Intrepid Travel and we're going to be taking 2 of their 15-day "tours" during our India trip in November and December, plus a couple of extra weeks for "whatever."

maree · Jun 22nd, 2004, 12:04

Thanks guerik and skell... I'll pass that on.

mercedes10 · Jun 22nd, 2004, 18:41

When is she planning to go? I'm leaving for India in a couple of weeks and will be going on a tour with 'The Imaginative Traveller' (part of Adventure Bound). Their ethos is kind of similar to Intrepid. I haven't travelled with them before so can't comment yet, but would be happy to share my experiences when I get back at the end of July.

maree · Jun 23rd, 2004, 07:43

Thanks, Mercedes... but it's July she wants to go... I'll pass on the name Imaginative Traveller to her though - you might end up on the same trip!

Bonita · Jun 28th, 2004, 22:46

HELLO there MAREE and others. sOME other Tour Companies, U.s. TOUR operators that have escorted tours of NORTH inDIA, include, GATE1 at Gate1travel.com, ORIENTfLEXIPAX at Orientflexipax.com , MAUPINTOUR, at Maupintour.com Smartours, Travcoa, A &K, and there are a few others..for the others, just do a mini search for webiste address..most offer a prpetty similar tour of NORTH india, Delhi, JAIPUR, MAYBE udaipur, AGRA, KHAJURAHO, vaRANASI, maybe KATHAMNDU, and will be escorted by either a American Tour Manager or a INDIAN/guide Tour MANAGER..prices vary greatly on group tours going the same places, mostly depending on the HOTELS utilized, the modes of transport incorporoated, -bus, train, flights;, and a few other incidentals and inclusives.. Most of these companies, have their tours during the high season, Sept-April...Another way to go, if you can muster up about 3/4 people and want a organzied feel to the trip without the big group, is to create a custom-made tour of INDIA, utilizing the services of a local OPERATOR..it can still be qite reasonable, depending on who you use, and your hotel choices, etc.. Anyways, if anyone has questions about the differnces in the specific group tours i mentioned (I AM VERY FAMILIAR, as have stayed in most hotels, am living in INDIA on/off and have esccorted many a group tour freelance for various Companies-), or if your freind wants guidance/suggestions in creating own program, feel free to contact me at Dreamingofindia@aol.com take care, and happy travel planning..

beach · Jun 28th, 2004, 23:00

The following are the agents contact listed at the tourism department's site (for NZ).There are many recomended agets for different countries listed there.

Abercrombie & Kent
Address Level 14, Brookfield House 17 Victoria Str. Auckland
Phone 09-358 4200
Fax 09-309 3714
Email rfox@abercrombiekent.co.nz

Adventure World
Address 101 Great South Rd. Remuera Auckland
Phone 09-524 5118
Fax 09-560 6629
Email discover@adventureworld.co.nz

Maharaja Tours
Address 40 Constellation Drive. Mairangi Bay Auckland
Phone 09-478 0561
Fax 09-478 0562
Email harish@argettravel.co.nz

Sun Travel
Address 407 Great South Rd. Penrose Auckland
Phone 09-525 3074
Fax 09-525 3065
Email greg@suntravel.co.nz

Jun 28th, 2004, 22:46	#7
Bonita Dreaming Of India Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NEW DELHI..NEW YORK..Wherever i am.. Posts: 110	HELLO there MAREE and others. sOME other Tour Companies, U.s. TOUR operators that have escorted tours of NORTH inDIA, include, GATE1 at Gate1travel.com, ORIENTfLEXIPAX at Orientflexipax.com , MAUPINTOUR, at Maupintour.com Smartours, Travcoa, A &K, and there are a few others..for the others, just do a mini search for webiste address..most offer a prpetty similar tour of NORTH india, Delhi, JAIPUR, MAYBE udaipur, AGRA, KHAJURAHO, vaRANASI, maybe KATHAMNDU, and will be escorted by either a American Tour Manager or a INDIAN/guide Tour MANAGER..prices vary greatly on group tours going the same places, mostly depending on the HOTELS utilized, the modes of transport incorporoated, -bus, train, flights;, and a few other incidentals and inclusives.. Most of these companies, have their tours during the high season, Sept-April...Another way to go, if you can muster up about 3/4 people and want a organzied feel to the trip without the big group, is to create a custom-made tour of INDIA, utilizing the services of a local OPERATOR..it can still be qite reasonable, depending on who you use, and your hotel choices, etc.. Anyways, if anyone has questions about the differnces in the specific group tours i mentioned (I AM VERY FAMILIAR, as have stayed in most hotels, am living in INDIA on/off and have esccorted many a group tour freelance for various Companies-), or if your freind wants guidance/suggestions in creating own program, feel free to contact me at Dreamingofindia@aol.com take care, and happy travel planning.. __________________ Dreamingofindia@aol.com

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
why the tour operaters dont like to start tour from punjab	hillpanther	Punjab & Haryana	2	Oct 14th, 2005 10:00
A group tour to GOA	sudheer poppa	Goa	4	Aug 18th, 2004 00:30
Group Tour, Private Guide/Driver or both?	Sharonov	Chai and Chat	12	Jun 30th, 2004 13:38
new member here! Tour Group? Or Solo?	redleader	Introduce Yourself	10	Nov 23rd, 2003 21:41
Welcome Group of hotels....	Mirjam	Lodging and Hotels in India	4	May 10th, 2003 02:11

Jun 22nd, 2004, 11:12	#2
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,038	Hi Maree, I travelled with Intrepid Travel and really enjoyed myself - it's basically like "organised backpacking" if that makes sense. A group leader that knows their way around and organises tickets etc, but you still travel on local transport and eat in local restaurants etc. I'm happy to refer them as I had an excellent time

Jun 22nd, 2004, 11:51	#3
skell Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The OC Posts: 993	I can second that. My friend has traveled numerous times with Intrepid Travel and we're going to be taking 2 of their 15-day "tours" during our India trip in November and December, plus a couple of extra weeks for "whatever."

Jun 22nd, 2004, 12:04	#4
maree Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Zealander in Bangkok Posts: 850	Thanks guerik and skell... I'll pass that on.

Jun 22nd, 2004, 18:41	#5
mercedes10 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 556	When is she planning to go? I'm leaving for India in a couple of weeks and will be going on a tour with 'The Imaginative Traveller' (part of Adventure Bound). Their ethos is kind of similar to Intrepid. I haven't travelled with them before so can't comment yet, but would be happy to share my experiences when I get back at the end of July.

Jun 23rd, 2004, 07:43	#6
maree Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Zealander in Bangkok Posts: 850	Thanks, Mercedes... but it's July she wants to go... I'll pass on the name Imaginative Traveller to her though - you might end up on the same trip!

Jun 28th, 2004, 23:00	#8
beach Lost in translation Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: India ! Posts: 2,233	The following are the agents contact listed at the tourism department's site (for NZ).There are many recomended agets for different countries listed there. Abercrombie & Kent Address Level 14, Brookfield House 17 Victoria Str. Auckland Phone 09-358 4200 Fax 09-309 3714 Email rfox@abercrombiekent.co.nz Adventure World Address 101 Great South Rd. Remuera Auckland Phone 09-524 5118 Fax 09-560 6629 Email discover@adventureworld.co.nz Maharaja Tours Address 40 Constellation Drive. Mairangi Bay Auckland Phone 09-478 0561 Fax 09-478 0562 Email harish@argettravel.co.nz Sun Travel Address 407 Great South Rd. Penrose Auckland Phone 09-525 3074 Fax 09-525 3065 Email greg@suntravel.co.nz