Two weeks in India on a Tour - in March

alina · Jan 10th, 2008, 10:27

We're planning to visit India for the first time in March, largely Rajasthan (Agra, Udaipur, Kanjahari, Jaipur, Pushkar), with possible visits to Mumbai and/or Goa.

Currently, there appears to be a lot of options for organized escorted tours, and we can't seem to decide. Companies under consideration are Intrepid, GAP, Imaginative Traveller, and perhaps a few others that don't come to mind immediately.

A bit about us - we are 30-year's old (husband and wife), and have travelled independently elsewhere, but not really in the SouthEast Asia. We would like to fit as much as possible into our tour of two weeks.

Have anyone travelled with these companies? Recommendations would be most welcome.

Many thanks
Alina

ignatius riley · Jan 14th, 2008, 02:27

Hi Alina,

My husband and I are planning a two week india tour right now as well. After a long search, we decided on staying in and around delhi, perhaps doing a hike a few hours north, and then heading to kerala (which is in SW India. This will be a full two weeks!

Anyway, as I do more research, I 'll let ya know.

Have you gotten your visa yet?

karuna · Jan 14th, 2008, 02:43

Alina,

Somebody asked a very similar question about tour companies not long ago- here's the thread, some useful answers.

Please browse the itineraries forum- there are loads of 2 and 3 week type questions and you may find inspiration from them.

sarapheena · Jan 14th, 2008, 23:54

We are also planning a two week visit in March and are looking at Beckon Tours. After searching the forums here I found one person who had good things to say.

I find myself getting nervous about not really knowing a lot about this small-seeming travel group. It is silly of me because all my dealings thus far have been delightful.

Still...has anyone heard anything about Beckon?

paul compton · Jan 15th, 2008, 00:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by alina

We're planning to visit India for the first time in March, largely Rajasthan (Agra, Udaipur, Kanjahari, Jaipur, Pushkar), with possible visits to Mumbai and/or Goa.

Currently, there appears to be a lot of options for organized escorted tours, and we can't seem to decide. Companies under consideration are Intrepid, GAP, Imaginative Traveller, and perhaps a few others that don't come to mind immediately.

A bit about us - we are 30-year's old (husband and wife), and have travelled independently elsewhere, but not really in the SouthEast Asia. We would like to fit as much as possible into our tour of two weeks.

Have anyone travelled with these companies? Recommendations would be most welcome.

Many thanks
Alina

Personally I would recommend contacting an Indian company direct, I found I get much beter value for money and generally better places..

spontaneous traveler · Jan 15th, 2008, 01:03

Overall, having never traveled to India before, would people suggest booking a tour rather than doing it independently? i am planning a two week trip to India in march and will be traveling with a friend. We are in our late twenties, white and female. We would like to spend 4-5 days in Kerela and then be in the north for the remaining 6-7 days. would like to see the taj mahal...

paul compton · Jan 15th, 2008, 01:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by spontaneous traveler

Overall, having never traveled to India before, would people suggest booking a tour rather than doing it independently? i am planning a two week trip to India in march and will be traveling with a friend. We are in our late twenties, white and female. We would like to spend 4-5 days in Kerela and then be in the north for the remaining 6-7 days. would like to see the taj mahal...

Do the best of both worlds, book a custom tour, let the travel arranger know where u want to go if you want to be escorted and guided and type of hotels you require.

machadinha · Jan 15th, 2008, 01:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by spontaneous traveler

Overall, having never traveled to India before, would people suggest booking a tour rather than doing it independently? i am planning a two week trip to India in march and will be traveling with a friend. We are in our late twenties, white and female. We would like to spend 4-5 days in Kerela and then be in the north for the remaining 6-7 days. would like to see the taj mahal...

I do hope you realize it's a very, very big place? My usual comment: Try to look up India on a map that shows it on the same scale as your home country. And bear in mind the infrastructure and speed of transport may not be what you're used to.

I've never done it but I think for a first rushed trip a tour may actually be an excellent way to make the most of your time, that's what those people supposedly specialize in -- although disappointments are not unheard of, of course.

spontaneous traveler · Jan 15th, 2008, 02:35

can anyone recommend a good touring company?

paul compton · Jan 15th, 2008, 02:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by spontaneous traveler

can anyone recommend a good touring company?

drop me a mail, and ill gladly send my operator i use in Delhi, he is very good i find. I can`t pm so am a bit wary of putting an open email in forum, contact me through my home page on my profile if you wish..

shaking · Jan 17th, 2008, 18:13

We're also heading to India for 2 weeks in March and have booked a tour with Intrepid. I've done tours with them in Thailand and China which were great, fingers crossed their guides in India are as good!

roofr · Jan 17th, 2008, 19:01

I went with intrepid last year to Thailand and New Zealand and they were fantastic. I recommend the original style if you are budget conscious. I will go with them to India this year.

alina · Jan 18th, 2008, 08:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaking

We're also heading to India for 2 weeks in March and have booked a tour with Intrepid. I've done tours with them in Thailand and China which were great, fingers crossed their guides in India are as good!

Which tour will you be joining - we decided to book the food lovers tour that leaves on March 7th

alina · Jan 18th, 2008, 08:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by roofr

I went with intrepid last year to Thailand and New Zealand and they were fantastic. I recommend the original style if you are budget conscious. I will go with them to India this year.

Which tour will you be joining - we decided to book the food lovers tour that leaves on March 7th

TracyB · Jan 18th, 2008, 08:24

Hi first 2 trips we went to India we took tours..with Imaginative Traveller...Once to North India and next to Kerala...I think a tour is a great way to see India, especially if it is a small group tour (no more than 12)...We met some great people that we are still friends with...

But it is also nice to have some time to yourself...Last trip we did Goa and Varanasi on our own, and found it is alot easier to travel India independently now!!

Anyways, a tour is a good way to see a ton of things in a short time and if u like something especially, then you can go back on your own another time!!

Jan 10th, 2008, 10:27	#1
alina Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 7	Two weeks in India on a Tour - in March We're planning to visit India for the first time in March, largely Rajasthan (Agra, Udaipur, Kanjahari, Jaipur, Pushkar), with possible visits to Mumbai and/or Goa. Currently, there appears to be a lot of options for organized escorted tours, and we can't seem to decide. Companies under consideration are Intrepid, GAP, Imaginative Traveller, and perhaps a few others that don't come to mind immediately. A bit about us - we are 30-year's old (husband and wife), and have travelled independently elsewhere, but not really in the SouthEast Asia. We would like to fit as much as possible into our tour of two weeks. Have anyone travelled with these companies? Recommendations would be most welcome. Many thanks Alina

Jan 14th, 2008, 23:54	#4
sarapheena Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 4	Beckon Tours We are also planning a two week visit in March and are looking at Beckon Tours. After searching the forums here I found one person who had good things to say. I find myself getting nervous about not really knowing a lot about this small-seeming travel group. It is silly of me because all my dealings thus far have been delightful. Still...has anyone heard anything about Beckon?

Jan 15th, 2008, 02:35	#9
spontaneous traveler Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2	who should i book a tour with? can anyone recommend a good touring company?

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Jan 14th, 2008, 02:27	#2
ignatius riley Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: US Posts: 15	Hi Alina, My husband and I are planning a two week india tour right now as well. After a long search, we decided on staying in and around delhi, perhaps doing a hike a few hours north, and then heading to kerala (which is in SW India. This will be a full two weeks! Anyway, as I do more research, I 'll let ya know. Have you gotten your visa yet?

Jan 14th, 2008, 02:43	#3
karuna The cat's mother Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UK Posts: 1,233	Alina, Somebody asked a very similar question about tour companies not long ago- here's the thread, some useful answers. Please browse the itineraries forum- there are loads of 2 and 3 week type questions and you may find inspiration from them.

Jan 15th, 2008, 01:03	#6
spontaneous traveler Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2	Overall, having never traveled to India before, would people suggest booking a tour rather than doing it independently? i am planning a two week trip to India in march and will be traveling with a friend. We are in our late twenties, white and female. We would like to spend 4-5 days in Kerela and then be in the north for the remaining 6-7 days. would like to see the taj mahal...

Jan 17th, 2008, 18:13	#11
shaking Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dublin Posts: 2	We're also heading to India for 2 weeks in March and have booked a tour with Intrepid. I've done tours with them in Thailand and China which were great, fingers crossed their guides in India are as good!

Jan 17th, 2008, 19:01	#12
roofr Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Normandy, France Posts: 18	I went with intrepid last year to Thailand and New Zealand and they were fantastic. I recommend the original style if you are budget conscious. I will go with them to India this year.

Jan 18th, 2008, 08:24	#15
TracyB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 335	Hi first 2 trips we went to India we took tours..with Imaginative Traveller...Once to North India and next to Kerala...I think a tour is a great way to see India, especially if it is a small group tour (no more than 12)...We met some great people that we are still friends with... But it is also nice to have some time to yourself...Last trip we did Goa and Varanasi on our own, and found it is alot easier to travel India independently now!! Anyways, a tour is a good way to see a ton of things in a short time and if u like something especially, then you can go back on your own another time!!

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