new member here! Tour Group? Or Solo?

redleader · Nov 7th, 2003, 14:27

Hi, I am new to the forum and just started my quest to be "world traveler" he he he. Whatever that means. Well, I've haven't been out of the USA too much, other than going to Hong Kong a couple of times (and being born there! ha ha). Last month I went to Europe for the first time (France and Italy). A friend and I backpacked it, using Rick Steve's books, some maps, and our wits. It was a great adventure. So much work, yet so much fun. We learned so much. Well, I've definitely been bitten by the travel bug. Europe is so full of possibilities, but I've decided to try something a little more adventurous. India came to mind as being pretty adventurous. However, I'm almost positive no one I know will want to come with me...I've heard everything from "India!?!?!", "YUCK!", "EEWWW!", "It's dirty there..", "Its stinks there..." "blar blar blar blar...". To which I say, I feel sorry for you and your narrow mindedness!

Anyway, I don't know how I should approach my planning. Should I back pack solo? Find some traveling companions and backpack (either on this forum or elsewhere)? Or should I join a tour group (not a plush, pampered one, but a more adventurous one). One thing is for SURE, I do not want to view India from behind the windows of an air conditioned and comfortable bus. I want to meet locals up close and personal, I want to get the full hands on experience. I was hoping some of you veterans could help me out!

Thanks!

Vasko · Nov 7th, 2003, 14:45

Hi redleader,

Welcome to the forum and congratulations for making up your mind to travel! India is spot-on for you quest in becoming a "world traveler"

Backpacking alone is a good choice. It gives you the freedom to come and go as you please and change your plans flexibly, if you have any. Besides, you can always meet other travelers and possibly hook up with them for a while.

You sound like the adventurous type who can rough it, so forget the tourgroup thing. It will just tie you down... just my opinion. How long are you planning on traveling?

redleader · Nov 7th, 2003, 14:46

I can only spare 2 weeks, no more than that unfortunately because of my job. I'm just way ahead of myself because I just went to Europe, so it willl be a good long while till I can take another trip. I'm shooting for August or September of next year.

Vasko · Nov 7th, 2003, 15:03

If you're going for two weeks, I guess having some kind of pre-planned agenda will help you get more out of the time you have. A tour group might not be a bad idea after all... I'm changing my mind from minute to minute! I just got the picture that you would be staying for longer...

I've never been on an organized vacation anywhere, so someone else will hopefully be able to give you more experience-based info on different kinds of tours in India. They're probably more expensive than going solo...?

redleader · Nov 7th, 2003, 15:05

Yeah, just reading some of the posts, seems like everyone goes for months at a time it seems! wow, wish I could do that. Well, I'm still in the "Brainstorming" stages, so all ideas, no matter how mundane or far fetched are welcome!

Vasko · Nov 7th, 2003, 15:16

The first thing you might want to do is narrow it down to North or South, East or West.

Check out travel books, internet sites, etc. and see what place starts pulling you towards it.

Btw, my first trip to India lasted two weeks: I was mostly in Goa and a couple of days in Mumbai. That was enough to convince me to come back again and explore other places as well. Still have lots and lots of unchartered territory to cover!

steven_ber · Nov 7th, 2003, 15:20

Hi redleader and welcome to indiamike.com

There is a wonderful tour company in India, this company will arrange for you to meet lots of fascinating people, sample various regional foods, and experience Indian life up-close, it also offers spectacular scenery, and glimpses of Indian village life.

A 2-week tour can be arranged from your home and would cost about US$25.

The Itinerary is completely down to you, though they do not book hotels.

The name of this company, as indiamike regulars will have already guessed, is Indian Railways.

For more information check the following thread.

Train information.

redleader · Nov 8th, 2003, 02:02

thanks steven... I will check out those links. SOunds like excellent info.

BTW, pardon my ignorance, but does anyone visit Bombay? What's there?

cyberhippie · Nov 8th, 2003, 16:05

Sorry never been to Bombay so I can't help you there!!
For the rest I'm with the others you sound like you got the correct positive energy, just buy a backpack and get yourself in front of a PC and plan your journey and book your tickets online!!
You are rarely "alone"
in India this is perhaps one of the greatest misconceptions by the first time traveller to India. There are thousands of western tourists in India at any given time, and for sure a few of them will be going your way!!!
Anyway you may get to like the concept of being alone after you've hit a few towns and cities!!
I agree with the above pick an area you want to see!! and if you can leave it until October when the rains have mostly disappeared, this will give you a little more scope on where you can go!!!!
Happy Travelling!!!!!

Samsara · Nov 8th, 2003, 19:08

Intrepid Travel do group backpacking two week tours in various parts of India, and they are reasonably priced and they support the environment and the local economy (I have nothing to do with them but they have a very good reputation - just I was checking out their tours this year, and I was impressed at their approach, and I think Guerik a member here has booked with them? Hope I'm right, Guerik!)

http://www.intrepidtravel.com

jan99 · Nov 23rd, 2003, 21:41

Hi redleader. I'd definitely do it alone if I were you. You'll find it easy to meet people but you can be alone if you want to be - you just don't have any flexibility on a group tour and it must be hell if you don't like the other people. It's easy to find a room and if you stay in places which have some communal space - a terrace or garden - you'll meet people easily.

Steven Ber is right about the trains - it's a great and cheap way to travel.

Nov 7th, 2003, 14:27	#1
redleader Crown Prince of San Leandro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Leandro, CA, USA Posts: 63	new member here! Tour Group? Or Solo? Hi, I am new to the forum and just started my quest to be "world traveler" he he he. Whatever that means. Well, I've haven't been out of the USA too much, other than going to Hong Kong a couple of times (and being born there! ha ha). Last month I went to Europe for the first time (France and Italy). A friend and I backpacked it, using Rick Steve's books, some maps, and our wits. It was a great adventure. So much work, yet so much fun. We learned so much. Well, I've definitely been bitten by the travel bug. Europe is so full of possibilities, but I've decided to try something a little more adventurous. India came to mind as being pretty adventurous. However, I'm almost positive no one I know will want to come with me...I've heard everything from "India!?!?!", "YUCK!", "EEWWW!", "It's dirty there..", "Its stinks there..." "blar blar blar blar...". To which I say, I feel sorry for you and your narrow mindedness! Anyway, I don't know how I should approach my planning. Should I back pack solo? Find some traveling companions and backpack (either on this forum or elsewhere)? Or should I join a tour group (not a plush, pampered one, but a more adventurous one). One thing is for SURE, I do not want to view India from behind the windows of an air conditioned and comfortable bus. I want to meet locals up close and personal, I want to get the full hands on experience. I was hoping some of you veterans could help me out! Thanks!

Nov 7th, 2003, 14:46	#3
redleader Crown Prince of San Leandro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Leandro, CA, USA Posts: 63	I can only spare 2 weeks, no more than that unfortunately because of my job. I'm just way ahead of myself because I just went to Europe, so it willl be a good long while till I can take another trip. I'm shooting for August or September of next year. __________________ have a happy day!

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Nov 7th, 2003, 14:45	#2
Vasko Non-speaker fruit-eater Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: State of Contemplation Posts: 517	Hi redleader, Welcome to the forum and congratulations for making up your mind to travel! India is spot-on for you quest in becoming a "world traveler" Backpacking alone is a good choice. It gives you the freedom to come and go as you please and change your plans flexibly, if you have any. Besides, you can always meet other travelers and possibly hook up with them for a while. You sound like the adventurous type who can rough it, so forget the tourgroup thing. It will just tie you down... just my opinion. How long are you planning on traveling?

Nov 7th, 2003, 15:03	#4
Vasko Non-speaker fruit-eater Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: State of Contemplation Posts: 517	If you're going for two weeks, I guess having some kind of pre-planned agenda will help you get more out of the time you have. A tour group might not be a bad idea after all... I'm changing my mind from minute to minute! I just got the picture that you would be staying for longer... I've never been on an organized vacation anywhere, so someone else will hopefully be able to give you more experience-based info on different kinds of tours in India. They're probably more expensive than going solo...?

Nov 7th, 2003, 15:05	#5
redleader Crown Prince of San Leandro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Leandro, CA, USA Posts: 63	Yeah, just reading some of the posts, seems like everyone goes for months at a time it seems! wow, wish I could do that. Well, I'm still in the "Brainstorming" stages, so all ideas, no matter how mundane or far fetched are welcome!

Nov 7th, 2003, 15:16	#6
Vasko Non-speaker fruit-eater Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: State of Contemplation Posts: 517	The first thing you might want to do is narrow it down to North or South, East or West. Check out travel books, internet sites, etc. and see what place starts pulling you towards it. Btw, my first trip to India lasted two weeks: I was mostly in Goa and a couple of days in Mumbai. That was enough to convince me to come back again and explore other places as well. Still have lots and lots of unchartered territory to cover!

Nov 7th, 2003, 15:20	#7
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,555	Hi redleader and welcome to indiamike.com There is a wonderful tour company in India, this company will arrange for you to meet lots of fascinating people, sample various regional foods, and experience Indian life up-close, it also offers spectacular scenery, and glimpses of Indian village life. A 2-week tour can be arranged from your home and would cost about US$25. The Itinerary is completely down to you, though they do not book hotels. The name of this company, as indiamike regulars will have already guessed, is Indian Railways. For more information check the following thread. Train information.

Nov 8th, 2003, 02:02	#8
redleader Crown Prince of San Leandro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Leandro, CA, USA Posts: 63	thanks steven... I will check out those links. SOunds like excellent info. BTW, pardon my ignorance, but does anyone visit Bombay? What's there?

Nov 8th, 2003, 16:05	#9
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,009	Sorry never been to Bombay so I can't help you there!! For the rest I'm with the others you sound like you got the correct positive energy, just buy a backpack and get yourself in front of a PC and plan your journey and book your tickets online!! You are rarely "alone" in India this is perhaps one of the greatest misconceptions by the first time traveller to India. There are thousands of western tourists in India at any given time, and for sure a few of them will be going your way!!! Anyway you may get to like the concept of being alone after you've hit a few towns and cities!! I agree with the above pick an area you want to see!! and if you can leave it until October when the rains have mostly disappeared, this will give you a little more scope on where you can go!!!! Happy Travelling!!!!!

Nov 8th, 2003, 19:08	#10
Samsara Sentient Being Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 507	Intrepid Travel do group backpacking two week tours in various parts of India, and they are reasonably priced and they support the environment and the local economy (I have nothing to do with them but they have a very good reputation - just I was checking out their tours this year, and I was impressed at their approach, and I think Guerik a member here has booked with them? Hope I'm right, Guerik!) http://www.intrepidtravel.com

Nov 23rd, 2003, 21:41	#11
jan99 Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: England Posts: 34	Hi redleader. I'd definitely do it alone if I were you. You'll find it easy to meet people but you can be alone if you want to be - you just don't have any flexibility on a group tour and it must be hell if you don't like the other people. It's easy to find a room and if you stay in places which have some communal space - a terrace or garden - you'll meet people easily. Steven Ber is right about the trains - it's a great and cheap way to travel.