We will be in northern India for 7-10 days next March. We are thinking we'd like to join a tour there - we typically do our own planning but I'm a bit overwhelmed by India. Does anyone have a suggestion for a reasonably priced tour company there? We're thinking in that time we would do the golden triangle. Thanks!
I traveled with Gate 1 Tours and went to India and Nepal.
Wonderful trip and this is a great tour company (have been on several trips with them since India/Nepal.)
I have not done India, but I have traveled with G Adventures. They are a good, solid company with multiple options in India.
Though it might still be overwhelming, I might suggest asking around for a private driver and guide. Chances are costs would not be unreasonable.
I have shelved my plans to India for now, but when I was asking, I was recommended to Adventure Holiday Tours from New Delhi. Communication was very good and it continues to be well reviewed on TripAdvisor.
I am a bird watcher and I was happy with the pencilled in itinerary they came up with. It helps to have a company that knows their stuff enough to build what the client wants, rather than pushing a canned itinerary off the shelf.
We visited four ports in SW India in 2015 while on a cruise. We took tours that required our tour guide and driver to take us over highways loaded with trucks, motorcycles (and scooters) as well as autos. The roads are two lane, but the drivers turn them into three lanes, with drivers just missing crashed every minute. It is frightening to be on India's highways. I understand that the accident rate is terrible. Next time we go to India the only way we are going on those highways again are in a large bus.
I know that the Golden Triangle normally includes Jaipur. Jaipur is ok but I think if possible avoid it and go to Udaipur instead. There are some wonderful lakes there and I found it less touristy. Agra is quite interesting and the Taj Mahal is certainly not to be missed. If time permits schedule a couple of visits especially at sunset/ and or dawn.