Escorted & Package Tours

Packages for the Independent Traveler

Package tours (not to be confused with escorted tours) are simply a way to buy the airfare, accommodations, and other elements of your trip (such as car rentals, airport transfers, and sometimes even activities) at the same time and often at discounted prices.

One good source of package deals is the airlines themselves. Most major airlines offer air/land packages, including Continental Airlines Vacations (tel. 800/301-3800; www.covacations.com) and Virgin (www.virginholidays.co.uk), Several big online travel agencies -- Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Site59, and Lastminute.com -- also do a brisk business in packages.

Recommended Operators for Package & Adventure Tours

If you're happy to pay good money for a very well-organized deluxe tailored tour, Abercrombie & Kent (www.abercrombiekent.com) are the masters, not only choosing the most expensive accommodations options, but the best (there is often a difference!). The company also specializes in putting together trekking trips and packages that tap into India's great wildlife resources -- in comfort, of course. The only drawback is that always traveling in style can cocoon you from the raw experiences that make India such a memorable experience. For this, consider a tour that includes houseboat and private homestays in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Haryana on tours organized by Colours of India (www.colours-of-india.co.uk); the selection is very exciting. Another Indian stalwart is Cox & Kings (www.coxandkings.com) who, like Abercrombie & Kent, work hard to create a really relaxing top-end holiday (rather than the hard work that India can be), tailor-made to personal preferences. Another good upmarket agency, specializing in customized travel itineraries, is Western & Oriental (www.westernoriental.com).

A highly recommended option if you're traveling on a budget (or even if you have money to burn) is Raj Singh, proprietor of Exotic Journeys, who arranges tailor-made tours throughout India -- you can literally contact him and tell him your area of interest and a daily limit, and he will come up with the goods (2 weeks in Rajasthan, Agra, Delhi: upwards of $150/£75 per person per day including accommodations, entry fees, and private car and driver!). Contact him at exotic@vsnl.net or at tel. 011/2612-4069 through -4072.

A U.S.-based travel agency specializing in India is United Fairfax Travel/Manaca Travel and Tours (9864 Main St., Fairfax, VA; tel. 703/591-3544; vnegi@ufxtravel.com). Owned by Vinod Negi, this very professional outfit is able to plan a comprehensive itinerary and make all travel arrangements. Vinod is also extremely flexible; once you're on the road, any changes you want made are dealt with efficiently. Vinod deals directly with local agency India Travelite, located at 50H, Vandhna Building 11, Tolstoy Marg, New Delhi. Audley Travel (www.audleytravel.com) is a recommended U.K.-based outfit that tailors tours to suit your need.

Another reliable local operator is Sita World Travel for both individually tailored and escorted tours (www.sitaindia.com). Goa-based Odyssey Tours & Travels is also a highly dependable agent that arranges individual and customized tours all over India; they also run The Imaginative Traveller's India operations (www.imaginative-traveller.com), which you can join directly through any of their offices. E-mail Odyssey's director Hans Tuinman at res@odyssey.co.in.

Special Interest Tours

Cooking -- Those looking for a cooking holiday can get their aprons and bathing suits out and head to Goa where On the Go organizes a variety of special-interest holidays (www.onthegotours.com).

Hiking/Adventure -- If you're specifically looking for an agent for trekking, try Himalayan Kingdoms (www.himalayankingdoms.com) or Trans Indus Travel (www.transindus.co.uk), although the latter's itineraries are not limited to outdoor excursions. Steppes East Ltd. (www.steppeseast.co.uk) is another reputable option; they let you conveniently create your personal itinerary online. Other Himalayan trekking outfits are Mountain Travel/Sobek (www.mtsobek.com), Geographic Expeditions (www.geoex.com), and Adventure Center (www.adventurecenter.com); the latter two also have general adventure expeditions.

On Horse, Elephant, or Camelback -- Wilderness Travel (www.wildernesstravel.com) specializes in Rajasthan camel safaris and elephant expeditions. Equine Adventures organizes riding holidays in Rajasthan (www.equineadventures.co.uk).

Diving -- For diving adventures in Lakshadweep, take a look at the packages offered on www.diveworldwide.com.

Wildlife/Birding -- Wildlife enthusiasts can check on the numerous options for group bird- and wildlife-watching trips from Naturetrek (www.naturetrek.co.uk). For small, high-end, exotic bird-watching tours of India, look no further than Victor Emanuel Nature Tours (www.ventbird.com), based in Austin, Texas; the tours are usually sold out as soon as they come online. Victor often includes the "Palace on Wheels," a weeklong journey through Rajasthan (including Agra) in a luxury train.

Motorbike Safaris -- Motorbike safaris are increasingly popular; if you can handle the fabulous Enfield motorbike, get in touch with Peter Santos (info@classic-bike-india-de), and he'll put together an itinerary.

Escorted General-Interest Tours

Escorted tours are structured group tours, with a group leader. The price usually includes everything from airfare to hotels, meals, tours, admission costs, and local transportation.

Despite the fact that escorted tours require big deposits and predetermine hotels, restaurants, and itineraries, many people derive security and peace of mind from the structure they offer. Escorted tours -- whether they're navigated by bus, motor coach, train, or boat -- let travelers sit back and enjoy the trip without having to drive or worry about details. They take you to the maximum number of sights in the minimum amount of time with the least amount of hassle. They're particularly convenient for people with limited mobility and they can be a great way to make new friends.

On the downside, you'll have little opportunity for serendipitous interactions with locals. The tours can be jam-packed with activities, leaving little room for individual sightseeing, whim, or adventure -- plus they often focus on the heavily touristed sites, so you miss out on many a lesser-known gem.

Dagmar von Harryegg is based in Australia but is passionate about India, particularly the desert states of Rajasthan and Gujarat, where she has developed an extensive network of contacts and friends, from elephant mahouts to reclusive princes. She offers personally tailored special-interest trips (anything from yoga or bird-watching to Bollywood and/or classical dance lessons) for a maximum of eight travelers -- preferably friends, thereby ensuring a flexible timetable "cruising in wonderfully old-fashioned Ambassador limousines with overnight stays in off-the-beaten-track destinations." She also arranges large Hindi-style traditional weddings for couples looking for a really memorable nuptial celebration. Most trips take off in Delhi and can include a visit to the Taj Mahal. For information, contact Dagmar at dagmarvh@tpg.com.au.

For midrange and budget tours, U.K.-based Imaginative Traveller is popular for its mid-range-priced escorted tours (www.imaginative-traveller.com).

One of India's foremost tourism operators, Sita World Travel (called SOTC in some places) is represented throughout the length and breadth of India. Sita offers a wide range of tours to cover a range of budgets and interests. These include sightseeing trips and excursions to India's top attractions, as well as soft-adventure and special-interest tours that can really get you off the beaten track (www.e-holidaysindia.com).