Tours » Tours are available all over India, run by tourist offices, local transport companies and travel agencies. Organised tours can be an inexpensive way to see several places on one trip, although you rarely get much time at each place. If you arrange a tailormade tour, you’ll have more freedom about where you go and how long you stay. » Drivers may double as guides, or you can hire a qualified local guide for a fee. In tourist towns, be wary of touts claiming to be professional guides (see p1157). See the Tours section in the regional chapters for details about local tours. For information on treks and tours see p33.
International Tour Agencies
Many international companies offer tours to India, from straightforward sightseeing
trips to adventure tours and activity-based holidays. To find current tours that match your interests, quiz travel agents and surf the web. Some good places to start your tour hunt: Dragoman (www.dragoman. com) One of several reputable overland tour companies offering trips in customised vehicles. Exodus (www.exodustravels. co.uk) A wide array of specialist trips, including tours with a holistic, wildlife and adventure focus. India Wildlife Tours (www.india-wildlife-tours.com) All sorts of wildlife tours, plus jeep, horse or camel safaris and birdwatching. Indian Encounter (www.indianencounters.com) Special-interest tours that include wildlife spotting, river-rafting and ayurvedic treatments. Intrepid Travel (www.intrepidtravel.com) Endless possibilities, from wildlife tours to sacred rambles. Peregrine Adventures (www.peregrine.net.au) Popular cultural and trekking tours. Sacred India Tours (www.sacredindia.com) Includes tours with a holistic focus such as yoga and ayurveda, as well as architectural and cultural tours. Shanti Travel (www.shanti travel.com) A range of tours including Family and Adventure run by a Franco-Indian team. World Expeditions (www.worldexpeditions.com. au) An array of options that includes trekking and cycling tours.
Train Travelling by train is a quintessential Indian experience. Trains offer a smoother ride than buses and are especially recommended for long journeys that include overnight
travel. India’s rail network is one of the largest and busiest in the world and Indian Railways is the largest utility employer on earth, with roughly 1.5 million workers. There are around 6900 train stations scattered across the country. We’ve listed useful trains throughout this book but there are hundreds more services. The best way of sourcing updated railway information is to use relevant internet sites such as Indian Railways (www. indianrail.gov.in) and the useful www.seat61.com/ India.htm. There’s also Trains at a Glance (₹35), available at many train station bookstands and better bookshops/newsstands, but it’s published annually so it’s not as up to date as websites. Nevertheless, it offers comprehensive timetables covering all the main lines.
Booking Tickets in India
You can either book tickets through a travel agency or hotel (for a commission) or in person at the train station. Big stations often have English-speaking staff who can help with choosing the best train. At smaller stations, midlevel officials such as the deputy stationmaster usually speak English. It’s also worth approaching tourist-office staff if you need advice about booking tickets, deciding train classes etc. The nationwide railways enquiries number is %139. For information on the ins and outs of booking tickets from outside India and recommended websites for booking tickets online see p31. AT THE STATION
Get a reservation slip from the information window, fill in the name of the departure station, destination station, the class you want to travel and the name and number of the train. Join the long queue for the ticket window where
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fares – see regional chapters for routes and fares. » Although nominally designed for five to six passengers, most shared jeeps squeeze in many more. The seats beside and immediately behind the driver are more expensive than the cramped bench seats at the rear. » Jeeps only leave when full; people often bail out of a half-full jeep and pile into one with more passengers that is ready to depart. Drivers will leave immediately if you pay for all the empty seats. » Jeeps run from jeep stands and ‘passenger stations’ at the junctions of major roads; ask locals to point you in the right direction. » In some states, jeeps are known as ‘sumos’ after the Tata Sumo, a popular jeep. » Travel sickness, particularly on winding mountain roads, may mean you are asked to give up your window seat to queasy fellow passengers.