India for the Intimidated

Indiana? No problem. India? Well, that’s a bit more daunting. Planning a trip to the world’s second most populous country can frighten even the smartest of travelers, but fortunately there’s no shortage of India-expert tour operators. If you like local guides and a finely tuned schedule, Picasso Travel sells 21 itineraries through its Ports of India brand. Trips range from the 7-day Golden Triangle (Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra) to the 17-day Land of Tigers, which includes wildlife safaris through three national parks. (Prices start at $1,120, plus transatlantic air; lodging and breakfast included; 888-463-4249.)

Elderhostel offers several India programs, including the 15-day North India: Crossroads of Asia and 16-day South India: History and Culture. North India makes stops in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Udaipur; South India winds through more rural Madras, Pondicherry, and Thanjavur, ending in Mumbai. An Adventures Afloat journey explores India by land, train, and sea; the Road Scholar program has five tours, including A Spiritual Journey Through India, led by religious scholars. (Prices start at $3,779, plus transatlantic air; lodging, most meals, and gratuities included; 877-426-8056.)

Watching an elephant polo match is just one of the many exclusive experiences enjoyed by clients of Greaves Tours. Follow one of Greaves’s suggested itineraries—the family-owned company has been planning travel to the subcontinent for more than three decades—or ask an agent about a personalized itinerary. (Prices start at $4,265, plus transatlantic air; lodging, breakfast, private car, and driver included; 800-318-7801.)

Classic Journeys, a specialist in cultural walking adventures, now offers India—Rajasthan, Tigers & Taj: a 12-day trip blending leisurely walks with visits to traditional sites. You’ll also spend two nights at Ranthambore National Park, the premier Bengal tiger preserve. (Prices start at $6,495, plus internal flights and transatlantic air; lodging and most meals included; 800-200-3887.)

A Portrait of India, from tour-industry veteran Tauck World Discovery, may seem expensive, but the five-star, 18-day trip is all-inclusive, so one price covers almost everything—the tour, internal airfares, hotels, meals, entry fees, and most tips. Visit must-see attractions like Delhi and the Taj Mahal, as well as off-the-beaten-path locales such as Elephanta Island. (Prices start at $9,390, plus transatlantic air; 800-468-2825.)