India Group Tours

I would like to find a small, reputable group tour to India. Any ideas?

–Florence, Santa Cruz, Calif.

Geographic Expeditions, an adventure-travel company based in San Francisco, specializes in small-group and private trips all over the world. Group trips rarely exceed 12 people, and various themed trips to India are offered.

The India trips range from "Classic India," which tours either Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Udaipur in Northern India, or Chennai, Mysore, Cochin, and Backwaters in Southern India, to "Walking Village to Village in Sikkim," which is more physically active. Many of the trips are two weeks long and run between $4,000 and $5,000 total. Geographic Expeditions received the World's Top Travel Specialists Award by Condé Nast Traveler in 2008.

Another option, Ibex Expeditions offers "Eco Tours, Adventure Journeys, Cultural Holidays, Luxury & Safari travel" in India. Many adventure options, including hiking, biking, and snow sports, are offered as trip themes. Special-interest options, including spa, cultural, and archeological tours, are also available. National Geographic uses Ibex for their trips, which run in the $4,000 range for about two weeks.