12 Reasons to choose a small group tour in India

I’ve just returned from the G Adventures Golden Triangle Tour, and it exceeded all my expectations. For me, it was the perfect introduction to this unique and colourful country. Over eight action-packed days, I travelled to Agra, Jaipur and Dhula Village, in a loop from Delhi. It may only have been one week, but it felt like the trip of a lifetime. 

Here are a few reasons to choose a small group in India:

1. Hit all the highlights 

With a small group tour, you can cover a massive amount of ground in a short amount of time. In just eight days, we managed to see a handful of the true highlights of Rajasthan, such as the Amber Fort in Jaipur, the spice bazaar in Old Delhi, and, of course, The Taj Mahal. The journeys in between these destinations were adventures in themselves, and we got a real glimpse into local life along the way.

2. Enjoy a stress-free adventure 

Small group travel offers adventure with a safety net. It's so reassuring to have all your accommodation and logistics arranged for you, so you can sit back and enjoy the ride. A huge amount of thought is put into the creation of these tours, and your CEO (Chief Exploration Officer) will be there to support you every step of the way. The guides have years of experience in leading small groups, so they’ll know how to handle anything that might crop up.

3. Meet like-minded travellers 

Whether you’re a solo traveller or not, small group tours are a great way to meet fellow explorers with similar interests. In many cases, they’ll become friends for life! Everyone had their own reasons for choosing India, so everyone had a story to tell. Our group consisted of six different nationalities - Irish, American, Australian, English, Kiwi, Swiss – and several of us kept in touch. Their company helped to make the trip amazing!

4. Travel like a local 

With G Adventures, you’ll experience travelling like a local, rather than being kept at arm’s length from reality of daily life. During the tour, we travelled by public bus, bicycle, taxi and rickshaw. It was a really great way to feel part of the craziness of India at ground level and we met some very friendly drivers along the way. At the same time, we put much-needed money into the pockets of the people on the ground.

5. Enjoy plenty of free time 

Small group tours aren’t about being herded every moment of every day. There will be plenty of free time for you to independently, and your guide will point you in the right direction by explaining the easiest way to get from A to B. Head for the local market, try some traditional street food or head for a bar. Your guide will be able to give you inside tips to help you make the most of your free time.

6. Give back to the community 

What separates G Adventures from its competitors is the amount that it gives back to the local communities and educates travellers about the issues facing local people. You’ll visit each destination in a way that benefits both you and the community. It’s a win-win! 

In Delhi, rather than participating in questionable 'Slum Tourism', we took a walk with a former street kid, learned his story and heard about the organisation that saved his life. G Adventures gives $50,000 to Salaam Baalak, a trust that supports street children in India every year, as well as the cost of each tour. 

Equally, when we arrived in India, we were transferred from the airport by a charitable organisation called Women with Wheels, which aims to empower disadvantaged local women. In a patriarchal society like India, this is a really important step towards equality. The women provide safe transfers for travellers and families in Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata and Indore. It’s inspiring stuff.

7. Get off the beaten track 

If you choose a small group tour in India, you’ll be able to step away from the hustle and bustle of city life and get off the beaten track. On the Golden Triangle tour, we ventured into rural Rajasthan for a truly unique glamping stay set in the grounds of the owner, which have been in his family for over 250 years. During our visit, we explored the village on foot and by bike, meeting the locals along the way. We even enjoyed a cup of masala chai tea prepared in a family home.

8. Opt for extra space 

If you’re a single traveller on a G Adventures tour, by default you’ll share a room with a fellow same-sex traveller of a similar age (unless you’re travelling with a partner/friend/sibling). However, many of the trips also offer the opportunity to upgrade to a solo room for a reasonable cost. If you would prefer not to share, you can pay a little extra for a room of your own, giving you more personal privacy during the tour. It’s completely up to you!

9. Choose your own travel style 

There’s a huge range of G Adventures tours on offer, in a variety of travel styles. There are Classic tours, 18-to-thirty-something tours, National Geographic Journeys, The Geluxe Collection and more. The world really is your oyster, and you’re bound to find the perfect travel style for you. 

In India, the Golden Triangle tour is a ‘Classic tour’, which features comfortable tourist-class accommodation of around the 3-star level. All the accommodation was clean, central, and full of local character. If you’re looking for a more upgraded experience, you can opt for a Geluxe tour or National Geographic tour. These styles offer premium hotels, expert-guided tours, and top-notch service levels.

10. Discover hidden hotspots 

On a G Adventures tour, you’ll quickly find that your CEO (guide) is a real treasure trove of local knowledge. The guides know all the best restaurants, hidden gems, safe street food stalls and atmospheric bars and cafes. You’ll get invaluable information that you simply wouldn't get from exploring independently, and their recommendations will take your trip to the next level. 

11. Get real value for money 

Small group adventure tours are incredibly good value for money, even if you choose to upgrade to your own room. It’s hard to describe how much bang you get for your buck. You’ll see and do a huge amount in a short time and learn an incredible amount along the way. In many ways, you’ll come back richer than before! Even better, you’ll be enriching the local community too.

12. Add exciting extras 

Most G Adventure tours offer you the chance to add some eye-opening extra activities at an additional cost. You can pick and choose which activities to try, depending on your own interest and budget. On the Golden Triangle tour, we could add a hot air balloon flight over Jaipur, a local cooking class in a family home, or a cycling tour through the heart of the city.

My final thoughts about India

I believe that travelling with G Adventures is the perfect way to get a taste of India for first-time visitors. Even for well-travelled people, India can feel overwhelming, and the tour really helped me to find my feet. I am already itching to explore more of India, from the backwaters of Kerala to the Himalayas of the far north, and now I have the confidence to do it. With India, I really feel like I've discovered a whole different world, and yet I’ve only just scratched the surface.

Ready to book a small group tour in India? 

We can book G Adventures tours of all shapes and sizes, from Classic trips to National Geographic Journeys and Active adventures. We’ll help you find the perfect small group tour and build the rest of your trip around it. Simply get in touch with us on 1273 320 580, or send us a quote request by email. 

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