Experience has taught me to avoid tour operators - much preferring to self explore and prevent being force-fed tourist traps, wasting time having to visit  souvenir shops (where operators will get a cut of tourist money spent) and getting dubious/incorrect information on history/geography etc . Some services (road and rail bookings) from tourHQ were, however, needed on this occasion because of personal time constraints in planning the trip. Needs were kept to a minimum with hotel bookings etc being made directly by myself.  This partial service requirement no doubt contributed to the quality of the service level provided in contrast to a full package and tour.  Services provided by tourHQ were variable but generally OK - although some elementary errors were made and actual contact was most visibly urgent when payment was being sought. 

On the other hand, the services provided by our driver Sanjay Kumar of delhiprivatetours were excellent. He was generally safe (answering mobile phone while driving being a routine exception in India) and reliable and flexible when he realised we did not want to waste time in the obligatory (collaborating?) souvenir shops etc. Instead he effectively responded to our (often obscure) requests and, once he understood these, supplemented them with well informed additional suggestions in constant good humour.  This added considerably to the value of the short trip. He is highly recommended.