I recently took the Gate 1 16-Day Southern India 'Spiritual Culture' tour, and it was one of the best trips I've ever had. The itinerary was great. Srini, our guide, was exceptional-informative, attentive, and incredibly kind. From sharing insights on India's history and culture to making sure every personal need was met, he made the journey unforgettable.

Just returned from Nepal and Bhutan. It was a wonderful trip. All was perfect. However, I would like to commend specifically our Nepalese Guide AVASH. He was more than wonderful. Attentive, considerate, knowledgeable, caring. He would ask each one of us if we were comfortable, if all was ok, if we needed anything. To help us understand the Nepalese culture, he would give us examples of his own life, his own family and this was so valuable. It helped us understand much better the dynamics of the country and how it functions on a smaller and bigger scale. In fact, of all the tour leaders I have had with Gate1, he was the best.

I really enjoyed the tour. Especially the tour manager Seema was excellent. She communicated very well and precisely. She was very knowledgeable about the histories of the sites and places we visited. She was very helpful. I was very glad to have her as our tour manager.

My trip was fantastic and I have booked another one for October. Shael was an outstanding tour manager, he was a perfect combination of knowledge, experience, expertise and fun. I felt safe as a solo traveler and would highly recommend him to your company! He made the trip even more enjoyable!!

Excellent! Sri Lanka is a gem. Amazing tour guide, Indika was caring and professional. Congratulations Gate 1 you have an amazing destination.

Great trip! Our trip director, Shyam, was amazing. Patient, fun, knowledgeable and highly professional.

It was Fantastic! You need to go! Shailendra was the best tour manager.

Indeed we just returned from an 8 days Mythical Bhutan Discovery Tour, and it left a deep impression on us with its amazing landscapes, nature preservation efforts, and the harmonious coexistence of people and animals. Our outstanding Tour Manager Leki was extremely knowledgeable, always kind, patient, fun, and easy going. Chorten our driver, was helpful, kept the bus spic and span and skillfully navigated the winding mountain terrain each day getting us to each destination smoothly and safely, last but not least, Norbu the assistant was always there for us with a big smile, tended to all our needs from getting our luggage from one location to another and assisted us with all our mobility challenges. The three of them form a stellar team! We were very well taken care of and felt like we were part of their family. We had many marvelous moments during our 8 days journey from the feel inside the majestic Punakha Dzong, the heavenly tranquil Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery at 1300 metres to the surprising exquisite picnic lunch they have prepared for us at Kuensel Phodrang nature park (after the hike at Dordenma Buddha mountain). It was beyond the call of duties when we were hiking the spiritual Tiger's Nest Monastery, they carried our bags, our extra jackets and bottles of water, while extended their hands/shoulders/arms for us to keep our balance as the routes are rocky and sandy. We would not be able to successfully completed our hike without them. The hotels' selection and the authentic Bhutanese food were superb, especially the national dish of chili cheese and ginger cinnamon tea!!! I teared up on the last day as the week flew by in a blink of an eye. Brief as it may, the heart warming experience that Leki and his team courteously extended to us had changed our perspective of life. We see beauty in simplicity and simplicity in itself is deep with gratefulness. Once again a huge thanks to Leki , Chorten and Norbu for being such wonderful hosts and ambassadors for their awe inspiring country. Kudos to Gate 1 for having such outstanding Tour Manager Leki and his team who put in their best efforts to ensure we had a wonderful and safe experience in Bhutan. They are your assets. We give you a 12 out of 10 stars. We highly commend you to all our family and friends. As we say in Bhutanese Namey Samey Kadrin Chhe La, Shu lay log jay gae in other word Thank you very much for an amazing life altering experience and see you later.

Viney and Avash were terrific tour leaders! So good at offering insights about the country and the people. Very aware of the travelers' energy levels, good pacing to keep us on track but not wear us out. These guys worked so hard to be sure we were safe, entertained, healthy, and having fun. Highest recommendations on both these guides! They were super, and I and my travel companion were both impressed by the quality of this Gate 1 tour. We would absolutely travel with you again.

Our trip to India and Nepal can only be described as a 'festival of the senses'! While we were initially overwhelmed with the sheer volume of people, animals, noise, aromas and different food offerings, we soon became fascinated by how it all worked harmoniously. Our guide Parikshit was beyond amazing and his historical and cultural knowledge top notch. He is a true asset for Gate1. This trip was incredible!

We had a fantastic time in India! Thank you for providing top-notch tour and tour guide Seema!

I would like to commend Rebecca for her tour Manager expertise . She was considerate of all of our needs, as we were all very different. She showed us the love she has for her country, India, while respecting each of her group and their needs. She has a loving heart and willingness to help all of us. She is a dear person that should receive exceptional recognition .

Our tour was great. Our guide, Bhanu, was excellent. He is a special guide. He has great knowledge of Indian history and culture. Also, he goes out of his way to make our tour better and help when we need assistance. The bus drivers were great, considering the terrible traffic in India. Regarding the high points of our trip, the Taj Mahal and flight to see Mt. Everest were the high points of the trip.

The trip was awesome! This was the first group trip and we enjoyed everything: how it was organized, itinerary, quality of tours, accommodations, food, transportation. The people on the trip were wonderful. Special thanks to our tour guide Parik. He was amazing: very knowledgeable, helpful and had great sense of humor. He has very good leadership and people management skills and could handle any situation during the trip. Overall we had a good time and will be back.

We have taken 20 or so trips with Gate1 and we can honestly say that no tour manager has been as knowledgeable and passionate about their home country as Jairaj is about his. He simply loves talking about India and its proud history and we learned so much from him. Plus, he was able to resolve many travel problems that we and our fellow travelers experienced along the way. And he always maintained a pleasant and courteous manner about him. 10/10! We can't imagine a better tour manager. Do whatever you can to keep him!

My husband and I just returned from the Sri Lankan trip. We have completed the survey but would like to make an additional comment regarding the Tour Manager, Richard, the Driver Aravinda, and the assistant, Janaka. My husband and I are seasoned travelers, so we are very aware of the impact the manager, driver and where applicable, on the day-to-day operations of the trip. On this journey we were blessed to have this trio of fine men. We were greeted each day with genuine smiles. Janaka handed each woman a different flower every day. The driver and assistant worked very well together and became part of our group. All three should be commended.

Another great trip from Gate 1! Sri Lanka exceeded our expectations with beautiful scenery, great foods, and friendly people. Can't wait to join Gate1 for Sri Lanka northern adventure. Thank you, Shyam, Liya, and Rowan for the superb job in taking care of our group!

Our guide, Shyam, was outstanding. He did a wonderful job of blending historical information with personal anecdotes that made Sri Lanka come alive. He was reassuring when necessary, safety conscious as needed, communicative and supportive. It was a pleasure to get to know him.

Our tour guide, Indika, was perhaps the most knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful guide we have ever had on any tour.

Our tour guide, Viney went "over and above" to give us a safe, enriching, positive traveling experience in India. He was organized, attentive, knowledgeable, and had a great sense of humor. Our group of 6 had a wonderful trip.

My trip to Southern India...A Spiritual Culture was the best trip ever. This trip has an outstanding itinerary that allowed me to understand the way of life of the people who live there. All the sites, activities, food, and accommodations were great. Our tour manager, Raj, was outstanding and added to our experience. He went out of his way to make sure that all of us had personal experiences with the people and the culture. I have had some great tour managers before, but Raj was the best. He went above and beyond with all activities. Our driver Roger and assistant Gopi were also wonderful. Thank you Gate 1 for this wonderful experience. It was truly outstanding!

We loved our 47th amazing trip with Gate 1 to Sri Lanka! Our excellent tour manager, Eranga, was very organized and extremely patient with all of us and kept everyone on time. The highlights of our tour for me was the visit to the local school sponsored by Gate 1 Foundation and listening to the students sing and even a bonus dance number by the little girls, plus the climb up to Sigiriya where the top view was simply superb but listening to the history made it feel alive to be in such a wonderful place. Overall, another beautiful experience and memorable adventure courtesy of Gate 1.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Southern India trip. Srini, our Tour Manager, was very knowledgeable, organized, patient, and accommodating throughout the tour. He even gave us a short recap of the past day's activities before informing us of what to expect of the current day. I learned so much about India's history, culture and religion. He made sure we were safe and comfortable throughout our travels. Sultan, our driver, and Raheem, the assistant, were very helpful and friendly. Srini was a multitasker - guiding throughout, taking pictures, and organizing all the accommodations. and always present in answering all our needs. He even had a Laughing Yoga to start our day. It also helped that everyone in the group was very nice! This tour is one trip I will treasure for a long time!

Just got home from Southern India trip! It was amazing. Raj was an amazing tour guide! He was spot on. We did so much and he was so knowledgeable and kind. My 10th- gate 1 and never disappoints!

The Tour Director Who Made India Etched on Our Mind . WE joined the Gate 1 India-Nepal tour from November 13 to December 2, 2025, and while India itself is stunning, chaotic, spiritual, colorful, and completely unforgettable... nothing-and I mean nothing-compared to having Jimmy as our tour director. This man isn't just good at his job. He's a once-in-a-lifetime, "we'll-tell-our-grandkids-about-him" kind of guide. From the moment he greeted us, Jimmy felt like the friend we didn't know we needed. He had us laughing within five minutes, and somehow kept us laughing for the entire three weeks-even at 5 a.m. wake-up calls, which should honestly be impossible. His love for India is genuine and contagious. He didn't just show us the sights-he shared the spirit, the culture, the humour, the humanity. Whether we were standing before the Taj Mahal, wandering through noisy, chaotic yet tremendously colorful markets, or marveling at palaces that made us feel like royalty, Jimmy brought every moment to life. And the way he cared for each of us-checking in, offering help, remembering our little quirks and needs-was something I'll never forget. He made us feel safe in a country that loves beautiful chaos, and he made us feel welcome every step of the way. By the end of the tour, saying goodbye wasn't just emotional-it felt like leaving behind a dear friend who made our journey brighter, deeper, and infinitely memorable. Gate 1, if you're reading this: protect Jimmy at all costs. Future travelers: if Jimmy is your tour director, congratulations-you've just won the tour-guide lottery. And Jimmy: thank you for giving us not just a trip, but a memory we'll cherish forever.

The trip was fantastic. Great tour guide: Indika. Terrific group. Highly enjoyed this trip and I am looking forward to my next adventures with G1 and Discovery

Fantastic trip! I had a wonderful time travelling with G1 to Sri Lanka. G1 made sure that I had a safe, yet exciting experience. Indika was an amazing tour guide, and he brought positive energy. I appreciated Indika's sense of humor, knowledge, and passion. I would gladly travel with G1 again!

I just returned from the 9-day Golden triangle tour of India, which was an amazing trip thanks to Bhanu, our driver Durga, and assistant Derindar. They made an exceptional team. They made me feel safe, cared for, and were attentive to everyone's needs on the tour. Gate 1 couldn't ask for better people to represent their company than these 3 individuals. Thank you to these men for making this a trip of a lifetime.

Just wanted to give extra kudos to our tour manager: Raj. He went over the top to assure our tour was excellent. I know Gate 1 doesn't let who are the tour guides when booking, but if you did, I'd be signing up for everything he offers! Our drive Deva and assistant Prince were also excellent and made sure we safe and well cared for.

I recently completed Gate One's Spiritual Tour of South India, and I want to express my deep appreciation for the excellent way in which Stalin and his crew treated our group with such professionalism and sincere care. He is the consummate tour guide, effectively educating and entertaining the group while also keeping us comfortable and safe -- a most formidable task that he does with such grace that he makes it look easy! My three travel friends and I greatly enjoyed and appreciated his many entertaining and enlightening stories about India. Stalin gave me a greater understanding and appreciation of India, and for that I am so grateful. I also appreciate how he created a harmonious and committed atmosphere within the group that made the whole trip such an enjoyable, enlightening experience!

This was the BEST Gate 1 trip that I have taken! The reason for this is our Tour Manager, Manu! He went above and beyond helping, organizing, scheduling and managing any of our group and individual needs, he was ALWAYS available and we never felt like he was not available to help. Excellent, excellent, Tour Manager!

I just completed the Golden Triangle of India and with Nepal. I wanted to provide some additional feedback. My travel partner and I both felt that our tour guide Shailendra was absolutely amazing. He was one of the most organized and knowledgeable tour guides we have ever used. He managed a large group with multiple personalities with ease. He was extremely knowledgeable regarding our location and was always willing to assist. I would HIGHLY recommend utilizing him for future trips.

Just wanted to add that tour leader/manager Alok was outstanding. He managed all the practicalities, but I think he was outstandingly knowledgeable about all aspects of India. I particularly enjoyed his conversations with me (and others) during dinners or lunches which really increased my knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the country.

Had a fantastic trip to Nepal and Bhutan. Outstanding tour guides. We all fell in love with Bhutan and how Arun shared his love for his country and life in the Buddhist country. We met school children over dinner. Our time was cut by one day due to weather conditions. Arun made every effort to make sure we didn't miss out on our itinerary . We didn't want to leave this beautiful country of peace and harmony.

I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed my most recent Gate 1 trip, the 11 Day Himalayan Walking Tour of Nepal. This is one of the best trips I have ever taken, and not only because of the beautiful scenery. This was a well-planned trip, with really nice hotels and good restaurants. It was a great opportunity to not just observe the culture but to be part of it through the hikes through remote villages, local restaurants, temples, and tours through Nepal. But I really believe it was our guide, Deepak, that took the tour to the next level. His knowledge of the country, the people, the local customs and beliefs, was shared so that we understood what we were seeing and experiencing. The information and extra experiences he gave us made this a very special trip.

Seema was an outstanding tour guide. She was extremely knowledgeable about the sites we visited and about the history of India in general. Further, she was extremely organized and very approachable and friendly. Of all the accommodations on this trip, my favorite, by far, was the Bal Samand Palace & Garden Retreat. Taking in the fantastic room, the beauty of the grounds, the horses, and the high tea, I appreciated being able to spend extra time there.

We have been on over 10 Gate 1 trips. Our tour managers for the Nepal/Bhutan Small Group Tour were exceptional. Anil and Leki have to be on top for being the best managers who helped us appreciate their countries so well. The entire trip was just fabulous. Anil had the personality that just meshed with everyone. I was extremely grateful to him when I had an urgent unexpected urgent medical situation and he was able to get me the medication I needed before we flew to the next city. Leki loves his country and was also so knowledgeable. He was able to share so much with us. The hotels and the meals were very good. The tour managers helped make this trip one of our most memorable. Thank you Gate 1 for hiring such outstanding people and organizing things so incredibly well. That's why we keep using your services.

I have visited over 55 countries and this trip was among the best we have experienced. Our guide, accommodations and sight seeing were fabulous. I have only good things to say about our trip to India.

Our trip was amazing! Al was not only informative and entertaining, he was kind and accommodating to the many different people and personalities in the group. He assisted us gracefully with many of cultural differences that would've been otherwise impossible to navigate. He was patience, knowledgeable and otherwise diplomatic. India was on the top of my list to visit and the tour did not disappoint in any way!

My husband and I were delighted to visit India for our fourth time. The 16-day "Heart of India" tour has become our favorite experience. Our group was small, with just 12 companions. Our guide, Stalin, is deeply passionate about his country and has extensive knowledge of history, culture, archaeology, and architecture. He is truly a gem! His stories added a special flavor to our overall experience. If you're seeking an extraordinary travel destination, I highly recommend this trip. A helpful tip: among our five Indian safaris, Nagarhole was the only one where we saw a tiger, a Guar and stunning tuskers! P.S. The safari accommodations and food at The Serai Kabili were superb! Enjoy!

I want to post this review for the 16 Day Heart of South India trip. My wife and I recently came home from our 3rd Gate 1 trip to India. This trip from Bengaluru to Mumbai was absolutely outstanding. Our guide, Stalin V. was the best we have ever had, and we have been on many Gate 1 trips. The temples, palaces, accommodations, and minibus all exceeded our expectations. Finally, after 6 Nepal, Sri Lanka, and India safari's we saw a Tiger! Well, it was sleeping! This was also our best safari ever. We saw a majestic Indian Gaur (Bison) and had an old male Elephant in musk give our safari jeep a bit of a scare. The historic nature of Hoysala, Hampi, Badami Caves were truly inspiring. Our driver and assistant were, as usual, superb. Frankly, we were surprised at the quality of food. The best we have ever had in India. It was a joy and pleasure to have Stalin educated us, tell funny stories and just be Stalin!!

Great tour of three cities of India especially with Al who showed great patience and concern for all. I don't think there could be a better tour manager and guide than Al.

It is a beautiful hotel, has beautiful gardens, is in a historic location (old palace), and has one of the best restaurants in the city (the Chimney - which we went to 3 times as the food was amazing and priced so reasonable). It is also really close to the royal palace, the Garden of Dreams and shopping. The people there were amazing with their readiness to be of assistance and great attitudes. It would be a shame if future travelers would not get to experience this hotel. Also, both Arun and Anub were excellent tour guides, and Arun was wonderful in letting us experience additional things not on the itinerary - such as watching archery with the locals and then having an archery experience at the last hotel in Bhutan. Arun and the driver Landkin were also wonderful during the hikes when they watched out for us while hiking and helping us carry some items. They were really an amazing team in Bhutan. Also loved the performance with dancing and masks given after our first hike in Bhutan, which was one of the highlights of our trip.

All I can say is, WOW!!! This is probably my 15th Gate 1 trip and it never disappoints. Excellent accommodations, the best travel companions, and the most incredible, knowledgeable and organized tour manager. Gate 1 is incredible and I a promoter, I tell everyone about Gate 1. I am scheduled for the Southern India tour in September and I am looking forward to it. Thank you so much for offering many tours at an incredible price.

I had the privilege of taking the 16-day Heart of Southern India tour with Gate One in April, and it was truly one of the most incredible travel experiences of my life. Our guide, Stalin, was nothing short of extraordinary. His deep knowledge, heartfelt storytelling, and genuine passion for the region brought every destination to life. He shared powerful, moving stories that made us feel deeply connected to the places we visited and the people we met. The itinerary was thoughtfully curated, filled with fascinating historical sites, vibrant temples, and cultural experiences that offered a true taste of Southern India. But what made this trip unforgettable were the moments beyond the itinerary-the spontaneous chai invitations, the warm smiles from locals, and the genuine curiosity and kindness we encountered in every village and town. Stalin went above and beyond to ensure we had a meaningful experience, and our driver, Sultan, was equally wonderful-skilled, kind, and always ready with a smile. My favorite parts of the trip were the visits to small towns and rural villages, where we learned inspiring stories and gained a deeper appreciation for the region's rich history and traditions. This was my second trip to South India with Gate One, and I can confidently say it won't be my last. South India has a way of stealing your heart, and thanks to this incredible journey, mine is forever touched.