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.

OMG, the trip was amazing! I can't say enough good things about it! From the Tour Leader (Stalin) to the driver (Sultan) to the hotels, places to see, organization of the sites to see, not to mention the people on the tour! Everyone was sweet and fun and ready to do anything--from Henna tattoos to riding in a bullock cart.

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.

Thank you. The tour of Nepal and Bhutan was absolutely wonderful. The guides were great and I learned so much about both countries

I just wanted to take an additional opportunity to say how wonderful it was to have Sameer as a tour guide during our trip to the Golden Triangle. Sameer was very attentive to the guests and made the experience educational and fun. He was also very supportive of the locals and showed his love for his country, which is so important when speaking with groups about traditions and cultural experiences. He took every opportunity to show us new things that were not necessarily included in the package and made this the best tour guided trip I have ever been on. I have visited over 25 countries over the years and Sameer is hands down the best guide I have ever had. My husband and I cannot wait to book our next Gate 1 experience.

I just completed my trip survey, but I would like to single out my tour manager in Nepal, Avash. I have been on about a dozen Gate 1 tours now, and Avash stands out as one of the kindest and most exceptional tour managers I've had. He is remarkable for his kindness, his sincerity, his attentiveness and his knowledge. He has outstanding follow-through. When asked a question, he'd write it down and ensure that he responded with an answer. Avash was the face of Nepal, and as a result, I had a wonderful experience in the country. He deserves commendation for doing an excellent job with our group.

We had an amazing time! The sites were spectacular, and we had the most amazing game drives of a lifetime! Our Tour manager, Jimmy, was just the best! I cannot say enough good about him. He was on top of everything and kept the tour moving in a good way. I just have so much I can say that it is positive! The food was great, I never felt short changed or wanting more. The bus was comfortable and safe, and the driver Predeep and assistant Ravi were professional yet kind and talkative when appropriate.

We have travelled on many Gate1 trips (over 20) and have had excellent experiences. This last trip (9-day Golden Triangle) was totally amazing due our tour guide Al. He was kind, knowledgeable, organized, and kept us TOTALLY safe at all times. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was so helpful in meeting our individual needs. We are so grateful to have had him as our tour guide.

This was my first Gate1 tour & I shall certainly sign up again. Our tour guide Indika was superb. He was wonderfully equipped to answer all our questions, and he had great stories-personal and historical of Sri Lanka-which made our bus trips very entertaining. Thankfully we were a merry group of only 13 so corralling us & keeping us on time was simple but Indika still made it easy to want to do as he requested, promptly & with a big smile. This tour guide is definitely A KEEPER.

South India spiritual trip was excellent I had a great time and experience lots of good thing. The food was excellent. On Top travel with Rajesh was a made trip Wonderful and joyful. Rajesh is very friendly, knowledgeable and very caring. He was a great person who made everyone happy. The celebration of the Holi festival was a wonderful surprise, and we enjoyed it a lot. Staying in resorts, group company, food , music, boat ride, temple made trip excellent. Especially with Rajesh everything went well.

My trip through India and Nepal was wonderful Kapil ( our main guide ) is one of the best storytellers I have ever had. It is a gift. Super knowledgeable, but he also knows how to impart that knowledge in interesting great stories. Beautiful hotels, wonderful experiences, and learned much. Thank you!

Fantastic trip with our absolutely wonderful tour guide Eranga! He was so kind and well organized and made our first trip to Sri Lanka an amazing experience.

I have done over a dozen Trips with Gate 1 and this Trip to INDIA w/RANTHAMBORE NAT'L PARK is now one of my Very Favorite Trips !!! Our Leader, Jimmy, was just wonderful & very knowledgeable. His Assistant & our Driver were also great. The 3 of them made such a good team. All the Hotels were outstanding - lovely accommodations, the best service & delicious food.

The trip to India and Nepal was wonderful! We had an excellent visit. While going to India was my friend, Diana's, idea, I'm so glad I went along! It was such a treat to experience so much of India's culture--the sights were beautiful, the hotels very comfortable, and the food delicious. Seeing the Taj Mahal was truly amazing! And our tour director, Sheilendra, was EXCELLENT! I am so impressed by the knowledge of Gate 1 tour directors. Definitely the trip of a lifetime!

My trip was incredible. We had the best time. Saw so much and learned so much from our tour manager Alok. It was more than I ever imagined. I've wanted to come to India forever and it was just the best trip!!

Our tour was excellent and I just filled out the evaluation, however I wanted to leave some feedback about or Raj, our tour director, whom we found outstanding. He was really on top of his game and made this tour an invaluable learning experience besides just ensuring that we follow the itinerary and see/visit all the promised sights. He was so impressively versed in politics, history, religion and mythology, cultural analysis, current affairs, botany, art, social dynamics, you name it! I feel culturally enriched because of everything we experienced, but above all because Raj answered all our questions so competently, backed up by personal stories, experiences, and observations. He always, always, tried to bring us closer to the local people by pointing out small things he saw along the way, which made this trip extra special. I've been to India before, but for first-time travelers, this made a huge difference in going beyond just scratching the surface of the country and its people.

I would like to let Gate 1 know about how pleased I feel with my tour to India and especially my experience with Mansi as a tour manager because it was amazing from the beginning to the end. Mansi has an insane wealth of knowledge that she loves to share about every corner of the cities we visited in India. Mansi is one of the friendliest and kindliest tour managers I have ever met, and she genuinely care about her guests. Thanks Gate 1 for a memorable trip.

My trip was fantastic. I had a great experience. The people, the country that sightseeing, the beautiful temples and the majestic Taj Mahal, was something that I always will keep in my heart. Flying over the Mt Everest was an incredible experience, amazing!!. I'm so glad that I went. Also, I must say that our Tour manager, Mansi ,with her expertise and her lovely personality made it a trip to remember forever.

Rebekkah was so amazing! I have to say she made the tour for me and my sisters. I felt she was extremely proficient in keeping everything moving smoothly and ensuring that every day was so enjoyable and carefree for us. She was enjoyable to be around. She was knowledgeable, engaging and refreshing. It was so important to have a female guide I believe because it is the only way to illuminate how India is experienced by women since most the tourist industry is male dominated, we all really respected and appreciated her. I feel like I had an invaluable experience and gate 1 continues to give the best quality in services, standards and staff.

Two beautiful and uniquely amazing countries--Nepal and Bhutan. We highly recommend this trip. The itinerary was well planned with lots of cultural, historical, and natural beauty highlights. The Tour Managers were top notch. There are absolutely no long driving days, only one five-hour bus ride within the 17 days in-country agenda. Kudos to Gate1 Discovery for flying within Nepal where roads are still developing. (We understand that the Classic does have longer driving days.) In 22 Gate1 trips we've rarely experienced such teamwork amongst local Gate1 Tour Managers with hotel and excursion contractors. Please pass on our appreciation for VIP treatment, courtesy, professionalism and knowledge to these fine Gate1 folk: Laxmi NEPAL ground operations who amazingly juggled the needs of both in-country and India extensions. We joke there must be multiple Laxmi clones, because this one man was everywhere with a smile and suggestions for Katmandu. Niraj our Gate1 Tour Manager in Nepal had a surprise for us each day, in addition to the written itinerary. His love of country and Buddhism/Hinduism practice was contagious, starting each day with OM. Niraj showed us city life, country life, the jungle, a school, lots of various foods, and shared his personal and family history. Gate1 reflects warm hospitality through Niraj. Niraj combines two rare attributes--extreme, seamless organization AND genuine people skills. Chencho our Tour Manager in Bhutan along with consistently present assistants and drivers Chorten and Bibi were a seamless trio to address our every need. They focused on joyous excursions as we breathed the pure mountain air watching this isolated magical kingdom emerging with environmental and happiness. This trio was "always" present since Bhutan, by law, requires tourists be accompanied by a guide and driver. Extreme politeness, professionalism, and genuine happiness were reflected by all three. We experienced awe around each flag-fluttering excursion, and built respect for Bhutan people, relishing their friendliness. For the first time in any Gate1 trip we had dinner with students and shared information about Bhutan, their families, school, future plans, and a little about ourselves. This meaningful interaction could be duplicated in other countries.

The trip was excellent, thanks in great part to an excellent tour manager, Davinder. He was ahead of the game and took excellent care of all of us. Hotels were excellent choices and bus was good with a great driver and assistant. All this allowed us to focus in the beautiful places we visited. Davinder's vast knowledge and great communications skills is highly appreciated. Thank for a great experience.

We had a wonderful time our recent trip. Srini was a great group leader and the hotels and food were great.

My 27 Gate1 tours have been a journey of discovery, taking me to diverse destinations from Peru to the Baltics, Balkans, Patagonia to Himalayas. While each tour has had its unique moments, I've been consistently impressed by the exceptional guides who have made each tour truly unforgettable. My recent hiking tour in Nepal last month was a standout experience, thanks to our outstanding guide, Deepak who shared his extensive knowledge and personal stories, immersing us in the local culture. The tour was filled with remarkable moments, including a private audience with a living Hindu Goddess in the Valley of Katmandu and a farewell dinner with a Sherpa who had accompanied Prince Charles on his Himalayan trek. Nepal's breathtaking beauty, resilience, and warmth have left a lasting impact on my heart, and I'm grateful to have contributed to the local economy in a meaningful way.

Thanks Gate 1 for offering this walking tour. The trip was outstanding. Before I went on the trip I was worried about all the "challenging and very challenging" activities on the document. In the end I enjoyed them a lot. Our tour manager Deepak went above and beyond to introduce his country. He did not only take us walking to see the mountains but also show us the Nepali culture. The walking tour is the best way to know the culture and the people. Enjoyed the transportation through the lake. Very peaceful and relaxing. So much better than the road. I wished we could stay in Pokhara one more night because the walking is Himalayan walking. All our group enjoyed walking to see the Himalayan mountains.

We truly and immensely enjoyed the Heart of Southern India trip primarily because of our excellent and organized tour manager Stalin. He was our illustrious leader who regaled us with his humorous storytelling and passionate explanations of Indian history and culture. We loved all the places we visited, especially the historic and amazing Badami and Elephant caves! The various hotels and resorts in Southern India were equally fantastic and provided some of the most relaxing massages we have ever experienced. We cannot imagine how Gate 1 finds all these gems that are both affordable and comfortable to relax in after a long day of travel. This particular Discovery tour is our 41st trip and has easily rose up to becoming one of our top 3 favorites with Gate 1 since 2012!

The trip was excellent! We could not have been happier with our fantastic tour guide Bahnu. He was extremely organized, and knowledgeable and he cared that everyone was always comfortable. In addition, our driver and assistant driver were wonderful. The itinerary was great as well. We liked the mixture of activities which were quite varied and gave us a nice overview during our first visit to India.

I recently arrived back in the USA after a tour of India and Nepal from February 4-22. The tour guide was Rachna, and she was the best tour guide I have ever had! She was extremely knowledgeable about all the places of interest, and the history of India and Nepal. She was a fountain of information. Her talks were informative and fun. I have had other tour guides from different companies like Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel. However, Rachna was far superior to other guides in those companies. She quickly won the admiration of the participants in the group. She was able to troubleshoot bumps in the road. She was extremely personable. My thanks to Rachna for giving me the tour of a lifetime. I hope Gate 1 recognizes her for her excellence.

I was very impressed by our tour manager Indika. We had a very diverse group with varying expectations. Indika has the people skills to work with polarizing groups. I was very impressed with Sri Lanka's history, cultural and religious information. I am glad we got to see Gate 1 funded School. Looking forward to more Gate 1 trips.

Our India trip of 9 days Golden Triangle was wonderful. Thanks to our great tour manager Anurag, he is super knowledgeable and organized, along with our driver Sumer and assistant Sanji, they are a good team to keep us hydrated with bottled water along the way and running things smoothly. Visiting the local school is a great experience. The foods in Jaipur are extra good. We have learned a lot about India culture and history. Our group is great fun, we all dance together, such joy will stay with us for a long time!! Thank you Anurag for making this trip so enjoyable!!