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.

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.

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!!