Small Groups Americas
Americas
Package Name | Season | City/Cruise Nights | Travel Style | Land Only | Air & Land |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
9 Day Rocky Mountaineer Train with Jasper & Banff National Parks |
May - Sep '24 | 2 Vancouver, 1 Kamloops, 2 Jasper, 2 Banff, 1 Calgary | Small Group | $5549 | $5889* |
10 Day Cuba Rediscovered |
Feb - Dec '24 | 5 Havana, 2 Camaguey, 2 Trinidad | Small Group | $5529* | |
11 Day Newfoundland |
Jun - Jul '24 | 3 St. John's, 1 Clarenville, 1 Gander, 1 Cow Head, 2 St. Anthony, 2 Rocky Harbour Area | Small Group | $4339 | $4979* |
12 Day Culture & Adventure in Guatemala & Belize |
Jan - Dec '24 | 2 Antigua, 2 Rio Dulce, 2 Flores, 2 San Ignacio, 2 Caye Caulker, 1 Belize City | Small Group | $2739 | $3369* |
12 Day Natural Beauty of Costa Rica & Panama |
Jan - Dec '24 | 1 San Jose, 2 Tortuguero, 1 Arenal, 2 Manuel Antonio, 2 Boquete, 1 Chitre, 2 Panama City | Small Group | $3449 | $3949* |
12 Day Newfoundland |
Aug - Sep '24 | 3 St. John's, 1 Clarenville, 2 Gander, 1 Cow Head, 2 St. Anthony, 2 Rocky Harbour Area | Small Group | $4649 | $5219* |
13 Day Galapagos, Ecuador, Andes & Amazon |
Jan - Dec '24 | 2 Guayaquil, 3 Isabela Island (Galapagos), 1 Papallacta, 3 Coca (Amazon), 3 Quito | Small Group | $4519 | $5129* |
13 Day Mexico's Mayan & Aztec Illumination |
Jan - Dec '24 | 3 Mexico City, 1 Puebla, 1 Veracruz, 2 Palenque, 1 Campeche, 2 Merida, 1 Chichén Itzá, 1 Cancun | Small Group | $3099 | $3579* |
14 Day Peruvian Legends |
Feb - Dec '24 | 3 Lima, 1 Arequipa, 2 Colca, 2 Puno, 3 Cuzco, 2 Sacred Valley | Small Group | $3399 | $4129* |
14 Day South American Glaciers, Forests & Lakes with 4 Day Patagonia Cruise Book By Jun 6, 2024 & Save! |
Sep '24 - Mar '25 | 3 Buenos Aires, 2 El Calafate, 2 Torres del Paine, 1 Puerto Natales, 4 Cruise | Small Group | $7549 | $8679* |
-
9 Day Rocky Mountaineer Train with Jasper & Banff National Parks
Air & Land: $5889*
Land Only: $5549
2 Vancouver, 1 Kamloops, 2 Jasper, 2 Banff, 1 Calgary
Tour Type: Small Group
Season: May - Sep '24
-
10 Day Cuba Rediscovered
Air & Land: $5529*
Land Only:
5 Havana, 2 Camaguey, 2 Trinidad
Tour Type: Small Group
Season: Feb - Dec '24
-
11 Day Newfoundland
Air & Land: $4979*
Land Only: $4339
3 St. John's, 1 Clarenville, 1 Gander, 1 Cow Head, 2 St. Anthony, 2 Rocky Harbour Area
Tour Type: Small Group
Season: Jun - Jul '24
-
12 Day Culture & Adventure in Guatemala & Belize
Air & Land: $3369*
Land Only: $2739
2 Antigua, 2 Rio Dulce, 2 Flores, 2 San Ignacio, 2 Caye Caulker, 1 Belize City
Tour Type: Small Group
Season: Jan - Dec '24
-
12 Day Natural Beauty of Costa Rica & Panama
Air & Land: $3949*
Land Only: $3449
1 San Jose, 2 Tortuguero, 1 Arenal, 2 Manuel Antonio, 2 Boquete, 1 Chitre, 2 Panama City
Tour Type: Small Group
Season: Jan - Dec '24
-
12 Day Newfoundland
Air & Land: $5219*
Land Only: $4649
3 St. John's, 1 Clarenville, 2 Gander, 1 Cow Head, 2 St. Anthony, 2 Rocky Harbour Area
Tour Type: Small Group
Season: Aug - Sep '24
-
13 Day Galapagos, Ecuador, Andes & Amazon
Air & Land: $5129*
Land Only: $4519
2 Guayaquil, 3 Isabela Island (Galapagos), 1 Papallacta, 3 Coca (Amazon), 3 Quito
Tour Type: Small Group
Season: Jan - Dec '24
-
13 Day Mexico's Mayan & Aztec Illumination
Air & Land: $3579*
Land Only: $3099
3 Mexico City, 1 Puebla, 1 Veracruz, 2 Palenque, 1 Campeche, 2 Merida, 1 Chichén Itzá, 1 Cancun
Tour Type: Small Group
Season: Jan - Dec '24
-
14 Day Peruvian Legends
Air & Land: $4129*
Land Only: $3399
3 Lima, 1 Arequipa, 2 Colca, 2 Puno, 3 Cuzco, 2 Sacred Valley
Tour Type: Small Group
Season: Feb - Dec '24
-
14 Day South American Glaciers, Forests & Lakes with 4 Day Patagonia Cruise Book By Jun 6, 2024 & Save!
Air & Land: $8679*
Land Only: $7549
3 Buenos Aires, 2 El Calafate, 2 Torres del Paine, 1 Puerto Natales, 4 Cruise
Tour Type: Small Group
Season: Sep '24 - Mar '25
Reviews
We completed our Costa Rica/Panama trip last week. Our Guide Gilbert was EXCELLENT! He was accommodating in every way possible to please 22 people all at the same time. He has excellent knowledge of Costa Rica and excels at his job. I've been on many guided trips and Gilbert is OUTSTANDING. If I were still working, I would hire Gilbert in a heartbeat. Clearly this is not a job to him, it's his life and he represents Gate1 Travel with outstanding credentials and passion for his job.
Ralph S.I recently returned from the Ecuador trip to the Galapagos, the Amazon, and Andes. It was the trip of a lifetime for me. Javier, our tour guide, was fabulous in all ways. Everything went so smoothly, and his calm presence and vast knowledge of his country were so wonderful. The Naturalists were all incredible too! The food, the accommodations, the animals, birds, landscapes, buses, boats, planes were all marvelous. It was an unforgettable experience that I will always treasure. Thank you, Javier, and all those who guided us through their beautiful country.
Barbara S.Tour Director, Victor, in Peru was outstanding. He is friendly, competent, funny, caring and truly cares about his customers. He is organized but flexible. He supplements his bus rides with excellent videos. He goes the second mile with your concerns. I have been on six adventures with Gate 1, Victor is the best manager yet. And my friends that we travel with agree with my assessment. Thank you for your investment in Victor as a professional and friend.
Claude B.Our trip was amazing!! We could not have been more pleased!! Our tour director was so organized and so knowledgeable. He Was fun and always smiling. He answered every question thrown at him and expounded on it. He took great care of us - making sure, we were comfortable and had all we needed while keeping us on schedule, and aware of our next event. Our guides were as well amazing! They were very knowledgeable and Happy to share their area with us. Our safety, comfort and understanding were always their concern. We enjoyed each and every one of them. We were sad when we had to say goodbye to them. Our drivers of buses, canoes and river taxis were so great at their job! They could navigate all areas of cities and waterways. They were always on time and always where they said they would be. They were friendly but focused on their job. We felt safe at all times under their care and applauded them for their skill. I could go on and on but won't. As I noted earlier - our trip was amazing!
Catherine J.This was my wife and I's first Gate 1 Discovery Tour and will definitely won't be our last. Ecuador was beautiful in so many ways, from the Galapagos Islands, up to the Andes and down to the Amazon Rain Forest, we were constantly amazed at the diversity of landscapes and animals and were warmed by the generosity and friendliness of the Ecuadorian people. You are kept quite busy with full days of travel and experiences, but we never felt rushed. In fact, we started each day very early but couldn't wait for the day's adventures to unfold. Truly Amazing! I think what made our trip extra special was our Gate 1 guide Javier as well as all of the local drivers and staff that helped along the way. Javier was friendly and incredibly knowledgeable and went above and beyond to ensure everyone's safety, (always his first priority,) and most importantly he made sure we were always having a great time! Such a wonderful man who was so professional and incredibly organized, dealing with whatever came his way. I was obvious he cared about you as well as his home country and was always excited to share stories and information. I highly recommend this Ecuador adventure and if you're lucky enough to have Javier as your guide you will be in for a wonderful and magical experience you will never forget!
Ron A.Javier was absolutely amazing. I've been on over 10-12. Gate1 trips. This was the best so far all around!! Kept us busy, with full, exciting days, which I love. Excellent food, locations, services, and staff every step of the way!!! I want to rewind and repeat. I can't say that about any of my other trips. Sacha felt like home, the lodge on Isabella Island was absolutely incredible too. Sacha deserves an award!!! Thank you to everyone!! Especially Javier, the best guide ever!!!!!
Allison B.Another special trip. We had a great Tour Manager - Estuardo - along with very good drivers. This tour had many different activities, something for everyone. We had 11 other guests with us and that really made the trip memorable. Highly recommended tour and looking forward to our next tour in New Zealand.
Michael C.The trip Discovery 13 Guayaquil, Quito. Andes and Amazon was Amazing trip. The tour guide Giovanna was excellent. The driver Mauricio was excellent. The naturalist guide Alex, Luis and Yanina were excellent. I recommend this trip.
Lilia F.It was a wonderful trip! We did so much, and everything was perfect. The lodges at the Galapagos and the Sacha Lodge in the Amazon were great and made us feel so much a part of the environment. It was a strenuous trip, but we kept up. I have told my friends you need to go when you are younger, not older! The food was great, the itinerary was great, the hotels were great, buses and boats were great - I really can't think of any complaint! I can't think of one thing we didn't see or experience there.
Terri K.The Ecuador Amazon Galapagos trip was fabulous! So immersive and on the go! We learned much about all the areas we visited as well as animals and cultures. Food and accommodations were wonderful. We had the most congenial group of people on this trip- enjoyed each and every one of them. But I saved the best for last. Our tour manager, Jose, was extraordinary! A kind, generous, hardworking man who was a fount of knowledge and information. This trip will forever remain in our hearts and minds.
June H.This was my first travel with Gate 1 - it was a FANTASTIC experience. I was blown away by the accommodations, the food and the experiences. Our guide Wilson was very knowledgeable about the areas we visited and his passion for his country was exhilarating. He met every need before it was even anticipated. I could not have asked for more. Ecuador is a beautiful country and despite warnings from friends/family regarding safety I couldn't have felt more safe. Thank you GATE 1 for memories I will treasure forever. I will be looking to you for future travel arrangements.
Deon H.Our recent tour of Patagonia was wonderful, due in large part to the personalities and expertise of the guides, and especially tour manager, Alex. The sites visited were a dream come true!. Alex went out of his way to ensure that we were very well informed about the difficulty of the hikes and what we might experience. He was very good at measuring our fitness levels and making appropriate recommendations without fail. His job is certainly not easy, yet he always remained fresh, cheerful, humorous at all times. His charm is infectious, and he did a great job of making the entire group feel like one big family (not easy). He is an outstanding photographer and made sure we enjoyed similar success in our own photos. He is a real gem! The guides were all outstanding in their depth of knowledge about the places visited. Steve and Angeles should have multiple PhD diplomas, their ability to answer arcane questions beyond compare. As I write this review, I am carrying on an email conversation with a friend, recommending Gate 1 highly. Thank you!
James W.I would like to especially commend our tour manager, Alex. Alex certainly maintained our history of terrific Gate1 tour managers/guides (this is our sixth Gate1 tour) while also making his unique, inimitable mark! His deep and vast experience showed forth every day as he adjusted schedule or area so that we had optimal sightseeing views and/or activities/experiences. His information--both practical and historical/cultural--was valuable, his communication clear, his organization strong, his care thoughtful, and his humor delightful. Also, Alex is very savvy about people as evidenced by his group interactions. Preeminently, his passion and enthusiasm were inspiring and uplifting, spurring us to enjoy even more the wonders of mystical and wild Patagonia! I rate him the highest possible scores and recommend him wholeheartedly and gratefully!
Dara H.I just wanted to add that Javier was such a great tour guide. I travel by myself with all my previous Gate 1 trips (this is my 9th), and I felt so safe and could ask him any questions or concerns I had. He was so knowledgeable, kind, organized, and professional. He is an asset to your company. I will continue to book my future adventures with Gate 1! I am looking forward to #10.
Michelle B.Our trip was absolutely fantastic. We saw the Aztec and Mayan ruins. Our tour director, Julie was very knowledgeable and really took care of us. She also provided us with some local snacks so we can taste the local delicacies of Mexico. Our driver, Adrian was very skilled in maneuvering the enormous bus in the narrow streets of Mexico. I really enjoyed this trip and learned about the history and beliefs of the Mayan people. Our group as a whole got together with each other and we enjoyed each other's company. Much as we were ready to go home at the end of the tour, we also knew that we will miss each other's company. I will highly recommend this trip to anyone.
Maria D.I just got back from my first Gate1 trip to Ecuador which included the Galapagos Islands, The Amazon, Quayaquil and Quito. The trip was wonderful but what made it even better was out guide, Jose'. He was informative, compassionate, cool as a cucumber with delays, etc. He was loading luggage into the bus, making sure everyone got the right dinner order, etc. He worked hard for everyone to have a great trip and it did not go unnoticed by anyone in the group. There were people on the tour that had been on many Gate1 tours and said hands down he was the best and I second that. Not only is Jose a wonderful guide but I believe him to be a wonderful person. Gate1 is lucky to have him. Thank you Jose for all your hard work. I had already booked a second tour but have no worries about my travels with Gate1, thanks in large part to having such a wonderful first experience. Thank you Jose'. You're the best!
Tamara W.What a surprise and full of joy, my tour manager Aquilino was my local tour guide at Tikal when I visited Guatemala in 2022. His knowledge and narrative of Maya history left a deep impression on me. As a tour manager this time he showed us his other ability and care. He always put our interest at the top, to secure us an unforgettable and yet safe experience, not only for active time but our spare time as well. With tour manager Aquilino my trip to Guatemala and Belize has been way above my expectations.
Rong X.We had an amazing trip! This was the most active trip we have ever participated in and we enjoyed every minute. The itinerary was great! From the Galapagos to the Andes and the Amazon Basin we couldn't have done any better. Paul was a fantastic guide!! Always upbeat, nothing seemed to keep him from always having a big smile, very knowledgeable and proud of his country. We had some long travel days and he made sure everything went smoothly. This was our 5th Gate1 and first Discovery tour, and I would rate Paul as the best guide we have had so far and we have never had a bad guide with Gate1, but Paul went beyond our expectations. We know some of our fellow travelers were a bit demanding, but Paul with his positive personality made sure everyone was happy. All our bus drivers were wonderful and we often were impressed by their driving skills in mountainous terrain and frustrating city traffic. Your support staff did their job very well and made everything go smoothly. So did all boat captains, naturalists and hoteliers along the way. All the accommodations were superb and varied. Each hotel and resort had a unique flavor. Scalasia and Sacha spoiled us with their special housing and food. When it comes to food, this was the best Gate1 tour when it comes to dining. We won't get on the scale for the next few week. ?? Thankfully, we also had plenty of exercise and hopefully that will set off our food consumption. Ecuador is a beautiful country and this Discovery tour presented it as one of your best tours we have taken so far. PS- if anyone did not enjoy this trip, it was because they did not read the description of how active it was going to be. I had heard grumbling from one couple, that this was not what they had expected. It is not the fault of Gate1. Your description and activity level was very clear.
Michaela N.We had the most wonderful experiences on this trip. The food, hotels, local guides and daily excursions were all exceptional. Everything was free flowing in terms of organization of the trip. It was seamless. Marco did a great job managing the group. We called him the chief - we all looked up to him for his leadership, and he did awesome! We consider this our best trip with Gate1, but then we always say that after every trip we've been. Thank you for making a truly once in a lifetime trip for us.
Felipe A.Gate One and Elvis way exceeded our already high travel expectations, and contributed to our learning, enjoyment and love of Peru. Starting with his friendly approach and approachableness, concerned preparation, constant and patient reminders for our safety and health, before and during the orientation meeting, and continuing throughout our travel together, Elvis is the perfect ambassador for Gate One and his country. He continually gave us glimpses of Gate One's involvement for good in the individual lives of hardworking Peruvians. We personally experienced Chef Juanita's fine restaurant, delicious buffet lunch and equally delicious box lunch next day. We sat under the curved red metal shade covering of a Gate One school's play yard, enjoying the happy students' songs and dances, clad in their Gate One jackets Vetted shopping opportunities with a percentage going to the Foundation were appreciated. The pacing and order of travel gave us the needed time to appreciate the skill of the Inca people. Thank you, Elvis!!! thank you Gate One!!!
Gerald M.I just want to say that we really enjoyed the Peruvian Legends tour. Our guide, Victor, made the trip so easy and meaningful. He was knowledgeable and friendly and went above and beyond in his efforts to accommodate every need anyone had. Thank you Gate One for another memorable trip experience.
James M.Of all the trips I've taken (ten through Gate 1 and several on my own), this one is among my favorites, if not my very favorite! Javier is largely responsible for making this trip so great! He bent over backwards to accommodate all of our requests and special interests. He also went out of pocket a few times to ensure we have more wonderful memories to reflect back on. I'm thoroughly exhausted, but what a great trade off in order to see and do all of the things we were privileged to experience. I will be recommending this trip to all my friends and family, especially as long as Javier is their Tour Manager.
Laura F.Our trip was incredible! This was my 41st trip with Gate 1, and it was probably my favorite. Our Guide, Jose, was absolutely incredible. He was so kind, very helpful and had boundless energy. I will continue to sing Gate 1's praises to anyone who will listen.
Hollis M.Our 12 day Culture and Adventure in Guatemala and Belize was fabulous thanks to our outstanding tour director, Aquilino. His knowledge of the history, culture, traditions of the Mayans, as well as present day Guatemalans was incredible. We especially appreciated Aquilina sharing personal stories. Aquilino is a true gem of a tour director and a real asset to Gate 1.
Carole J.Aquilino, the tour director for our 12 day trip to Guatemala and Belize, was beyond excellent and absolutely made the trip for us. He is knowledgeable, personable, thoughtful, enthusiastic, and professional. He brought life to the Mayan sites we visited and connected us through ideas and emotions to the places and people we encountered. He enhanced every experience small and large throughout the trip.
Wendy A.Best Gate One trip ever! Very well planned itinerary with amazing sights, hotels and meals! Excellent tour manager!
Charles L.This was my first experience with gate one and due to the absolutely fantastic trip I just experienced I will now be a regular customer. The tour Director, Greg J, was outstanding; rarely do you see someone who is able to be professional, cheerful and fun all at the same time while continuing to make sure our safety is the first priority. With such a diverse number of personalities, it is difficult to make sure everyone is happy all the time, but Greg did his best to make sure that was everyone's experience was fantastic! The tours were brilliant, beautiful, and so educational. Each day started with a greeting from Greg outlining all that we would be doing that day. Throughout the day, he would check in with everyone to see how things were going. I saw him interact with all of my fellow travelers in a very kind and interested manner. At the end of the day, he would always check in with everyone and ask for our honest reviews of where we had been. He did a wonderful job making sure we felt heard. Greg is not only an outstanding individual with a kind heart and winning smile. He is what I will now picture in my mind when I think about gateway travel and due to his terrific work you can be sure I will coming back time and again. (I have already told three friends about my experience.) Please let Greg know how much I appreciate what he did to make this trip my very favorite out of the other 67 countries I have visited. He's incredible and the gold standard for your directors. I would also like to thank our bus driver, Paul. He and Greg had a very good working relationship and due to their conversations and planning I believe we saw more of the true Newfoundland and Labrador that other people I saw on tour groups around us. And just to let you know, other tour groups were very envious of how much fun we were having!
Jean W.Great trip. Elvis, our guide was wonderful and the day guides and bus driver did a great job. Wonderful pick for lodging and meals. This was our 11th trip with Gate 1.
Brian O.Our tour manager, Wilson T, was incredible. He was a wealth of knowledge and very passionate about his country. Because of Wilson, boarding passes were always secured, getting through airports was a breeze, busses were always waiting for us, hotel room keys were distributed immediately upon entering each hotel, and bags were promptly delivered. Wilson made sure every part of the trip was perfect. Whatever was needed, Wilson came through! He truly deserves credit for helping make our trip a true "trip of a lifetime." GATE 1 should recognize and identify him as an A+ tour manager. He was the best!
Janet S.In addition to our survey, we would like to add a note about our tour guide, Daniel. As we learned over the course of our Ecuador travels, Daniel is the ultimate tour guide. Not only did he work tirelessly 24/7 to care for all of our needs, but he worked miracles when our trip was interrupted due to unforeseen circumstances. Daniel is also a veritable walking encyclopedia of Ecuadorian knowledge, ranging from history, geography, geology, wildlife, politics, socio-economic issues, people of the region, and cultural highlights. He also demonstrated an unusual eagerness to share this knowledge with us, which certainly added to our appreciation of all that is Ecuador. It is too bad that your survey ranking tops out at "Excellent", because Daniel is one of those people who should be rated much, much higher. Thank you very much, Daniel, for a wonderful adventure, and thanks in advance for all the people who will be treated to the same exciting adventures during future tours.
Frederick P.We highly recommended this tour. We had a great tour manager, the hotels and lodges were beautiful and the excursions were very interesting.
Carlos R.This Gate 1 Discovery tour of Patagonia was fantastic and one of our favorite tours over the years of having used several different tour companies before. The choice of activities, the pace at which they were done, that is, still allowing some downtime or free time, our group leader(Eliana), the lodging facilities and their food quality, and the quality of the cruise line, its staff and meal and beverage offerings were phenomenal. The tour was certainly priced well for all we did and experienced. The Gate 1 Travel staff also were very helpful in their information and communications as we set up our trip. The only downside to this trip was the difficulty in getting reasonable air travel schedules. We had exceptionally long layovers at two different airports and feel that perhaps there could be better offerings through different airlines that the travel package works with. The Discovery small group type of tour offered by Group 1 Tours, using the small group (16-22) numbers, was perfect and should not be changed. We have been in groups with as high as two busloads or 45 participants and it is unwieldy and does not lead to group camaraderie, closeness, or effective communication, and the logistics of on foot touring can be a nightmare as we have seen in the past. Finally, we can't sing enough our praises for our group leader, Eliana. Her dedication to us, her persistence in doing her job and getting things right, her unique personality with a smile and style, her relationship with all her other guides and coworkers, and especially with all of us tour members were above anything else we have experienced before! We hope we can be fortunate enough to take another Gate 1 Discovery Tour with her in the future. This trip has sold us on taking more tours with Gate 1 Travel Tours in the future
Edwin W.I just want to add that although your highest rating is "excellent", there are two aspects of the tour that I would rate as exceptional. First, our tour manager, Paul Aguilar was more than excellent and more than exceptional. I cannot describe how he made this trip one of the epic adventures of my lifetime. Waking me up at 4:30 for an Amazon activity was so easy for me to accept because of how he handled the early rising and how he facilitated the experience. That's just one of the examples of how Paul made the trip an exceptional one. Second, the staff at Sacha Lodge, especially Lili, our naturalist, Wilson, the local naturalist, and management, Pablo and Anna, were wonderful. I cannot praise the staff enough. Finally, our tent city on Isabell Island was perfect for the location. I'm sorry that I cannot remember the manager's name (isn't that terrible), but he was exceptional at making our stay a great one. Kudos to Gate 1 for finding these two great accommodations. this was my 7th Gate 1 adventure and it rivaled my experience in Peru. Well done!
James A.The Mayan Illumination Tour was our 14th with Gate 1. We've enjoyed them ALL but need to say this one rates near the top. Carlos couldn't have been better in any aspect; he's a natural leader and teacher, makes guiding look easy when we know it is not. His easy-going nature was no doubt part of the reason our very diverse group was in great harmony all day every day. An example to me was how our group would rearrange tables to sit together even if that was not the configuration of the space. :) An especially helpful element from Carlos was his repeating important info, i.e., he would have said we need to leave at 12:20, but he would repeat that important fact to be sure all heard. Our driver was a true professional and very nice man. At one point I asked him if I could retrieve shoes from my carryon stored in the luggage compartment, and he was happy to help. I was so pleased, as I could then walk easily on the beach, an unexpected and delightful stop. The staff of the Mexico City hotel were Exceptional in every way, especially friendliness to each of us. Thank you so much, Gate 1.
Kim S.We had a wonderful time. We came home proud of our climbing accomplishments, full of information about Peru and in wonder of this marvelous place. Peru is a magical. Our tour Guide, Rolly, was a fabulous guide who enriched our trip with his knowledge, experience, kindness, patience and passion for Peru. We couldn't have asked for anyone better.
Jeannine T.Excellent in every respect. Our favorite Gate 1 trip, and this is about our 10th. Tour guide was out of this world excellent. Our best tour guide ever! Can't say enough good about the trip. Far exceeded every expectation we could have wanted.
Dorothy A.We had a wonderful trip to Peru with Gate 1! This was our first Gate 1 experience but definitely not our last! Every little detail was taken care of - the transfers, the hotels, the meals! The hotels were first rate and meals superb! Our tour guide Odon was an absolute gem! He introduced us to his country, culture and customs and we have a much better understanding of Peru and its people. Thank you so much for an amazing trip - it was magical!
Gerald C.I appreciate the opportunity to provide you with feedback regarding our trip with Gate 1. Previously my award/tourism trips were coordinated thru event managers and tourism companies contracted through the various companies with which I was employed. We were referred to your company by a family friend who has frequently traveled with Gate 1. Our recently completed Small Group Discovery Tour with Gate 1 was our first tour with your company. We WERE NOT disappointed, and the Small Group Discovery Tour format perfectly matched our desires and expectations. We were very impressed upon our arrival in Ecuador to be greeted by our smiling and waiting Tour Manager Antonio. I truly hope that you appreciate how instrumental Antonio was in making this such a memorable, remarkable and positive experience for both my wife and I regarding: Ecuador, The Galapagos, The Amazon, The Andes and Gate 1. Antonio's passion for his country and his company (Gate 1) were self evident and Antonio exhibited a rare ability to easily relate and interface with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures leading to the "cohesion" of our small group team members. The Hotel, culinary, activity and lodging choices selected were exquisite. Antonio took away the trepidation of traveling in an unfamiliar country by providing great counsel and a can do attitude regarding the few meals we were responsible for and the shopping and cultural experiences we were exposed to. Upon departing, I told Antonio that we left a small piece of our hearts in Ecuador!
Erin T.We recently returned from Alaska's Natural Beauty Discovery Tour. We just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our vacation. From the time they picked us up at the airport until we finished our tour everyone was professional and courteous. Our tour guide, Liz, was wonderful. Her knowledge of the area was superb. She was always concerned about the safety of the group and went out of her way to ensure everyone had a wonderful time. She even organized optional hikes on our free time and went with us to ensure our safety. When our plane ride was canceled due to inclement weather, she organized a glacier walk to fill the void. We really enjoyed that part of the trip the most. I hope you will let her know how much we appreciate all she did for us. We would also like to complement our driver, Steve. Not only did he keep us safe on some pretty difficult roads but he always helped us on and off the bus to ensure our safety. He also lives in Alaska and had a lot of incite to all the areas we visited. He and Liz work so well as a team that they really enhanced our trip. We have been on 10 Gate 1 trips but this combination of tour guide and driver were the best we have ever had. We would really appreciate it if you could let them know how much they were appreciated. They did an awesome Job!!!
Mary L.This was our second tour with Gate 1 and our very first Discover tour. What an experience! We loved having Wilson as our guide because of how passionate he spoke about his country, his commitment in giving us the experience of a lifetime, and his attention to detail and safety. The specialists in the Galapagos and Amazon were so very knowledgeable and explained so much about the preservation of the native wildlife and ecosystem. They made learning about sustainability interesting. Additionally, we felt completely safe with all trip excursions, hotel arrangements, and drivers that chauffeured us throughout our visit. It was truly a nice surprise to have a nice glass of wine at the end of our rigorous day. Special thank you for including drinks with our dinner. This 13 day trip to Ecuador, Andes, Galapagos, and Amazon was truly an experience of our lifetime; thus far. There are more places to explore and I am confident that Gate 1 will be the number one agency for those experiences.
Cassandra J.This was our first time traveling with Gate 1. We took two back to back trips to Peru and then to Ecuador. I can't say enough about the quality of this tour. Special kudos to both our guides, Edgar in Peru and Giovannah in Ecuador. They were both incredible. So proud of their countries, their home towns, their history and genuinely happy to share all of that with us. Giovannah especially went above and beyond to make sure that all went smoothly with so many changes of locations and types of areas. She handled the varying ages and abilities beautifully as this was a very active trip. I was impressed that no job was beneath her and ensuring that each person had a wonderful time was clearly her goal. Based on our experience with these two trips and wonderful tour managers we are already looking at our next Gate 1 trip!
Kathy C.We got back from our Ecuador trip 1 month ago. I can't let another day go by without letting you know just how fabulous it was! Our tour guide, Marco, couldn't have been better. He was a wealth of information about every area we visited. He was funny, organized, intelligent, and made every moment of our trip fun. The other local tour guides were also extremely helpful. Their vast knowledge about the areas and history was always interesting and informative. The trip itself was beyond what I expected. Every day was an adventure that I had only hoped to experience one day. To have day after day roll out to be action packed and fun-filled made it a trip of a lifetime. Being able to explore Guayaquil, the Galapagos, Quito, Papallacta and the Amazon would have been impossible to organize by myself. Gate 1 made this dream trip come true. Thank you!
Laurie T.We just returned from the Galapagos, Ecuador, Andes, and Amazon trip. It was perfectly planned by Discovery/Gate1. What a fabulous itinerary! What a range of experiences it offered! The included locations for the trip were spectacular! Just the right amount of time at each location. I could only think "WOW!!" as we flew home. I fell in love with Ecuador and its incredible diversity! The whole trip was wonderfully guided by Javier, our main guide, and the different local guides involved. Javier was just GREAT! So friendly, kind, and well-informed on all topics ranging from the natural world to explaining daily life in Ecuador. He was always ready and able to answer questions and help each traveler maximize their experience at each location. The resort lodges used for this trip were PHENOMENAL!!! in particular, Scalesia Lodge in the Galapagos was incredibly beautiful and wonderfully managed with great food. Equally so was the Sacha Lodge on the Napo River in the Amazon rain forest. The local guides in the Galapagos and Amazon were just great! So helpful and caring with great senses of humor! They were really super! And finally, I commend Discovery for using such great drivers and transport services to carry us to all of the far-flung destinations on this trip. Coordination and quality of the transportation was simply amazing! Thank you Javier and Kelvin (our main bus driver) for helping to make this such a great trip. My advice: Go to Ecuador and experience many unique, natural wonders and beautiful places! (PS: We always felt safe there and had no concerns about being at risk in any way.)
John H.This was my 94th country to visit. Daniel was THEE best tour director EVER. He did so so many extra things to make our trip exceptional. Taking meals orders in advance, is something every tour director should do, it saves a lot of time. This tour has a lot of logistics and Daniel was on top of all of them. It's a lot for a tour manager to do....no one could have exceeded his superb service. The trip itself was an exceptional value due to all it included. The meals on Isabella Island, were beyond five star. Everything about the lodge was over the top. I have already highly highly recommended this trip. Please allow me to serve as a reference to anyone considering this trip. BUT as a company you may not realize just how truly great Daniel is for his customers. Please know that all 13 of us, loved loved loved, all he did for us.
Marilyn M.I just returned from the 13 Day Galapagos, Ecuador, Andes & Amazon tour with the Discovery tours. This one was my 8th tour with the Gate 1 and based on the itinerary, accommodation, food, activities and the Tour Director, it was one of the BEST. I want to say a special thank you to our tour director Giovanna. She made this amazing trip so much special. She is so knowledgeable in history, traditions, culture, & customs as well as biology, plants, birds and animals. It was quite challenging traveling during COVID but she went over and above to ensure our wellbeing and safety. On the last day, the lab was late with my COVID test results, so Giovanna been with them on the phone and texting during our Farewell Dinner to ensure that I would have the results before leaving for the airport. Trip was very active with number of flights, boat and canoe rides, and hikes and Giovanna was always there helping and assisting and always with the smile on her face. She was so thoughtful and helpful. Always ready to help, to give the advise, to assist. Her passion about her country made me fell in love with the Ecuador. Thank you so very much Giovanna. I would highly recommend this trip.
Svetlana D.I just wanted to let you know how awesome our tour guide, Luis, was throughout the trip. His knowledge, professionalism and friendly nature added immeasurable value to the trip. There were some unforeseen glitches in travel arrangements during the trip and I was impressed at how quickly he worked to find solutions that minimized any disruption in the itinerary. As a first time traveler with Gate 1 I couldn't have asked for a better tour guide, he made a great first impression for your company.
Cynthia A.We just returned from a trip to Ecuador (Galápagos and Amazon) with Gate1 Discovery tours. What a wonderful trip it was! Our tour director Wilson helped us to make it memorable, informative and comfortable. His passion for Ecuador, knowledge of local customs, and humorous stories he was telling us on our trip made it unforgettable. Thanks to Wilson's great organizational and management skills all activities went smoothly and were enjoyable. Highly recommend this trip!
Victoria G.Our Tour Manager Javier, of Discovery Tours to Ecuador was so PERFECT I cannot begin to tell you! I have traveled the world with Gate1, and by myself. This was the BEST trip I have ever been on. He goes above and beyond. We all felt, and discussed it, that we had a family member taking care of us. His knowledge of everywhere we traveled enhanced this wonderful trip. His organizational skills are superb. I will recommend Gate 1 to all my family and friends. Thank you Gate 1, and Javier, for the best time of my life!
Sharon W.I went on the 13 day Ecuador/Galapagos trip from 11/16/21-11/28/21. Our tour guide, Daniel was fabulous! He was so knowledgeable about the culture, history and customs of every place we visited. He was enthusiastic, had a great sense of humor and really went over and above anything I expected. The trip itself was great, and Daniel made it so enjoyable. The local guides, Pedro in Galapagos and Joel in Coca, were also excellent. I would definitely recommend this trip to others. Thank you for giving me such a memorable vacation!
Elizabeth S.I filled out the survey sent to us from Gate 1, but I wanted to provide additional feedback in regards to the recent vacation package that we took with Gate 1. I want to first start by stating that Gate 1 blew us away. We have booked with other travel agencies in the past and Gate 1 was superior in comparison in every way possible. Marco, our tour manager/guide was outstanding. Not only was he extremely knowledgeable and welcomed questions, but he was friendly and did an awesome job of always staying on time. The local guides were also all incredible and all of the drivers did an excellent job. The accommodations were amazing, I could not believe the hotels/lodges that we stayed at. In addition, the food was stellar everywhere, we did not have one meal that was bad. I could go on and on about how awesome our trip was, so please keep up the good work! We will definitely be booking with Gate 1 again! Thank you so much for the amazing Ecuadorian experience!
Nicole S.