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.

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.

Greatly impressed with how our tour was managed. I had been with several Gate 1 tours over years and I was generally happy with the tours. But my most recent tour was extraordinary. Ecuador was different from most popular tourist destinations: its appeal was its natural beauty, not big buildings or old towns. But what struck me was how tour manager made it beyond ordinary. Of course, he knew the history and demographics of each place, but his personal touches made it special. He was always attuned to our needs, i.e., bathroom stops, toilet paper and sanitizers. He was always calm. He let us experience glimpses of the local culture by stopping by the roadside to let us taste the "cascaritas", "cuy", larvae from inside the hearts of palm ,etc. He took us to the fresh market and asked each one to buy $2 worth of specific local fruits, which he then to the hotel, cleaned, cut and served to us. He had "yapas" for us almost every day. He offered to take our pictures and suggested the best posture to get the best shot. None of my previous tour managers did those; generally, they went on their own at bus stops and spent time on the phone. I hope you will give Javier Estrella credit for all these and I hope to have again in a another Gate 1 tour.

The 10 Day Kaleidoscope of Ecuador with Andes Mountains & Amazon trip was AMAZING! I particularly loved the time we spent in Cuenca, the Andes and the Amazon. Our tour manager, Wilson, was incredible! His love for his country, his passion and drive truly influenced my experience. He went above and beyond to make sure everyone felt special and secured. The multiple birthday celebrations, proved unforgettable. I will recommend this trip, and specially Wilson as tour guide, for years to come! I will also visit Ecuador again-Galapagos-and hopefully get him as tour guide-he is really the best!

Our trip to Ecuador, and Peru was excellent and one of the best experiences for our vacation. Entire trip was full of new adventures and new vistas. Our guides were very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. My wife was carefully helped by all the staff during our Amazon hikes and we are truly thankful. The Quito, Amazon, Papallecta in Ecuador were simply great. Our journey in the Amazon, its flora and fauna were very scenic. Our trip to Peru was filled with equal excitement. The sacred valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco are etched in our minds forever. The ancient civilizations and the evolution of Peru was a great discovery for us. Now, to be able to see the ancient civilizations blending with the modern, we really absorbed ourselves in the culture. Our broken Spanish also helped in our conversations with the locals. To know that Gate 1 foundation is also contributing to Peru's well being was a warm experience.

I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for the incredible 8-day Ecuador trip that your agency provided. The entire experience was nothing short of wonderful. The Amazon rainforest expedition was particularly captivating, offering a unique and fascinating insight into its biodiversity. Each day brought new adventures and discoveries, making the trip exceptionally diverse and engaging. Our tour guide's knowledge added immeasurable value to the experience. Their expertise not only enhanced our understanding of the places we visited but also made the journey more enriching and enjoyable. One of the highlights was the opportunity to meet and interact with the local people, immersing ourselves in their culture. It provided a genuine and authentic connection that made the trip truly memorable. Thank you once again for orchestrating such a well-planned and unforgettable adventure. Your attention to detail, combined with the warmth and expertise of your team, made this journey an absolute delight. I look forward to exploring more destinations with Gate 1 Travel in the future.

Wow! What an amazing experience! Gate 1 delivers again! Our 8-day trip through Ecuador was amazing. My wife and I enjoyed learning more about the History, Culture and People. Our group was amazing and was like family by the end of the trip. Take full advantage of al the optional tours and experiences Gate 1 offers. Our Tour Manager Javier was the best. He was so polite and knowledgeable. He created an amazing and safe environment for our group. He offered us many "yapas" which I encourage you to take advantage. You'll see what I'm talking about when you get there. The accommodations, food and service were first class all the way. You truly feel the experience when traveling with Gate 1. This is our 3rd trip with Gate 1 and all have exceeded our expectations. There is so much to see and do on this trip and you truly get the value of it all. Thank you again to our Tour Manager Javier and our great driver Daniel for creating a memorable experience we will never forget.

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!

You have an amazing and talented tour guide Wilson and an equally amazing driver Javier. I truly felt Wilson's love for Ecuador and it made such a wonderful impact on the tour. All accommodations were spectacular and well thought out. Wilson has a talent for bringing groups together and creating lasting friendships. He exercised safety and caution while keeping a wonderful sense of adventure on the trip. This was my second Gate1 tour and I can't wait for my next one as both have been a truly great experience and have broadened my sense of the world. Thank you so much for the careful selections and back work you all have done to make these trips great.

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.

The AMAZON Express tour is an excellent expedition for those who love nature, history and people. Our tour guide Jose was a 5 star travel host. He was a historian, and naturalist. He shared his knowledge of the Ecuadorian people, their culture, geography of the land, social and political structure of the country. He wore many hats, for example, he was a guide, a server, consultant; safety instructor, etc...What an experience indeed it was!! This tour is enriching, and enlightening! Thank you Jose, and Gate 1!!

My trip was unforgettable. Javier was fantastic. I enjoyed when he bought all of us fruit to taste, empanadas to taste, gelato to taste. Javier had so much knowledge and he was a calm, patient, fun person. Alexis was a supreme, confident driver. We were in the best of hands. I will be back for another Gate1 experience.

I just want to add that Ecuador was a great trip. Between the Beautiful mangroves, waterfalls, the mountains, Rivers & city old & new it was a fantastic experience. We felt safe walking on the streets, getting introduced to new foods plus our new friends Javier & Alexis took care of all of us. I believe everyone was having a blast in the group.

Honestly, I think Gate 1 is the very best of the best Tour companies. Every hotel we stayed in was luxurious but the hotel in the Amazon and the Hacienda in Rio Bamba were just exquisite. Having said that we loved each and every hotel we stayed in especially the one in Cuenca. Andres and Jhon made the Amazon come alive for us and their knowledge and respect for the flora and fauna was astounding. Javier is a prince of all tour guides. He is a linguist, a historian with a deep knowledge of local lore and Geography. Alexis is a fabulous driver and we felt completely safe with him at the wheel while our bus went up and down the mountains and in the old cities with narrow. A truly memorable experience Gate1 and I will be recommending you to all our friends and family.

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.

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.

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.

The trip is beyond our expectation, for the following reasons: Our tour manager, Javier, is fantastic. He watched out all the details, provided comprehensive background information on attraction and repetitively told us what to watch out in order to keep us safe. Our bus driver, Mr. Garcia, is a skillful driver. He was at the doorway of the bus on every stop to make sure we would embark and disembark safely. The selection of lodging facilities, restaurants for meals provided by Gate1, as well as recommended restaurants when we are on our own are great. It felt like we are on a food tour and we got to enjoy the local cuisine. We traveled through cities, up the Andes mountains, walked to an ancient Inca ruin, enjoyed the historic lodge at Riobamba with a thoughtful dinner and local musical performance, down the valley, met with the natives, hiked to Devil's waterfall, cruise on Napo river, hiked through rain forest and then floated on the river, traveled to Middle of the world in Quito. We have experience everything on this trip. If Gate1 designs a Ecuadorian walking tour itinerary in the near future, may be I will come back for it.

I had a great trip to Ecuador and Peru! Fast-paced and active vacation. Juan and Ivan were great in Ecuador, they shared their love of the country's beauty and history with us. Ivan drove us safely over the mountains and was there whenever he was needed to help in any way. Juan was great, making sure we were all well during the various activities and always coordinating and solving any concerns. Our hotel in the Amazon was fabulous, traveling by canoe was an adventure and the hikes were a great way to get to know the area....swimming in the river and enjoying the pool and food at the hotel was a perfect part of the vacation. Fausto was a hotel employee who assisted us in so many ways...he consistently supported those who needed assistance on the hikes or on the river and his knowledge of the local area was amazing. Our flights to Peru and within Peru were good...with a group of 16, it was amazing that we had no problems. I'm sure due to the organization and planning by Dimas and Freddy. They worked together as a team to assist us in any way. Dimas made sure to let us know how Gate 1 and tourism have helped his country! An active 5 days with good hotels and food, the amazing chance to see Machu Picchu...so many extras designed to make our trip comfortable. It was a vacation to remember...thank you to Gate 1 and all the guides that made it work!

Our trip was just fabulous !! The 10 days in the Ecuador Andes and Amazon Basin went by so fast. We had the very best of tour guides - Daniel and our bus driver Javier, made us feel safe as he drove the winding roads of the Pan American Highway. Javier helped us each and every time with anything we needed including luggage, daily water and getting in and out of the bus. Daniel made himself available 24/7 and was there for absolutely anything we needed and also shared additional experiences with us including trips to local markets, traditional customs, local foods, and the past and present history of Ecuador.. The hotels were 4-5 star and the lodges in the Amazon Basin were unique, comfortable and we wish we had been able to stay longer at each one - a one day stay is not enough. Meals were plentiful and so many were included in this trip that it made for less decision making and time spent on our part - again very much appreciated. I have already shared with several friends that this trip is one of our very favorites with Gate 1. We discovered Gate 1, about 5 years ago and have since been on 8 or 10 trips with them - they truly are top of the class in travel tour companies!

Amazing! It was a very informative trip. Food, hotels, driver, Jose and Octavio were helpful, very personable, and great communicators.

My first Gate 1 Travel tour! I am 75 and traveled somewhere almost every year. I read all the reviews for and was amazed by so many good reviews. During our introduction everybody said they were on their 9 or 12th trip and even 17th tour with Gate 1. Many said they had already booked future trips. Now I understand why. I am so impressed by Gate 1. This was my first trip traveling to Ecuador and fell in love! I fell in love with Antonio our guide and Hermes, our driver. They were a wonderful team. Antonio is a so charming. He handled us adult 'kids' with real humor and PATIENCE! Hermes gave us the 'Champagne' ride over the Andes Mtns. and down to the Amazon Basin. He always sprayed sanitizer on our hands as we came in the bus. Antonio is so knowledgeable and answered all our questions; even stopping along the road to give us a taste of their local markets of fruits and their delicious rotisserie Pork (Ginny pig and grub worms if you dare). If I had done this trip by the 'seat of my pants' I would have loss so much knowledge that Antonio taught us with enthusiasm about Ecuador. We stopped at so many places I would have passed up on my own. The special dinners all included were wonderful! One night we had Ecuadorian musicians play their beautiful flutes and stringed instruments after a gourmet dinner in the most beautiful setting. For having a bus load, it was all so smoothly orchestrated. I never felt like I was 'herded' or rushed from place to place. I made many friends in our diverse group. The Amazon Basin was a highlight for me. We had the best day hiking in the Rainforest and then cooling off after on a lazy raft trip down the river. I jumped off the raft and swam for a while. It was so fun. The lodge on the river was organic in the sense that most everything was tastefully carved and polished from the beautiful natural woods in the area. We had the Amazon experience but in real comfort and style and with beautiful gardens. (No A/C, no TV, etc.) We had screen walls protecting us from the insects. As the air cooled into the night, I slept solid! I loved listening to the open air of the birds and the sound of the river. Gate 1, I am looking forward to another tour somewhere in this great beyond. I am so glad you came into my life.

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!

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.

FABULOUS! Thank you for all your help with my reservation. The guide, Paul, was absolutely the quintessential guide. He was always professional, organized, efficient, helpful, knowledgeable. In addition, he was passionate about his country and its people and compassionate with all in the tour group for whatever issues arose. He personalized the tour with anecdotes and visits to places where we could talk to individual locals and chat with them. Wicked good. His knowledge about the prehistory, history, geography, literature, music, crafts, climate, culture, dialects, religion, architecture, and social mores was nonpareil. Alexis, our driver was the consummate professional in navigating the roads and highways in Ecuador. He was a gentleman with helping people on and off the bus, providing plentiful water, and chatting with us during the rest stops. Great driver. Overall, a tremendous tour. Thanks again for your help with adjustments to my tour.

We highly recommended this tour. We had a great tour manager, the hotels and lodges were beautiful and the excursions were very interesting.

What a wonderful experience! My 8th adventure with Gate1 travel! The organization was impeccable. That I arrived so late at night in Quito was of course, hard but: that Giovanna Hermosa greeted us at the Hilton at 2 am was just above her duties. And above her duties also was that she accompanied us to the departure area March 2/3 - so late and again for others in the middle of the night!!! This amazing tour manager is a trough of knowledge that she gently shared with our group. She knows so many things, at so many occasions she explained things, gave us details of her knowledge that I have encountered only once before: India trip with Aparna, our guide. I felt with Giovanna that we could ask anything and she had readily an answer. It showed me her genuine love for her country and her interest to know everything about her country be it politics, plants, the layouts of the land etc. and sharing it with us gave me a deeper feeling for her country. Little details: She bought bananas for us to eat along the long bus rides. Sweets which seem to be a delicious staple of Ecuador, cookies to break up the long rides, and at the end a souvenir for everyone - the Tagua Ivory which won't let us forget neither this amazing person but the wonderful Ecuador trip. Roque, the driver , was great. He was helpful with us oldies, friendly and very concerned about our security and safety. I called him the alcohol man as he did not forget anyone entering the bus with his bottle to disinfect our hands. Last, but not least: The Ecuadorian Gate 1 organizer did a fabulous job in selecting the accommodations which were definitely unique, interesting and amazing.

As a first time costumer of Gate1, I want to start off by saying thank you and express the enjoyment experienced on my last adventure. All travel and transfers went smoothly. All stops and sights that we visited were amazing. All staff was cordial and gracious. I would very much like to express my experience with our tour guide Wilson and also our driver Hermes. They are the best! From the moment we touched down at the airport they were there, ready and willing. Every second from there after we felt safe and secure. I know I can speak for others on the trip when I say they both are a joy and great human beings. I can truly say this experience, especially because of both of these men, will remain with us the rest of our lives. Thank you for your time and we look forward to many adventures together.

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!

My trip to Ecuador with Gate 1 was wonderful! Our tour director, Daniel, was fabulous. He took care of us as he called us "Family." He was also very informed about the areas and native groups living there. I traveled with my college aged granddaughter and we were so pleased that 3 other college girls were also on the trip. It was a great bonding experience for us and good for all of our ages on the trip. Thanks for the tremendous Gate 1 organization!

I recently took a Gate 1 trip to Ecuador (8 days) from Oct 24th to Oct 31st. It was an outstanding tour and a week I will never forget! I can't believe how much we did in such a short amount of time and the variety of natural beauty was off the charts. Giovanna, our tour guide was fantastic. I felt she treated us like family, was incredibly knowledgeable, and navigated our tour smoothly. She established a wonderful balance between experience and human warmth. The guides and staff from the lodges and restaurants were also very cordial and hospitable, in particular Ambrosio and Andres at Casa del Suizo in the Amazon. I cannot say enough about how wonderful this trip was and I have been recommending it to all my friends, family, and co-workers. I fell in love with Ecuador's nature and Gate 1 opened the doors to this beautiful country.

I would like to extend my gratitude to Antonio, our Ecuador Tour guide manager. He was absolutely fantastic and made everyone in the group feel valued, safe and inclusive within the group activities. Antonio went above and beyond his duties to engage us in the history, culture and knowledge of his beloved country. His enthusiasm to share his passions and culinary delights with us all were simply memorable. You can see and feel from just spending nine days with him that he has a love for people and his job. A true asset to the image and respectability of Gate 1 travel. Overall it will go down as one of the most memorable vacations me and the wife ( who can't stop telling everyone, by the way), have ever had and we have the Gate 1 Travel 'bug' as we have just booked two more trips with Gate 1 Travel for next year already..! (Portugal and Morocco in March and April). And the catalyst to these bookings was the excellent standards set by both Antonio and our beloved driver Javiaire who's steely nerve and knowledge of the roads made us feel really safe. Thanks to you both for all you did for ALL the group...

This was my first passport-required international trip (and first with Gate 1) and it by far exceeded my expectations!! Wow!! I went with a group of 8 other ladies, fellow members of "Sisters on the Fly", and there were 3 other couples in our tour group for a total of 15. That small number was incredible to travel with. Just perfect! While the cities of Guayaquil and Quito were impressive and interesting (and the Equator was very cool of course), the shining diamond in this trip are the Galápagos Islands themselves! I can't say enough good things about this tour. Our naturalist and guide, Enrique, couldn't have been any better. His warmth, friendliness, and willingness to help was evident after the first couple of minutes. His knowledge about the land, animals, plants, and history of the islands was unending. We never had any worries about anything at all. He's a perfect guide for this tour and we were all so happy to have him during our time on the Galapagos! In addition, our driver "Mr. G" was great and super friendly, even smiling for a "selfie" with us! And the crew aboard the catamaran "Adriana" were outstanding! Tata, Virgil, and Lucas went above and beyond in making sure we were all comfortable, happy, well fed, and safe during our two days cruising the waters between islands. I absolutely LOVED this entire trip and I'm not sure how I feel about the bar being set SO HIGH after only my first Gate 1 Travel experience. haha!! I can't wait to tour with your company again very soon. Thank you SO much!!

I don't have a bucket list-I don't believe in them. If I did, I do not know if Ecuador would even have been on it. When a friend send me info on Gate 1 trip to Ecuador I was enthralled. My visit at the airport started with meeting Antonio the tour guide who greeted me and my companion traveler with a big smile and a warm welcome. I found Antonio to be a man who is passionate about his work, life, family, friends, his country, Ecuadorian cuisine and so much more ( in no particular order). He gives 100% daily and this was so apparent our entire trip. "My friends I am here for you. If you need anything let me know." He is obviously a man of incredible patience. No matter how many times the tour participants (29) asked him questions ( even the same one over and over!) he would gladly answer. During the course of the trip he pointed out many sites (big and small) along our path. He pointed out even the smallest critters- even an ant who had a citrus flavor. He mentioned he has an fantastic office which he really loved. I was in awe! Antonio provided us with special snacks along the way with an accompanying delightful story. I really enjoyed both equally. His kindheartedness was apparent especially to me when I had a stomach issue. "My friend for you I recommend the chicken soup (pointing to the menu) tonight." He treated us as family and his warmth was palpable. I really enjoyed this adventure and I know it was Antonio who played an integral part in this. My heartfelt thanks to him. Gate 1 has such a gem. So while Antonio is no longer my tour guide- he is my friend. What a good deal! By the way I made a list- Places I Love : Ecuador.

The 8 Day Classic Ecuador & Amazon Adventure trip was marvelous and I have many fond memories. Every hotel was outstanding and a unique experience. The food was delicious. Our driver, Hermes, is quite the expert. Some of the spaces he had to get us through were tight, tight, but he did it smoothly and safely. High fives to Hermes. Our tour manager, Wilson is an awesome person and tour manager. He was definitely the highlight of the trip. He tackled every detail with enthusiasm and kept us well informed and happy. He loves his country and now I love his country too. I will forever remember Wilson and Ecuador. One of my most memorable trips. Loved the various levels of adventure--something for everyone. Looking forward to traveling with Gate1 in the future.

My husband and I travelled internationally to many destinations by ourselves or with a private tour. This is our (husband & I) first trip with Gate 1. We could not ask for more. We had the best tour guide, Wilson who made everything absolutely enjoyable. His knowledge about culture, history, flora, fauna, shopping, location, etc were excellent. His sense of humor, courtesy, and responsibility were second to none. Wilson created the warm environment. He helped make us into a family. He is a great asset to Gate 1. Accommodations and food were above and beyond what I expected. My good experience from this trip will be memorable. Many thanks to Gate 1 to make the travel products the world class. I will keep my eyes on our next destination with Gate 1.

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!

I am going out of my way to write you because I had perhaps the most extraordinary experience of my life being led through the Andes and the Amazon by the exuberant, brilliant Wilson, driven through all kinds of weather and topography by the reliable and serene Walter. I've been on two independent Gate1 vacations before, and one guided tour (of India's Golden Triangle, back in 2019), and as wonderful as those trips were, nothing has led me to immediate bookmark not one but THREE Gate1 tours to take asap as much as Wilson and Walter's dream team Ecuadorian experience. Wilson was easy to get to know and even easier to like -- he began our tour by telling us a bit about himself, vulnerabilities and all, and invited the group to go around and do the same. From the very first hour, he turned us from a group of tentative strangers into a vibrant and compassionate family. His knowledge of the region seemed inexhaustible and his love for the people and landscape (and the inextricable ways they are intertwined, as he showed us, changing us all forever) profoundly affected me. He is also very, very funny. I know I will be back on another Gate1 tour soon -- just not soon enough, considering the extraordinary, amazing time I just had. Thank you for Wilson, for Walter, and for everyone on my tour.

The trip was amazing! Our Galapagos guide, Camilo, went above and beyond and Daniel in Quito was very good as well. Loved the small group size of 15...and it was a good group. Great weather, food and sights. Would definitely recommend this Gate 1 trip to friends.

The Galapagos Islands and Ecuador trip was awesome! Our travel guides Aldo, Camillo, Antonio and Pablo were outstanding as well as our drivers. The guides made our trip smooth and interesting. I highly recommend this trip and Gate 1 to everyone!

My partner and I recently returned from our 11-day Ecuador, the Amazon and Peru adventure with Gate1. The entire trip was fabulous from start to finish. We were not only blessed with excellent guides, but we had a a wonderful group to boot! (This was our fourth group tour and that doesn't always happen!) We continue to be impressed with the logistics involved and have noticed an upgrade in most of the accommodations provided. Tour guide Marco was excellent in Ecuador and the Amazon. We found him knowledgeable, professional and a whole lot of fun. Tour guide Abel was equally excellent. We have found that it can be a challenge for the second guide to win everyone over as many people get used to a style and can struggle with change. We were so impressed how Abel took great care to win everyone over with his caring nature and winning sense of humor. Personally, I got sick in the town of Machu Picchu the day after visiting the sacred valley. Abel took immediate action and got me some meds that worked like a miracle. He is a gem and Gate1 is lucky to have him. Again, we are Gate1 fans and we look forward to our next adventure. We have watched Gate1 go from good to great...not easy!

My trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos was the best trip of my life!! Our guides Carmillo and Daniel were amazing. So intelligent and passionate about their country and the work they do. They were very friendly, kind and helpful. They provided excellent recommendations for dinner and additional places to visit! Incredible people!

I went on the 7 Day Galapagos Express trip 5/21-5/27 with 3 other traveling companions in my party. Our naturalist guide in the Galapagos, Venus was outstanding! She was very organized, extremely knowledgeable about the area, and super fun. She is definitely an asset to your company. The catamaran crew that took us to the various islands was also outstanding. I was amazed at the delicious meals they created onboard the ship. Everyone did their best to make sure we had a fun and relaxing vacation. This was my first trip with Gate 1 so I was not sure what to expect. I have to say that Venus went above and beyond my expectations. Aldo in Guayaquil was also very organized and very helpful in getting us from the airport to our hotel and from the hotel to the airport for the Galapagos. He handled every tiny detail. Antonio in Quito was very friendly and also very knowledgeable about his city. My traveling party and I had a very fun and relaxing vacation thanks to the wonderful guides who took such good care of us. Thank you!

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.

Our trip to Ecuador was absolutely fantastic. Eduardo could not have done anything better in my opinion. And Ivan, our bus driver, was incredible. The two of them are a dynamic duo! This is my first trip with Gate 1 and I couldn't be happier. I would (and have) recommended Gate 1 to many people.