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Ecuador & Galapagos Vacations: Book a tour in South America with Virgin Vacations, the premier provider of South America vacation packages & Ecuador tours. Travel to Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands and more with the best tours of South America.
Ecuador Tours
Maximize comfort and value, while taking advantage of the camaraderie that comes with traveling as a group. Escorted tours feature a professional English-speaking tour manager to handle all of your needs on your land tour. On partially escorted tours, a portion of your vacation may be independent; sightseeing tours are provided by professional English-speaking local guides.
|Air & LandA&L
|Land OnlyLO
5 Day Amazon Express
|1 Quito, 2 Amazon, 1 Papallacta
|Jan - Dec '17
8 Day Classic Ecuador & Amazon Adventure
|2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
|Jan - Dec '17
8 Day Classic Ecuador & Amazon Adventure
Book By Oct 13, 2017 & Save!
|2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
|Jan - Dec '18
9 Day Ecuador with 4 Day Eastern Galapagos Cruise
|Sea Cruise
|2 Guayaquil, 4 Cruise, 2 Quito
|Jan - Nov '17
9 Day Ecuador with 4 Day Northern Galapagos Cruise
|Sea Cruise
|2 Guayaquil, 4 Cruise, 2 Quito
|Jan - Nov '17
10 Day Classic Ecuador & Amazon Adventure
|3 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños, 1 Cotopaxi
|Jan - Dec '17
10 Day Ecuador with 5 Day Western Galapagos Cruise
|Sea Cruise
|2 Guayaquil, 5 Cruise, 2 Quito
|Jan - Dec '17
10 Day Kaleidoscope of Ecuador with Andes Mountains & Amazon
|2 Guayaquil, 2 Cuenca, 1 Riobamba, 2 Amazon, 2 Quito
|Jan - Dec '17
11 Day Ecuador, the Amazon & Peru with Machu Picchu
|2 Quito, 2 Amazon, 3 Lima, 2 Cuzco, 1 Machu Picchu
|Jan - Dec '17
11 Day Ecuador, the Amazon & Peru with Machu Picchu (Miami Special)
|2 Quito, 2 Amazon, 3 Lima, 2 Cuzco, 1 Machu Picchu
|Jan - Dec '17
12 Day Galapagos Islands & Ecuador
|1 Guayaquil, 3 Galapagos, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
|Jan - Dec '17
12 Day Galapagos Islands & Ecuador
Book By Oct 12, 2017 & Save!
|1 Guayaquil, 3 Galapagos, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
|Jan - Dec '18
14 Day Ecuador with 4 Day Northern Galapagos Cruise
|2 Guayaquil, 4 Cruise, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
|Jan - Dec '17
14 Day Galapagos Islands & Ecuador
|2 Guayaquil, 4 Galapagos Islands, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
|Jan - Dec '17
14 Day Galapagos Islands & Ecuador
Book By Oct 13, 2017 & Save!
|2 Guayaquil, 4 Galapagos Islands, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
|Feb - Nov '18
15 Day Ecuador with 5 Day Western Galapagos Cruise
|2 Guayaquil, 5 Cruise, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
|Jan - Dec '17
17 Day Ecuador & Peru
|2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños, 3 Lima, 2 Urubamba, 2 Cuzco, 2 Puno
|Jan - Dec '17
17 Day Ecuador & Peru
Book By Oct 13, 2017 & Save!
|2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños, 3 Lima, 2 Urubamba, 2 Cuzco, 2 Puno
|Jan - Dec '17
19 Day Peru with 5 Day Western Galapagos Cruise
|2 Guayaquil, 5 Cruise, 2 Quito, 3 Lima, 2 Urubamba, 2 Cuzco, 2 Puno
|Jan - Nov '17
5 Day Amazon ExpressEscorted
1 Quito, 2 Amazon, 1 Papallacta
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$1039*Land Only:
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8 Day Classic Ecuador & Amazon AdventureEscorted
2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$1189*Land Only:
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8 Day Classic Ecuador & Amazon AdventureEscorted
Book By Oct 13, 2017 & Save!
2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
Jan - Dec '18Air & Land:
$1349*Land Only:
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9 Day Ecuador with 4 Day Eastern Galapagos CruiseSea Cruise
2 Guayaquil, 4 Cruise, 2 Quito
Jan - Nov '17Air & Land:
$4769*Land Only:
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9 Day Ecuador with 4 Day Northern Galapagos CruiseSea Cruise
2 Guayaquil, 4 Cruise, 2 Quito
Jan - Nov '17Air & Land:
$4799*Land Only:
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10 Day Classic Ecuador & Amazon AdventureEscorted
3 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños, 1 Cotopaxi
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$1469*Land Only:
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10 Day Ecuador with 5 Day Western Galapagos CruiseSea Cruise
2 Guayaquil, 5 Cruise, 2 Quito
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$5569*Land Only:
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10 Day Kaleidoscope of Ecuador with Andes Mountains & AmazonEscorted
2 Guayaquil, 2 Cuenca, 1 Riobamba, 2 Amazon, 2 Quito
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$1689*Land Only:
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11 Day Ecuador, the Amazon & Peru with Machu PicchuEscorted
2 Quito, 2 Amazon, 3 Lima, 2 Cuzco, 1 Machu Picchu
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$2579*Land Only:
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11 Day Ecuador, the Amazon & Peru with Machu Picchu (Miami Special)Escorted
2 Quito, 2 Amazon, 3 Lima, 2 Cuzco, 1 Machu Picchu
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$2429*Land Only:
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12 Day Galapagos Islands & EcuadorEscorted
1 Guayaquil, 3 Galapagos, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$4019*Land Only:
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12 Day Galapagos Islands & EcuadorEscorted
Book By Oct 12, 2017 & Save!
1 Guayaquil, 3 Galapagos, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
Jan - Dec '18Air & Land:
$4169*Land Only:
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14 Day Ecuador with 4 Day Northern Galapagos CruiseEscorted
2 Guayaquil, 4 Cruise, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$5479*Land Only:
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14 Day Galapagos Islands & EcuadorEscorted
2 Guayaquil, 4 Galapagos Islands, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$4689*Land Only:
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14 Day Galapagos Islands & EcuadorEscorted
Book By Oct 13, 2017 & Save!
2 Guayaquil, 4 Galapagos Islands, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
Feb - Nov '18Air & Land:
$4819*Land Only:
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15 Day Ecuador with 5 Day Western Galapagos CruiseEscorted
2 Guayaquil, 5 Cruise, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$5949*Land Only:
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17 Day Ecuador & PeruEscorted
2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños, 3 Lima, 2 Urubamba, 2 Cuzco, 2 Puno
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$3589*Land Only:
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17 Day Ecuador & PeruEscorted
Book By Oct 13, 2017 & Save!
2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños, 3 Lima, 2 Urubamba, 2 Cuzco, 2 Puno
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$3559*Land Only:
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19 Day Peru with 5 Day Western Galapagos CruiseEscorted
2 Guayaquil, 5 Cruise, 2 Quito, 3 Lima, 2 Urubamba, 2 Cuzco, 2 Puno
Jan - Nov '17Air & Land:
$7659*Land Only:
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Galapagos Tours
Maximize comfort and value, while taking advantage of the camaraderie that comes with traveling as a group. Escorted tours feature a professional English-speaking tour manager to handle all of your needs on your land tour. On partially escorted tours, a portion of your vacation may be independent; sightseeing tours are provided by professional English-speaking local guides.
|Air & LandA&L
|Land OnlyLO
7 Day Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil & Quito
|1 Guayaquil, 3 Galapagos, 2 Quito
|Jan - Dec '17
7 Day Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil & Quito
Book By Oct 13, 2017 & Save!
|1 Guayaquil, 3 Galapagos, 2 Quito
|Jan - Dec '18
9 Day Ecuador with 4 Day Eastern Galapagos Cruise
|Sea Cruise
|2 Guayaquil, 4 Cruise, 2 Quito
|Jan - Nov '17
9 Day Ecuador with 4 Day Northern Galapagos Cruise
|Sea Cruise
|2 Guayaquil, 4 Cruise, 2 Quito
|Jan - Nov '17
9 Day Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil & Quito
|2 Guayaquil, 4 Galapagos, 2 Quito
|Jan - Dec '17
9 Day Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil & Quito
Book By Oct 13, 2017 & Save!
|2 Guayaquil, 4 Galapagos, 2 Quito
|Jan - Nov '18
10 Day Ecuador with 5 Day Western Galapagos Cruise
|Sea Cruise
|2 Guayaquil, 5 Cruise, 2 Quito
|Jan - Dec '17
12 Day Galapagos Islands & Ecuador
|1 Guayaquil, 3 Galapagos, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
|Jan - Dec '17
12 Day Galapagos Islands & Ecuador
Book By Oct 12, 2017 & Save!
|1 Guayaquil, 3 Galapagos, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
|Jan - Dec '18
14 Day Ecuador with 4 Day Northern Galapagos Cruise
|2 Guayaquil, 4 Cruise, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
|Jan - Dec '17
14 Day Galapagos Islands & Ecuador
|2 Guayaquil, 4 Galapagos Islands, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
|Jan - Dec '17
14 Day Galapagos Islands & Ecuador
Book By Oct 13, 2017 & Save!
|2 Guayaquil, 4 Galapagos Islands, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
|Feb - Nov '18
15 Day Ecuador with 5 Day Western Galapagos Cruise
|2 Guayaquil, 5 Cruise, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
|Jan - Dec '17
16 Day Affordable Peru with Galapagos Islands
|1 Guayaquil, 3 Galapagos, 2 Quito, 3 Lima, 2 Urubamba, 2 Cuzco, 2 Puno
|Jan - Dec '17
19 Day Peru with 5 Day Western Galapagos Cruise
|2 Guayaquil, 5 Cruise, 2 Quito, 3 Lima, 2 Urubamba, 2 Cuzco, 2 Puno
|Jan - Nov '17
7 Day Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil & QuitoEscorted
1 Guayaquil, 3 Galapagos, 2 Quito
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$3519*Land Only:
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7 Day Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil & QuitoEscorted
Book By Oct 13, 2017 & Save!
1 Guayaquil, 3 Galapagos, 2 Quito
Jan - Dec '18Air & Land:
$3449*Land Only:
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9 Day Ecuador with 4 Day Eastern Galapagos CruiseSea Cruise
2 Guayaquil, 4 Cruise, 2 Quito
Jan - Nov '17Air & Land:
$4769*Land Only:
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9 Day Ecuador with 4 Day Northern Galapagos CruiseSea Cruise
2 Guayaquil, 4 Cruise, 2 Quito
Jan - Nov '17Air & Land:
$4799*Land Only:
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9 Day Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil & QuitoEscorted
2 Guayaquil, 4 Galapagos, 2 Quito
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$4269*Land Only:
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9 Day Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil & QuitoEscorted
Book By Oct 13, 2017 & Save!
2 Guayaquil, 4 Galapagos, 2 Quito
Jan - Nov '18Air & Land:
$4239*Land Only:
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10 Day Ecuador with 5 Day Western Galapagos CruiseSea Cruise
2 Guayaquil, 5 Cruise, 2 Quito
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$5569*Land Only:
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12 Day Galapagos Islands & EcuadorEscorted
1 Guayaquil, 3 Galapagos, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$4019*Land Only:
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12 Day Galapagos Islands & EcuadorEscorted
Book By Oct 12, 2017 & Save!
1 Guayaquil, 3 Galapagos, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
Jan - Dec '18Air & Land:
$4169*Land Only:
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14 Day Ecuador with 4 Day Northern Galapagos CruiseEscorted
2 Guayaquil, 4 Cruise, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$5479*Land Only:
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14 Day Galapagos Islands & EcuadorEscorted
2 Guayaquil, 4 Galapagos Islands, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$4689*Land Only:
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14 Day Galapagos Islands & EcuadorEscorted
Book By Oct 13, 2017 & Save!
2 Guayaquil, 4 Galapagos Islands, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
Feb - Nov '18Air & Land:
$4819*Land Only:
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15 Day Ecuador with 5 Day Western Galapagos CruiseEscorted
2 Guayaquil, 5 Cruise, 2 Quito, 1 Otavalo, 1 Papallacta, 2 Amazon, 1 Baños
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$5949*Land Only:
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16 Day Affordable Peru with Galapagos IslandsEscorted
1 Guayaquil, 3 Galapagos, 2 Quito, 3 Lima, 2 Urubamba, 2 Cuzco, 2 Puno
Jan - Dec '17Air & Land:
$5609*Land Only:
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19 Day Peru with 5 Day Western Galapagos CruiseEscorted
2 Guayaquil, 5 Cruise, 2 Quito, 3 Lima, 2 Urubamba, 2 Cuzco, 2 Puno
Jan - Nov '17Air & Land:
$7659*Land Only:
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The trip was absolutely amazing!! I travel quite a lot for both business and pleasure and was unsure how I would feel on a big group experience like this. But I was beyond pleasantly surprised. The activities and adventures were so cool. Every hotel was fabulous. It just kept getting better and better. Probably the best part of the whole trip was Patricio. He was such a wonderful mix of information, heart and compassion. He truly made me love and care for Ecuador. Additionally he used his wisdom to help us navigate some of the more difficult aspects of the trip (Like saying goodbye, and being in close quarters with so many strangers.) I will definitely take another Gate 1 Trip and have already told so many people how amazing my experience was.Sarah H. Las Vegas, NV
Adam it was great, far exceeding my expectations. Patricio(?) was a wonderful guide and Margaret and I will never forget his kind patience. His knowledge of and passion for Ecuador added so much. The lodgings were comfortable and interesting in their own right (Papallacta was my favorite). I would never have imagined so much could be packed into 6 days. It's a trip we will never forget.David H. Del Mar, CA
Excellent. One of the best trips we ever took. What made the trip exceptional was our guide, Wilson, his passion for his county and his enthusiasm made us step out of the box and exceed our expectations. We will certainly look for another trip where he is the guide.Kathleen W. Middletown, NJ
My trip was great! And my guide, Wilson, was wonderful. I've been recommending the trip and Gate 1 to everyone since being back.Allison H. Washington, DC
This was a great trip and very well organized. I wanted to especially recognize our guide to the Amazon, Wilson, who was amazing. He truly wanted to share his love for his country and his culture and did so with passion and enthusiasm.Judy H. Sparks, NV
Absolutely loved our adventure in Ecuador! Our guide Alfredo was so informative and humorous! Our group was great, the hotels were wonderful and food was good. Our first trip with Gate 1, so impressed with the schedule, and the value. Can't wait for our next trip!Linda C. Fruita, CO
This was my husband's and my first time traveling with Gate 1 although many in our Ecuador group of 33 were frequent travelers with Gate 1. We thoroughly enjoyed the entire trip. It started off perfect with our pick up at the airport to the moment they dropped us back to the airport 8 days later. Our guide for the trip was Eduardo and our driver was Gallo; both were wonderful. Eduardo has 30+ years in the travel industry and he was just so knowledgeable, personable and well-traveled himself that he truly made the trip. He could talk on all subjects regarding Ecuador so we came away with such a well-rounded knowledge base of Ecuador - we were just fascinated especially since we truly did not know much about Ecuador pre-trip. The accommodations were all great and unique to each of the areas where we traveled and the staff, service and cleanliness were impeccable. The food at each location was really good too with many choices. We toured the country via a very nice bus (again, Gallo great driver, super friendly, very helpful). We apparently only drove 600 miles in the 7 days there but it seemed like more because the elevation changes made the drive slower in some areas. Gallo negotiated all the climbs and descents superbly and safely so we just had fun watching the beautiful countryside and learning a lot from Eduardo. They also made frequent stops to see great views or just for the bathroom. Again, I could go on and on telling you what we learned and saw but I will conclude by saying it was a great trip. We enjoyed our travel companions, our guide and driver, and all the wonderful people we met along the way. High marks to Gate 1 - we will surely use them again.Alisa A. Columbus, OH
First time with Gate 1 but, will not be the last, Outstanding service second to none, Ecaudor was a once in a lifetime experience, Our guide, Jose, made this trip with his individual attention to everyone, no one felt left out, knowledgeable, funny, he deserves a raise... This man gives your company a great name.. I will recommend Gate 1 to everyone, & am looking forward to our next trip with youPatrick H. Simpsonville, SC
The trip was WONDERFUL. We have traveled often, but never on a tour. Eduardo and Gallo made everything so easy, fun and educational for our group of 33. Having Eduardo to teach us about the country, and stops, was amazing. I've never learned so much about a culture before, traveling on my own. The places we stayed were all wonderful, as well. I believe we will be using Gate 1 again in the future. Too bad I can't request Eduardo to go to other countries that I want to see.Leidra S. Columbus, OH
Our trip was great. Walking through the Amazon Jungle, visiting the local village, canoeing the river, and the overnight at the hot springs resort were all amazing experiences. It was an eye opener for us; it being a new place for us to visit that has totally different environment and cultures. i"m so glad we made the trip.Sue W. West Point, IA
Thank you, we had a lovely trip. Everything went well with the flights, transfers and accommodations. We really enjoyed the outings in the Galapagos! Looking forward to the next trip!Claudia E. Mundelein, IL
It was amazing! My best gate one experience as I have traveled two separate times with gate one also. Patricio was the best tour guide I couldn't have asked for a better person. He is so genuine, funny, and loving. I cried when I had to leave. Ecuador is my favorite country I have been to and I've been to quite a handful.Hanna D. Shakopee, MN
Our trip was amazing and I am very grateful for Gate 1's services. I wanted to acknowledge our Ecuador guide, Marco, and driver, Carlos! I have been on many tours and can honestly say Marco is one of the best guides I had!! He is extremely knowledgeable and helpful!! Once again thank you for a great trip!Yana B. Staten Island, NY
Trip was wonderful! Patricio was an excellent guide--tons of fun and lots to share. Very capable. Ecuador was amazing and the tour covered a lot of different areas and interests. Especially good that the culture/environment were treated with sensitivity and respect. Accommodations were better than expected and meals were over the top.Barbara M. Alberta, Canada
My trip was fantastic. It was my first time to travel without a family member. However, traveling with a group for a guided tour was awesome. Whatever I expected or had in the back of mind, was exceeded many fold. We went to places and experienced Ecuador in a way that could not of been done on my own. The accommodations, the food, the activities, selected sites, transportation (Francisco), and background guidance (Jose) were exceptional. I thank Gate 1 for a great first experience. I hope there will be many more in the future.Naomi W. El Paso, TX
OMG it was amazing! I enjoyed every moment. the food was great. the hotels were great. and Marcelo was AWESOME. Hands down the best tour I've been on. My friends and i will be retuning back to Gate 1 Travel.Chelsea J. Shreveport, LA
Ecuador was amazing and so beautiful! Our experience was great. Our tour guide was wonderful. We have recommended Gate 1 to others and plan to use them again in the future.Deborah K. Wilmington, DE
The Trip was great! I enjoyed it from beginning to the end. Everything went smooth with the excellent assistance of the world class Guides in both Ecuador and Peru. Curlos was above and beyond the guide service with information and superior knowledge of his cities, history, geography and rain forest experience in Ecuador. I was sure this experience could not be topped until we met our Peru guide, Juan . His guide leadership with the knowledge of a university professor, athleticism of mountain climber, and personal helper of a father left me a very happy customer of Gate 1 Travel. I will be traveling with your company again very soon. Thanks again.Walter H. Whitmore Lake, MI
Ecuador was beautiful and our guys were just phenomenal. The naturalist in Galapagos were so informative and helpful and Marco from the mainland tour was just great energy and very welcoming. Looking forward to our next Gate 1 tripMuriel H. Bronx, NY
We had a great time in Ecuador and the Galapagos. We also met some great people. It was one of the best groups ever!Shirlene S. Big Spring, TX
It was fabulous! The places we stayed at were top notch and Javier was an excellent guide. Rocky was a great driver as well. Another great Gate 1 trip!Victoria C. British Columbia, Canada
We had a great trip to Ecuador with Gate 1 travel. The hotels were amazing and the country was beautiful. Giovanna was an outstanding tour manager. She was so friendly and patient with everyone and provided us with so much detail about the country throughout our excursion. Hermes was a wonderful driver maneuvering many winding roads with ease and making us all feel comfortable. We are grateful to both of them for helping to make our trip unforgettable. We would not hesitate to use Gate 1 Travel again in the future and to recommend to our friends and family.Janet W. Ontario, Canada
I have traveled in many parts of the world on numerous trips. I have to believe this was the best trip that I have ever taken. Our guide was beyond excellent and the entire trip had so many varying activities it it hard to describe. Thanks Marcelo and Gate 1 Travel!!!!!Louis M Jr. Treasure Isl, FL
The trip was fantastic. We really enjoyed Ecuador and our guide, Marcello, was great. Ecuador is amazing with the high altitudes and the Amazon jungle - what a mixture. And the weather was perfect. We expected rainy and cold - but sunny and warm. Plus the hotels were great.Cynthia K. Chicago, IL
Wow! By far this was the best vacation I have ever had. I had been to Ecuador once before, traveling with a few others on our own, so I was already in love with the country. But this trip was phenomenal. Our guide Eduardo was unbelievably knowledgeable about every facet of history, geology, anthropology, ethnography, botany, wildlife, current and past politics, and the weather and climate. He was kind, patient, professional, thoroughly attentive to everyone's needs, and had a good sense of humor. All of the accommodations were were fantastic, as was the food. This was the first time I had ever traveled with a tour and guide and wasn't sure what to expect, even though several of my friends had highly recommended gate1 travel. I will definitely use Gate 1 for all of my future travels, and hope to have Eduardo as my guide for future trips to Ecuador, as I will return. I will also highly recommend Gate 1 to my friends and family.Victoria C. N Ft Myers, FL
Everything was great! Both guides (Paul in Ecuador and Julio in Peru) were knowledgeable and professional. We were very impressed by them both!Natasha N. Hilliard, OH
Our trip was really great! We were introduced to many regions of Ecuador, some of which we will go back and explore in the future. The Amazon rain forest was truly the highlight of the trip. While we would have liked to stay another day or two, we didn't want to 'dive' any deeper into the forest than what we did. Another walking tour through the area would have been great, but we're happy we got to see what we did. And we especially liked going to the animal rescue center. We're looking forward to our next Gate 1 trip to Ireland in March and we're searching the Gate 1 website for a trip to Scandinavia and Iceland in Oct. 2017. Any suggestions? We want to go for about 2 weeks, with about 4 days in Iceland. Our friends, who went with us on the Ecuador trip, want to go with us again!Matina D. Miami Lakes, FL
It was AMAZING. I am telling you, I have never gone on a group trip like this before and we had low expectations. I was WRONG. It was beyond fantastic. Our guide was the perfect blend of smart and fun and ready for adventure. We met lots of interesting people in our group (many of whom had traveled with Gate 1) many times before. We are already talking about what is next.Nicole R. Redlands, CA
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. The small size (14 people)was a bonus); Patricio ,our philosopher, storyteller, proud Ecuadorian guide was very special; the unique accommodations were a treat and Danny, our super save driver helped us relax. Thank you for an excellent trip.Susan S. Ontario, Canada
Absolutely fantastic! Our tour guide Jose was knowledgeable, helpful and awesome. All the lodgings exceeded my expectations. The tours were informative. I really enjoyed this trip and have been recommending it to anyone that will listen. Thank you for providing this trip and for the great service!Michelle F. Monticello, FL
Incredible! We loved our small 16 person group and tour guide Giovanna was terrific. We enjoyed the hotels very much. We were constantly amazed at the value of the product Gate 1 provided at what seemed to be an incredible price. We will be looking to Gate 1 for another adventure soon. Glad we get all the Gate 1 email notices.Joseph M Jr. Torrance, CA
The trip was amazing. The Gate 1 guides and drivers were excellent. The crew on the Santa Cruz II were very personable and did everything to make the cruise and excursions memorable. I would definitely recommend this trip.Janet E. Columbia, MD
The trip to Ecuador was extraordinary. The trip was fast-paced as we were moving everyday except 2 nights in the Amazon. The accommodations and food were excellent, especially the accommodations in the Amazon. The group of 23 were a great bunch of people. Would go with that group anywhere. But the best feature of the tour was our tour guide, Eduardo, who was exceptional. He was all one would want in tour guide. Friendly, interesting, knowledgeable and extremely helpful. The short stops for side tours, bathroom breaks, snacks and photo opportunities were well timed and greatly appreciated by the group. The bus was clean and comfortable and the driver, Geraldo, was very good and demonstrated his skills in the mountain roads and busy city traffic. Kudos to Gate 1 Travel and to Eduardo who was extraordinary.Thomas L. Reno, NV
The trip was great! Our tour guide, Eduardo, was outstanding. He was interesting, informative, helpful, and just an all-around nice guy. The Hotels were all very nice and comfortable. All included meals were first rate. Side tours, short stops for snacks, potty calls, and photo ops were interesting, well spaced, and appreciated. The bus was comfortable and the driver, Gerardo, did a super job negotiating the winding mountain roads and congested town traffic. The cruise portion of the trip was fantastic. The accommodations were clean and comfortable, food was great, shore excursions were well managed, ship staff were super and the naturalists/guides were excellent. Since the Galapagos was a "bucket list" trip, the cruise portion of the excursion was very important to us. It was very well managed and more than met our expectations. After getting home we discussed what we didn't like about the trip. We came up with two things - My wife did not like her dinner selection one night on the cruise (my choice was great) and we did not like the rain on the morning we visited the Devil's Cauldron. Neither of these issues were under the control of Gate 1 (or anyone else) so I think you all hit this one out of the park. Our three favorite vacations of all time are; 1) This Ecaudor/Galapagos trip, 2) Peru/Machu-Pichu, and 3) a two week European river cruise. All booked via Gate 1. We'll be back.John A. Colonial Bch, VA
The trip to Ecuador was great. Daniell our tour guide made it spectacular. The resorts we stayed in were beautiful....wish we could have stayed longer.Tari G. Hghlnds Ranch, CO
Our guide, Marcelo, was very knowledgeable and provided much information about the sites we saw as well as the country and people. He was attentive to the needs of our group, organized, kind, and listened to and answered our questions. He brought the group together and encouraged us to explore the cities together on our own when we had free time. He was very good at establishing group dynamics between members. He was fun to be around and made himself available to us whenever needed. Our bus driver was such a great driver. He could get us into any place with no difficulty. He enjoyed his job. We always felt safe with him at the wheel. There are so many different climatic areas in Ecuador to explore and this trip touched on all of them. This was our second trip to Ecuador because we wanted to see more of the country. We appreciated the time and effort put into selecting hotels and restaurants, deciding on places to visit, and the efficiency with which the trip was run. I am unable to name a favorite part because every day brought a new adventure and so much to see and do. We liked it all. This is our 6th Gate 1 trip and each one has been great. We will continue to travel with Gate 1 because of the caliber of your trips and guides.Marcia S. Vulcan, MI
Ecuador what a beautiful place!! Accommodations and the guide were outstanding. This was my second trip with gate one and have been impressed by the great service and incredible value. Look forward to traveling with you again soonShari M. Long Beach, CA
We are home one week today and I still can not get over all the wonderful places we were at. And the things we saw on this trip. Our guide Wilson was wonderful. He is a very friendly warm person, and has a great sense of humor. I have been telling all of my friends what a great trip it was.Barbara S. Nyack, NY
My son and I had a wonderful time on our trip to Ecuador. The hotels were clean, the staff was helpful and polite. The food at the restaurants as well as hotels was delicious. Mario our driver keep us safe even on the curvy roads. Alfredo our tour guide was the best; enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and personable.Sonia S. S Plainfield, NJ
The Galapagos was a dream, as expected. The Amazon and our interaction with the native villagers was a high point for me. I was expecting it to be contrived but it was authentic. But I wish I could have climbed one of those volcanoes!John P. Shrewsbury, MA
The first time I met our tour guide Paul I could feel the love and passion for his job. He's very knowledgeable about the history, economy, flora and fauna of Ecuador. Not only that, he makes us laughed throughout the trip and never a dull moment with him on our long drive to our destination. He even came with us on the airport and helped us checked in out heavy luggages. He's the BEST!!! I also would like to give credit to Johnny our driver. He always presents himself neatly dressed up, always with a smile and very helpful. Drive very cautiously and didn't even made me feel the danger and the heights we are going through. Overall my trip was EXCELLENT. The trip to Galapagos was once in a lifetime experience. The food at Finch Bay Resort was to die for.It is like eating in a five star hotel or a cruise ship.I would like also to give a hats off the chefs at the resort.The Amazon River Tour was also exciting with us crossing the Napo river and going through the Amazon rainforest. I would highly recommend this trip!!!Lorna B. Porter Ranch, CA
We had an incredible trip. As usual, Gate 1 delivered everything promised. We had smooth flights, on time airport transfers, assistance and advice any time we asked for it, good food, good ship, great tour guides. Overall, a very enjoyable experience. We are already planning our next "adventure" with Gate 1. Thank you again.Charles W. Naples, FL
My sister and I had the trip of a lifetime to the Galapagos & Ecuador! Starting with your help in planning our adventure, Gate 1 Travel exceeded our expectations. There was such attention to detail throughout the process before, during and after the trip. (flights, luggage, boarding passes, guides, hotels, transfers, tours, etc. , etc.) We have nothing but praise for you and Gate 1 Travel. We have been telling everyone who will listen about our wonderful experiences. Additional kudos go to: Guayaquil Guide: Fernando who is a national treasure! The Galapagos Islands Guide: Class 1 Naturalist Henry Alberto Abad Suarez whose passion and expertise are amazing and without equal! Quito Guide: Daniel who is so thoughtful and knowledgeable! We are looking forward to our next trip. Iceland?Suzanne F. Cortlandt Mnr, NY
I had a wonderful time. The tour guides took great care of us and the Galapagos Islands were fantastic! I particularly was pleased with Fernando, our guide in Guayaquil. He was very knowledgable and suggested a great restaurant where the locals ate when asked. (A dive with great food!). Though he was not with us long and the Galapagos islands were the most amazing part of the trip, I thought he did a wonderful job. I was also fortunate as it always seems like I have great people traveling on these trips with me! Thanks for a fantastic experience.Gerard H. Redwood City, CA
We had a wonderful trip in Ecuador and Peru. The tour managers of Daniel in Ecuador and Gary in Peru are very professional, passionate, and caring. Which made our trip pleasant and memorable . Especially, Daniel, his English is very clear and he was with us at the last minutes of the trip in Ecuador, which make me feel very warm and unforgettable! This my first trip with Gate 1, and I really like all the arrangements during the trip. Definitely, I will go with Gate 1 for all my travels thereafter and recommend my friends to go travel with Gate 1.Sophie L. San Gabriel, CA
It was beyond my expatiations. My kids loved it and can't wait to travel with Gate 1 in near future. Jose was being authentic and proud to show us his country. Thank you Gate 1 for making my kids summer vacation the best ever.Mehran A. Walnut Creek, CA
Our trip far exceeded our expectations. It was truly wonderful. Our tour host, Jose and our driver, Jonas treated us like royalty. Jose's knowledge of the country and culture was impressive. There was not so much as one question for which he did not have an answer. We can't stop thinking about our experience and we are excited to tell our friends about the great time we had on our Gate 1 tour.Michael R. Blissfield, MI
The Ecuador trip was amazing! I loved it and our guide, Patricio, was superb. It was much more than I expected and all the hotels and the itinerary was better than I imagined. So much fun and very well planned. Would highly recommend. Thanks!Ling-Xin C. Chicago, IL
It was wonderful! Exceeded our expectations. The guide and driver were fantastic. Our guide, Carlos, was very nice, knowledgable, personable, friendly, attentive and compassionate. The accommodations were beyond amazing and beautiful. The food was delicious and plentiful. Would definitely do another Gate 1 trip and recommend to our friends and family!Christine G. Fenton, MO
It was fantastic! Our tour guide Daniel, the accommodations, food, organization, and country were all amazing.Charles M. Cape Coral, FL
Great! Once again, Gate 1 exceeded our expectations with regard to quality of hotels, guides and destinations. We continue to marvel at how Gate 1 is able to offer so much value for the price.Martin H. Stow, OH
We had a fabulous time!!! Loved everything about this trip!! The itinerary, the guide, the hotels, the group all perfect.Emily M. Hewlett, NY
It was great! Lots of good experiences and memories, good people in our group, and good guides.John G. Fredonia, NY
Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands were amazing! As experienced independent travelers, my husband and I had reservations about signing up for an organized tour, however, our trip to Ecuador was one of our best trips yet. Gate 1 did an exceptional job from day one and we were able to truly relax and enjoy the country, culture, and sites. The hotel selection was fantastic, from the amazing food at Finch Bay Hotel, in the Galapagos, to the amazing thermal spas at Termas de Papallacta. Our guide, Marcelo, is the epitome of tour guides. He was organized, knowledgeable, and passionate. Marcelo also went above and beyond to make our trip fantastic by sharing the culture of Ecuador. We will definitely use Gate1 for our next trip as well as recommend Gate 1 to our family and friends. Thank you!Shanna D. Alexandria, VA
My trip was enjoyable. Lodging and meals where very good. Our local guide Alfredo was knowledgeable and fun. Ecuador is beautiful with very diverse landscapes. I will recommend Gate 1 and this destination to families and friends.Monika S. Seattle, WA
We had an amazing trip! This was our second trip with Gate 1. And after traveling with various other tour companies, this trip solidified Gate 1 as our favorite tour company. Ecuador is an amazing, beautiful, interesting country. Our Guide, Alfredo, was actually the best guide we've ever had. He was both knowledgeable and personable. We were a small group and he took full advantage of that to make sure we had the best possible experience. We appreciated the extras that he did, like introducing us to various local cuisines. Yum! Even our guide, Pablo, who transferred us to and from the airport was super knowledgeable and professional. We will definitely look to Gate 1 first for future trips!Jennifer D. Nova Scotia, Canada
Thank you for asking. This trip was truly wonderful! We enjoyed every aspect of it. The accommodations were very nice with variations. The city hotels were modern, clean and comfortable. The Hacienda was exceptional (this is an understatement), along with the Amazon Lodge located on the river with breath-taking landscapes. And the Ecuadorian food was delicious. The itinerary was varied and kept us moving, but relaxing as well. Our tour guide, Jose, was exceptionally knowledgable about his country and his love for Ecuador was contagious. He was exceptionally attentive to all of us and our individual needs and tastes. It was an exceptional adventure, seeing different aspects of Ecuador; traveling in the Amazon, Andes, and touring cities such as Guayaquil, Quito, and Cuenca, along with smaller towns in between. Touring the businesses of various craftsmen; the cocoa plantation, weavers, orchid farm, etc were all very interesting and gave us an understanding of the Ecuadorians talents and dedication to their crafts. The walks through the Amazon, Hummingbird Park, and Animal Reserve were all fascinating with some adventurous activities; such as, the basket zip line, crossing suspended bridges, and floating on rafts. It was an active and varied schedule which we thoroughly enjoyed. Truthfully visiting Ecuador was not actually on our preferred list of places, but reading the itinerary captured our interests. This trip was a wonderful surprise and we are so very happy we visited Ecuador on this 10 day adventure. It was quite amazing!Linda B. Cedar Crest, NM
The trip was great! Paco and Daniel were excellent. Also happy with the local guides in the Amazon and all the lodging!Allison T. Seattle, WA
It was wonderful. I cannot speak highly enough about our guide, Alfredo. He was like a walking encyclopedia and gave so much insight into the country, its people and life in both the city and jungle. He was so in tune with his surroundings and alerted us to the animals hidden from view. During the whole trip he was kind, patient, understanding and delivered his commentary with humor. He really went the extra mile and I cannot imagine a guide who could be any better. He made our trip!!!Susan S. Houston, TX
Our trip was fantastic. What a diverse country Ecuador is. Eduardo our tour group leader was superb. There was hardly a question he couldn't answer regarding Ecuador. He is such a lively spirited person. He has a real Gusto for life and especially his country Ecuador. The accommodations were great but each had it's own distinct flavor. Our tour bus driver Jose was another treasure. We really appreciated his expertise and friendly helpful demeanor. I know everyone on our group thought that this was one of the best trips they had taken. We echo that sentiment. We would highly recommend this trip to anyone ready to have an unforgettable adventure.Charles H. Des Moines, IA
We had wonderful trip. It was well organized, food was so delicious. Our guide Santiago gave us a lot of interesting informations about Ecuador. He is so helpful and competent guide. Surely, we are going with Gate 1 agein.Svetlana G. New York, NY
Thank you for asking , It was an amazing trip to Ecuador, this our third time traveling with Gate 1, and what made the trip more fun is our amazing tour guide Wilson, I will recommend Gate 1 to all my friends. I'm watching deals to visit South Africa in Christmas.Basman S. Granger, IN
Trip was great. Loved the hotel choices in such wonderful settings. Beautiful country presented by terrific tour guide and driver.Robbin B. Santa Ana, CA
Thank you, the trip was great and the service was excellent.Atif W. Spencerport, NY
We absolutely loved it! Our guide Marco was outstanding, the hotels were wonderful, food was delicious and Ecuador is an amazing country! Thanks for a great adventure.Beverly T. Centerville, UT
This was my 5th Gate 1 trip and as always, it was great. Everything went smoothly, Marco, our tour guide in Ecuador, and Soto, our guide in the Galapagos were top notch! Can't say enough about the hotels, food, locations included in this trip -- plus the people with whom we traveled were friendly, kind and considerate! The only downfall was that it took about 2 hours to get through customs in Miami -- of course, Gate 1 has no control over that. I would highly recommend Gate 1 to anyone.Laura G. Lutz, FL
My (almost) 16 year old, Josh and I, just got back from the Ecuador & Amazon week tour. I have not done a tour before (we always travel independently) and was, frankly, a wee bit apprehensive about how it would be. When I got back, my daughter (who has independently travelled to over 40 countries) asked me how it was and I replied "I can honestly say, that from the moment we were picked up at the airport, to the moment we were dropped back, I have not one criticism" In fact, from researching and booking the of our tour (I researched on line, but had questions and concerns, so I communicated & booked by phone and my conversations were pleasant and my questions were dealt with thoroughly and professionally) to receiving travel documents, Gate 1 made everything smooth and easy. Our tour guide, Jose in no small part was the source of our satisfaction. His knowledge of the country was phenomenal. He was a deep font of knowledge, of geography & geology; flora and fauna; history; politics; socio-cultural; economics; geo-economic-political relationships of Ecuador within South America and within the world. For me, his knowledge made a wonderful trip, perfect. Also, he was caring and friendly and funny and worked so hard to make everything run smoothly and make everyone on the trip feel individually seen, appreciated and cared for. Talk about going "above and beyond" - this phrase exemplified Jose. Lots of little "extras" were so appreciated. For example, in Banos, my son couldn't find sugar cane and told Jose when we got back on the bus. Jose, had our driver, Israel, stop the bus and went out with Josh to quickly pick some up as we were driving away. On our last afternoon, after getting back to the Hilton in Quito, he offered to take anyone who was interested on the local bus to a mall and supermarket to pick up coffee & tea and chocolate. In Tempas Papallacta, he offered anyone who was interested, a very early morning hike into the cloud forest. It seemed he was attentive to everyone's wants and needs and did everything in his power to make sure the trip was perfect. Whatever you pay him, trust me, he deserves more! Our driver, Israel was so sweet and friendly and helpful and kind that even though his English was limited, he made everyone feel cared for too. And the way he negotiated all those twisty, mountainous roads, was amazing. I guess my only feed back for Gate1 would be to say that your advertising of the tour doesn't really do justice to just how amazing it actually is. Each and every place we stayed was stunning. I cannot begin to describe the beauty of the places we stayed (location and the amenities themselves) and the little extras made us feel so special. The hot water bottles popped into our beds, along with the fireplace being lit in Cabanas del Lago, so when we returned from a delicious dinner, our (big) beautiful cabin was so warm and welcoming. The spa at Tempas Papallacta. The welcome cocktails at a number of places. The indigenous food prepped at Casade la Suisse. The home made bread and home made cheese served before dinner as we relaxed in the beautiful Hacienda Morales. So many activities we did that weren't even on the itinerary, it was amazing. And, yet, for those who wanted to relax by the stunning pool in the Amazon, they were able to do that. I loved the raft trip on the Napa River and being able to jump in to the water and float along. We enjoyed the challenge of the tree top walk / obstacle course (while others visited an animal sanctuary or butterfly conservatory) I now understand why so many people on our tour were on their 5th, 7th and even 12th Gate 1 tour and swore they'd never travel with anyone else. I know if I wrote about all the different and wonderful things we did, this email would develop into a novel. Suffice it to say, I am sold on Gate1 and am considering where I want to go next with them! So, in answer to your question, "How was your trip", I'd say "It was more perfect than I could imagine it could have been". Thank you, Gate 1 and, THANK YOU to Jose, too!Louise W. Mississauga, Ontario, CA
This was one of the best trips my friends and I have taken! They were all blown away by the organization and travel accommodations of Gate 1, and this is coming from relatively speaking hard to impress girls who travel frequently. Paul our tour guide and Jonny our driver were both A+++++ in making our experience. I could not get over just how naturally hospitable and attentive Paul was to all 35 people in the group. He was super informative and helped us learn about his beautiful country and also kept us prepared for each day's adventures. His sense of humor also kept us all laughing on the longer bus rides. And we loved his small surprises on the trip! He definitely made it all the more sad when the trip came to an end as we had to say good bye to one of best tour guides around! He is truly the face of the company in Ecuador. And definitely being a first time gate1 traveler, all 4 of us would agree we are now gate1 travelers for life. Have already highly recommended the company to friends and family. And will definitely be a repeat customer myself, have already looked into several other locations with gate 1 knowing you guys will deliver yet another great experience. Just not sure how anyone can top our Ecuador experience so far though =)Mai D. San Diego, CA
WONDERFUL! LOVED it all ! This was our first Gate 1 travel experience and we look forward to more. We are well traveled and usually plan our own escapades but as we age, it was great to have others do our research and take the responsiblity of details for us. With a grateful heartMargaret W. Omaha, NE
We are usually independent travellers and this was our first ever tour. (we were a bit apprehensive about travelling in a group!) We loved it and were very impressed with the Gate 1 tour. It was so well organized and the accomodations were wonderful. Our guide Carlos did an amazing job and made the trip especially memorable. He really is an amazing guide - so organized, respectful, informed, well spoken... a Thanks for your help in booking this trip!Anne H. Surrey, British Columbia CA
It was awesome. I attribute it to our tour manager, Wilson. He made the country come alive and he was above and beyond!Neil R. Santa Clarita, CA
My wife Aimee and I had an awesome time on the Ecuador tour last week. It was our first trip to South America, and also our first Gate 1 tour, so we weren't quite sure what to expect. But from the first day to the last, the tour exceeded our expectations in every way! Our guide Marco was fabulous, always looking out for new foods & other new experiences that we would enjoy. The accommodations were truly unique (in a good way!), in great locations, & very comfortable. The itinerary was great, allowing us to enjoy 4 different regions of Ecuador in just a week. We have no complaints. It was a great adventure & a fun experience from beginning to end. Thanks for reaching out. Have a great weekend!Ivan M. La Mirada, CA
We had a wonderful time throughout the trip with our tour guide and driver- Santiago and Jose. The service was above my expectations! All the hotels and places that we visited left me amazed and I felt so blessed to have visited the beautiful country of Ecuador! This has been my first Gate 1 travel experience and will surely NOT be the last. I'm looking forward to more trips with Gate 1 travel. We all felt like one big family!May M. Chesapeake, VA
The trip was not only fabulous but most adventurous as well. Ecuador was all we imagined and more! Our tour manager, Santiago, provided superior customer service and skillfully handled every detail of our active itinerary with expertise and efficiency. His enthusiasm, upbeat personality and passion for this beautiful country made our travel experience very fun, interesting and most entertaining. Our driver, Jose was a very safe and reliable bus driver who knew the roads extremely well and managed the curves and sharp turns with skill and precision - his many years of driving experience was very apparent and most appreciated. From beginning to end, our experience with Gate 1 was nothing short of extraordinary. Thank you Gate 1 for creating such beautiful memories.Janet S. Aventura, FL
Our Trip to Ecuador was AMAZING!! We had the best tour guide, Giavanna, a great bus driver, Rocky, and met wonderful people in our group. The wide range of elevations, climates, vegetation, rock formations, soil and crop types makes the country of Ecuador so interesting…each day held a new vista, new adventures. Giavanna kept us well informed on the history, cultures, foods, and opportunities of her country. We loved our trip!Wanda Z. Shell Lake, WI
AWESOME, every part of it! Our Tour Manager, Marcelos was excellent: knowledgeable and personable beyond all expectations; the accommodations were top notch in every way and our driver, Hermes, made us feel safe even on tiny roads that seemed impassable for our large bus. The itinerary was well planned out and offered a good overview of the country. This was my first escorted tour and the bar has been set very high for subsequent tours. I will not hesitate to recommend Gate 1 Travel! Please make note of the SUPERIOR service rendered by our Tour Manager, Marcelos. ..he is well informed and knowledgeable of the area and kept us well informed at all times. He made the experience all the more enjoyable by his expertise and winning personality. I look forward to future travel with Gate 1 Travel.Virginia H. Christmas, FL
Our trip was fantastic! Honestly, it was one of the best vacations we've ever had. Our tour guide, Marcelo, was wonderful. The hotels, food, and sights were all top-notch. No complaints! Thanks for a great experience.Judy H. Tallahassee, FL
It was the trip of a lifetime! My husband and I are not new to travel, however we had never taken a group tour. Your company planned a well balanced, well paced experience for the various people you served as guests, from young people to the elderly. Each day was better than the next, and at the end of the trip it was difficult to define our favorite experiences because they were all so meaningful! We had a group of 23 people from all over the US and Canada and one from Turkey. We all blended very well and there was mutual respect and care for each other. No one smoked which was a delight for all. We loved especially the personal visits to the homes of the local people, artisans, and craftsmen....the the demonstrations of their particular talents. It was nice to purchase something that you personally saw being made, always remembering the person, not just the item or the experience. The Hotels were great and the food delicious! Hotel Mercure was the perfect place to start and end out trip. They too had world-Class customer service. This trip was truly a balance of physical activity with rest, mental stimulating education with entertainment. It was Wonderful! I didn't want to leave! I have to say that what really made the trip special was our guide, Alfredo. He is unique in that he could connect with each individual and meet them where they were, assessing their needs, abilities and limitations. He was real!.....entertaining, very knowledgable, personable and no request was too much trouble for him. Some in the group, including myself, had special requests. He would research the possibilities and get back to us in short order. I believe he met everyone's personal needs and special requests. He was funny in telling personal experiences, yet always in good taste, There was no foul language, slang or flirtatious behavior. He made all feel comfortable and really cared for. Alfredo was also clear about instructions and would repeat them twice, since the nature of most was to tune out the first go round. If people still missed the instruction, he was very patient with them and never made them feel deficient. He didn't smother the group, but kept a pulse on everyone and everything. Alfredo also gave many of us the courage and confidence to try new things. He was very approachable and a great representative of his country, Ecuador, and Gate 1 Travel. Thank you for putting together a top notch trip at an affordable price! We look forward to traveling with you again!Vivian I. Parkton, MD
My trip to Ecuador was outstanding. The hotels, the Haciendas were unbelievable. Our tour guide was Alfredo, he made our trip. He loves Ecuador and literally knows everything about Ecuador. The culture, the customs, the history, the tribes, Gate 1 has a very valuable commodity in this man. Everyone loved Alfredo. I have to mention our great bus driver Mario, the roads are on mountain slopes and he maneuvered that bus over treacherous roads. Our farewell dinner was a restaurant Alfredo picked high above Quito and we had this wonderful view of the city through the huge picture window. WOW. I intend on going on several Gate 1 tours in the future. I told Alfredo your video of the trip sold me on it. Everything went without one hitch................Bravo Gate 1A James B. Bonita Spgs, FL
It was wonderful, so many great experiences and I learned a lot. José was the best guide I have had yet. Everything was on schedule, organzined, comfortable and the weather was perfect!Louis B. Peachtree Cor, GA
My Ecuador trip was great! Beautiful country, nice accommodations and very professional and amiable service from our Gate1 tour leader Jose.Larissa E. Naples, FL
Excellent thank you. We were pleased with all of our guides and the busy schedule. The lodging was amazing, and we felt very safe with an excellent bus driver.Winola S. Cooperstown, NY
The trip was amazing! Great program! Our guide Isabel was superb. The driver was excellent! It was a very well organized trip. Great itinerary! Hotel choices were great! Thumbs up! I am 100% happy! Thanks!Katarzyna Z. Chicago, IL
EXCELLENT! Our tour guide Jose was knowledgeable of all the places we visited from Quito's UNESCO old town to the Amazon village we visited. His knowledge of the areas provided us opportunities to explore, shop or just hang out if we chose to do so, in his words "the choice is yours". I would highly recommend Gate 1. The interesting overnight accommodations, travel, and places we visited were well thought out.David J. Mount Dora, FL
The trip to Ecuador, the Andes mountains, the Amazon and the Galápagos Islands, which I considered the icing on the cake, was fabulous and breathtaking! Our guides both in Ecuador and the Galapagos were top of the line professional guides providing us with information that goes above and beyond googling it! I loved the small gifts and samples of various items we received as it gave us an idea of what lay ahead on our trip and items we might like to purchase from the local community. What a great idea! I highly recommend this trip.Kathleen S. Homestead, FL
The trip was wonderful. Very happy with our guide Stuart. Love the city of Antigua. It was my first tour with Gate 1 and we are already planning two more. Great service, good hotels and overall enjoyed this trip very much. Thank you Gate 1.Liliana A. Deland, FL
The 11 day Ecuador trip was amazing! It far exceeded our expectations. My husband and I have taken a number of Gate 1 trips and this was one of the best. Ecuador is a beautiful country, and our guide, Paul, was the perfect person to share his passion and love for Ecuador with us. Paul, a naturalist, was also an expert on the history, geography, and culture of Ecuador. From the bustling city of Quito, the cloud forests, Andes Mountains, Amazon Rainforest, waterfalls, markets, and visits with indigenous people Paul captivated us all. If anyone is considering a trip to this beautiful country, don't hesitate to take this tour.Cynthia Y. Rochester Hls, MI
Our Ecuador & Amazon adventure trip was absolutely thrilling! Our excellent tour manager, Wilson, with his attention to detail, his sense of adventure and fun, his excellent knowledge base on everything Ecuador, and of course his passion and pride for his country made our journey magnificent! As with other Gate 1 travel packages, meals, accommodations and chauffeured services were First Class all the way!! Thank you for arranging such a wonderful trip that has given my husband and I wonderful memories that will last a lifetime!Donna N. Lake Orion, MI
The Tour was more than I/we anticipated. GATE 1 has proven to me that there is no other travel agency I want to deal with in the future.
Our tour guide, Santiago was AWESOME!!!! He was so knowledgeable about not just the tour areas, but so well rounded in ALL areas. He was professional (but not stuffy), attentive, funny, knowledgeable, caring, and just the best guide I've ever had. We all begged him to have a PHASE II in Ecuador because we loved the country and Santiago soooo much.
The bus driver Israel was also amazing even though he did not speak much English. His smile told us all that he was a really nice and caring person. The combination of Santiago AND Israel was perfect!!!
The hotels were better than expected. The bus was roomy and comfortable and the fact that it was a fairly small group (15 I think) was perfect.
I have already started telling my friends what an amazing trip we had with Gate 1 and will continue to do so. We are planning to travel again as a group again next year. So keep those great standards going Gate 1.
In fact, one of my friends is going to Tuscany with Gate 1 in October.
WE LOVED OUR VACATION THANKS TO SANTIAGO, ISRAEL AND GATE 1.Olena S. Orange Park, FL
Absolutely excellent!!! Javier and driver Rocky were absolutely the best guides possible and made this trip very interesting and so much fun!! One of my best trips and I've been to 126 countries!! Thanks. I'll be traveling with Gate 1 next spring with more travels ahead.Richard G. Staten Island, NY
It was an excellent trip. We loved every moment. Wilson, our tour manager, is fantastic, knowledgeable, candid and has a good sense of humor. We will recommend this trip to our friends.Amelia Q. Santa Barbara, CA
Our trip was absolutely fantastic! I think Gate 1 is the very best of all the tours I've ever been on. I will highly recommend it to all my friends!
The tour guides were wonderful. All the places that we stayed were just like out of a travel magazine. The trip went way beyond my expectations.
There were so many things we saw and did that were just amazing. Too many to list like Machu Picchu and the Amazon were outstanding.
I want to thank Gate 1 for helping me plan this trip.
I'm ready to plan another one. We were thinking about Morocco perhaps China I'm pretty open to any specials that Gate 1 might have. If you have any suggestions let me know.
Thanks again to Gate 1 for such a fantastic trip of a lifetime.Janeen E. Fort Collins, CO
We had a great trip! It's a wonderful country with truly friendly people with so much to see. Everyone was great to us and our accommodations exceeded our expectations. Our tour manager Antonio was one of the best we ever had and our driver Carlos was great too!Georg W. Yorktown HTS, NY
Just fantastic! Our guide, Daniel, was great and very knowledgeable and thoroughly charming. Really enjoyed traveling with him and the group and having the opportunity of discovering this beautiful and surprising country. Would not hesitate to recommend it as a destination and looking forward to my next trip with Gate 1.Diane L. Lasalle, Quebec H8N 2K9 CA
My trip to Ecuador surpassed every expectation. The contrasting beauty between mountainscape to the lush Amazonian rainforest left our mouths agape each day. We saw the sprawling city of Quito shrouded with lavender clouds. We witnessed ash spewing from an active volcano outside Banos. We swam in the Amazon's Napo River and interacted with the indigenous Quechua culture. I could not have been more pleased with this vacation. Gate 1's Ecuador has set the standard for every other tour I plan to take with Gate 1.
Additionally, our tour guide, Marcelo, was knowledgeable, endearing, and witty. His love for Ecuador was apparent in his explanations regarding terrain, botany, food, culture, etc. He made our trip exceptional by surprising us every 3 hours with a sample of sugar cane, deep-fried biscuits, Tagua figurines, cocktails, etc. His smile was infectious, and his wealth of knowledge broad. He was the BEST tour guide I have experienced thus far.
The accommodations were luxurious. We stayed in lodging ranging from the cabanas similar to the movie Swiss Family Robinson to Hacienda Manteles which could easily appear in Conde Nast. Just when we thought we left the comforts of Quito for towns and villages ill-prepared to handle American sensibilities, we discovered lodging that exceeded our initial outlook. Ultimately, we all could have spent one more night in each of the accommodations.
I absolutely LOVED this trip, and have recommended this Gate 1 vacation to my family and friends. I look forward to traveling with Gate 1 in the near future.Stephanie G. Las Vegas, NV
My boyfriend and I had the time of our lives in Ecuador and could not be more happy with our Gate 1 experience!
We will definitely be repeat customers. Our guide, Juan, and our bus driver, Hermes, were both absolutely exceptional! We could not have asked for a better, more knowledgeable individual to lead our trip, as Juan is a truly talented guide. Hermes consistently showed his skill as a driver and I felt completely safe throughout the duration of our trip. To top it all off, their friendliness and welcoming attitudes made our experience one we will never forget!Meghan H. Freeburg, IL
I will also elaborate. There were some long bus rides but I understand to get the most varied experience that is necessary. All the locations were beautiful and the hotels great.
Cabanas del Lago : Having a fire waiting for us after dinner was wonderful. I wish we had more time to take a boat ride on the lake.
Termas de Papallacta: the spa was the highlight of our day and well worth the additional cost.
Casa del Suizo: Excellent. I would suggest that rooms with four beds have four chairs on the porch.
Hacienda Manteles was hospitality at it's best. I would ask that they work on the smell of mold or mildew in the rooms in the main house. We stayed in room 3 and it took some time to get accustom to the odor.
Our guide, Antionio was very pleasant and and informative. Our driver Jose was amazing. He took the bus where I could not have fit a volkswagon. He is a very safe and able driver.
Every location we visited was extraordinary Thank you for making this trip possible.Susan B. Brunswick, MD
It was a fantastic trip! We had the perfect tour guide, Eduardo, who was very attentive and made sure we were well taken care of at all times. We also had a well-rounded group of travelers from various places and a broad range of ages. Everyone got along well and all were prompt in being where we were supposed to be in a timely manner.
The food - always delicious and the accommodations were awesome. Planned activities and social gatherings were fun, the hikes stimulating, and the scenery magnificent. I learned so much about the country of Ecuador! I couldn't have asked for anything better.
After my first trip with Gate 1 Travel, I have to say I am impressed and now a big fan!Dorothy H. Borrego Springs, CA
This was the most incredible trip in every aspect. From the time of reservation until we got home there was not a thing we would have changed. You were so efficient and professional at handling our reservation and any questions and Eduardo was the best guide we have ever had. He was so knowledgeable and accommodating and our driver Gerardo was amazing. The group of 25 was perfect and melded together to make this trip perfect. Aside from all of that, we saw and did so much.
We cannot say enough about how wonderful this trip was and now we are looking forward to more trips with Gate 1. Thanks so much for all your help and to Gate 1 for making this trip so special.Maurine P. South Jordan, UT
The trip was fantastic. My flight to Ecuador was late taking off so by the time I got my luggage and went out to meet the person picking me up for the transfer to the hotel he had been waiting for about an hour and 1/2. I was hoping he was still there and he was. As it was early morning I wondered about getting into a room but the staff at the hotel was wonderful and I was able to get into a room and get in a nap. All 3 hotels were wonderful although one of the couples in the group had a problem with their room in Quito. But that was resolved and the rest of the time was fine. Everything was very well organized and the guides were great. I would definitely use Gate 1 again and recommend them to any one I know looking for a tour company.Mimi M. Laughlin, NV
We wanted to commend you on the well-planned, well-priced package you put together for Ecuador. From our arrival in Ecuador, with our tour guide Marco at the airport to greet us, we felt secure and welcomed. The itinerary was busy - we were up and on the move early every day, just as was described on your website. We saw and learned so much - with Gerardo at the wheel of those crazy winding mountain roads, and Marco a wealth of Ecuadoran history and culture, we feel we really had a very good overview of this beautiful country.
The volcanoes and mountain views were incredible, the multitude of waterfalls were beautiful, and the rain forest was absolutely AMAZING! Each stop we made contributed to the experience, whether it was the excellent shopping at Otavalo and Banos, the rose farm and lunch at Hacienda La Cienega, or the muddy treks through the rain forest and rafting afterwards.
Yes, there were several hours at a time on the bus, but Marco made sure there were adequate stops and a few surprises thrown in to break up the trip. We were lucky enough to travel with a group that blended well...so well that we are trying to plan another Gate 1 vacation together next year!
Thank you Gate 1 for this wonderful experience.Maureen M. Toms River, NJ
The trip was AWESOME!. I cannot stop talking about Ecuador, the smoothness which it all went, the planning, the excellent hotels and meals and most of all our excellent guide Marco. He made our trip worthwhile. Extremely knowledgeable, kind, funny always attending to our needs, and PATIENT! I cannot forget our excellent driver, Gerardo. Very skilled in driving us around those scary highways. Definitely, I can trust Gate 1 to make a trip a formidable experience.Roxanna A. Pelzer, SC
I would like to congratulate you on your choice of staff, locations visited, and the quality of accommodations for our adventure in Ecuador. My wife and I are pretty seasoned adventurers and were skeptical of going on a tour.
We ended up very happy and satisfied. We were privileged to have a very knowledgeable and skilled tour leader and driver, Daniel and Calvin, who provided all members of our group the extra needed to enjoy our trip. Through Daniel's skill, we were able to during free time meet our exploratory needs.
Our travel agent Justin communicated with us in a timely and very professional manner. He lowered our anxiety about being part of a tour and went out of his way to make certain we were satisfied with all areas of the tour.
Thanks and we will use Gate 1 frequently.Valerie G. US
FANTASTIC! It was very interesting, beautiful, & educational. Our driver, Hermies, was incredible. It was amazing how he maneuvered that huge bus up & down those extremely narrow and serpentine roads! The places we stayed were incredible! The Hilton, a natural hot springs resort in the Andee's Mts., the beautiful resort off the Nepo River., and then the Spanish Hacienda, all were wonderful.
Thanks for helping us with ALL of our flights. Everything was great!Margaret R. Zelienople, PA
The trip was great!! Gate 1 did an excellent job with everything -- airport transfers, itinerary, lodging -- all went smoothly and the places we stayed were awesome! Our tour guide (Javier) was fabulous, we couldn't have had better. The driver, also named Javier, did a great job keeping us all safe on those steep, twisting, mountain roads. We had a good group of travel companions, everyone was congenial and got along well. The trip as a whole was very active, we saw quite a lot of Ecuador from the large city of Quito to small towns and villages, to the mountains/volcanoes and waterfalls, rain forest and jungle.
I appreciated meeting local artisans and their families in their homes, that was a very unique feature of the tour. My favorite lodgings were Termas de Papallacta and Casa del Suizo, but all the others were wonderful as well.
Thank you, Gate 1 for putting together such a great trip!!!Cynthia D. Lakewood, OH
This was the first guided tour we have ever taken and was a bit concerned. We had always before traveled on our own. With that being said, this trip was excellent. It was very fast paced which caused many of us to be a little tired throughout the trip, but it packed so much in to such a small amount of time.
The tour guide (Antonio) was great. He was a fountain of knowledge about Ecuador. He handled the few stragglers and complainers with true professionalism. He was always upbeat and made the trip very memorable. He mixed just the right amount of personalism and professionalism together to keep things going perfectly.
The bus driver (Mario) was unbelievable. He made me feel totally safe in all my travels on the bus. I used to drive a bus and could only wish I could drive with his expertise.
Again, the trip was great and I look forward to traveling with Gate 1 Travel in the future.Randall K. Oklahoma City, OK
I was not impressed with Guayaquil at all and was glad that I did not stay there any longer. The Finch Bay Hotel was lovely and the staff was wonderful. They just couldn't do enough to make one comfortable. However, the restaurant at the hotel was the absolute best. The presentations were beautiful and inventive and the sauces made my eyes roll back into my head. WOW WHAT A CHEF!!The tours were interesting but the agents were a little long winded and a number of the group got burnt just standing in the brilliant sun listening to a long repeated narrative. There was very little time for exploring on the islands and to shop.The Hilton in Quito was very nice. I really liked Quito and there was a lot of interesting sites to see. I found the people friendly and welcomed the extra day there.These were my thoughts and observations and I hope they help you in promoting this tour.Barbara G. Fstrvl Trvose, PA
We had a wonderful time on our recent 17 day Ecuador, Peru adventure. Our accommodations were excellent as were the meals and our guides: Javier in Ecuador and Juan in Peru. The buses and all other means of transportation that we took were also top notch.
Just an A 1 trip. We will have great memories for years to come. Certainly will and have already recommended GATE 1.Marjorie W. Calgary, Alberta
Our trip was excellent...your representatives Javier in Ecuador and Juan in Peru were knowledgeable, caring and made sure we were well taken care. They are great ambassadors for their respective countries, as were the local guides.
This was our first trip with Gate 1 and daresay, it won't be our last.Edward W. Regina, CA
The Amazon adventure was one of those trips in which fun, history and culture mix to give the traveler a memorable experience. The key ingredients are:
1. Ecuador is a beautiful country with a history, and a present that are of great cultural interest.
2. Antonio is a knowledgeable guide that obviously loves his country, and manages to transfer the magic of his native land onto the travelers. He was kind, patient, accommodative, and funny.
And last, and most importantly, Gate 1 Travel, and selection of lodging, activities, and restaurants made it all magical.Berta B. Beverly Hills, CA
We had a wonderful trip to Ecuador! This was my second trip to Ecuador with Gate 1. I took my two college-aged children with me and it was their first trip. We all thoroughly enjoyed the tour; the hotels were lovely, the food was fabulous!
But mostly, the trip was made special because of our tour manger, Wilson. Wilson loves Ecuador and is eager to share his country with visitors and appreciative to those of us who are helping to grow the tourism industry in Ecuador. Wilson worked very hard to accommodate everyone's needs- which was no small task. He constantly put our needs first and helped to make the trip enjoyable, exciting, educational, and safe for the entire group. His efforts were reinforced by Geraldo, our driver, who kept us safe and secure on the roads. I am looking forward to my next tour with Gate 1 in February......to Costa Rica!Ellen S. Canton, GA
We had an incredible time. Gate 1 is the best tour company. This is our fourth Gate 1 trip and you continue to amaze me.
Ecuador was spectacular. Our guide Javier was the best. My children tease me about saying that every trip I come back from is the best but they really are. Your guides, your bus drivers and your itineraries are the best. Daniel, the driver was confident and nice. The extras that are a part of Gate 1 tours put an incredible tour over the top. The hotels are always first class and better. Keep up the good work. I will book Gate 1 again and again and I have been telling all of my friends about it.Ruth S. Thonhill, ON
The trip was great. My husband and I had a wonderful time, made all the better by our guide, Antonio. He organized every aspect of the tour so that it all went smoothly. He was very experienced in knowing about the areas to which we traveled and interjected information that we probably would not get with another tour manager. We got such a good introduction to this beautiful country and hope to travel there again someday. I would always recommend Gate 1.Linda B. Philadelphia, PA
The tour manager, Daniel, was the best we've had. We travel a great deal and are very seasoned.
Daniel is professional, passionate, dedicated, caring. He could not do enough to assure that our vacation was amazing - one we would never forget. He was able to assess all passengers. Truly a star and an asset to all.
Left us with a lasting impression …..Ecuador is in our heart forever because of him!Lori T. Fort Lee, NJ
I wanted Gate 1 to know how much I loved my trip. Ecuador is a beautiful country. The birds, the flowers, the jungle, the mountains, the coast, the food and above all the gentle, welcoming people surpassed my expectation. I would like to congratulate Gate 1 on hiring the best tour guides. Our tour guide Wilson, was extremely knowledgeable, passionate, kind, considerate, patient, humorous, optimistic and very proud of his country. He is not only a great tour guide but also a great human being.
Getting to know him and seeing the country through his eyes was the highlight of my tour. I would recommend this tour to all my friends and family.Deb P. Kure Beach, NC
Our Ecuador trip was great. Romy, our guide, was very knowledgeable and pleasant to be with. She thoroughly knows about the history and culture of her country and shared it well. We definitely felt like we were in good hands. The bus and its driver, Giovanni, were good as well. He had to drive long hours, sometimes over bumpy or unpaved roads but he was always careful so we felt safe. This is our first Gate 1 trip and we will definitely go on more in the future.Renee B. Dresher, PA
Our trip to Ecuador was great. I've highly recommended Gate 1 to others since
my return.
A big reason for our successful adventure can be attributed to our tour guide, Carlos. He was very well prepared and consistently passionate about his country, Ecuador. We left with warm feelings for the people of Ecuador and a strong inclination to return and explore again.
Thank you to Gate 1 for offering so much value in our itinerary and for considering all the details to make our trip so memorable. We are already looking at other Gate 1 trips to take next year.
We are finally adjusting to returning from our trip and wanted to let Gate 1 know what an amazing trip we had. From the moment we were picked up by Alfredo at the airport until we left him in Quito we felt like guests in the country. After picking us up he told us he thought we would love the country and we left with a soft spot in our hearts for the people, the land and the culture. Alfredo's warm smile, laughter and care showed through from start to finish.
Everything was perfectly planned and executed and we hope to go back to see Alfredo for another tour. The hotels were better than we had expected. Our driver (Aermis) was amazing getting us to and from every adventure and everyone treated us like they were happy to have us visiting.
This was our 5th trip with Gate 1 and we can't begin to tell you how much we appreciate the value and quality offered to us. Each time we think we have hit a high and the next trip blows the last one away. This was by far our favorite trip.Sarah F. Fremont, CA
First and foremost we had an amazing adventure on our trip to Ecuador. This trip exceeded all of our expectations. The accommodations provided by Gate 1 were tremendous. The Hilton Colon was nice, but the accommodations throughout the rest of the trip were unbelievable. The rooms at each facility were beautiful and very comfortable. Furthermore, the people working at these facilities were very friendly and helpful.
The motor coach used for transportation was comfortable and Arimis, our driver, was excellent. Our tour guide Alfredo, was amazing. Not only was he very friendly and personable, his knowledge of the country, the geography, and the culture of Ecuador was exceptional. In addition to knowledge, Alfredo was also an amazing story teller. His sense of humor and his ability to relate our trip to previous experiences made our trip that much more enjoyable. In my opinion Alfredo is a tremendous asset to Gate 1.
We enjoyed our trip so much that we are considering what our next adventure with Gate 1 will be. I know that if other Gate 1 tours have guides that are half the guide that Alfredo was, it will be a wonderful experience. Thank you for organizing such an amazing trip. If we could do it all over again, we would not change a thing.Jeffrey A. Tracy, CA
We had a fantastic time on the trip. The tour was very well organized and we loved all the different places that we visited and stayed at.
In particular, we would like to recognize our tour manager Patricio (Pato), who was outstanding. He struck a great balance between being informative, funny and helpful. We really enjoyed traveling with him, and he was the difference between a good trip and great trip. Also really enjoyed all the people we traveled with, that definitely added to a great experience.
Can't wait to travel with Gate 1 again!Casey M. Ontario, Canada
We have traveled extensively and this was among our very best trips. The venues were small, varied and authentic. The tour manager, Carlos, was very knowledgeable, sincere and was able to convey an in depth sense of what the Ecuadorian people were thinking. He also bent over backwards to help group members out whenever there was a problem. Danny, the driver, did an excellent job of negotiating the mountain roads and tight quarters. We will enthusiastically recommend this trip to our friends.Jim M. Glenville, NY
Our trip to Ecuador was great. We loved the guide Alfredo and our driver for
the nine days we had them. Everyone enjoyed the trip and the group we had was
very friendly.
This was our fourth Gate 1 trip and we will always use Gate 1, which has never disappointed us.
We are not home yet, we liked Ecuador so much that we rented an apartment in Quito for 3 weeks before we go home. The tour was fantastic. We saw and did so much in a short time. We stayed at night at wonderful places. We did things we would have never done anywhere else like watch steam coming out of an active volcano from a farm located at the foot of it.
Our guide Romy, was great. She was a perfect match for this demanding tour. We were in tour from sun up to sun down and sometimes even later. She kept us on schedule and happy. She knew a lot about Ecuador and was helpful and informative, a joy to travel with.Al N. Melbourne, FL
I was just watching our photos of the trip to Ecuador. Gate 1's schedule of events and planning was really professionally done. How good a tour is also depends in part on the others on the tour, and Gate 1 had a really cooperative and friendly group of other tourists.
I particularly am in debt to the tour guide, Wilson. I have been on four Gate 1 tours with tour guides, and all have been very good. High quality, educated, well-organized, easy to get along with people. But I think Wilson may have been the best I've had. My family really had a lot of fun with him, and he really made this last tour that something very special, something that we will remember for a long time.
It is hard for me to pick out one thing. I would just say Wilson is everything you'd want in a tour guide. And I am particularly happy he made this such an enjoyable experience for my family together. I can tell from watching the pictures of our trip that my family has a lot of affection for him and the bus driver, Jonas. I could not have wished for a better final family vacation.Stan S. Chicago, IL
First let me say that my wife and I are not inexperienced in traveling. We
have been on these types of trips for a number of years. This was our first
Gate 1 trip and after experiencing it, I can see I will be traveling again with
your company.
From the beginning it was great, but the pinnacle of the trip was Wilo, our guide in Ecuador. The trip in itself was great, but he made it one that I can honestly say made it the best! He made very location his and over the top. The hotels, food, and buses were the best. If this is a routine Gate 1 trip, then Gate 1 has a customer for life.
The trip to the Galapagos was fantastic. Just walking among the sea lions, iguanas, and other wild life was unreal. We could go back next weekend. We wished we had stayed longer. The hotel rooms and the ship exceeded my expectations. I couldn't believe we had a suite in Quito. The naturalist and staff on our ship were wonderful. Thanks for planning a fabulous trip for us.Georgia S. Huntsville, AL
We had a fantastic trip, the Galapagos cruise ship, our lead naturalist Alex, all the hotels, the tour itinerary, and especially our tour leader Edgar in Peru was absolutely top notch. This was one of our best trips ever. Thank you Gate 1 for delivering such a great product.Joseph L. Vancouver, British Columbia
Our trip was an excellent mixture of culture and adventure. I have been on 5 trips with Gate 1 and I have to say that Pato our guide in Ecuador was the best guide we have had yet and we have had some good ones. He is Gate 1 and Ecuador's best ambassador.Thomas B. Knoxville, TN
We had a wonderful trip visiting Ecuador. The people in our group turned out to be very nice and we got to know and enjoy each other over the week we spent together. The sights and experiences we had, tasting the food and taking pictures of the volcanoes, hiking in the jungle were special.
We were especially pleased with the guide, Sofy Burbano. She was one of the best guides we have ever had in our travels. She was caring, concerned, and very knowledgeable. She took the time to insure that everyone was having a good time. We felt we learned a great deal about Ecuador from her discourses on the bus, and it also made the time go by more quickly. Bravo!Barbara S. El Cajon, CA
This was truly an amazing trip! Our wonderful Tour Managers and their able helpers ensured that we have lifelong memories of their beloved Ecuador and Peru. 4000+ pictures will be perused with enjoyment and nostalgia. Wonderful new friends have been made with whom more Gate 1 travels will likely ensue. Thank you Gate 1 Travel so much for your commitment to excellence. We will be sure to travel with Gate 1 again!Noel C. Alberta, Canada
Our trip to Ecuador was fantastic! Our guide, Sofy, and our driver, Orlando,
were both perfect. Sofy not only looked out for our every need, but gave
wonderful narratives on the culture, history, and socio-economic fabric of that
beautiful country. The lodging and food were also great in every case. Well
organized and memorable. A wonderful trip.
The trip was absolutely phenomenal, the biggest treasure with great people
and all around a superb trip. Gate 1 arranged a perfect trip -- the places we
stayed were so perfect.
The piece that sealed it all was our tour guide. Alfredo Carrera was the best in the world. His love of history, his land, the surrounding earth, and his passion made it the most treasured trip we could have taken.
Our trip was absolutely fantastic - matter of fact, just downright awesome!! It definitely goes in my "One of the Best Ever" bucket. It was quite an adventurous trip in the Amazon and the group we had was the best and the tour guide is definitely ranked up there at the very top of "best ever tour guides". This was my 8th trip with Gate 1 and all of them have been fantastic!Brenda K. Raleigh, NC
We had a wonderful trip! Romy was an excellent tour guide and a great ambassador for Gate1. This was our first Gate1 trip, however it will not be our last. We found Ecuador to be a beautiful country with "Sound of Music" type scenery, volcanoes, waterfalls, and many market places for shopping.
We enjoyed the variety of resorts on this tour. Each one gave us a very
different experience from a five star hotel, to rooms with fireplaces in the
mountains, private hot spring pools, using boats on the Napo River instead of
using roadways, and to staying at a hacienda. Romy did a super job of exposing
us to the culture, new foods, and answering our many questions. She added many
personal touches including giving us copies of recipes for local foods.
Thank you Gate1. We can not believe everything that you provided at such a reasonable price.
The trip was awesome. I thank you for the wonderful guide, Romy. She is an
anthropologist and was so very knowledgeable about everything. She was
courteous, kind, efficient, punctual, & trouble shot everything along the
way. She gave us treats to reward us for being on the bus on time; the bus would
make unscheduled stops so we might taste some of the many fruits of Ecuador
which we do not have in the US or to catch a glimpse of a saddle-back monkey
sitting on a fence post.
In addition, the group we traveled with was the most congenial I have ever experienced after 43 years of travel. The hotels were picturesque, high quality, & top-of-the-line in service and breakfasts. Our transfers took place without delay, and our bus driver Johnny was extraordinarily talented to be able to drive through some of the roads we were on. He is definitely a skilled driver.
Great food, great accommodations, great guide, great tours, great everything.
Thanks again Gate 1 for a trip of a lifetime!
The trip to Ecuador exceeded my wildest expectations! Our guide, Pato, is a national treasure! He was extremely knowledgeable about all facets of Ecuadorian life, geography, history, politics, peoples, etc., as well as sensitive to our needs as travelers in his country. His love for Ecuador infected all of us.
I had visited Ecuador 30 years ago and toured some of the same locations, but this trip was far superior. For one thing, the accommodations on the Gate 1 tour were superb! Each one had its own unique draw, either location, view or natural beauty. My partner and I took advantage of the spa treatment at the hot springs and also had a massage in the Amazon rain forest; both were well worth the money.
It is difficult to say what my favorite part of the trip was... I suppose the
stay at Casa del Suiza since we had 2 nights there and so it was more relaxing.
I only wish we had had more time in each of the locations. As far as the food
was concerned, I loved it, especially the availability of fresh fruit at all
the meals.
We had a great time in Ecuador and wish we could have stayed longer. Our tour leader, Antonio, could not have been any better. He was friendly and worked very hard to ensure each guest had a fun experience. His language skills were excellent. Antonio added many personal touches to make each day special. You have a great team of employees in Ecuador. And, it starts with Antonio.Jim E. Charlotte, NC
The trip was fabulous. It was a wonderful unexpected suprise to be in such a small group (14 people). The country is beautiful and the weather was fantastic. The trip was very well organized. My Tour Guide jose was amazing - very engaged, organized and enthusiastic about the trip. Pancho our driver was courteous and always made me feel safe. I think my biggest suprise was the accomodations - they were awesome!! I especially enjoyed the stay at the Haciendo - Fernando (the House Manager) was so nice and it was quite obvious that he enjoyed our visit almost as much as we did.
Really great trip and a very competitive price point.Linda P. Cherry Hill, NJ
I just want to say that the Gate 1 Ecuador trip is incredible! Everything was very well planned and interesting and the hotels were all very unique and luxurious. Ecuador is a beautiful country, and the people are warm and friendly.
And our guide, Alfredo, was simply fantastic. He was able to organize and manage the very diverse personalities with ease. His understanding of the country, languages, history and culture made him an ideal leader for this trip. And he seemed to really understand what the people who were on this trip were looking for - a connection to nature, history and communities.
He is a great story teller and was able to provide just the right amount of detail.I will most definitely recommend this trip, and Gate 1 in general to anyone I speak to as a result. Kudos also to Carlos who drove our bus on some pretty precarious roads!Jennifer M. Ontario, Canada
The trip was beyond our wildest expectations, another incredible trip. Didn't know what to expect (got mixed feedback from friends who had been there) and couldn't believe the beauty of the country and the wealth of information we came home with. Each day was a new adventure. Our guide, Alfredo, was fantastic, very knowledgeable, helpful, funny... I can go on and on. Loved the small group too (although this was not the norm, we just got lucky).
The only complaint was that we couldn't spend more time at the Cabanas del Lago in Otavalo and the Hacienda Manteles in Banos - the oppulence of the the landscapes- just when you started soaking it all in we were off again, too short. Am already throwing darts at the map to see what the next destination will be.Joan Y. New York, NY
The Ecuador/Amazon trip was great! Jorge (the tour guide) and Javier (our daily bus driver) were great. All of the members of the tour got along famously well and I could tell that not only I, but other members of the tour group made friends to keep in touch with. The best parts of the tour were the mountain hiking tours. The hotels/resorts were exactly as advertised.
This was my first Gate 1 tour. I was thoroughly impressed with the level of organization with made the tour easy for me. I am already looking at booking the China tour.
Thanks to all at Gate 1 who made this a wonderful tour.Paula P. Scarsdale, NY
It was absolutely awesome! Our first time with Gate1 and we were very
impressed - an excellent tour with truly amazing lodgings and all at a super low
price - what's not to love.
Our tour guide Patricio really educated us about the national policies and the people of Ecuador - a real treat. He was fantastic - top notch! The other folks in the tour were all fun to be around and we had a great time together.
We'd definitely consider Gate1 for future travel.
It was amazing! I will definitely do another Gate 1 trip. It exceeded my expectations! Sylvia was a wonderful tour guide and such a sweet person.Ashley H. Pensacola, FL
My trip was fabulous!!!! I really enjoyed it. The folks that I travelled with were a marvolous & fun group to to be with (all 28 of them). The guide, Jose Cuenca, was well liked, very cool and quite knowledgable of his country. The various places we stayed at and visited were totally unexpected.
Although some parts of the trip were scary or challenging (like the ride up the mountains to reach our last destination or the carraige ride high above the river below or even the adventure tour hike through the Amazon as well as the belay excercises), it was a fun experience to get over your fears.
People were amazed that this would have been my 7th trip with Gate 1 (I actually made a list of all the wonderful places that I've been to w/ G1 because folks really didnt believe me). I would recommend this trip to everyone!Roy C. Astoria, NY
The trip was outstanding! Our guide Jose was great, knowledgable and personal, the driver was very responsible and brought us safe thru. Very rugged roads, hotels were also beautiful. Everyone on this trip was great including the local guides! I am planning my next trip with Gate 1 to the Galapagos Islands and/or Costa Rica.Sara B. Wynnewood, PA
The trip was outstanding. I was very sceptical about the whole thing (tour guide, group of strangers, location) but everything from start to finish was beyond words.
The locations, hotels, tours where first class. The tour guide was the excellent host and ambassador for his country and Gate 1. The strangers were not strangers for long.
The celebration of our 25th anniversary was the icing on the cake. The room was decorated with rose petals, champagne, chocolate and the hot tub had a view of the volcano. My wife was in tears when she entered the room. The after dinner cake and celebration with the other guests made it a memory for ever. Thinking back we never mentioned the reason for our vacation to anyone except a few other members of the tour towards the end of the vacation but each hotel congratulated us, the tour guides at each hotel knew about it and the final hotel went overboard in helping us celebrate.
So we thank you very much for taking the small detail and passing it on and making memories we will pass down to our family for a long time. You certainly listened to what was said during the booking on the phone and made note of the small details.
We are now looking for further adventures and definitely would book a Gate 1 experience in the future and would whole heartedly recommend Gate 1.Stephen H. Nova Scotia, Canada
Awesome! The hotels were nice and clean, the tour guide was very knowledgeable and the food was awesome, not to mention that Ecuador is a beautiful country.Brian C. Chicago, IL
Excellent! I have to give credits to our tour director Juan Carlos Sosa & the driver Carlos.They are the best. With an extensive knowledge about the country, Juan Carlos made us fall in love with his country. Carlos is the best driver ever. He made us feel very safe. I am referring Gate 1 travel to friends/family who inquire about my trip. Many thanks to Gate 1 Travel to help us to see the world for less. Thanks again.Ngocmy L. Fountain Valley, CA
My trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos was great. The sights were very interesting and the widlife in the galapagos was really amazing. We had a great time. Very unique place!Rosette R. Massapequa Park, NY
The trip was awesome. The Andes, hot baths, lakes, waterfalls and Amazon were amazing. José, our guide was wonderful, so knowledgeable, helpful and very sweet person. The members of our group were all very nice people. We made new friends with whom we will continue to stay in contact with. Also, the hotels were very nice.
This is my first trip with Gate 1 and I was very happy. I plan to also use you for future tours.Rose T. Las Vegas, NM
My trip with Gate 1 was incredible. I had such a great experience. My tour guide, Pato, and my bus driver, Luis, were both amazing and accommodating. I enjoyed the trip very much and all the wonderful activities and opportunities that Gate 1 provided. I really cannot say enough about Pato. He went above and beyond to ensure everyone had a great experience. He also conveyed the importance of ensuring we gain a deep understanding of his people, which were all spectacular and wonderful. I was very pleased with every aspect of the trip, from flights to food to hotels to transportation to the itinerary to Pato and Luis. I feel very lucky to have had Pato and Luis.
I am so satisfied with Gate 1 and all that they offered. I do not think there is anything out there like your tour company. I also look forward to booking vacations with my family through Gate 1 now. Keep up the excellent work!!!Katherine K. West Springfield, MA
Our 12th trip with Gate1 (just in the last two years) to Ecuador was fantastic! We decided to go to Ecuador based on raving recommendations from friends we have made on other Gate1 trips. Now we have the same recommendations for our friends who have never been to Ecuador -go and go with Gate1! Our tour manager, Pato, was one of the best tour guides we have ever had. He cared so much about well being of everyone in the tour group, his country and his people and he did excellent job making sure everyone was happy.
There were always interesting sights to see and activities to do (from tasting heart of palm right out of Amazon basin, floating raft ride freshly made out of just balsa wood and rope, cable car ride over to most beautiful waterfalls, Andes Mountains, Cotopaxi volcano, seeing erupting ashes from active volcano, beautiful clouds hanging over mountains). We loved the lodging accommodations on this trip, especially the last night stay in Hacienda. We have been to over 70 foreign countries so far and that Hacienda room we had was by far the most memorable place we have ever been.
This Ecuador trip has to be the top on my list as my favorite countries visited! Beautiful country! I was very happy to see many young people on this trip. Thanks to Gate1's low prices, there were many young teachers who could not otherwise afford the trip. How important it is for these teachers to bring back cultural experiences to their students!Hiemi H. Castle Rock, CO
It was amazing. Ecuador is a beautiful country and we really enjoyed ourselves. Paul, our tour manager, was excellent! He was informative, funny and very patient. He took us to places we would have never discovered if we would have went by ourselves. We were also amazed on how much Paul new about his country and everything we visited or drove by, he was a walking encyclopedia!Rich S. Phoenix, AZ
In short, our trip was fantastic!! The guides were great, the management of the trip was superb, and every last detail was taken care of efficiently and in friendly manner. We are impressed with Gate 1. No wonder there were people on our trip who have traveled extensively with Gate 1.
We feel we received good value for dollars spent. The hotels were great and the food was fine. The schedule was well put together....enough time at each place, but not too much. Pato, our tour guide, was great. His enthusiasm for his home country was contagious, and his insight gave us a much better understanding of Ecuador than we otherwise would have had.
Our guides on the Galapagos were fantastic. The naturalists shared so much information and they were so receptive to our questions. But most of all, we have to single out Fernando, who was our contact in Guayaquil.....we had some special requests, and he went out of his way to help us......VERY much appreciated. So, as you can see, we are another happy Gate 1 customer!Barbara D. Arvada, CO
Our trip was wonderful - even better than our Peru trip we had taken with Gate 1 previously. It was very well organized and the schedule was very well set and maintained by our guide. I would like to acknowledge our trip guide, Carlos, and our driver, Javier, who did an excellent job. Carlos was very knowledgeable and gave us good insights. It was amazing how many activities, sites and hikes we did within 10 days. One of our top 10 vacations.Parizad S. Upland, CA
My trip was wonderful. I cannot say enough good things about our tour guide, Jose, and our driver, Luis. I have told my friends and family what a great tour I was on and how we had wonderful guides. If there was any glitch in our plans, we never knew about it. Jose took care of everything. He has such a genuine love and pride for his country and it really shows. It felt more like we were hanging out with old friends. I really liked the way Gate1 set up the itinerary. We were always busy, but never felt rushed. I will definitely go on another Gate 1 tour.Debbie B. Brick, NJ
We had an excellent experience! Alejandra was our guide and we couldn't say enough about how much we enjoyed her guidance, information, humor, friendliness. All the hotels were amazing. Visiting the local school, that Gate 1 sponsors, was a highlight of the trip. This is becoming such an important factor, as a consumer, to buy from and support companies with this philanthropic focus. I would definitely look into another Gate 1 trip.Jill T. San Ramon, CA
It was absolutely AMAZING!! Our main guide on the mainland portion of the trip, Alfredo , was outstanding. His in-depth knowledge of Ecuador - its people, its history, and its varied physical geography, thoroughly enriched our trip. He presented all of this with a very good command of the English language, in a friendly and humorous manner! We felt safe in the hands of our bus driver, Johnny, for the nearly 970 km on the mainland, where he negotiated some very challenging roadways.
All our accommodations directed by Gate 1 were wonderful. In Galapagos, we found all of the tours and day-trips, on land and sea, absolutely incredible. As a matter of fact, we were so invigorated by this excursion that within 24 hours of arriving home we booked our next excursion with Gate 1 to Greece and its islands. Can't wait!Nancy S. Ontario, Canada
It was a fabulous trip. We had a wonderful time. Che Che, our tour guide in the Galapagos, and Rogger, our tour guide in Peru, were both the best tour guides. Rogger particularly was caring and attentive. I felt like I learned much more then facts about sights, but really got a sense of who the Peruvian people are. I also want to mention Fausto, our local guide in Puno. I was impressed by his knowledge and skill as a tour guide. It definitely is a rigorous trip. I can't wait to start planning my next trip.Nancee L. Austin, TX
The trip was phenomenal!!! We did things we never imagined we could do and lived to tell about it!! Hiking to waterfalls at 8,000 feet plus, slogging through the Amazon basin in knee-high boots, rafting on a balsa raft, zip-lining over a gorge into a waterfall, walking on a swinging bridge, standing in the middle of the world, and more!! I must admit, having never traveled with Gate 1, we had lots of trepidation going into the trip, but all was soon absolved with the plane trip, the accommodations, the food, our tour director, CARLOS. He was always there, but never intrusive, and the kind to the people of Ecuador. There were a few travelers on the trip who had traveled with you before, and their enthusiasm for the company assured us that we would hope to travel with you again.Joy A. Marietta, GA
This trip was one most enjoyable journey I've ever took. In this trip I absolutely had no reason to complain or be unhappy. Gate 1 Travel really demonstrated me, that it one of the best travel companies in the United States. Attention to details, punctuality, customer care, really beautiful choice of hotels and attractions, really honor me to be customer of your company. One of most essential part in creating such a wonderful experience for me was our Tour Coordinator.
Carlos demonstrated his wealth of information, confidence, deeply rooted knowledge and love to his country. His care and great sense of humor helped me in most physically demanding parts of the journey. You company should really retain his services as long as possible, so other travelers could enjoy his company and guidance. Nobody is perfect, they say, but it sometimes is not true. Carlos was perfect in every step he took. Every member of our group knew that we not only had great Tour Coordinator, but equally great friend.
This was my first trip with Gate 1 Travel. I've heard from my fellow travelers that some of them took several travel trip with your company. After this trip, I really understand why you have such a high rate of returned customer. People who love travel also love combination of great value and "skies the limit" level of service. You can be sure that I'll come back soon and take another journey with your great company.Eugene K. Aurora, OH
The trip to Ecuador was awesome! Everything exceeded my expectations. The tour guide, Carlos, was a very ambitious man and wanted us to have the best trip ever. And yes, we all had! Carlos is very well prepared and extremely knowledgeable, so that we all learned a lot about this beautiful country, about culture, history, people. His job is very demanding, not only in terms of knowledge, organizing and communication skills, but also very physically demanding and he did it with grace, smiles and kindness. As to the driver- Hermes was amazing. Not only excellent as a professional, but also very kind and very helpful. Both gentleman went above and beyond to make our trip as enjoyable as only possible and never spared any efforts to make us feel very comfortable.
Last, but not least, thank you Gate 1 for the excellent organization of the trip and your generosity with meals, drinks and sightseeing. I keep coming back and taking trips with you. Every trip gets better than the previous one.Iliana P. Clinton, CT
I have traveled around the world using the superior services of Gate 1. I thought I had experienced everything as it applies to providing the opportunity to see the sites, understanding the cultures, shopping, etc. As well as good guide hosts. What I encountered during my Ecuador trip was THE best ever, more than I ever expected or deemed possible. Why? Our tour guide: Romey. Amazing, outstanding, knowledgeable, tolerant, are only a few of the words I can find to describe her services. And, I am not the only one that had this reaction: the entire group praised her ability to manage our group, yet provide quality service. As a result of my experience with Romey, I will be recommending a visit to Ecuador to my friends and colleagues.James T. Flower Mound, TX
The trip was awesome. Gate1 "over delivered" in all aspects of the trip, especially hotels and the overall organization of it. However besides the formal things, I would like to mention and express our special gratitude to our guide in Ecuador, Antonio. Besides being one of the most knowledgeable guides I met so far, Antonio showed exceptional and personal care to all of us, great sense of humor and the outstanding ability to make the trip so much more enjoyable than we would ever hoped for.Maxim G. Concord, CA
We truly had a fantastic time! From beginning to end, everything went very smoothly. Our guide, Antonio, rocks! He was very organized and informative about Ecuador. Not only was he very knowledgeable about the areas we visited, but also about local economy and cultural interests. Our driver, Javier, was also fantastic! That man has got some nerves. Gate 1, we hope we will soon be traveling with you again.Kerstin L. Orlando, FL
The hotels were beautiful. I just loved the small boutique type inns that lit a fire in your fireplace, while you were at dinner, and the one up in the mountains that had an active volcano thundering in the background.
Jose, the guide in Ecuador, was such a sweetie and tried to please everyone. I did a lot of Christmas shopping... the knitted hats, sweaters and wall hangings were so beautiful and quite the bargain.
It was a small group in Ecuador and fewer in the Galapagos. I am not a beach person, but the beach we went to in the Galapagos was great, sand like flour and warm water. Food was good, but I especially cant get over the fantastic inns/ hotels we stay in!Mary Ann M. Boylston, MA
It was another fantastic Gate 1 adventure trip! Juan was our outstanding guide in the islands and we loved the city tour with Antonio. We also appreciate Pablo escorting us to and from the airport with Carlos driving. Amazing pristine volcanic formations on the islands and the wildlife, above & below the water, was so "up front & personal". Thanks for another great tour with a company that takes really good care of us from the time we step off the plane, until the time we board the plane to go home. A big thanks Gate 1!!Nancy G. Crystal River, FL
I had a wonderful time. Our tour guide, Alfredo, was wonderful. So patient and kind. The whole 10 days was filled with great stuff to do. Alfredo stuck with us to make sure that our home reservations went smoothly. The hotels we wonderful! Honestly, I can't say enough about the trip. The weather was even in our favor. We had a little rain when we were on the bus, and the when we were outside it was wonderful and sunny. We even got to see a volcano erupt. My husband and I got a lot out of the hiking. It was wonderful! The group was fantastic. And don't let me forget our treasured bus driver, Johnny. I think we sometimes forget just how important the drivers are. He was always on time and ready to go to our next stop with a clean bus.Thelma L. Gilbert, AZ
Our tour was very nice...in so many ways. The tour director, Alfredo, is a keeper. He manages people well, has great relationship with the clients of Gate 1 and the other associates, who make up YOUR team. He uses humor to motivate and has great skills with his "story-telling" techniques. He teaches with a little entertainment tossed in as well. We are, once again, very satisfied with Gate 1 and how your company's attention to detail has paid off. We will return to you next time...a promise we have made and kept in the past.Roy J. Iowa City, IA
The trip was great. No complaints as far as the hotels we stayed in (loved them all) and the activities made available for us. Guess just wish had a little bit longer at each stop, we were definitely on the move. Everyone loved our guide, Pato! Very informative, easy going, and we couldn't have had a better guide. I'm not much for guided tours, as I've had some rotten ones in the past, but this was well put together and I really enjoyed it.Jimmy C. Mansfield, OH
I have to admit, this trip was so great! You guys have done a terrific job of selecting Pato to be the tour guide. He truly has a genuine love for his people and country, which showed as he was teaching us about Ecuador. I am so pleased with this trip and have shared my positive opinion with my colleagues. I am now looking for another Gate 1 vacation. I just hope that the next will be just as great. Thank you for your help with booking my reservation.Kym W. Woodbridge, VA
My trip was great. Ecuador is a beautiful diverse country, made even more exciting to experience with the passion and knowledge shown by our guide Alfredo. This was my first trip with Gate 1 Travel and I'm positive not my last. Alfredo was a master of stories and information and our driver Giovanni showed his driving skills on roads. We did get back to Quito for a charming farewell dinner and left Ecuador with get memories.Dan E. South Orange, NJ
Trip is right up there with best trips ever! Galapagos was soooo easy. They use bottled water (except shower) so we could drink the water. They use US currency so there was no converting. They are Central Standard time so there was no jetlag. Everything was taken care of so we just had to make sure we were in the right place at the right time. Small group made that easy. We saw what we came to see and did what we came to do. Red Mangrove was super!
All in all it was a truly great trip and as usual Gate1 did an excellent job. Every representative was outstanding.Pamela L. Asbury Park, NJ
Once again we were very pleased with the Gate 1 Travel experience. We cannot say enough about our Local guide, Carlos. He was very knowledgeable about the culture, history, geography and politics of Ecuador. Carlos kept us entertained and informed every day. He worked very hard make sure everyone on the tour was comfortable and happy at all times. We must also complement our driver, Xavier. He was professional and personable with everyone on the bus. Our personal possessions were safe on the bus wherever we went.
We were delighted with our accommodations throughout the tour. The provided meals were more than satisfactory, and we really appreciated the daily offer of bottled water. We will not hesitate to book another trip with Gate 1, and we have and will recommend Gate 1 to friends and family.Steven R. Ontario, Canada
The trip was superb. Very pleased with the whole experience. Great value for the money. Enjoyed not only seeing the countryside, but learning so much about the people and culture of Ecuador. Credit should go to our very knowledgeable tour guide Alejandro -- so informative, great command of the English language, very pleasant personality. Loved that this tour was an active vacation with plenty of opportunity to walk, hike, explore. I would definitely do another trip with Gate 1 Travel in the future.Susan C. Setauket, NY
The trip was amazing! It was superbly well planned, organized, coordinated. Alejandra, our tour guide, has great: charming, fun, amazingly informative and knowledgeable, organized and helpful.
Our bus driver who managed to negotiate some of crazy roads in cities and country side, paved and unpaved and deal with the traffic...he was impressive in his skills and always so helpful. The scenery was astonishing, the mountains and valleys spectacular and the country beautiful. The choice of lodges, the food, the coordination was all way above my expectations.
But even more than all of that, what Gate 1 is doing to help some of the people, places, schools, indigenous peoples is wonderful, inspiring and commendable. Some of best parts of the tour were the unexpected - the stop at the school in Otavalo, the visit to the village in the Amazon, the whole project at Manteles with agriculture, sustainability and helping the locals learn about the crops, sharing some of the bounty with them and what the owners did to set aside big portions of their land and keep undeveloped. The Casa del Suizo, which besides being top notch, employs so many locals and provides both profit sharing plan and a trip for all them once a year.
The whole rain forest portion of the trip was AMAZING! - the village, the hike, the vegetation, the people, the butterfly 'farm', the wood worker, the pot maker, etc etc. And the little things were wonderful: the stops at the ice cream shop outside Quito, the street vendors who were informative, the palm ivory shop and the cane sugar vendor, where we all tried some, the local guides at Cotopaxi, etc etc. The trip far exceeded my expectations. So organized, so culturally amazing and there were the nicest mix of people in our group of 31.Michael M. Garden City, NY
We had a great trip. It was everything we had hoped it would be and more!! I hope someone will be alerted to my high recommendation of our tour guide, Alfreddo! He was top notch! Very well versed in every question we threw at him. And his patience and kindness meant alot. He was highly congenial and thoughtful towards all of us. Our accomodations were excellent and we don't know how you were able to put us up in such great haciendas for the price we paid. We have passed your web site on to soooooo many people because we have NEVER, I mean NEVER been disappointed.Helena C. Niles, MI
Our guide Alfredo engendered a marvelous group spirit! He was very knowledgeable and friendly. The accommodations were excellent and the itinerary was well planned. In all, the trip was most enjoyable and gave excellent value.
The Ecuadorian trip was so wonderful -- even as a "repeater." We actually took the Ecuador trip (with a Galapagos extension) a year ago and repeated it to share with a nephew and niece this year. Amazingly, it was even better than we remembered! Our guide, Carlos, was just exceptional. The lodging was, as usual, superb. And nice little additions were really interesting -- particularly a visit to a local Otavalo school, one morning. We love Ecuador and we would recommend it to anyone -- especially on a Gate1 tour.Laurel N. Denver, CO
My trip was excellent and it was smoothly run. Ecuador is very beautiful, the people we friendly and I think our Gate 1 Guide, Carlos, just put the trip over the top. Our steady bus driver, Hermis, the Guide Carlos, and on our Amazon hike, our leader, Paulina at Mt. Cotopaxi. Much fun and laughs and yes, I would travel with Gate 1 again and recommend to others!Dave N. Saint Francis, MN
It was an amazing trip. I loved every minute of it. Jose was such an
excellent tour guide. Very professional, caring, trustworthy and friendly. He
made us feel very comfortable and safe with him. The hotel choices were great
and so was the food. all the places we visited were very beautiful and unique.
Overall a memorable vacation.
Looking forward to traveling with Gate 1 again.
My Ecuador trip was amazing! The scenery was beautiful and the places we
visited were interesting and unique. Everything was well organized and went
smoothly, and I will definitely recommend this trip to my friends. This was my
sixth Gate 1 trip, and they continue to exceed my expectations.
The trip was amazing, both in scope and in quality. I would like to
particularly comment on our guide, Patricio (Pato), who was outstanding in his
concern for our welfare, our comfort and enjoyment, and our learning about his
country. He is a man of integrity and left us a wonderful impression of
Ecuador and its people. The trip would not have been the same with an
individual who was less dedicated. Many thanks also to our fantastic driver,
Johnny. He drove safely and conservatively on some of the most dangerously
curved roads in the world, at a time when we saw local drivers taking chances
and "playing chicken" on very narrow roads. It didn't take long for all of us
to have total confidence in Johnny's driving skills. All told, we were very
impressed with Gate 1 and I'm sure we'll take another trip with you in the
Our trip was awesome! We had the most enjoyable & the most FUN vacation. Our tour manager, Alfredo was excellent. He's very knowledgeable and such a delightful person. Our bus driver, Ivan was truly excellent & very competent. We loved the hotels we stayed in. The Galapagos Islands are incredible & breathtaking! I highly recommend this trip by Gate 1. This is our 7th trip with Gate 1.Robert D. East Hanover, NJ
This trip was a life changing and surreal experience. I can't thank Gate 1 Travel enough for such an awesome trip! The entire week was seamless. I went with two other girls and we were so grateful to be able to experience so much in just 8 days. We knew that if we would have done this trip ourselves there is no way we would have been able to learn as much and see as much as we did and we are so fortunate for that. We LOVED the Amazon jungle, the hotel was great. We are all a little adventurous at heart and although I realize we didn't enter the Amazon to it's core we got a little taste of it, and that was more than enough for us at this point in our exploring lives. All the hotel staff, including the Punta Ahunoa staff were incredible! I feel like I've made life long friends. Patate was amazing and so was Fernando, the hotel manager. It was so homey, the food was so good here! He showed us his garden, he was hilarious and wanted us all to have a great time. The dogs here, Luke a golden retriever was also the happiest dog I've ever met. They three dogs all slept outside our door that night and stood guard.
The lodge in the Andes mountains with the fireplace was amazing!! The hot springs were amazing! The food was incredible everywhere! The dogs in every city were so cute we wanted to take them all home with us. And finally our guide Alfredo. I cant say enough great things about him!! He was so knowledgeable and witty, I learned so much history and facts about Ecuador. He told real life accounts of his time living in the jungle. He knew every question that I asked him, which was really impressive! He was really an amazing guide, we all felt so fortunate to have gotten him. Seriously, Gate 1 does not want to lose him and should use him on all of the tours, he is really an amazing guide!! Our driver Ivan was AWESOME! I have no idea how he maneuvered that bus around some of those corners, which was also a very nice and cozy bus. I have no complaints, I'm recommending everyone experience this trip. I have a few people interested and I would recommend Gate 1 to everyone!
We are rather easy to please, young, low maintenance travelers, so this review is all relative. But I feel so fortunate to have stumbled upon gate1 and this trip. The entire experience really did change my life, thank you so much for putting together an AWESOME itinerary. Every single minute of every single day was an incredible experience.
It was perfect-our Gate 1 representative was Romy and she met us every time, on time , was very knowledgeable, spoke perfect English and was so kind and helpful. The buses were new, and in good working condition. We love Gate 1 and already are planning our next adventure with your company.Margaret S. Portland, OR
The trip to Ecuador exceeded my expectations - getting up close to amazing creatures found nowhere else on earth, observing genuine patriotic pride of the Ecuadorian people, and visiting an enchanting place unspoiled by human commercialism and intervention. The Gate1 representative in Guayaquil (Fernando) was exceptional in his attentiveness to our group. Everything went smoothly (just as I have found with all our Gate1 experiences.)Jon R. Cary, NC
The trip was wonderful! We enjoyed all excursions. The hotels were nice,
people very friendly and helpful, great history and the best - we had a great
guide in Alfredo and the driver, Denny, was very competent. Gate 1 did a great
job. We will definitely take another Gate1 trip.
I am looking forward to booking two more trips this year to Kenya in October and India in May with Gate 1.
Thank you again, Gate 1.
We have traveled the world on many Gate 1 tours and we also still enjoy planning and arranging our own excursions: flights, routes, accommodations, attractions, etc. and I am good enough at it to know how BRILLIANTLY your Ecuador and Amazon Adventure was designed. We feel like we have savored not only the high spots of Ecuador, but have tasted the whole continent. The sights were spectacular, the pace was just right, the guide was insightful and the accommodations were entirely authentic and more than comfortable, always beautifully set and occasionally intimate. Even the hotel in Quito had delightful views and a great breakfast spread.
This might have been a great trip at any price, but at this bargain rate it is a unique find.
|We had a marvelous time on our trip to Ecuador and the
Galapagos Islands! We were especially thrilled with our experience
aboard the Galapagos Explorer II!! The crew members were very attentive
and safety-minded. The food was so scrumptious. We felt like we were
definitely getting first class treatment!!!
Cathy, our guide in Quito, was always on time and very informative. She gave helpful advice on activities we could to do on our own.
The reason we chose Gate 1 for the second time was that we had such a great experience while in Jordan and Egypt earlier this year.
Hope to join you on future trips soon!
It was wonderful--it far exceeded our expectations!
Our guide, Patricio, was the best. We are most grateful to him and to Gate1 for this great experience.
We were happy that we were able to spend an extra three days with my friend Alicia, who lives in Quito.
Thanks to all that worked so hard to make the trip so phenomenal.
It was AMAZING! This was the first escorted tour my husband and I had
ever taken and we LOVED it. Patricio was an INCREDIBLE guide:
warm,knowlegeable, excitable (in a good way!). He obviously cares deeply for
his country and his people. We got along so well with everyone in the group;
in fact, we all talked about booking another tour together as a group--all
of us! Our only minor complaint was there was a little too much shopping for our tastes (we really loved the Napo River and all the volcanoes!), but everyone else on the tour seemed to love the markets and took full advantage of them. I think the tour was an incredible introduction to Ecuador, and would love to see you offer additional locations that focus on the incredible natural beauty of that country (and it would be great if it had lots of hiking and exploring!). We're looking forward to our next trip with you--we just haven't decided where yet!
LAN airlines was an excellent choice. On time, very good service, and very friendly.
Oscar was an excellent tour guide, knowledgeable, accommodating, entertaining and approachable. Oscar's excellent English and personal touch was appreciated. The driver was excellent, friendly and accommodating.
Hotel accommodations and meals provided varied from excellent to adequate.
Points of interest were good. The Amazon portion on Napo River was excellent and best of the "adventure" portion of the trip.
Thank you for the opportunity and a good value.
Trip was amazing - wonderful value. My first experience traveling alone and I loved it. We had a great group and a knowledgeable guide. Will definitely book another trip through Gate 1.Nancy G. Irving, TX
Our trip was fantastic! Our guide, Patos, was so informative and passionate about his country. The accommodations were wonderful. We only wished that we had more time to spend at each of them. The food was outstanding. It is a great deal for the price. We can't understand how you can do it at that price! Keep up the good work!
PS I booked Costa Rica on January 30 with your company to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary!Mary R. Blk River Fls, WI
It was terrific and both Tom and I are thankful we had
the experience. Whereas we should have done it ten years ago, we
did survive. A great group of people, excellent bus driver
exceptional tour guide.
It was fantastic and I think everyone on that tour will say the same thing. It was one of the best things I have ever done. We had a superb guide, Alex, and a terrific driver, Marco. Alex managed every detail with great care. The places we stayed were very very nice and the people I met on the tour as well as the staff at the hotels were wonderful. I learned so much and had so much fun!!Sharon O. Casanova, VA
It was wonderful. Our guide, Juan Carlos Sosa, was fabulous,
always available to answer to our whims and full of information about
the country. The accommodations were superb! Thank you for a great
This was by far the best all inclusive vacation package we have ever been
associated with in traveling the globe. You are to be congratulated for
putting together such an outstanding intinerary.
Our guide, Juan Carlos, was a walking textbook on the history of
his country. My wife and I felt like we were taking a college course for
credit during our vacation. What a wonderful representative of Gate
1 Travel. From the hotels, tours, food to the transportation
everything was
outstanding. Thank you so much.
This was a wonderful, wonderful trip. We were blessed to have Pato as our escort/guide who gave us so much information about his country, customs and people. We saw so much and he added little things along the way that made our trip no only interesting but enhanced. I would gladly recommend this trip to anyone. The only change I would have made was to stay at Termas an additional night or to have arrived a little earlier to really enjoy it. Thank you for such a great experience.Candace D. Rochester, NY
It was superb! We loved the trip. We would travel again with Gate 1. We'd also like to say that our guide in Ecuador, Patricio (Pato) was awesome!Cindy B. Colorado Springs, CO
It was a fabulous trip. The guide made it especially
good - Patrick (Pato) is so enthusiastic and passionate about showing his
country. I would recommend this trip to everyone. Thank you for providing a
great experience.
Outside of the glitch we encountered with Avianca Airlines, the trip was excellent. I also want to make sure that our Tour Manager, Oscar, was outstanding. He went beyond the call of duty to enable everyone to get what they needed. One of the tourists had to be taken to the hospital with a tooth abcess and was ill as well. Oscar saw that the tourist was cared for.
We had a wonderful time and Antonio, our guide, was wonderful. It
was a small group, which was great, and everyone was a good
traveling companion. We loved the Amazon region and all the activities. We
are looking forward to Macchu Piccu this November. Thanks for a great
The itinerary was wonderful. We were very fortunate to have had such a conscientious, caring, enthusiastic, and extremely knowledgeable tour guide, Pato. Everyday he went out of his way to ensure that every one of us was comfortable and happy. The "chocolate moments" he provided for us were a nice personal touch at the beginning of our long bus rides. He got to know each of us as individuals, and his genuine warmth and caring helped us to feel so welcome in his beautiful country. I was also quite impressed with the little gifts from Gate 1 we received throughout the trip, including the stop for ice-cream, the nut figurines and the little wooden figurines.
All of the accommodations were top-notch. My 10-year old son especially liked Cabana del Lago with its zip line, exciting mini-golf course and a roaring fireplace in our room. My favorite places were Termas Papallacta and Hacienda Manteles. I loved being able to walk outside our room in Papallacta into the luxurious hot springs. The vistas from both of these places were absolutely stunning. It was beautiful to see the gorgeous sun set behind the mountains; I was definitely in awe of such natural wonders.
We learned so much on the hikes in the Amazon. The Quechua people were warm and inviting, and we were were able to see first hand how they lived. Where else but with Gate 1 would we be able to visit an indigenous family in their home, sample their food and drink, and learn how to use a blow dart to kill monkeys? What a memorable experience! My only regret with this trip is that we did not have the opportunity to fully experience each place we stayed in. I would have loved to stay in each hotel an extra day. The bus rides were rather long, but unavoidable.
Pato diligently reminded us to drink the coca tea to help with the climb in altitude. This trip was abundant in adventure, Ecuadorian culture, and scenic beauty. I cannot possibly name every wonderful moment we experienced on this trip, but just know there are too many to count. I will definitely spread the word about another fabulous Gate 1 experience. I look forward to my next Gate 1 trip to China next year.
It was a great trip. Nothing could have made it any better. We had the best guide named Pato and our driver, Johnny, did some amazing driving. It was one great surprise after another on this adventure. Be sure you keep Pato on your payroll. He took amazing care of everyone on this tour. You are lucky to have him. The same goes for Johnny. I have already told some friends about this trip and they are putting it on their to-do list.Carole T. Riverside, CA
We had a great time! The tour guide was one of the best we have ever
had! Ecuador is a very beautiful country and the people are very
friendly! I loved seeing the markets with all of the colorful items they
were selling. The weather was great, a little cool at times but very nice
over all. The jungle lodge was very nice along with the other hotel.
Got some very nice photos from the trip!
Every time I take a trip I use my yellow Gate 1 luggage strap, and the "newbies" are always curious and "envious"! I know gifts are a thing of the past, and everything is now done through the internet, but those straps were the best gift ever! My DVD of the trip is really spectacular, as is my Iceland DVD from my September adventure.
Fabulous! 110% more than expected. However, it seems that's how Gate 1 operates. We had a phenomenal tour guide, Patricio (Pato). So enthusiastic to show us 'his' country. The places and things we experienced were incredible. We had a super group and just the right size. Never a dull moment! All of our hotels were wonderful as were the restaurants. This was my third Gate 1 tour and there will be many more. Thank you so much for a job well done.Penelope S. Pinehurst, NC
We had a great trip. Accommodations were excellent, the guide, Leo S., was superb, the transportation vehicle was comfortable and the itinerary and included meals were well chosen. The trip exceeded our expectations.Mitchell S. Wilmington, DE
We had a wonderful trip. Everything was first class. The Finch Bay Hotel was very comfortable. The food was delicious and the service excellent. The two guides who took us out on the boat each day, Valentino & Soto, were very well informed and helped us learn much about the islands. The boat, the crew and the food were outstanding. The two days in Quito were a fantastic bonus, helped again by a terrific tour guide, Fausto. This was our first visit to South America and will NOT be our last. We will remember this visit for a long time. Thanks for your assistance. Well done.Stuart W. Wall Township, NJ
My mother and I just returned from our trip coordinated by you to Ecuador and the Galapagos. From the first minute we landed in Guayaquil, someone was always there to meet us and guide us through the check-in and baggage process as well as provide reliable and safe transportation to our hotel and airport. These transfer individuals spoke excellent English and made sure that everything was settled and comfortable before they left us. Then, in the Galapagos, Mario met us at the airport and became not only an invaluable naturalist guide for us but also a friend for our time there. The knowledge that both him and Fernanda revealed to us throughout our tours was very educational and impressive.
In addition, the Grand Hotel Guayaquil and the Finch Bay Hotel in Puerta Ayora were absolutely gorgeous hotels with excellent service and amenities. We loved the landscape of the Finch Bay, along with the hammock on the porch and turn-down service. Finally, the food offered at the hotel and on our yacht was always delicious and plentiful. We wouldn't change one thing about our trip.
We also want to thank you for sending us through Guayaquil, the climate was warm there and the city safe and full of great opportunities for tourists.
Again, thank you so much for a wonderful trip that was worth every dime. We will certainly use Gate 1 again when our future travel needs dictate.Belinda G. Ashville, NC
It was an awesome trip!!! Thanks for the suggestion to leave at midnight. That gave us the entire day in Lima to explore!Elissa C. Cape Coral, FL
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