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Review: Gate 1 Tour of India: 15 Day Classic India with Ranthambore

The 15 Day Classic India with Ranthambore Tour

Note: This review is for the Gate 1 tour of India alone, including the tour itinerary, guide and driver, bus, transports, and pre-booked accommodations and activities.  This review does not include the in-depth individual reviews of the cities visited , dining experiences , or tourist attractions , etc. – a full listing of those India posts can be found here .  

Using Gate 1 Travel:

For my fist trip to India , I [wisely] opted for a tour. I had used Gate 1 Travel before, and was impressed (and pleasantly surprised) with the quality, comfort, and value of that tour. It was well organized, paced, and planned out. Not to mention, I got lucky and got a great and funny tour guide with a old-school cheeky personality. The accommodations on that tour were all upscale boutique Marriott properties at great rates.

The Taj Mahal

With India, using Gate 1 Travel for a tour was a ‘no-brainer’. India was simply too steep of a learning curve, there was a written and spoken language barrier, and I had almost no knowledge of South Asian history. Oh, and they drive on the left side  of the road. 😉

Gate 1 had amazing price on a tour that had almost everything I wanted to see on my first trip there – including, of course, the Taj Mahal: The 15 Day Classic India with Ranthambore tour. Not only that, the price was better than I could manage if booked separately on my own — and I was able to take advantage of the $300 off coupon code from the mailed brochure.

Tip #1: Sign up with Gate 1 Travel online to receive brochures in the mail, they contain valuable coupons Tip #2: Gate 1 Travel gives a 5% discount off the trip if you opt to pay off your balance with a cash in the form of a check

Included With The Gate 1 Tour of India:

(Image courtesy of gate1travel.com)

I opted for the “land only” version of this tour as I booked my international flight  free with points .

The Itinerary on a Map:

The Tour Guide:

First, let me me say that I was lucky to have another  great Gate 1 tour guide, “Sony”. She happened to be one of the only female tour guides in an Indian industry that is completely dominated by men. As you can imagine, she was tough! But she was also quite funny, and her great sense of humor and knowledge of all things ‘touristy’ really made the trip fun. She politely fielded all the crazy tourist questions (that she’d no doubt heard a million times) with a smile, like this gem: “So, if people are starving in India, why don’t they just eat the cows?”. I cannot recommend her highly enough!

Garden Park at Udaipur

The Driver, Assistant, and Bus Coach:

The driver, and his assistant, didn’t speak English but got the job done through some VERY tough driving conditions and situations. Not having to drive was the #1 reason I felt like a genius for booking a tour. They were friendly and always provided cold bottled water, smiles, and sanitizer squirts when you boarded the bus.

The coach was modern and ‘average’ by international standards; but could be considered ‘luxurious’ in India. The seats relined, the A/C and curtains worked well, the bus was clean and smelled fine. Most importantly, the bus didn’t breakdown or get a flat for the entire trip.

The Hotel Accommodations:

The Ranbanka Hotel, Jodhpur

Eros Hotel, New Delhi, INDIA  – I rate it a 4/5

Trident Agra Hotel, Agra, INDIA   I rate it 4/5

The Pugmark, Sawai Madhopur, INDIA   I rate it 3/5

Ramada Jaipur, Jaipur, INDIA  I rate it 4/5

Ranbanka Hotel, Jodhpur, INDIA   I rate it 4/5

Trident Udaipur Hotel, Udaipur, INDIA   I rate it 5/5

Trident Nariman Point Hotel, Mumbai, INDIA  I rate it 5/5

The Eros Hotel and the Trident Hotels were particularly upscale and very high-end properties. The Ranbanka was a stand-out hotel as well as the layout and service was great.

Tip #3: As the Ramada Jaipur is almost the half-way point of the tour, it’s an ideal and inexpensive place to have your laundry done. They had a deal for about $10 US for everything you could cram into their laundry bag with a 12-hour turnaround. Tip #4: The Ranbanka has an awesome restaurant complex called “On the Rocks” within close walking distance. There are many great restaurants and bars there, you really can’t go wrong. Get there early as the place fills up quick.

The Flight:

The domestic flight route from Udaipur (UDR) to Mumbai (BOM) was serviced by a Jet Airways flight.

I hadn’t flown with them before, but the plane was new, the flight was short, and the service was great.  Overall, it was an easy morning flight. Based on this experience, I would definitely fly with Jet Airways again.

Landing in Mumbai

The Tour Pacing:

While I feel like the itinerary was very solid and well planned out, I do feel like I missed some important ‘must-see’ items. Delhi could have used another day as the tour missed the Humayun’s Tomb, Bahai Lotus Temple and Red Fort.  Jaipur was also a great city that could have used another day with all there is to see there.  The same goes for Jodhpur – one night is simply not enough.

Of the 20 people on the tour, 16 (plus the tour guide) continued on to Nepal as part of the larger Gate 1 Travel “18 Day Classic India with Ranthambore & Nepal” tour. Mumbai seemed like the only poorly planned part of the trip: It was a strange plan to fly South only have one afternoon in Mumbai, then have to be in bed early to catch the 6am Northernly flight out to Nepal. One afternoon is not close to enough time for a city like Mumbai.

Things to Consider:

Delhi Belly: Beware, this is a thing. On our tour, 5 out of 20 people got hit with this at one time or another, missing days or half days of the tour. Do what you can to prevent this — ALWAYS sanitize, wash you hands, and avoid hotel sink water when brushing your teeth, avoid ice, and ease yourself into Indian cuisines before you go for the street food. The tour guide knew exactly what to do and was able to get people back on the tour usually within 24 hours.

I was recommended the probiotic ‘Cuturelle’ (digestive health) and I didn’t get sick. I also eased myself into Indian by sticking  to curries and rice early on to expose my system to foreign bacteria before going for street food chili paneer and lassies.

The website also notes there is a lot of driving involved. You will regularly have 5-8 hour days of solid driving. The Taj Mahal is not close at all to Delhi, and the road to Ranthambore is three hours of “white knuckling” – there and back. You will get ample roadside stops and lunch breaks, but you should know what you are in for. Also know, there’s really no other option if you really wanna see India.

The Bottom Line:

Overall, this Itinerary covered about 90% of a first-timer’s dream checklist for India. You will visit seven amazing cities, and spend a large part of this tour in the stunningly beautiful desert region of Rajasthan. You’ll have the opportunity to do the optional Gate 1 activities consisting of various dinner shows, watching a Bollywood movie at a vintage cinema, and trying the local cuisines and even lassie-bar tastings.

The way I see it, it’s really three trips in one. You get the “Golden Triangle” (Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur), Rajasthan (Ranthambore, Jodhpur, and Udaipur) and Mumbai. You get to see at least eight UNESCO World Heritage sites. And if you are really lucky, you’ll get to see a Bengal Tiger!

Beautiful Tigress on Safari @ Ranthambore National Park

This tour is really quite a lot to see and do in a very short amount of time, but its perfect for a first trip to India. Understandably, this tour is very ambitious and you should know that going in.

I highly recommend this Gate 1 Tour of India and itinerary. In fact, I’ve already recommended it to many friends and family members who want to visit India but don’t know how to do it. If you have the time, its also worth looking at the tour with the Nepal tack-on.

My overall rating of this tour: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Flying High On Points

Citi thank you points: limited time bonus on transfers to asia miles, travel experience: new delhi, india, you may also like, review: the st. regis mexico city (mexico), review: doubletree by hilton golf resort palm springs..., review: kimpton la peer hotel (west hollywood, california), review: intercontinental the clement monterey (california), review: pier south, autograph collection (san diego, california), review: virgin hotels las vegas, curio collection by..., walkthrough tour of a 2 queen bedroom at..., review: fine hotels & resorts (fhr) – (2nd..., walkthrough tour of a 2 queens room at..., walkthrough tour of a 2 queen beds suite....

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India & Nepal: Mysterious and Magical

The mysterious land of India has long intrigued visitors, and its neighbor, the small nation of Nepal, is an up-and-coming favorite for travelers looking for adventure and unrivaled beauty. From the energetic capital of New Delhi, India to the “roof of the world” at Kathmandu, Nepal, you will discover all that these two countries have to offer. This region has so much to show the traveler from natural beauty to ancient sights to can’t miss experiences. Discovery Tours ensures you will see the best of India & Nepal and because of our small groups size, you will have special encounters that bring you face-to-face with the culture, traditions and people of India & Nepal. Welcome to India & Nepal the Discovery Tours way.

Begin your incredible journey in the lively and exciting capital of India; New Delhi. This city has one of the largest populations in the world and holds the key to much of the culture and tradition of this great country. Get acquainted with New Delhi and Old Delhi as you take a tour through this area and see the best sights they have to offer. In New Delhi, visit the Gandhi Smiriti (formerly Birla House) and learn more about the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, and all of his accomplishments. This is the place where he spent the last 144 days of his life until his assassination on January 30, 1948. View the India Gate war memorial, Presidential Palace and Parliament house while taking in the sites of this immense city. Learn more about the Sikh culture of India on a visit to the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a place of worship with a glowing golden dome. Continue next to Old Delhi where you will see all the greatest spots in the old city. Take a rickshaw ride through the bustling main street, Chandni Chowk and visit the Jama Masjid and the National Museum afterwards. Lastly, enjoy a tuk-tuk ride before returning to your hotel after a wonderful day. Discovery Tours will show you both New Delhi and Old Delhi and leave nothing unexplored.

Your adventure brings you to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal and other great sites. Before arriving in Agra, you will visit the Qutub Minar Victory Tower en route from Delhi. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the world’s largest minaret and is constructed out of red sandstone, a beautiful sight to behold. After arriving, visit the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, built with the finest embellished Indian marble. This Mughal mausoleum is sometimes described as a jewel box and many refer to it as the first draft of the next site you will see and a true highlight of your trip, the Taj Mahal. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his beloved third wife, the Taj Mahal is considered to be the finest example of Mughal architecture and one of the most perfect structures in the world. The mausoleum is built completely out of white marble and precious stones and took around 22 years to complete. This labor of love is a true place of pride in India and is a spot where you will want to take lots of pictures! After, explore the red sandstone Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and maze of courtyards, mosques and private chambers. The Agra Fort was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until about 1638 when the Mughal Empire capital moved from Agra to Delhi.

The “Pink City” is your gateway to the desert state of Rajasthan. Stucco lined buildings, red and pink sandstone architecture and hilltop forts all greet you on your way into the city. Start your day of exploration with a visit to the incredible Amber Fort. This merge of Mughal and Hindu architectural styles encompasses courtyards, chambers and the Palace of Mirrors that all reflect the grandiosity of the Mughal Dynasty. View the famous Hawa Mahal Palace and marvel at its lacy façade that is incredibly intricate and alluring. Continue the tour with a visit to the City Palace, a former royal residence that is now a museum, and the Jantar Mantar Observatory with its ingenious instruments. Experience an incredible safari exploration through the Jhalani Safari Park. Here you will look for indigenous Indian animals including the elusive leopard, peacocks, langurs and kingfishers.

Amidst the Himalayas, the country of Nepal and its capital Kathmandu, are your gateway to the largest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest. You can choose to take an optional Mount Everest flightseeing tour that will take you on a small aircraft over the highest mountain in the world. With the Himalayas as a backdrop, visit the 1 st century Swayambhunath, one of the most recognized symbols of the country and a very spiritual place. A golden spire is adorned with prayer flags that move in the wind while the painted eyes of Buddha follow you as you ascend the stupa steps. This may just be the exact site you think of when you imagine Kathmandu and the Himalayas. Continue on to Durbar Square, a historical section of the city that contains ancient temples, palaces and a statue featuring the Hindu God of Destruction, Kal Bhairav. Visit the Boudhanath stupa, one of the largest in Nepal, and participate in a prayer and receive blessings from the Holy Lama at this monument; a unique experience and time for self-reflection.

Nestled on the banks of the Narayani River, Chitwan National Park welcomes you to your resort within the park! A naturalist guide leads you on a jungle safari that brings you to the grasslands to view wildlife in their natural environment. Take a jeep safari and view even more of the incredible wildlife of the Chitwan National Park. Next, board a boat or canoe and see the Gharial or Mugger crocodiles and a wide variety of birds on the water portion of your journey. Three different modes of transportation all in one park! Visit a local Tharu Village and learn more about the indigenous people of the region and even see their home. Enjoy a meal with the Tharu accompanied by a performance from their dance group, a unique experience for you with Discovery Tours.

The second largest city in Nepal and home to three of the largest mountains in the world, beautiful Pokhara is your final stop on this wild ride. View the Devi’s Falls, a waterfall meaning “Hell’s Falls” that seemingly drops out of sight into a hidden, underground gorge. Enjoy the Old Bazaar with everything from food to gold and the perfect place for a stroll. Take an early morning hike to the Peace Pagoda where you will see the unforgettable sunrise over the mountain peaks, a not to be missed experience. Visit the International Mountain Museum where you will see exhibits that focus on the technology and equipment that is used for hiking in this area. Pokhara is the best place for this museum because of its location amid the dominating Annapurna mountains. It is also considered a favorite destination among adventurers. Enjoy your final evening in Nepal with a dinner at a local family’s home. Say goodbye to your new friends and India and Nepal while telling stories from your trip over a delicious meal.

We hope you had a great time exploring India & Nepal with us. Make this tour a reality and visit our website to learn more about our 18 Day Incredible India & Nepal .

• Posted in: Asia & Pacific , Small Group Discoveries

Posted by Gate 1 Travel

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778 Trips match your criteria (1 - 20 shown)

9 Day Golden Triangle of India

Agra, Delhi, Jaipur

• Enjoy a visit to Gandhi Smriti, the official residence of Mahatma Gandhi that serves now as a museum
• Rickshaw ride along the lanes of Chandni Chowk, once the imperial avenue of Mughal royalty
• Amber Fort with its gorgeous Palace of Mirrors
• Visit the Taj Mahal, the most perfect architectural monument in the world †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

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10 Day Kaleidoscope of Guatemala & Honduras

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• In Guatemala City, discover the unique blend of old and new in Central America's largest metropolis Tour the archaeological site of Copán, Honduras, one of the most impressive cities of the ancient Maya Civilization Explore Tikal, one of the largest archaeological sites of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization and a UNESCO World Heritage Site Enjoy a visit to the Church of Santo Tomas and Chichicastenango Market Visit to Lake Atitlan, a beautiful volcanic lake, ringed by small towns Boat excursion to San Juan La Laguna, famous for its colorful murals Tour of Antigua, a beautiful blend of ruins and restored colonial buildings †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

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9 Day Eastern USA Heritage, Philadelphia to Washington D.C.

Charlottesville, Gettysburg, Philadelphia, Virginia, Washington

• Explore historic Philadelphia, and visit the Museum of the American Revolution Visit sites from the Battle of Gettysburg, including Little Round Top, the location of Pickett's charge and Devil's Den Discover the WWII American Experience Museum, housing a variety of authentic WWII vehicles, uniforms and artifacts Skyline Caverns, one of the few places in the world featuring anthodite formations Take a guided tour of Monticello and get a glimpse into the life of Thomas Jefferson View how America's first settlers lived at the Jamestown Settlement In Colonial Williamsburg, watch craftspeople work their trade, and hear stories about colonial times Embark on a panoramic tour of Washington DC to view the Capitol building, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery

16 Day Scotland & Ireland

Belfast, Connemara, Derry, Dublin, Edinburgh, Galway, Glasgow, Loch Ness, Stirling Castle

• View the Scottish Crown Jewels at Edinburgh Castle, perched high above the city Visit stately Scone Palace, ancient residence of Scottish kings where Charles II was crowned At a whisky distillery, learn the art of Scotch whisky making and enjoy a tasting Travel to Loch Ness, one of Scotland’s most storied sites, home of the Loch Ness monster Cruise on the "bonnie banks" of Loch Lomond, with gorgeous vistas of tranquil scenery Explore Glasgow's George Square with its impressive collection of statues and monuments Ferry to Belfast, one of Europe's true Renaissance cities Tour the interactive Titanic Experience Museum that reveals the story of the ill-fated ship Excursion to Connemara National Park, a wonderland of scenic mountains and grasslands Discover Galway, a seafaring town, now one of the fastest growing cities in Europe View the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, a wall of rock towering over the Atlantic Ocean A breathtaking day of magnificent vistas as you drive around the renowned "Ring of Kerry" At Blarney Castle, kiss the legendary Blarney Stone, promising you the "gift of gab" Enjoy spirited Dublin, with its thousand year history, immortalized by James Joyce †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

12 Day Affordable Central Europe with Warsaw & Krakow

Budapest, Krakow, Prague, Vienna, Warsaw

• Travel along the Royal Route, with its historic monuments and residences, Warsaw Visit the 16th century Wawel Royal Castle, Krakow Tour Auschwitz-Birkenau, the infamous network of concentration camps from World War II View Heroes' Square, the largest and most impressive square in Budapest Stop at Fisherman's Bastion, for enthralling panoramic views of Budapest Visit Schonbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the imperial family in Vienna View St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, a Gothic masterpiece, where coronations of Czech kings & queens took place †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

10 Day Classic Amsterdam, Bruges, Paris & London

Amsterdam, Bruges, Paris

• Glass-top boat cruise on Amsterdam's winding canals Visit Our Lady's Church in Bruges, where you will view Michelangelo's "Madonna" Drive along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe and continuing to the iconic Eiffel Tower Travel between London & Paris by train via the world-famous "Chunnel" A panoramic city tour introduces you to the highlights of London †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates♦ London Gatwick Airport transfers available at an additional cost

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11 Day Affordable Croatia & Slovenia

Croatia, Dubrovnik, Montenegro, Split, Venice, Zagreb

• Explore seaside Opatija, with its rich history and picturesque surroundings
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• Tour magnificent Dubrovnik, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and visit Franciscan monastery with world's third oldest functioning pharmacy
• Experience a traditional Dalmatian welcome ceremony and savor local delicacies at a family-run Ethno Village

15 Day The Serengeti & Beyond: A Tanzania Safari with Zanzibar

Arusha, Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, Zanzibar

• Travel to Tarangire National Park, known for its huge herds of elephants and giraffe Game drives in Serengeti National Park, with Africa's highest concentration of wildlife In the Serengeti, linger at the Simba Kopje, inspiration for scenes in The Lion King At the Olduvai Gorge Museum view fossils that provide evidence of our ancestors Visit the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a World Heritage Site, Africa’s "Garden of Eden" Explore Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cultural center of the Zanzibar Archipelago Enjoy a sunset cruise on a traditional wooden dhow Explore Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, home to the endangered Zanzibar red colobus monkey Tour a working spice plantation to learn about the crops of the Spice Islands †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

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Ireland Tour

We recently finished the Gate 1 tour of Ireland. It advertises as 10 days, but it is not actually 10 days, and I'd like to be sure that people who are considering the tour understand that. Day 1 is for leaving to arrive in Ireland. Day 2 is for arriving in Ireland. Day 10 is for leaving Ireland to go home. That effectively leaves 7 days for a tour. I wrote to Gate 1 because the tour actually was only 6 days. On Day 9 there was no longer a tour bus driver. Gate 1 sent him home. Instead, they hired a local driver to take people on an "optional tour" to the Irish EPIC museum, which was actually within a reasonable walking distance of our hotel. If you didn't pay to go to this museum, you were finished with the tour on Day 8 and left to pay for your own transportation and planned excursion on Day 9. I told Gate 1 that they could have taken the entire group to a place like the National Botanic Gardens on Day 9 (our last day) instead of the museum. It was quite expansive and lovely, and it's free to enter. We had to pay for the transportation to get there. Ireland was enjoyable to visit, but Gate 1 needs to advertise its tours properly. "The tour actually lasts for 6 days unless you go on an optional tour on your last day in Ireland."

Date of experience : July 06, 2024

Reply from Gate 1 Travel

Thank you for taking the time to share your comments. We appreciate the feedback and hope to welcome you soon on another Gate 1 trip.

Scotland/Ireland 16 day excursion

I just finished the Scotland/Ireland 16 day excursion with a Tour guide named Ian and our coach driver named Robbie. They were both FANTASTICO! The 42 travelers were also wonderful. The sites in Scotland and Ireland were magical. The hotels were all very nice with breakfast and half our dinners included. The food was good. I would highly recommend Gate1 and plan to take another tour. Gate1 also needs to give those two wonderful men raises! They certainly made the trip amazing! Humor, history, intelligence, and much fun to entertain such a large group for 16 days! Great job Men!

Date of experience : June 03, 2024

Thank you for taking the time to share your comments. We truly appreciate the feedback and look forward to welcoming you on your next Gate 1 trip!

Tour guide can make or break a vacation.

Hawai'i 9-day tour 02/14/2024 thru 02/21/204 was busy and organized perfectly. Tours were organized and efficient. The preset hotels Queen Kapiolani and King Kamehameha were clean and well maintained. Due to the Lahaina devastation, which was hard to view, our hotel upgrade was amazing and impressive on Maui. Charles "Kaleo" Degala, the singing tour guide, made the trip. His love of his home, knowledge of the islands and respect for the culture of Aloha made you feel as if you were family not just a guest. Guides like him are a rare gift for a traveler.

Date of experience : February 14, 2024

RUDE service

This company has absolutely the most rude customer service. I'm a travel agent, asking basic clarifying questions regarding airfare and prices, and I was yelled out and treated very rudely two days in a row. They must hate their jobs. Unbelievable. Do not use this company! So many other professional travel companies to use!

Date of experience : May 03, 2024

Thank you for sharing your comments. We regret that your experience did not meet your expectations. So that one of our representatives can provide additional assistance and try to make this right for you, please submit an inquiry here: https://www.gate1travel.com/contactus

Not worth it!

My husband and I have taken many trips with Gate 1 but something with the company has changed and I do not recommend travelling with them now. We travelled on their Japan, Then and Now Discovery trip in March and there were so many problems–some with the itinerary and some with the Tour Manager. Many of the activities were unnecessary or badly timed. I never got to see the “NOW” in Tokyo or any other city. Plenty of “Then” as we constantly travelled outside the cities to see gardens that weren’t blooming or another shrine that was never explained why it was important. The food on the trip was terrible, whether it was a group dinner or a food court in a train station. Some of the hotel rooms were so small there was no room to open a suitcase. It was a Discovery trip but nothing was special about it. It was a lot of money for what we got and we will not with travel with Gate 1 again.

Date of experience : March 10, 2024

After reading all the negative reviews…

After reading all the negative reviews I decide to not go ahead and confirm the Baltic trip I had hoped to do with Gate 1 Travel. No way do I want to get stuck someplace with no help from the tour company. Glad I decided to read reviews before clicking the "Book" button.

Date of experience : March 16, 2024

Travel Protection is a scam, thru Gate 1.…

Booked Christmas market trip for early Dec. Bought ‘Travel Protection’ that Gate 1 promotes. My travel partner needed a heart operation. Had to cancel trip. We’ve waited two months after providing info requested with letter from surgeon. Today they say coverage denied because she had defib prior. Of course the Protection was stated as covering pre-existing conditions!!!!!! Total rip-off. Deceptive scam artists. VERY disgusted!!!

Date of experience : December 05, 2022

Thank you for sharing this feedback. Your comments are very important to us. We regret that your experience did not meet your expectations. We have provided your contact information to our customer service team who will reach out so that we can try to make this right for you.

Essential Portugal and Spain

Our experience was terrific! We were greeted at the airport by the tour manager Alex and taken to the hotel. Everything was so organized with time between tours for lunch or shopping. The hotels were nice too. We felt safe and cared for at all times. The tour guides were fantastic in each city giving us plenty of history without being boring. The bus driver Marco was excellent making sure our things were secured at all time. We will definitely use this tour company again.

Date of experience : February 29, 2024

Dear Susan, Thank you for taking the time to share your comments. We truly appreciate the feedback and look forward to welcoming you on your next Gate 1 trip!

Very disappointed with Gate 1

Very disappointed with Gate 1. We’re scheduled to tour Egypt in November. However, due to the the conflict that’s happening now with Israel in Palastine/Gaza and the West Bank, we are justifiably concerned about our safety. Our trip is fully paid, but we had humbly requested to reschedule for a later date to travel (Not asking for a refund) just to reschedule. Unfortunately for us Gate1 outright denied our request disregarding our concerns. The Arch insurance that’s offered through Gate1 essentially only covers Gate1.

Date of experience : October 17, 2023

Thereza, our tour guide in Europe

Thereza, our tour guide on Gate One's trip from Mainz, Germany to Venice, Austria November 2023 was extremely accommodating. She was punctual while caring for specific needs of some 40 people for 10 days. She was very knowledgeable of the 5 countries that we toured and surprised us continually with gifts; nice hotels; meals and even music that we all sang along with as we traveled. She was fun and we'd recommend her highly for a trip with Gate One travels in your future!!!

Date of experience : November 02, 2023

9 Day Classic Japan

This 9 Day tour should actually be called 7 Day Classic Japan - Gate 1 needs to revise / review since 2 of the days you are actually in transit. Our tour guide Ichiro was phenomenal- kudos to him for his patience & handling the hiccups. Loved the country, it's people & the culture. Only disappoinmet was that Japan has so much to offer but the Gate1 itinerary focussed on way too many shrines/temples.

Date of experience : June 06, 2023

Poor customer service leading to loss of ticket value

No possible to reach the travel agents on phone. Hence, communication to the Gate1 travel agents is possible via emails only. By 3pm UK time on 18 Feb, I confirmed my request to change my flight, from 19Feb at 1:45am to another day. But no response has been received, although my response was within 30-40min since the agent's reply time.. I appreciate this was on Sunday, but a clear statement on working hours and limitation from the beginning would be helpful. It seems the value of the ticket is lost which is very unpleasant. This could be easily avoided if there was an opportunity to call to agree the change and pay the diff in tariff.

Date of experience : February 18, 2024

Hello, Thank you for sharing your comments. We regret that your experience did not meet your expectations. So that one of our representatives can provide additional assistance and try to make this right for you, please submit an inquiry here: https://www.gate1travel.com/contactus

Gate 1 Travel is an amazing company

Gate 1 Travel is an amazing company. For starters, booking our trip to Ireland was easy, complete and priced reasonably. Next, our bus driver, Mark, a very kind gentleman, navigated all the twisty-turny roads like a master. And most important, our tour guide, Jill, was incredible! Her knowledge of all the towns, roads, pubs, Irish traditions, and folklore, was nonstop. Her sense of humor and the details of everything made a wonderful trip more memorable than we had expected. My only criticism is that not one of our rooms (in any of the hotels) had a view other than back parking lots, roofs of buildings, or high walls. Other than that, we highly recommend Gate 1 Travel.

Date of experience : October 22, 2023

Worst customer service

Worst customer service. I had booked a trip to Greece. I called them about my plane itinerary. No answer after being on hold for hours together. I emailed them, but no response whatsoever. I will never ever book anything with these people. Stay away from 'GATE1 TRAVEL". I 100% agree with majority negative reviews on this website. Please do yourself a favor and save yourself from tremendous future headache by not using this lousy travel company.

Date of experience : July 10, 2022

Dear Yash, We are sorry to learn of the delay in responding you your phone call. We were experiencing an increase in call volume related to our most recent promotion. We do value our customers and make every effort to answer calls as quickly as possible. Please be assured we will respond to your email, you may also request a call back using the call back feature. Thank you for your understanding.

We have taken six tours with Gate 1 and…

We have taken six tours with Gate 1 and have never been disappointed! Unfortunately, I think people tend to come onto review sites when they are frustrated. However, having read some of the reviews, people blame Gate 1 for their own mistakes--eg. Not taking out insurance and then expecting the company to reimburse them. We have always been very happy with the hotels, tour guides and the excursions! Heading away with them in a couple more months again!

Date of experience : October 06, 2023

We truly appreciate your business and grateful for the trust you’ve placed in us. We hope to see you soon on another Gate 1 trip!

Southern England

We toured Southern England. Our guide, Mark, was delightful. Our accommodations were awful. In Stratford-Upon-Avon, where it was in the mid-80’s, we had no air conditioning in our rooms. There were major traffic issues. I’d you don’t mind substandard accommodations, go for it.

Date of experience : August 09, 2023

Hidden gem!

We've done 4 Gate 1 trips in the past and this recent trip to Azores was our first independent one. Our tour guides, Phillip and Hugo were FANTASTIC, making the optional trip experiences amazing. We have always given Gate 1 a 5 star rating, but this time it seems the hotel and hotel breakfasts were just ok... below the usual standards for our previous Gate 1 trips. Guess we should have upgraded.

Date of experience : May 05, 2023

Never had a problem

I was very surprised to see all the negative feedback. It is true that the Tour Manager makes all the difference on these kind of tours and ours have always been exceptional. We have done Italy, Spain, and SE Asia and have loved everyone of them. We are not old and feeble so maybe that has something to do with it because Gate1 does make sure you see everything on the itinerary and you get your monies worth, which what we like. Our last tour manager was Tim for the SE Asia trip and she was amazing, in fact we are still in touch because we have become friends. From our view they keep getting better and better and we would recommend Gate1 highly. PS ask for TIM if you go to SE Asia won't be disappointed.

Date of experience : April 09, 2024

Res# 2287535

Res# 2287535 There was no booking on a domestic flight for me from Istanbul to Gaziantep on 10/3. The tour guide, Serdad, insisted that I must pay at the counter of Turkish Air instead of paying from other sources. Later, I got cash reimbursement, but he should be more careful, which could easily be preventable. Serdad did not inform us how much to walk involved at each spot; his time management was poor, and for example, we had two hour lunch break In front of the Zeugma Museum on a hot day without AC. We could enter the museum earlier.

Date of experience : October 03, 2022

Our tour guide Christi was very…

Our tour guide Christi was very personable as well as being very knowledgeable about our stops along the way. She made this whirlwind tour comfortable and enjoyable. Our driver Steve was a steely eyed driver around some pretty tight hairpin switchbacks. We had a wonderful trip experience due to these two wonderful people.

Date of experience : May 03, 2023

Yatra Expands Corporate Travel Footprint with Acquisition of Globe Travels

Peden Doma Bhutia , Skift

September 2nd, 2024 at 7:20 AM EDT

Yatra’s acquisition of a corporate travel company highlights its shift towards the more profitable business travel market, especially as competition heats up in the consumer travel space. With consumer revenue dropping, Yatra is doubling down on corporate clients.

Peden Doma Bhutia

Yatra Online on Monday announced that it has agreed to acquire Globe All India Services (Globe Travels), a corporate travel services provider, for INR 1.28 billion ($15.25 million) in cash.

Yatra had earmarked up to $20 million from its India IPO proceeds for such acquisitions, which the company has earlier hinted could be a single acquisition or multiple deals.

This acquisition will add Globe Travels’ portfolio of 360 corporate customers and annual gross bookings of approximately $90 million to Yatra’s assets, the online travel company said in a statement.

Through this acquisition, Yatra expects to expand its corporate customer base in India and strengthen its market position.

Yatra expects the deal to help the company gain access to new geographies, increase market penetration and add new capabilities to its existing line of business. This would help Yatra ramp up its its service capabilities, and maximize revenue growth, the online travel company said in a stock exchange filing.

Yatra’s Corporate Travel Focus

Yatra views this acquisition as a strategic move to strengthen its position in the corporate travel segment, which grew robustly in the June quarter despite challenges in the consumer segment, according to Dhruv Shringi, Yatra’s co-founder and CEO, during the company’s recent earnings call .

Shringi also mentioned that a newly onboarded team is ramping up operations, and while the meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) segment had a modest contribution in the June quarter, early signs for the current quarter are promising.

At the earnings call, Shringi had highlighted India’s projected GDP growth of 7.2% for fiscal 2025 as a positive indicator for corporate travel demand.

Yatra reported a 5% quarterly revenue decline during the earnings, a drop Shringi attributed to intensifying price competition in the consumer business. He also hinted that Yatra would be laying off over 100 people as a cost-cutting initiative.

What Does Globe Travels Do?

Ramkrishna Forgings-owned Globe Travels, based in Kolkata, operates in corporate travel and car rentals. Yatra expects the acquisition to expand its corporate client base by 40%, adding 360 Globe customers to its current roster of over 850 corporate clients.

Through this acquisition, Yatra aims to diversify its client portfolio with minimal overlap.

This strategic move is expected to broaden Yatra’s reach across various industries. The acquisition also positions Yatra to capitalize on cross-selling opportunities, particularly in hotels and expense management, allowing the company to offer more tailored and comprehensive travel solutions.

With Globe Travels’ annual gross bookings of $90 million and adjusted EBITDA margins exceeding 20%, Yatra expects the deal to immediately boost its financial performance, with further margin expansion likely as synergies are realized.

Given that much of Globe Travels’ business is currently offline, Yatra sees a significant opportunity to integrate its Corporate Self Booking Platform, further enhancing operational efficiencies and value creation.

“This acquisition is in line with our strategy to deepen our presence in key verticals and markets, while also bolstering our corporate travel and MICE capabilities,” said Dhruv Shringi, co-founder and CEO of Yatra. “Globe Travels’ expertise in corporate travel and MICE, along with its strong service record, complements Yatra’s offerings, enabling us to deliver an even more tailored travel experience to our clients across India.”

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Tags: asia monthly , corporate travel , india , ipo , meetings and events , meetings and incentives , mergers and acquisitions , online travel agencies , online travel newsletter , yatra

Photo credit: Yatra Online to acquire corporate travel services provider Globe All India Services. Yatra