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GATE1 TRAVEL - INTRIGUING MONGOLIA... - Gobi Desert

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GATE1 TRAVEL - INTRIGUING MONGOLIA TOUR!!

What an experience! We really saw the intriguing land and culture of Mongolia with GATE1. Or guide, Ganba, was exceptional. He was exceedingly knowledgeable and so considerate. We highly recommend this tour.

I contacted them for visa letter and received the fast replied for online payment. They supported me carefully until I am fine with the procedure, so it is reassuring when Mongolia embassy in my country didn't confirm that they have receive the invitation letter code. Thanks :)

Camel trip and a night in the desert with a few locals was an unforgettable experience. Also it was the first time I had ever put up a tent on my own.

The trip to the desert is very long but worth every minute! I was travelling around the desert for 5 days, here we saw everything from abandoned and ruined temples to dinosaurs fossil who the local nomads had hidden from the government. The Gobi desert is most of the time arid landscape, but there is everything there – no trees- mountains, sand dunes, wild animals etc. Furthermore, you have the feeling that you are alone in the world, you can drive for 6-7 hours without seeing any living creature.

For our trip to the Gobi Desert the very first thing we were interested in was finding a tour that was both knowledgeable and manageable in price. Travel Gobi Mongolia was one of the first ones we came across on Google that offered a number of different options of varying lengths. When contacting the tour company, Ganzo who seems to be the main manager of tours gave a very prompt reply about the possibilities of the tours. Due to time constraints we ended up choosing a 6 day tour. Since we were visiting outside of the tourist season, rather than staying in Tourist Camps we spent a night in an extra ger belonging to a nomadic family. Food costs were not included with this arrangement, but came up to about $3-4 per meal with each of the families we stayed at. If you are a backpacker who does not mind missing the comforts tourist gers like showers, then this arrangement is great. We visited a number of families who welcomed us in and shared their food with us, and were provided with blankets and pillows in every ger we stayed at. Our guide, Zoogi, was absolutely great. He spoke English very well, acting as both a translator for us between the families but also as a tour guide for most of the monuments and museums we went to. He was especially open about a number of Mongolian traditions and would share so much knowledge with us over food. He was also an amazing driver since most of the roads were basically trails in the dirt with absolutely no signs whatsoever. We would've been so hopelessly lost without him. He was an amazingly fun tour guide. Another thing that was beneficial is that we had some difficulties paying all the cash money up front for the tour, which we could arrange to be paid at the end. Zoogi stayed with us until we boarded our plane back to Ulaanbaatar in Dalanzadgad. The only negatives that I would mention is that sometimes the schedule of the tour was unclear, we seemed to go about it mostly on a day by day basis. Occasionally when we were at a place we would stay over for the night, we would be dropped and left on our own until the next morning, but this was generally at the end of the day after we have completed much of our sightseeing. I don't know how much the pricing of the tour compared to other companies, since we learned that many hostels offer their own separate tours you can book through them, but I think for the trip and experience we had in the Gobi, what we spent was well worth it.

This was a last minute destination as a friend has suggested going to look for snow leopards. We decided not to rough it out and it turn out to be one of my best holidays. Dispite the weather turning to winter, we were very comfortable as the lodges had heating and our guide arrange for the host to like the fires in the morning. Our guide was a local herds girl who started riding horses at 3yrs old and got a scholarship to University in Hawaii. So her English was very good. We had 2 Land Cruisers for the 3 of us and accomodation was much better than we had been warn to expect. Three Camel Lodge is excellent. The drivers were locals and the vast driving terrain was really pleasurable as it was very smooth competent driving. And they even showed us dinosaur bones! The scenery was pure awesome. We did the camel rides in the Gobi, horse riding to the glaciers, stayed by the Gobi, climb the dunes and ate and drank with the locals. Our guide Uka seem to connect very well with the local drivers so we had extra bonus of visiting farmers and discoveries. She definetly make the trip more fun with her entusiasm and passion. I definetly will go back again and ask Uka(pronouce Okca email : [email protected]) to arrange it. Lots of wildlife , beautiful scenery and great photo opportunity. Was just here last week of September and it seems the lodges close in winter as the pipes freeze.

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1-Week Mongolia Itinerary: The Vast Gobi Desert

This post may contain affiliate links. This just means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you for helping them promote their product or service. I don’t endorse any services I don’t personally use or recommend.

Welcome to Mongolia and the otherworldly landscapes of the Gobi Desert . This is the condensed short and sweet Mongolia itinerary that will show you the most popular and easiest-to-access sights in the country for a short 1-week visit.

This 1 week Mongolia itinerary is designed to be a road map for you to self-drive the country with confidence. The beauty of Mongolia lies in its natural landscapes and raw beauty not in a list of sights and attractions. Using this blog post as a guide you can see exactly what is REASONABLY possible to drive on your own in the country.

For those not looking to drive themselves, you’ll find this post helpful in booking a tour that covers the most incredible Gobi Desert sights and outlines the places you want to go if you hire your own driver.

Obviously, Mongolia is so much more than the red rock and hard-packed scrubland of the sun-baked desert. But with only one week in Mongolia, you’ll be forced to pick and choose. Most travelers choose the Gobi. Not only is it easy to access from the capital of Ulaanbaatar but it’s one of those places that has likely been on your bucketlist since you were a small child.

I think if you have only one week in Mongolia this route through the Gobi Desert, Central Gobi, Yolyn Am Canyon, and both the ancient, and current capitals of the Mongolian empire is the best route for you.

How to Travel in Mongolia for One Week

Before we dig into WHERE to go in Mongolia when you visit, let’s discuss HOW to travel in this remote and vast country.

By far the most popular way is to book an all-inclusive tour that takes care of all the logistics for you. While this blog post is geared toward travelers traveling independently by vehicle or traveling with a local guide, I did link some reputable tours at the end of this post.

If you want to travel independently and without a guide: It’s totally possible. We did it for 3 weeks in the country. Just be sure to read all my blog posts on independent travel in Mongolia especially “ Can you Drive Independently Through Mongolia ” to make sure that you are properly prepared for the adventure.

Quick Logistics of Traveling in Mongolia for One Week

• Hire your car through Drive Mongolia . He’s the most well-connected and reputable company. His rentals are also more affordable and include all the wild camping and cooking gear you’ll need for the trip.
• These are the things you should bring with you to prepare for your journey. (Coming Soon*)
• If you want to hire a driver/guide then you don’t need to rent a vehicle yourself. Most Mongolians make a living in the tourism sector by leading tours of their country. I recommend staying at either Mongolian Vision Tours or Sun Path Tours in Ulaanbaatar and hiring a guide through them OR finding one ahead of time through one of the Mongolia Travel Facebook Groups .
• You’ll either be wild camping or sleeping in Ger tents hosted by nomadic families. Don’t expect to have full facilities like power and running water every night.
• Mongolia is not an easy place to travel. If you are traveling independently you should always be over-prepared rather than under. Cell service is rare and many roads in Mongolia are not well-traveled enough to rely on others to help you in the event of a breakdown.

Blogs to Help First-Time Visitors Navigate Mongolia

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Mongolia Packing List & What to Bring on a Mongolia Road Trip

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18 Best Things to Do in Mongolia: Your Mongolia Bucketlist

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Your Perfect 1 Week Itinerary in Mongolia

I’m going to preface this itinerary with the statement: You should stay longer in Mongolia than just one week. This is not enough time to experience all the bucketlist-worthy adventures this destination has to offer. You really should visit for 3 weeks or longer.

I’ve detailed the best 2-week Mongolia Itinerary and the best 3 to 4-week Mongolia Itinerary for travelers with more time. The more time you can spend in Mongolia the better. Trust me.

Time Saver Tip: If you are REALLY in a time crunch you should hire a local driver. If you hire a driver rather than drive yourself you can save up to three days on this same itinerary laid out below. The only caveat is that you won’t get to stay overnight at off-the-beaten-path destinations like White Stupa + Flaming Cliffs which I highly recommend.

Day 1: Ulaanbaatar

The reason I’m starting this itinerary with a full day in Ulaanbaatar is logistics. No matter how you plan on traveling in Mongolia you’ll likely need one full day to set yourself up with the proper equipment and/or guides.

UB is a very metropolitan city. It’s polluted and crowded and honestly, pretty charmless. That being said if you have some spare time to kill in-between organizing your route and gear there are a few attractions worth visiting. More than 1/3 of Mongolia’s entire population lives here– so it’s worth doing a little exploring.

Things to See in Ulaanbaatar

• Zaisan Monument. A communist-era monument with great panoramic views of the city. My favorite of the attractions in the city.
• Gandantegchinlen Monastery. A really cool interior with one of the tallest gold buddhas.
• Bogd Khaan Winter Palace Museum. The outside is more impressive than the inside in my opinion.
• National Museum of Mongolia. There are quite a few museums in UB (like the Natural History Museum of Mongolia) but this one is the only one that contains enough artifacts and information in English to be worthwhile.

What to Eat in Ulaanbaatar

Unfortunately, I was not one of those travelers who found UB’s food scene to be adequate for a city of its size. The food scene in Mongolia is pretty bleak in general with few exceptions. If you happen to be a vegetarian…you’re in an even more dire state. Not everywhere can be a foodie haven.

These were the best of the many places we tried in UB…

• Ajisen Ramen Mongolia. Actually, weirdly good ramen.
• Grand Khaan Irish Pub. Huge portions and good meat.

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Where to Stay in Ulaanbaatar

Here are three accommodations I stayed at and can recommend within the city. The first two budget-friendly options offer easy access to guides and drivers if you aren’t planning on driving yourself. The third is without a doubt one of the most comfortable accommodations in UB and has an epic breakfast buffet.

Sunpath Mongolia Tours ($)

Mongolia Vision Tours ($)

IBIS Styles UB ($$$)

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar to Terelj National Park

Drive Time: 1 hour & 15 min — 70 KM

Terelj National Park is the most well-photographed destination in Mongolia. The park itself is pretty small with the main allure being rolling green hillside landscapes, massive boulders in the shape of turtles, and short hikes to hillside monasteries.

I recommend leaving UB shortly after breakfast and heading straight to big attractions in the park like Turtle Rock and Ariyabal Meditation Temple. On the way, you can stop by the giant statue of Genghis Khan (pictured above). Then you can check into your ger camp for the night and enjoy the stunning views of the valley as all the day visitors leave the park. Because it’s so close to Ulaanbaatar, this park can get quite crowded during the day. My favorite place to stay BY FAR in Terelj is Apache Eco Camp .

Where to Stay in Terelj National Park

The reason I recommend Terelj as an overnight instead of a day trip is that the park landscape is most impressive around sunset and sunrise when the sun is low on the mountains. This is also my favorite (and most comfortable) ger that I stayed at in all my time in Mongolia. The owners are German Mongolians who go above and beyond to make sure you find the best hiking trails and photo spots in the park. We wished we could have stayed longer than one night.

Apache Eco Camp

This camp is strewn along the hillside in one of the most impressive valleys of Terelj National Park. Each ger sleeps 4 people (some with double beds for couples!) and some have heated floors! Definitely stick around for breakfast after sunrise too because it was some of the best Mongolian food I had in the country.

Read my full guide to Terelj National Park for all the best park attractions and tips for getting the most out of your visit.

Day 3: Terelj National Park to White Stupa

Drive Time: 6.5 hours — 490 KM

Your first long drive day. Unfortunately, this is a rather uneventful drive. But it’s paved nearly the entire way until you leave the road to head to the White Stupa itself.

White Stupa is one of the most impressive sights in all of Mongolia and should not be missed. In the entire Gobi Desert, it’s probably the location I was most surprised and impressed by. And I’ve been to all of Utah’s Big 5 Desert National Parks in the US.

If you’re not driving and you have hired a Mongolian driver who isn’t in a hurry you could conceivably take a little pit stop at the Ikh Gazriin Chuluu Park if you’re really into photographing more big rocks in the vast desert landscape. This will put you driving into White Stupa after dark most likely, but the choice is yours. Due to the distance off-road, if you are driving yourself, I don’t recommend hitting both sites in one day.

Read my full guide on Visiting the White Stupa for tips on where to pitch your tent for the most epic sunrise view and more.

Day 4: White Stupa to Yolyn Am Valley

Drive Time: 2.5 hours — 200 KM

Today’s drive will be a little less than usual because you should account for seeing the White Stupa at sunrise and exploring the knobby multi-colored sand mounds for a few hours in the morning. Then you’ll set off to Yolyn Am Valley, a stunning granite canyon where you can spot unique wildlife like rare endangered Ibex, snow leopards (not a chance), and tiny squeaky pica.

I prefer to visit Yolyn Am in the afternoon hours just before sunset so the short drive gives you ample time to explore the park to your heart’s content and then tuck away in a ger camp near the park.

Read my full blog post on Yolyn Am for all the best things to do and see during your visit to the park.

Day 5: Yolyn Am Valley to Khongoryn Els Gobi

Drive Time: Approximately 4 hours — Approximately 180 KM

If you’ve been using Google Maps up till this point, this is where you’ll completely lose the map.

But don’t fret. Maps.Me is very accurate. The location may be listed as Hongorïn Els. This isn’t the sand dune-covered desert you’re imagining. This is a flat well-traveled area with clearly trodden tire paths cutting across a very flat landscape. It’s easy. Just roughly follow the route described by Maps.Me and you’ll arrive in the vast landscape of Khongoryn Els. The Singing Sand Dunes of the Gobi Desert.

You can essentially just drive right up to the dunes here. You’ll pass numerous ger camps along the way all with similar amenities and price tags. Try to get here before 4 PM so you’ll have plenty of time to get to the dunes before sunset. Keep in mind it takes over 1 hour time climb the dunes for the best sunset view.

Be sure to read my full guide to Khongoryn Els and why you should absolutely climb the tallest sand dune to gaze out over the sea of sand for sunset.

Where to Stay Near Khongoryn Els

I recommend you sleep as close as possible to Khongoryn Els and not one of the other Ger camps scattered throughout the Gobi Desert. Preferably one of the ones you can see from the dune itself. Because you’ll be visiting this site at sunset this means you’ll have to drive to the camp in the dark and the flat desert off-roads can be difficult to navigate with NO light.

But if you are someone who needs to have things booked ahead of time and are planning on hiring a driver in UB rather than driving yourself you can book a stay at the Gobi Mirage.

Gobi Mirage

Day 6: Khongoryn Els Gobi to Ongi Monastery via Flaming Cliffs

Drive Time: 9 hours — 410 KM

This will be your longest and most difficult day of driving on this entire trip. Ideally, it would be broken up into two days. If you have an extra day to spare I recommend staying overnight at the Flaming Cliffs for sunset. I’m assuming that if you are self-driving it is during the summer months otherwise the routes may be inadvisable for foreign travelers.

Read my full guide on the Flaming Cliffs for more detailed information about your visit.

When I say difficult I just mean that the majority of the route will be off-road on hard-packed tracks through the desert. It’s not a hard route to follow on Maps.Me. Getting to the Flaming Cliffs is very well-traveled. Beyond that to Ongi you’ll be in more remote areas but will often have a cell signal in case of an emergency if you have a SIM card like I recommend in my self-driving guide.

On your way to the Flaming Cliffs, you’ll pass through the small town of Bulgan which is a good place to stop for food. And get some proper coffee and supplies.

The reason I combine this into one single day for this itinerary is that the Flaming Cliffs were the least impressive of the desert landscapes for me and lodging near them was actually rather expensive (like it is throughout much of the Southern Gobi). But it’s always better to go slow when you can. If you have a Mongolian driver then you can EASILY combine this into one day with no problems.

Why Ongi Monastery?

The vast desert scenery and avoiding having to backtrack mostly.

Ongi Monastery is set on a river in a sweltering stretch of desert. The monastery itself is interesting but doesn’t offer a whole lot to do once you arrive. It’s really just a spot to sleep about halfway to the ancient capital of the Mongol empire.

If you’re driving yourself and you would rather have predictable paved roadways than an off-road adventure you can go back to UB the way you came in a single SUPER long day (or two reasonable ones) from Khongoryn Els and then head to Kharkhorin on the main paved road from UB. This is a much longer route but it is well-traveled and paved the whole way. That being said…I really don’t recommend it unless you have been struggling with this itinerary a lot so far. Off-road is all part of the adventure in Mongolia.

Day 7: Ongi Monastery to Kharkhorin

Drive Time: 6 Hours — 300 KM

Your last off-road of the trip!!

The road from Ongi Monastery traverses a few rivers and crosses some vast expanses of grassland on the way to Kharkhorin the ancient capital of the Mongol empire.

This small town feels no different than any other town in Mongolia other than its (relatively) large size and loads of tourists. This is because of the main attraction… Erdene Zu Monastery.

Read my full guide on where to stay in Kharkhorin visiting Erdene Zu and all the interesting things to do while you’re overnighting in the city.

Assuming you make it this far…congratulations you have officially conquered all the off-road driving you’ll need to do on this 1-week Mongolia itinerary.

Day 8: Kharkhorin to Ulaanbataar via Hustai National Park

Drive Time: 6.5 Hours — 385 KM

Back on the pavement and back to good ol’ Google Maps navigation.

If you leave early enough in the day you can reach UB by nightfall and visit the wild Przewalski’s horse of Hustai National Park along the way.

Read this full guide to Hustai National Park before you visit. As I outline in this post, it’s ideal to stay overnight at Hustai National Park but for those in a hurry…a daytime visit is possible just maybe not totally worthwhile.

This drive is easy and uneventful for the most part.

Map of Your 1-Week Mongolia Itinerary

To extend your trip be sure to check out my 2-Week Itinerary and my 3 to 4-Week Itinerary.

Here’s a quick look at your 8 days on Google Maps. Notice that the driving route does not connect all the sights. This is because there are portions of off-road that Google does not recognize. Don’t be discouraged, however, the road is pretty clearly marked and Maps.Me will guide your way.

You won’t want to use Google Maps always while navigating in Mongolia. Instead, Maps.Me has the most accurate network of roads. Google Maps works for anything paved, but off-road or dirt is usually maps.me.

Important: Maps.Me Off Road Route Map

As I have stated Google Maps can be a little unreliable in off-road situations. Fortunately, I detailed the EXACT route we took on Maps.me and downloaded it for you here. Keep in mind we road-tripped for 4 weeks and this is only the southern off-road section that wasn’t always super clear on Google Maps. If the route is not listed here then you can assume that Google Maps or the Maps.Me basic directions feature has the correct road.

I took a screenshot of what the route will look like when you have downloaded it correctly onto Maps.Me so there is no confusion.

In particular, for this one-week Mongolia itinerary, this downloadable maps.me route will show you the off-road section through the Gobi Desert to Yolyn Am and then up to Kharkhorin. But as you can see this map continues on to Khorgo Volcano rather than heading straight back to UB via Hustai. This is not the route for one week.

If you want to head to Khorgo Volcano and the Amarbayasgalant Monastery instead, read my 2-week Mongolia itinerary.

The only way for me to send you the maps.me files of my 1-week Mongolia itinerary is for you to join this Mongolia email list! I won’t send you anything else, just one quick message with the Maps.Me files and if you have any trouble viewing it at all be sure to reach out to me at [email protected]

Love The 1-Week Mongolia Itinerary But Don’t Want To Hassle With Driving Yourself?

As promised here are a few reputable tours heading to all (or most) of the places detailed above for those who aren’t interested in hiring their own driving or self-driving the country.

This is the best and most diverse 1 week Mongolia itinerary on the internet. You CAN drive this route yourself as a beginner or simply hire a driver to take you to my recommended places. Obviously, I want you to stay longer in the country but the price can be prohibitive here in the remote region of the world. Be sure to check out all my guides to independent travel in Mongolia before your next trip to the land of big skies and fuzzy camels.

Save This 1-Week Mongolia Itinerary For Later!

Further Reading...

Hustai National Park: How to Visit Mongolia’s Wild Horses

Yolyn Am Valley, Mongolia: Ibex, Snow Leopards, and Granite Walls

Mongolia Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know

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Khongoryn Els: The Mongolian Gobi's Biggest Sand Dune  

Hustai national park: how to visit mongolia's wild horses, beyond_the_bucketlist.

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A Local’s Mongolia Itinerary for First Timers (and Why it Needs to Be on Your Bucket List)

Ever dreamed of visiting Mongolia? The thought might seem daunting or a bit out of your comfort zone, which is why I’ve enlisted Mongolia expert Breanna Wilson to share her top tips and Mongolia itinerary–3 in fact–to jumpstart your planning process. Keep reading for a deep dive into everything you need to know about exploring this vast country.

It was by accident that I visited Mongolia a few years ago. I knew nothing about the place (except for some hazy memory from high school history of a Mongol ruler named Genghis who did that one thing, that one time, 800 years ago).

But I had just quit my full-time job, had a hefty tax refund in my bank account, and had just been introduced to some guy on Instagram. “That guy” quite literally changed my life. (And not in some mushy rom-com kinda way. We’re better than that, girls. He’s now one of my dearest friends in life as well as a badass business and adventure partner. We all need an Erik Cooper in our lives.)

Today, Mongolia is my part-time home (I split my time between Ulaanbaatar and Tbilisi, Georgia) and is a place that I’ll forever have a fascination with and passion for. It’s not an easy place to live (by any means), but that’s what I love about it. 

Everything about Mongolia pushes you. Pushes you to your limits. Pushes what you thought you knew about yourself. Pushes you to open your eyes and your mind. Mother Mongolia, as I like to call her, doesn’t mess around; just when you think you have everything under control, she throws something unexpected your way.

It’s a place where you truly have to let go–let go of control, schedules, and yourself. The only way to truly experience Mongolia and everything she has to offer is to let go. Once you do, she’ll show you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about yourself, and so much more. 

After two years in the country, I still discover new things every day. From befriending reindeer riders, Kazakh eagle hunters, and Gobi Desert camel herders to uncovering unexpected street art and fashion scenes, underground jazz clubs, and experimental cuisines, I never grow tired of what this country has to offer. 

Which is exactly what led me to launch Meanwhile in Mongolia –to share my experiences of scuba diving in the world’s most landlocked country to hiking volcanic craters, and everything in-between. 

That’s why I love Mongolia and why I think it should be on everyone’s bucket list. But don’t just take it from me, it’s a place that you need to experience for yourself. And when you do, well, here’s everything you need to know about visiting Mongolia for the first time.

See you there.

Why Mongolia Should Be at the Top of Your Bucket List

From riding reindeer to hunting with eagles, swimming in color-changing lakes or cruising on camels across the Gobi Desert, visiting Mongolia puts your wanderlust into overdrive.

Some of my favorite adventures include:

• Winter Dog Sledding in Gorkhi Terelj National Park
• Motorcycling Across Mongolia in Vintage Russian Urals
• Learning to Hunt with Eagles from the Kazakh Eagle Hunters in the West
• Riding Reindeer Across the Taiga in the Northern Provinces

Is Mongolia Safe for Female Travelers?

Is Mongolia safe? It’s the number one question people have about traveling to Mongolia, especially solo female travelers like myself (it was my biggest fear about moving here as well).

Mongolia is like any other country–there are parts that are extremely safe, and parts where you’ll need to be cautious. There’s no point in sugarcoating this: foreigners absolutely stand out here. Because of this, I do not recommend females travel around the country by themselves. I say this for a few reasons.

First, you’re remote. Like, remote, remote. There’s no one around for miles and miles. So, if you’re driving solo in a rental car and get a flat tire (or worse), you’re all alone. No AAA. No 911. It’s up to you to figure out this problem, and I can almost guarantee it won’t be a little one. Mongolia is a rough and rugged place.

Second, alcoholism is very common among locals. I’m not saying this to make you think all Mongolians are alcoholics, but only to provide 100% clarity on what you’re getting into.

So, if you’re staying in a ger (also known as a yurt) with a family, be aware of both your and the family’s alcohol consumption. We all know that alcohol can increase aggression, and miscommunication without a clear understanding of cultural nuances or the language leads to increased frustrations. Create a safe experience for yourself by avoiding these situations altogether.

Overall, Mongolia is a place where guns are rare (unless you’re in the countryside protecting a herd), and although pick pockets and petty theft are common, that’s the worst of it. Wars and political unrest are practically unheard of, and natural disasters are nearly impossible.

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When to Go to Mongolia

Summer is the absolute best time to visit Mongolia (unless you really enjoy -40 C/F weather).

In May you still face the risk of getting stuck in a snowstorm, but by June temperatures are warm. Rain is common, but it won’t ruin your trip.

July is when Naadam, the biggest festival of the year, takes place. The entire country shuts down for about two weeks usually starting around the second weekend of the month. Horse races, wrestling matches, and archery all take place across the country during this time. It’s an incredible way to experience Mongolian culture.

August is hot and a great time to escape north to higher elevations or to Lake Khovsgol, the second largest freshwater lake in Mongolia (after Lake Baikal).

September and October are just as wonderful but be prepared for cold nights. Ger camps start to close down for the season during this time, and some nomads begin moving towards their fall and winter camps.

Summer summary: Nights are chilly. The weather is dry, and usually in the 80s F. Overall, it’s a place where layers are your friend and you can adventure freely without delays. 

How to Get There

Getting to Mongolia from the US is, well, a journey. It’s going to take at least 24 hours, and you’ll have to go through Istanbul (my preference), Hong Kong, Beijing, Seoul, or Moscow. ( Note : these are all pre-Coronavirus flight patterns and not all of these routes may have reopened, so research accordingly.)

The country’s main international airport is located in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital. Though there’s a smaller international airport in Bayan Olgii, it’s mostly for “local” international flights out of Kazakhstan and Russia.

The main airlines that fly to Ulaanbaatar include Turkish Airlines, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Aeroflot, and Air China. Turkish Airlines is my airline of choice as flying through the new Istanbul airport offers plenty of food options and quiet corners for sleeping.

Aeroflot flights typically leave from New York City through Moscow, but I know more people than I’d like to tell you about who’ve lost their baggage on this route. If you’re heading out of the city shortly after landing, I’d recommend avoiding Aeroflot since it’s a bit of a process to recover lost luggage once in Ulaanbaatar.

From the west coast, flying through Seoul, Beijing, or Hong Kong are fairly good options. Layovers in Beijing or Hong Kong can be 12 hours, but if you’re on a budget, it usually offers a good fare.  

Where to Eat, Sleep, and Play in Ulaanbaatar

If you ask me, Ulaanbaatar is one of the most misunderstood cities in the world. It’s not exactly pretty at first glance. There’s an insane amount of traffic. Things don’t open early–or even on time. It’s a place–like the rest of Mongolia–where you have to go with the flow.

Service is slow (or nonexistent). Food quality is hit or miss. And complicated orders are a recipe for disaster (sorry vegans and eaters with dietary restrictions, this is not going to be an easy place for you).

But, when it comes to things to do in Ulaanbaatar, the possibilities are endless. It’s the hidden gems that really make this place stand out. No matter where you stay, most activities are either walking distance or a short taxi ride away. Plus, you’ll have to fly in and out of Ulaanbaatar regardless, so adding it to your Mongolia itinerary is non-negotiable.

Where to Stay:

• Budget: Zaya Hostel
• Mid: Holiday Inn
• Luxe: Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar

Search for more Ulaanbaatar hotels on Booking.com:

Where to Eat:

• La Rosa Tapas & Tequila Bar
• Rosewood Ulaanbaatar Kitchen + Enoteca
• ROC Caffeine Bars (Coffee)

Where to Play:

• Fat Cat Jazz Club
• MB Beer Plus
• Republik Pub

Quick Tips for Planning Your Mongolia Itinerary

Here are a few quick tips for planning your trip that will make your Mongolia itinerary run more smoothly:

Plan *almost* everything in advance

Mongolia is not a place to “wing it”. You won’t find hotels everywhere. Or water, for that matter. Wi-Fi won’t necessarily work once you leave the city. And don’t expect people to speak English.

Stock up on some solid gear

While I hate pushing gear on travelers, I’d recommend stocking up on some solid staples before leaving. You DO NOT need the best of the best to travel/hike/adventure/overland here, but it can get cold at night so a down puffer jacket is an absolute must.

A portable water purifier just might save your life. And never underestimate the power of quick-dry socks, a waterproof rain jacket and pants, and a knife.

Buy travel insurance

Just do it. Trust me. It personally saved me $3,000 when I broke my collarbone in Mongolia last summer.

[Note: For travel insurance, Live Like it’s the Weekend recommends World Nomads or SafetyWing for the best budget options with the most coverage. If you want to read more about my experience with travel insurance, click here ).

Three Bucket List Mongolia Itineraries for First Timers

Mongolia isn’t an easy place to plan for or explore on your own. Here are three ways to explore Mongolia without feeling overwhelmed, because these badasses have done the work for you.

How to Explore Mongolia by Motorcycle: Moto Trip Mongolia

Who this trip is perfect for: New and experienced motorcyclists looking to adventure in style.

I may be biased since I designed this trip with some friends, and I personally lead this adventure … but it’s good .

Along with the nomadic herders and translators we bring along who will open your eyes to Mongolian life and culture in one of the most unique ways possible, this experience will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about life, travel, and most importantly–yourself.

What to expect on a Moto Trip Mongolia itinerary :

• A vintage Ural motorcycle with sidecar (so, 2 riders per motorcycle– perfect for bringing a friend).
• A motorcycle driving experience that includes off-roading across the Mongolian steppe.
• All drivers must have a motorcycle license and proof of travel insurance. Riders in the sidecar do not need a motorcycle license but must have travel insurance. The tour is set up so that drivers and riders will switch throughout the trip, but if someone doesn’t want to drive (or doesn’t have a motorcycle license), that’s okay too–they can be the passenger the entire duration of the trip!
• While it is required that you have a motorcycle license for this trip, this is a great trip for new and beginner motorcyclists! These Urals are easy to manage since you’re on three wheels, and there isn’t much chance of a traffic accident out on the steppe–it’ll be just us out there!
• And I can’t forget to mention, this is a great trip for females since it’s led by me !
• All meals, accommodations, transportation, motorcycles, and fuel are included.
• The trip also includes a follow car for carrying luggage, a translator, and motorcycle mechanic who will repair and tune up the bikes all along the way.

Self-Drive Mongolia and Take a Photography Masterclass Along the Way: Follow the Tracks

Who this trip is perfect for: Self-sufficient explorers looking for great photos for the ‘gram.

I really, really like the Follow the Tracks model. It’s a self-driving tour plus a photography masterclass designed by Max Muench, a guy you’ve almost certainly seen (more like, stalked) on Instagram .

You can choose from a few different routes (I recommend the Gobi Desert one), all of which start and end in Ulaanbaatar. You’ll have your own rental car, car camp essentials, and an iPad loaded with everything you need to make the most of this go-at-your-own-pace adventure.

I recommend grabbing enough friends to do this trip with at least two cars so you can tow each other in case of any hairy situations. Plus, more people equal more fun.

What to expect from the Follow the Tracks experience:

• A rental car from Sixt Rent a Car will be waiting for you in Ulaanbaatar at the start of your trip.
• Each car has 4-wheel drive and is equipped with a rooftop tent for sleeping.
• The car will have a GPS system loaded onto an iPad for your use during your self-driving adventure. This iPad will also act as your photography masterclass workbook, pointing out the best spots to capture photos along the route, and the best camera settings to do so.
• Additionally, the car will have camping and kitchen equipment, but you are responsible for purchasing your own food–and fuel–for the duration of your trip. (I suggest stocking up on food in Ulaanbaatar before hitting the road. Once you reach the tiny soums (tiny villages) in the countryside, you never quite know what you’re going to find.)

Ride Reindeer and Learn the Ancient Tradition of Hunting with Eagles: Erik Cooper Adventures

Who this trip is perfect for: Equestrians looking to really embed themselves with Mongolia’s unique–and very remote–tribes.

Erik is the gateway to the Tsaatan Tribe and Kazakh eagle hunters (he’s also the reason I fell head over heels in love with Mongolia). He’s spent the last eight summers in Mongolia and his connections are truly the reason why his tours are the most immersive, unique, and bang-for-your-buck.

You are thrown into the lifestyle, into the steppe, and into everything Mongolia has (for better or worse) to offer, with a touch of boujee along the way. There isn’t anyone that I trust more in Mongolia–or with my life. You can tell him I said that.

What to expect on an Erik Cooper Adventures Mongolia itinerary:

• All meals, accommodations, and transportation included. A translator will also accompany you during the duration of the trip.
• You MUST be comfortable on a horse. Because there are no roads where you’re going, you’ll be riding semi-wild horses for two days just to get to the Tsaatan Tribe’s home on the taiga, for example. If you are inexperienced on a horse, or afraid of riding, this trip is not for you. Erik will vet you before the trip, so don’t expect to fake your way into this experience, it’s simply too dangerous to do that.
• Each of Erik’s trips is different. You never know if you’ll get to ride reindeer across a glacier, watch locals compete in a reindeer race, or watch on as Eagle Hunters battle in ancient Kazakh games. No matter which trip of Erik’s you join, each one is specially curated and pulls out all of the stops.

Hope to see you all in Mongolia. You know where to find me when you do.

Planning a trip right now don’t miss my go-to websites for booking everything from flights and tours, to accommodation and more:.

• Booking.com for the best hotel deals
• World Nomads for flexible travel insurance
• VRBO for awesome rentals
• Skyscanner for finding the best flight deals
• Hostelworld for budget accommodation
• Rentalcars.com for easy car rentals

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On the contrary, it’s very easy to eat vegan in Ulaanbaatar. There’s plenty of great vegan spots to eat there.

That’s helpful to know, Joe thank you. Can you share some of your favorite vegan spots and maybe we can update the post?

That’s an incredibly detailed and well thought out guide. Thank you

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Request a Galapagos Quote for 11/1/2020 – Galapagos Inner Loop – 7 Nights Roundtrip Baltra | From $8,512

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All fares are in US dollars, per person, based on double occupancy, and reflect promotional savings, are for new bookings only, are subject to availability, and must be booked by September 1, 2019. Promotional savings in categories F-B on the December 21st sailing and categories C-D on the December 27th sailing only. *Included roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles or San Francisco is based on availability in class of service. Offer may be combined with applicable 3rd guest in stateroom offer but may not be combinable with other offers. Port, security, and handling charges of $149 per person are additional. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Call for details. Ship’s registry: Bahamas.

Trafalgar vs Gate 1

October 18, 2017

Trafalgar and Gate 1 are very equal in terms of getting a comfortable, well rounded, yet affordable tour. Trafalgar has a slight edge in terms of years - having been around since the 1940s; Gate 1 was established in 1981.

Both have tours all over the world. Groups are mid size (26 is the max for Trafalgar). Often compared, here are the facts based on all the trips from these companies on Stride, and their Stride profiles.

Compare   Trafalgar and Gate 1  

Save up to $700 on tours from select companies when you become a Stride Member . It's free!

What Makes Them Stand Out?

Trafalgar : Trafalgar is a premium group tour operator that features popular destinations on six continents and a wide range of ways to see them. Taking the motto “See the world from the inside,” it trumpets its “insider” approach, promising travelers that they’ll get to meet, talk and even eat and drink with the locals -- everyone from chefs and artisans to historians and farmers . Read More...

Gate 1 : offers a variety of tour packages and river cruises around the world, promising to provide exceptional value for the price. They focus on North American travelers who seek “high quality, yet affordable” guided trips, with accommodations ranging from superior tourist to moderate deluxe class .   Read More...

Why Travel With Them?

Trafalgar:   Extensive industry experience and a name known to travelers who enjoy local experiences, and prices kept low. Older travelers will enjoy their trips, as well as families . There are many choices of trips with Trafalgar, from slower paced to more quick moving, covering a lot of ground.   Read More...  

Gate 1:   For the budget traveler, Gate 1 is a fantastic choice. They offer several types of trip package to choose from, including rail, river cruise, and small group tours, at competitive rates. Their escorted tours are extremely popular, and customers repeat trips with them regularly.   Read More...

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Gate 1 Travel   Reviews

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Reviews 2.8.

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Best trip ever!

I’ve traveled quite a bit and this trip to Costa Rica with Gate1 has been so far the best! This is the first time I book with them. It is very well organized, Gerardo, the tour guide was very knowledgeable and fun to travel with. The stay in Tortuguero was a great experience I will never forget. The Hot Springs was a beautiful place.The hotels that were chosen for us were terrific. The restaurants we were taken were fabulous. I will definitely book more trips with Gate1 without a doubt.

Date of experience : April 08, 2024

Reply from Gate 1 Travel

Thank you for your kind feedback. We can’t wait to see you again!

Everything went exactly as we had…

Everything went exactly as we had hoped. Very smooth and easy flights and hotel check ins. Hotels were all very nice and met our expectations. All interactions I had with Gate 1 were very quick and helpful.

Date of experience : March 10, 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!

Great Company that delivers

After reading some of the negative reviews on Gate1 Travel, I decided to write. I’m a Canadian and have travelled with several other tour operators to dozens of countries and to all continents over the years and kept coming back to Gate 1. This company is of high standing, very professional with excellent customer service. I choose not to major on the nitty-gritty imperfections if any but focus on the important things that allows the tour to run smoothly like tour Manager top-notch communication skills, a good sense of humor, punctuality, and impeccable time management, contingency plans if a situation comes up and to arrange all travel related needs and wants from start to finish. I have travelled Gate 1 Classic (38 persons max) and small group discovery (22 persons max). The small group is well worth the extra money, hands down. We arrived home this week from Peru with the Amazon extension and will give it 5 stars. We had 4 internal flights and never had to worry about hauling our luggage. Checked luggage are always handled by Gate1, from hotel to airport (s) and then to final hotel room destination. This is a great benefit which I love. When possible, our tour Manager will have our boarding passes ready for airline check in ahead of time and our hotels check in process is a breeze. This can be a nightmare with some other tour operators (speaking from experience- yikes!). Another bonus, Gate 1 offers is great hotel accommodations in key locations where we can walk to restaurants/stores/attractions etc. Believe me, this can be a great benefit. It’s a treat after some long “tour and site seeing days” to come back to quality and nicer accommodations which is why my husband and I usually book pre and post stays at Gate 1 prices offered.

Date of experience : April 14, 2024

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!

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

Gate 1 great but their trip insurance provider is worthless

Great company with well-organized tours but the insurance company they route all Travel Insurance through—Arch Insurance—has terrible reviews and does everything to avoid paying claims. I had a trip scheduled to Mexico in March 2024–and paid for. I had to cancel my Gate 1 trip because I was hospitalized for 11 days after I flew a long airplane flight from Ireland. At the time I booked the Gate 1 trip I was well. I suffered from acute pulmonary embolisms from the long flight. Arch insurance only paid out $300 on my well documented claim. I am a retired lawyer and know how to fill out and document claims. Their denial was flagrant. Getting only $300 back made it a complete waste of time to file the claim. If 11 days with acute pulmonary embolisms preventing me from future plane trips is not justification, what is? Never ever accept Arch. Find another provider.

Date of experience : March 27, 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

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

The 8 day Tour of Spain was well…

The 8 day Tour of Spain was well organized, good hotel rooms and services . Our tour guide Rosemary capably led some great tours.We took a two hours in Alhambra which for me was the highlight of this tour. The only issue for me was that the return flights were far too long. Madrid,Amsterdam,JFK and then to Toronto. I will consider future tours with Gate1

Date of experience : March 25, 2024

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!

Gate1 are uncaring ……After doing around 8 tours with Gate1 I…

After doing around 8 tours with Gate1 I unfortunately had to cancel over a month before we were commencing our tour due to having to have emergency surgery. I thought Gate1 might be understanding and give us a full refund or at least credit towards another trip. They would only refund half our money and yes that was in the cancellation policy but having been such a long term repeat customer who had recommended them to many, I was under the delusion they may have some understanding of my situation and refund the full amount or at least give credit towards my next trip. I am six months post surgery now and have booked this years tour with another company. Will never book with Gate1 again.

Date of experience : August 09, 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

Wish I had read these reviews before…

Wish I had read these reviews before booking a trip to Turkey with Gate 1. Unfortunately Gate 1 Travel is NOT worth your hard earned money if life or work changes prevent your travel! Never buy insurance from this travel co. I was unable almost a year later to travel at the scheduled time to Turkey. Insurance will not cover this and Gate 1will not allow or honor any of my money paid to go to the rescheduling of my trip. My roundtrip tickets per Turkish Air due to a time change has emailed me that I can rebook my tickets without a change fee or additional costs! However I must go through Gate 1. Bobbie the Gate 1 Supervisor who initially refused to introduce herself, give her name until multiple requests and and absolutely refused to provide her full name or her boss’ name. Bobby stated she would ONLY ALLOW me to keep my fully paid airline tickets in MY NAME if I booked a new tour of Turkey paying FULL PRICE no credit or discount! RUN as fast as you can from this company! 3/22/24 Follow up I received a TC from Shannon Daugherty from Gate 1Travel. She informed me that my Turkish Airline tickets should and will be fully refunded. Shannon is working with me and was respectful as well as helpful. I was instructed to submit a claim to Gate 1Travel Insurance. If denied Gate 1 specifically Shannon will work with me to reschedule my trip next year without losing all my money. I will update this review once I have I have been reimbursed for my tickets and exactly what Gate 1 does regarding the tour!

Date of experience : March 19, 2024

Dear Ann, 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

Cancel for any reason doesn't really work.

We bought the cancel for any reason policy. We cancelled because we had to travel from NC to PA for my best friend's funeral. We were supposed to travel in October of 2023. So now we get a partial credit and a very small refund. Doesn't really do us any good because now it costs almost double for the same trip and we can't afford that. So we are basically out $1800 that we paid.

Date of experience : October 15, 2023

Diane, 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.

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

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.

Good experience with tour company

A tour by Gate 1 Travel called Discover Northern France that was booked for March 2024 was cancelled because of a lack of enough reservations to make this tour viable. A Customer Resolution Specialist for Gate 1, Donna Young, notified me that I could get a refund, Gate 1 travel credit, or book this tour later in the year at no additional cost. I chose to book this tour later in the year. Donna did an excellent job of offering me alternative dates and I chose a date in the fall 2024. I wish to thank Gate 1 for the options offered to me and to Donna for the superb job in booking an alternative tour date.

Date of experience : January 02, 2024

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

Rethink Using Gate 1 for Travel

I was in a vehicle accident while on safari with Gate 1 in India last month. I was in the passenger seat of a large safari truck when a faulty door unexpectedly opened on the moving vehicle causing me to fall out backwards and hit my back and my head on surrounding rocks where I was knocked unconscious. I was taken to the emergency room by our tour guide because of the injuries to my head and my back. I was given pain medication (no diagnostics were done) and luckily my friend had brought her cane with her which I was forced to use for the remainder of the trip. My headaches and severe back pain continued until I was forced to go to the emergency room again. This time they gave me a shot in the back for my pain and pain meds, but again, no diagnostics. Severe back pain and headaches continued throughout the remainder of the trip making it difficult to keep up. When I returned home, I went to the emergency room where I had a CAT Scan and was given additional medication and lidocaine patches for the pain. Upon seeing my back surgeon following the ER visit it was decided that I needed major back surgery. The fall had exasperated my existing condition. The surgery was scheduled for 7 May. Upon scheduling the surgery, I contacted Gate 1 immediately to follow up on my accident and let them know of the planned surgery. (I assumed the accident had already been reported by the trip leader.) The surgery conflicted with another Gate 1 trip I had planned for Jordan on 7 May (the date of my surgery). Per my surgeon, and my inability to walk, I requested the trip be postponed to the fall. They outright refused. I then asked to speak to a supervisor who also refused my request. Mind you, I wasn’t asking to cancel the trip, just postpone the trip! I finally received an e-mail from an individual at Reservations: Support who also refused to postpone my trip. They said I needed to pay the 50% penalty fee since I “decided” to cancel. Once again, the ONLY reason I canceled was due to an accident that happened due to a faulty door on their trip!!! I found the entire interaction with Gate 1 beyond frustrating. India was my 10th trip with Gate 1. To add insult to injury, I was also in a vehicle accident on a Gate 1 tour when I was on a Kenya and Tanzania safari in the fall of 2022. Gate 1 was “so generous” for that inconvenience and my pain and suffering that they gave me $100. No apology. The lack of concern, assistance, and understanding from Gate 1 is appalling, especially considering this was my second major accident caused by Gate 1’s negligence in a two-year period. I will certainly be rethinking my use of Gate 1 as a tour company in the future. Maybe you should too.

Date of experience : March 24, 2024

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

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

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.

Not really "making it right"

No follow up as promised. I gave a bad review of Gate 1 last week due to the bad customer service (and significant financial loss) from a recent Gate 1 trip. They immediately responded that they were sorry to hear this and would pass my information on to customer service so they could make it right. It's a week later and I have heard absolutely nothing. It's obviously just an automated response to make people think they are taking care of it, when in fact, they are blowing their customer off. Never thought I'd say this, but stay clear of Gate 1. I checked with my agent and the last communication she had was 6 days ago when the Gate 1 agent said I would get my $600 deposit back and "only" a 90% cancellation fee instead of 100%. Not really "making it right" in my mind, but I'm done. We will take our final tour with Gate 1 this Aug. (our 8th) as it is already booked. They have lost my loyalty and trust.

Date of experience : January 21, 2024

Hello, Thank you for your additional feedback. We show that a member of our customer service team has been in touch with your travel agent, Joellen. Please reach out to her for an update on this matter.