After a relaxing breakfast where Betty made sure to serve my favorite tropical fruit juice - maracuya - Marcelo and I load into his van and head out. We pick up Jascivan, our outfitter for the trek, and a couple guys to help along the way. Once we get out of Quito, the concrete buildings quickly drop out of site, and the high paramo stretches into the horizon. I'm amazed at how wild and expansive the region is. We're heading East, towards the Amazon basin, but we're gaining altitude climbing high into the mountains. As we cross the tree line, the landscape gives way to cliffs and bluffs covered in thick grass, flowers and mosses. The area is wet too, and at one point I count 5 waterfalls from the road. Today, our goal is the village of Oyacachi. The village is adjacent to the Coca-Cayambe reserve, and Jascivan wants me to see the area to determine if we might be able to support a community tourism program there. As we cross the continental divide and wind our way down the east side of the Andes, the grasslands give way to lush cloudforest of twisted trees, lineas, and bromiliads. The village is set between steep valley walls and is as picturesque as any tropical mountain village you might imagine. We meet one of the local caciques, or leaders, and we spend a couple hours with him as he shows us a traditional home that has been rebuilt and talks about the customs of the village. CARE International developed some hotsprings some years ago, and I check these out too. In the evening, we have a trout dinner in a simple cafeteria run by a local family.
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.