Ollantaytambo ruinsFriday - After only 2 hours of sleep with we stagger out of our hotel room in a rush at 2:45am to catch our 4:00am flight to Juliaca. Our alarm didn't wake us at 1:30am as planned. We race across the connecting walkway from the hotel to the airport, thankful that we don't have to run across the street. We made it - with plenty of time to spare. We touch down in Cusco on the way to Juliaca and I crane my head out the back door and take our first photo of the landscape. Can't wait to come back and enjoy Cusco. At the Juliaca airport, we're met by our transfer driver and guide, who rush us off on the hour drive down to Puno. We make it just in time to catch our boat after our guide helps us get cash out at a local ATM and seasick medicine from a pharmacy. We down some coca tea which helps to take the edge off of the altitude sickness that's setting in. I'm kind of a weak traveler I've noticed over the years. I will usually get some kind of illness while traveling - BUT that won't keep me from going! We go to the floating islands and are welcomed by the local ladies singing a traditional song of welcome. How beautiful! We hang out for a bit and learn about how the islands are constructed from reeds and take the typical tourist photos - still a lot of fun. On to Amantani Island where we are met by our host mama. She walks us up the hill (which seems like Mt. Everest with the altitude) taking frequent stops to humor us as we catch our breath. But its all worth it when we reach our community of Colquecachi. Beautiful view! We rest for a bit at the house. Our room is on the second floor and the set up is with a courtyard in the middle of the house and kitchen to the side. We go for a hike with our personal Adventure Life guide to Pachamama and Pachatata - the two peaks of the island where they hold festivals. Then we go back and eat dinner with our host family. Matt and I brought sugar and flour for the family and coloring books for the kids as a gift. they don't recommend candy because there is no dental care on the island. That evening they dress us up and take us to a dance at the community center. Wonderful music and great company! Even though I am exhausted at the end of the night I still find it hard to sleep with the altitude. Its an interesting feeling - uncomfortable but nothing that you can't deal with for a short time while on an adventure!
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
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
