Our van driver had to bob and weave all over the heavily rutted road that took us 3,000 feet up into the highlands to the trailhead for the Sierra Negra volcano. We hiked for a mile or so as the trail climbed about 300 feet until we reached a short side trail that lead to a breath-taking viewpoint on the rim of the crater. The pit is shockingly immense (roughly six miles by four miles) and thanks to recent rains on the thin crust of solidified lava, the floor hundreds of feet below us was a sea of steam.
Our hike continued into the surreal lava fields of Volcan Chico, where islands of older, reddish rock rose between streams of black, more recent, lava (Chico's last lava flow was about 40 years ago). An occasional cactus or tuft of grass struggled to survive in the volcanic moonscape.
We peered down into deep, fern-lined fumaroles and saw where, prior to the establishment of the national park, efforts were made to mine the area's sulfur.
The rain began, as Murphy's Law might have predicted, just about when were were farthest from the trailhead. We were rained upon for about 90 minutes. Sometimes it poured, other times it eased off. When it poured, the trail became a great, ankle-deep linear mud puddle. Though we all had varying degrees of rain protection we all ended up thoroughly soaked. Our park guide, Nelly, knowing my interest in the local flora, pointed out a Galapagos orchid during one of the rain lulls. We also caught a glimpse of the brilliant vermilion flycatcher.
On the way down the mountain we stopped for lunch at a family farm/campground where we watched hummingbird moths gathering nectar and listened to the sounds of giant tortoises mating in the brush nearby.
With a couple of hours free before dinner I checked out Concha de Perla, a secluded bay just a couple hundred yards from the hotel. It is reached by a boardwalk through a stand of mangrove. On the way I watched a striated heron for 15 minutes as it stalked its prey just a few feet below where I stood.
The crystal-clear bay is a popular spot for local families. Young swimmers rested, clinging to the exposed roots of the red mangrove.
Going back through town, I strolled along the beach into the sunset. Along the way I had a close encounter with an American oystercatcher. I've tried before to get a good picture of this colorful shore bird, but they have always been unwilling subjects. This one was way more interested in the bugs it was digging out of the sand than worrying about an excited photographer.
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.