This morning we got on a fast boat to take us the two hours to Santa Cruz Island and Puerto Ayora. Even with the Dramamine and sitting in the fresh air, I managed to get a little sick, but I made it. After getting here, we dropped our stuff off and headed to the Charles Darwin Research Station (we get no breaks on this trip!). After seeing lonesome George and our only land iguana, we got some ice cream and walked back to our hotel for a few minutes before our next adventure. Fabricio took Rod, Barbara, my mom and me to a farm up in the highlands where we were able to see tons of tortoises in their natural habitat. It was like seeing cows in a field! They just hang out in these pastures with no fear and not a care in the world. Before we left, we did get a chance to get into a tortoise shell and Fabricio and I even stood up in it. It was so heavy. I can’t imagine having to walk around my whole life with that thing on my back. It certainly made me appreciate the tortoises and understand why they walk so slowly! We had another “free” afternoon, but Fabricio took us to his favorite beach, about a 30 minute walk from our hotel. It was beautiful! I read a little, (I think this is the first I have had time to read!) played some Frisbee, jumped in the waves until I felt the ocean had beat me up enough, and then we too the journey back to our hotel to shower for dinner. Our last night together, we had a great dinner at an outdoor restaurant, and then went out for drinks at a fun local bar.
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
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
4 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
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.