Today we visited Tierra del Fuego National Park with a different private guide. It is named fuego not because of volcanoes which is what we had thought, but because the native inhabitants built so many fires to keep themselves warm as they wore no clothing. The European settlers saw all the smoke from their boats, didn't see the people, and named it land of fires (almost called it land of smoke). Nowadays the air is so clean it could be bottled--in fact our guide told us that a visitor from Mexico City (smog heaven)on a different day asked the guide for a bottle of pollution because he was in withdrawal in such a pristine place!
We canoed on a river that flowed into Beagle Channel and saw incredible sites. We took the canoe out at a point which was the end of the pan-American highway (starts in Alaska). Although we were the only ones in the river and channel, there were many tour groups at the take out point, including the Princess cruise ship which we will be taking on 3/6! We then had a catered lunch (many appetizers, bass, baked potato, fruit, vino, etc). Followed that up with a 4 hr hike of the fuego forest and coast side of the channel. Very lovely scenery as they do not clear the trees but rather let them decompose on their own so the place is extremely lush. It takes 500 yrs for a tree to rot because of the long cold season and no termites.
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.