Cusco and Arequipa are scenic towns, each having a central town square. The places are literally crawling with vendors, peddlers, and a few beggars. We were constantly approached by people trying to sell us things--most of which was junk. Their saving grace is that they are at least trying to make a living by working an not by begging. Many locals will pose for photos in their native garb and are sometimes accompanied by llamas or alpacas. One of these critters tried to eat the button off my shirt. The towns are also inundated by various types of police, all in different uniforms. There are national police, local police, traffic police and tourist police. I don not know whether the latter are protecting us from the locals or vice versa. The vast majority of the cars are all taxis. Do not trust signs on restaurants advertising credit cards. In one of them, even though the decals were on the door. To rub salt in the wounds, the scoundrel then tried to short change me. I caught him at it and loudly expressed my displeasure. Guess how much tip he got!
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
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.