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Galapagos Multisport

Chris de Esparza & Marejka Shaevitz (Galapagos Multisport, Dec 2007)
We didn't come in with a lot of expectations, except to have lots of fun. Outside of that, we've described to our families and friends that this trip felt like a page right out of National Geographic or a scene right out of the Discovery Channel.

We had Luis as a private guide for day trips to Otavalo and Mindo - and he was an absolute delight to have with us. In addition, we had Juan Fernando as a tour leader on the Galapagos - and he was a fantastic guide. He was personable, friendly, flexible, brought a sense of humor, knowledgeable, responsible, and overall excellent. As for local guides on the Galapagos, our favorite guide was "Gallo" on Santa Cruz Island - his knowledge and experience were unsurpassed, and his laughter was contagious.

The variety of activities was exactly what we were looking for. We also appreciated the pace of this trip - there was always something to see or do. Our trip leader was particularly helpful in helping us brainstorm ideas for things to do during our free time (e.g. a spontaneous hike to observation decks on San Cristobal, a sunset swim at Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz island, etc.).

Larry Hardoon (Galapagos Multisport 10 Day, Mar 2007)
"In a nutshell - we had a GREAT trip from start to finish. The driver who picked us up early Sat morning to take us to the airport was very friendly and conscientious. He stayed with us until we were checked through on to our flight to the Galapagos. David who picked us up in San Cristobel and was our guide for the first day was really friendly, knowledgeable, and similarly conscientious. He provided a wonderful introduction to the Galapagos and we enjoyed our first day's activities (hiking and snorkeling) very much. For the next seven days of our trip, Sebastian Jurado was our guide. He really did a FABULOUS job with our group. We couldn't have had a better, more enthusiastic, friendly, personable, conscientious, competent, knowledgeable, guide. The kids truly enjoyed his company and we and they spent extra time with him outside of the planned agenda. I'm sure that one of the reasons we had such a good time was our good fortune in having Sebastian all to ourselves. He was able to devote 100% of his attention to us. He arranged everything perfectly. Since we were the entire group, flexibility was totally possible. His English is really perfect, though the kids conversed with him in Spanish much of the time. They all only spoke English for my benefit (I studied French). The planned activities were terrific. We enjoyed a couple of great long ... Read All

Kevin and Janet Conway (Galapagos Multisport, Dec 2006)
This was a five star tour and we had a great time! We loved our guide, Miguel, in fact we want him to be the guide on our next trip.

Pepi Leids, Taylor, Wyatt, and Cody Buchalter (Galapagos Multisport and Otavalo & Banos, Jun 2006)
Accomodations on Santa Cruz, Isabella, and Quito were excellent. Our guide, Alfredo, was the best. He loves kids and my nephews had a blast. He made the trip in the Galapagos really fun!

Finch Bay EcoHotel

Patricia Sasscer (Finch Bay EcoHotel, May 2009)
I cannot say enough about how well this trip was organized. Our group of 11 was able to stay together in a very relaxed manner, and our needs were always taken care of in a friendly and congenial way. My traveling companion, who shared a room with me commented that it was the best vacation she had ever taken. Many thanks to Adventure Life for making our trip such a pleasure!

Truman Kling (Finch Bay Eco, Nov 2008)
We had guides Valentino "Val" and Mario. Both were very experienced and knowledgeable and good with arrangements and interpretation of what we were seeing.

Suggestions re: clothing, money etc... were right on the mark.

Finch Bay hotel is a beautiful place.

I had visited the Galapagos once before in 1990. Tourism has grown considerably since then, so it lacked some of the sense of solitude that I had on my 1st trip.

Sean Yutzy (Finch Bay Eco-Hotel, May 2008)
I do not think that the snorkling was given enough print time in any of the books reviewed for the regular traveler.I was able to swim with seals, sea iguanas, sea turtles, penguins and several species of sharks. None were fed/baited or harrassed in any way. We saw manta rays jumping out of the ocean and a large school of dolphin swam with the boat for 20 minutes. We stood on cliffs and watched black tip sharks attack schools of mullet. The hotel was great, food-great, guides-great, tourists--well, just OK but for me the ocean was worth the price of admission. I think that for those who might not be interested in taking 300 more pictures of the "different" iguanas on the next island the ocean produced diversity and excitement without going to the hassle of scuba.

Wildlife Odyssey

Roberta Koenig (Wildlife Odyssey trip with a Galapagos cruise on the Millennium, Jul 2008)
Our accommodations were excellent at all points along the tour. Our hotel in Quito was good, and we were very impressed with Sacha Lodge and the Millennium. Food, accommodations, services, etc.

Our two guides at Sacha Lodge were great. They managed to tailor our hikes to our capabilities and we were able to see and do all we had intended to. They were friendly, informative and just very willing to lend a hand, especially when I got stuck in the mud.

The food was marvelous. I had hoped to lose a few pounds, but it didn't happen. Sacha Lodge had some of the best food I've tasted outside of a 5 star restaurant. Some of the recipes were unique, but delicious. Three desserts at lunch and 3 different ones at dinner made many of us weep.

Gail and Abigail Malone (Wildlife Oddyssey: Legend, Apr 2007)
The tour was superb. Sacha Lodge was unforgettable, and Pinsaqui was gorgeous. We felt coddled- every detail was attended to. I would use Adventure Life again without hesitation.

Christina Lemes (Wildlife Odyssey and Galapagos Cruise aboard Sulidae, Dec 2006)
I was blown away, especially at the hacienda in Otavalo. Hotel Eugenia was very charming and I loved the Sulidae and Sacha Lodge. All of my tour guides were excellent and extremely helpful. I am recommending this tour to everyone I know. I am highly satisfied with Adventure Life and my tour experience.

Dotty Woodworth (Wildlife Odyssey , Aug 2006)
The pre-departure support from Adventure Life was excellent. I called with a question about items for the orphanage and got excellent information. I loved every minute and my photos have made all of my friends jealous.

Amazon Adventure

Patrick Lengler (Amazon Adventure, May 2009)
The team that organized the Kayak-trip on the Shiripuno river was the best I ever had. I can only express my greatest appreciation to Sebastian, Arturo and our local guide.

Marti de Metropolis (Amazon Adventure, Sep 2008)
Marissa was outstanding. she suggested that I bring educational items and info about my home for the Huaorani community. Fabricio, our guide handed them out. It was a touching experience!

The guides, Febricio, Arturo and Name were beyond excellent. Strong, capable, talented, intelligent, friendly only begins to describe them. I felt safe in very difficult times. Arturo is an outstanding cook. He wanted us to experience the foods of his country. Way more food than I could eat!

It was an adventure trip turned high adventure. Mother Nature and the unpredictable made for a trip that could have been a disaster had it not been for the capable guides and porters! Safe at home, I'll always remember this as my most exciting true adventure.

For true adventure treks, Adventure Life offered very capable guides to keep us as comfortable and as safe as possible. The best of the Amazon rainforest came from those unforeseen times. I've traveled the world and intend to keep going. I'm impressed with Adventure Life and those who you contract with!

Jocelyn Martin (Amazon Adventure, Aug 2008)
Sebastian, our guide, was amazing - he had an easy charm that put us all at ease and made us feel safe on the water and in the jungle. He really knew and understand the Huaranis and the nature of the land.

Andy at Shiripuno Lodge was an amazing guide. he got really excited talking about the plants in the jungle and what they are used for. Our guide at Bellavista was amazing too - he got more excited than we did when he spotted birds.

The tour was an amazing trip. We got to be in the wilds of the jungle without sacrificing comfort or safety. I would recommend it. Amazon Adventurer was sort of like being on Survivor with a personal Chef and group commaraderie. I was really impressed at how environmentally sound everything we did was. The whole trip was about preserving the rainforest, not cutting it down to make it more easily accessible.

Pamela McCarthy (Amazon Adventure, Mar 2008)
Shiripuno Lodge was probably the coolest place I have ever stayed. What an incredible experience!

Alex, our tour leader in Quito, was really great. He was super friendly and knowledgeable and interacted really well with the high school students. Fabricio, our guide in the jungle, was amazing. He really did make our experience one that we would never forget. I also was extremely impressed that a local Huaorani came with us. That was probably the best part of the trip.

This trip was seriously one of the best trips that I have ever been on. We really got a taste of the local culture and environment and learned a lot about the Amazon.

Marcus Frank (Amazon Adventure and Machu Picchu by Train, Sep 2006)
I can't say enough good things about our guides, particularly Washi, who I know consider a friend in Peru. He helped us with good local restaurant selections, and even invited us for a rare delicacy prepared by his mom-cuy. All the guides brought their culture to us by sharing their wealth of knowledge, experience, and other local interactions that helped bring Peru closer to us. Victor had a haunting way of finding things at night in the jungle that was simply amazing. I also came to realize how much trust and comfort there was in his presence as he navigated us through the jungle paths and the waterways. Your guides are the best! Overall, the tour was very good and we will definitely use Adventure Life again for future South American travels.

Narcisse Bakhsh (Amazon Adventurer, Aug 2004)
2004 was wrapping up without any major adventurous trip to seal it and that is not a detail to overlook! Sooooo, I stared imagining the world with all its treasures and fascinating places to discover. I pulled out my magic lamp, started rubbing it hard to wake the genie up & have him plan my next journey. In other words, I typed "traveling in the Amazon" on Google! Ha! Just looking at the list of travel choices gave me a high, similar to what a shopaholic would feel in a mall, the day after xmas!

STOP

After a bit research, I found the perfect trip: Ecuador, 8 day kayaking trip on the Amazon! Wooohooo! Hey, the saying: "if you wish for something hard enough, it could happen" is actually true! Such a simple, yet rich trip - a river and a jungle, the Amazon. Easy to imagine, yet mysterious trip - only paddling all day, what kind of trouble would I get into? Relaxing, yet nerve wrecking - sound of nature and nothingness, the indigenous tribes and the gizillion flies. I was sold! Ecuador August 2004 was going to be my next adventure!

Since keeping the best for last is not a rule I follow: I willl share it with y'all now: My best friend and partner in crime, Maria decided to join me. What a blessing, without her this trip would not have been as fulfilling and exhilarating as it became.

August 22, 2004, Maria and I head to Quito, Ecuador.
As soon as we got ... Read All

Debbie Dyson and John Goss (Amazon Adventurer, Jan 2004)
Excellent! Felipe (guide) was great at sharing info. Arturo was wonderful at organizing equipment, food, etc...Thanks for a great trip!

Dave Layne (Amazon Adventurer, Jan 2004)
Both Arturo and Felipe wer terrific! Couldn't have asked for better people. It was amazing how much and how well prepared the food was on a camping trip. Arturo did a great job.

Susan Willis (Amazon Adventurer and Galapagos, Jan 2003)
Alfredo was an excellent kayaking guide. On the river, I felt totally safe, had a fun, amazing experience...Thank you for providing amazing experiences for my son and myself.

John Sainato (Bellavista Lodge and Amazon Adventurer, Aug 2002)
Richard and Gloria, owner/managers of Bellavista, treated us like family from the first moment we arrived, until dropping us back in Quito after our visit. Bellavista was so relaxing and educational; I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Ecuador.

From Bellavista, we moved farther into the interior of Ecuador and deep into the rainforest of the Amazon Basin. Here we would spend the next week camping and kayaking on the Shiripuno River and visiting with the Huaorani, an endangered tribe of indigenous people who make their homes in the rainforest. During this very adventurous week our guides Alfredo, Fabriso, Raoul, and Moi shared with us an experience that could never be matched.

All in all, I would have to say that the time I spent with my son this summer was the best thing I ever did and will not soon be forgotten. I highly recommend to any parents feeling a distance growing between themselves and their children, spend some time completely removed from distractions, one on one with your child. The rewards of doing this will far outweigh the expense.

Sacha Lodge - Ecuadorian Amazon

Kathryn B. Maltby (Sacha Lodge + Cruise on Encantada, Dec 2008)
The Encantada though small was very clean with a friendly and professional staff.

There was always someone to meet us either at the airport or our hotel who was very friendly and had all the documents necessary for our trip. On the boat and at the lodge our daily excursions were extremely well planned out and our guides very friendly and knowledgeable.

Both on the Encantada and at the Sacha Lodge our guides made the trip special for us. They catered to our interests and needs and really made the trip the fantastic and fun experience it was for us and our kids.

The food on our ship was surprisingly good for how small the kitchen area must have been. The food at the Sacha Lodge was absolutely delicious - there was lots to choose from and plenty of it.

We loved the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon Rain Forest. We would highly recommend this trip to anyone looking for adventure, beauty, and a memorable time.

Li-hsia Wang (Sacha Lodge + Hiking Galapagos, Aug 2009)
Im not generally interested in tours, preferring to have the flexibility of a non-structured vacation. However, for Amazonia and the Galapagos, I don't see how I could have seen/learned/enjoyed the experience as I did with your guides and arrangements--smooth transfers made it so easy, and once again let me praise your guides. Daniel Hicks at Sacha Lodge and Juan Fernando Duran in Galapagos were outstanding for their knowledge as well as their enthusiasm, and the special knowledge of all the local guides was a bonus. Daniel II, as we called him took good care of us in and around Otavalo and dealt well with travel arrangements up to the end of the trip. The tour guides are the strength of your tours.

Because of susceptibility to seasickness, we chose a land-based Galapagos tour, and were very pleased to have done so, not just for the seasickness reasons. With a group of only 5, we had a degree of flexibility which I suspect a cruise tour doesn't have. We had a chance to wander through towns, eat in restaurants, strike up conversations, experience different hotels (and their breakfasts). I arrived home with my head bursting with information and impressions--but did NOT feel hustled from site to site, though in retrospect we were pretty busy (eg from our first evening at the Sacha Lodge we were out looking at things, morning, afternoon, and evening, but ... Read All

Steven Hillyard (Sacha Lodge + Hiking Galapagos, Aug 2009)
Tour was wonderful. The places that we visited and the planned events were outstanding. The guides were superb: Daniel at Sasha Lodge, Daniel in Otavalo, and Juan Fernando in the Galapagos. All very knowledgeable, competent, and friendly. Local guides also were excellent

Stephen Smith (Sacha Lodge, Aug 2009)
Sacha Lodge is a 5 star hotel in the jungle! The food was beyond my expectations! Eugenia Hotel in Quito was basic, but clean, comfortable, good showers, and a breakfast buffet to start the day.

Everything went perfectly and was very well organized. Luis, our guide in Quito, was superb and really knew his stuff. And our guides Lars B. and Segundo at Sacha Lodge were exceptional. Both of them have considerable knowledge of the forest and kept us interested during every excursion. I knew the food would be good, but I had no idea how good it would turn out to be! The huts, the food, the excursions, the guides, the staff, the service... Everything was truly top notch!

Dennis Beck (Sacha Lodge + Hiking Galapagos, Feb 2009)
This is the first time we've done a "guided" tour and I can't say enough good things about Adventure Life. We would recommend them to friend and would not hesitate to use them again.

Marissa was very helpful and responsive on a timely basis. Casa Aliso was great - wonderful hotel and very helpful staff. Sacha and Hacienda Pinsaqui were awesome.

Sebastian was our Galapagos guide and he is terrific. Luis was our guide for Cotopaxi and Otovalo. He is a wonderful young man and a terrific guide. Sacha guides were great.

Linda Neikam (Sacha Lodge, Feb 2009)
I loved Sacha lodge and will recommend this to all my friends. The Eugenia Hotel had lots of charm and very accommodating staff. We were shocked when we got to the Pinsaqui Hacienda. It was so beautiful that we didn't want to leave. Bellavista is a jewel, rustic but after a half a day we felt like we belonged there.

Every step of the way your staff was waiting for us. We never had to look for them, they were prompt and always interested in making our vacation perfect. The guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. Everyone was so friendly and always, acknowledged us with friendly waves and smiles. I can not think of anyway to improve the service.

The food in Sacha was very good, the food in Bellavista hot and plain. We were so cold sometimes that the hot was all we needed.

Although we packed bug spray and anything else we could think of, generally the various lodges provided us with rain poncho's, boots and umbrellas. I came away with a love for Ecuador, the people and country. I will definitely return.

This trip was one of the best I have ever had and I look forward to traveling again with Adventure Life.

Judy Schneider (Sacha Lodge, Feb 2009)
All of the people we worked with at Adventure Life were incredibly supportive, informed, good-humored and patient. This applies especially to Marissa, who fielded more than a few calls from me in the 2 weeks prior to our departure with grace and humor.

Overlooking the fact that I do not like Ecuadorian food very much, I would say that given the lengths they have to go to to get food to those places at all, they do a very good job. I would rate the food at Sacha and the breakfasts at Eugenia as excellent.

You ask about the friendliness and enthusiasm of the guides. I think you also need to ask about their overall knowledge. At Sacha, our guide was Julio Rojas, and I thought that he was just amazing. And the native guide who worked with him, Donaldo, was incredible, too. Not speaking English, Donaldo made himself understood with no trouble at all. At Bellavista, we mostly went out with the owner and with his friend, Jeanne, who was helping him out in what was obviously a staff crisis. They were very knowledgable as well.

James Kuhn (Sacha Lodge, Aug 2008)
The accommodations at Sacha Lodge were great, the food tasty and plentiful, the guides knowledgeable and effective, and the social experience rewarding. The amount of physical activity was challenging but manageable and exciting. This is a once in a lifetime experience and I highly recommend it.

Barbara Ash (Sacha Lodge, Aug 2008)
It was a dream come true for me. All the staff were very helpful and was very patient in answering my questions which I am sure I asked more then once before I went. I saw birds , sloths, an Anaconda and yes I swan with piranhas and cayman. I am sixty eight as of yesterday and was able to do all the hikes, climb the tree, and the tower, which for me is a very big deal since I am not crazy about heights. Thank Thank you Thank you

Tara Rodarte (Sacha Lodge + Machalilla National Park, Dec 2007)
Everyone at Adventure Life was great! Thank you very much for working through my itinerary and getting all of my requested activities in. Sacha Lodge was wonderful! I would highly recommend it. Can't say enough about the Sacha Lodge staff, cooks, etc. They work hard and behind the scenes to make the lodge comfortable and accommodating. What was one of the most notable aspects...the food! Very tasty! Mantaraya Lodge was also incredible -- clean, great views and very friendly staff.

All the guides were very knowledgeable and showed an enthusiasm for the country and their culture. They shared personal stories making the walks and activities engaging.

It was a wonderful and amazing holiday! Ecuador is a beautiful country with many landscapes. The Adventure Life agent made great suggestions, which allowed me to spend time at the beach, trek Cotopaxi, and explore the Amazon. Perfect mix!

Andes and Amazon

Brigitte Feicht (Andes and Amazon, Sep 2007)
The Andes and Amazon trip was our first trip to Ecuador. We travel frequently in North America, Europe and Asia independently so this was our first trip with a guided tour and we were pleasantly surprised what a wonderful time we had exploring this beautiful and diverse country under the knowledgeable and personal guidance of our Ecuadorian tour expert. Summarizing this trip in a couple of sentences will not do justice to the lifetime memories we will treasure from this trip for years to come which were made possible by a flawless tour itinerary and organization and enriched by our personal tour guide Luis “the adventure boy,” an incredible young man wise beyond his age. He not only graciously and competently filled the language gap for us, but he also shared his grandfather’s stories about the legends and gave us insights into the daily life and customs of living and growing up in Ecuador.

Besides enriching our learning about Ecuador with historical and cultural data, Luis proved to be invaluable for the demands of traveling around: He negotiated with the laundry places for us, recommended restaurants or activities, made sure we found the right buses, departure points, and connections without any problems and he always knew where to catch the taxi transfers for the haciendas. We enjoyed to travel on the public bus instead of a bus full of American ... Read All

Islands and Incas - Galapagos & Machu Picchu

Trudy Jones (Islands and Incas + Machu Picchu by Train Tour + Cruise on Guantanamera, Feb 2009)
Our guide, Santiago, in Cusco/Machu Picchu was incredible. Essentially with us 24/7 for part of the trip. It felt like a visit with a very knowledgeable family member.

Lodging and meals were great. Lodging seemed to be in areas that we could a walk-about. I was wondering tho for such a short stay in Lima, if we would have enjoyed staying in old town.

Any concerns that i had were responded to promptly. I felt treated as an individual and not as just one of many tentative travelers.

I am planning a trip to Tanzania and was very disappointed not to see anything on your web site. I would always check Adventure Life first for any future trips!

April Marlow (Islands and Incas + Machu Picchu by Train Tour + Cruise on Beagle, May 2009)
We loved them all! Sanctuary Lodge was great, mainly because of the location, but also the service and food was outstanding. But we also loved Pakaritampu in Ollantaytambo. What a magical place! Beautiful grounds with 3 resident llamas and view of the Inca fortress. And the Mansion Del Angel in Quito is like a Victorian dollhouse! So cute, with roses and roses petals all over. The Beagle is a beautiful ship. We did not see another ship that we would have rather been on. And with only 12 passengers, it was just perfect. We would not have liked to be herded around like the bigger boats.

You were great. When our flight was delayed leaving Cuzco and we missed our flight to Quito, we ended up with 6 hours in Lima. I called your rep and she sent a van for us so we could explore Lima instead of sitting at the airport. Likewise, when we caught an earlier flight from the Galapagos, and ended up in Quito 3 hours early, I called your rep in Quito and she was there in 15 mins with a ride to our hotel, and information on what to do and where to eat. We were all very impressed with their helpfulness, friendliness and professionalism.

We were totally impressed with Marco Palomino. His knowledge is incredible and we learned a lot from him. But also his manner and style was what made the trip. We could not have had a better guide, period. On the Beagle, our naturalist ... Read All

James Storey (Islands and Incas + Machu Picchu by Train Tour + Cruise on Coral I, Sep 2008)
Our guide in Peru,Teddy Romero, was excellent - a real wealth of historical, archaeological, and naturalist knowledge. The naturalists in the Galapagos were very good too.

The total experience in the Galapagos was fabulous. The boat was very comfortable and the crew was very nice and accommodating. We had day after day of jaw dropping sights and otherworldly vistas. The naturalists were very good and made sure that we saw all the various animals and learned about their habits. There was a good mix of hikes, beach walks and snorkeling. Each island had its own unique wow factor. A real photgrapher's paradise. I was very happy with the way we saw the Inca lands. Some people took the train right from Cusco to Machu Picchu and back, but by taking the car trip through the sacred valley, we say far more and got a much better appreciation of how extensive the civilization was. We spent the night in Ollantaytambo and even got to hang out in the town square for the Friday night festival. My compliments to whoever arranged for us to get the two front seats in the train to Machu Picchu - with full plate glass window view!

Robin Storey (Islands and Incas + Cruise on Coral II, Sep 2008)
Teddy, our guide in Peru, was terrific, and the naturalists in the Galapagos were knowledgeable and very friendly. Everyone else who helped us with our travels were wonderful.

Especially enjoyed the barbecue dinner. Food was plentiful - not gourmet but adequate. Snacks following our outings were appreciated!

Important to pack lightly; be prepared for tourista and consider how you'll deal with the altitude (we took Diamox which worked well so we had no problems). While in the Galapagos, you are very out of touch with no news, internet and little cell phone coverage. That can be very relaxing but good for people to know that in advance. Very disappointed with the international cell phone we bought to use on our trip. Make sure you have lots of memory cards for your digital cameras! Fellow travelers were great and it was fun to meet people from all over the world. For most of your time in the Galapagos, there are no stores so don't think you can pick up what you need in a shop.

Honora Bauman (Islands and Incas + Incas and Rainforest + Machu Picchu by Train Tour + Cruise on Eric, Letty & Flamingo, Apr 2009)
I've been fortunate to travel more than most people so I think it's getting harder and harder to impress me. This trip certainly did the job! As much as you hear about the Galapagos, you have to experience it first hand to understand how special it is. As someone with an interest in nature photography I know I'll never find another place where it's so easy to get amazing wildlife photos. Peru was equally impressive in so many ways. Of course the ruins were amazing and the Colonial cities also. But the people were also wonderful and we loved their crafts, music and food. I'm sure we gave quite a boast to the local economy with our shopping. Our only regret was that we couldn't bring back one of the baby alpacas. But we settled for lots of photos instead.

We worked with Mary, Reilly and Marissa and they were all great about answering our questions and providing some advice.

I can't say enough about the guides. Ivan and Orlando, our guides from the Flamingo were really knowledgeable and so much fun. Teddy was equally knowledgeable and we shared a similar sense of humour. We had a great time with him.

We were particularly happy with the entire crew of the Flamingo. It was obvious that they worked long and hard each day but they were always really warm and enthusiastic. The impromptu concert during dinner one night was definitely a highlight. The staff ... Read All

Michael Wood (Islands and Incas + Machu Picchu by Train Tour + Cruise on Millennium, Mar 2008)
The assistance with the Galapagos flight check-in in Quito (which is complex, confusing and poorly signed) was particularly invaluable. Two guides just dealt with it - one getting the passes and one dealing with the luggage while we just stood and boggled. Amazing service. We also arranged an on-the-fly unplanned city tour when we arrived in Quito. Your local office dealt with it instantly and the guide even called ahead and got a museum to stay open late for us - wow!

I can't praise all the guides enough. Always helpful, always friendly and extremely knowledgeable. Their enthusiasm for their countries and their profession was infectious. These were people who enjoyed what they did and were proud to do a good job.

You seem to have a good and well deserved reputation locally. We had an absolutely fantastic time and would unreservedly recommend you to our friends.

Paul Lipscomb (Islands and Incas + Machu Picchu by Train Tour + Cruise on Journey II, Dec 2008)
Responded promptly to all calls/emails. materials provided were clear and turned out mostly to be very accurate.

Most the hotels were very exceptional, comfortable, and great rooms. Cusco/Ollantaytambo and Aquas Calientes were just wonderful. Noisy (neighbors playing music all night) in Quito but place itself was superb. Most of us arrived in Lima for very short time before going to Cusco. Hotel long way from airport...probably closer would be better. Cormorant II was a kick and more than adequate. Good staff on board.

Very good food on boat. Cook was great and served well rounded meals. When we ate out with Peru guide's support/advice, it was great.

Marco Palamino in Peru: over-the-top excellent guide who gave top-notch tour guide info/support and also helped in many practical matters (getting left behind stuff back to us...helping with altitude sick members). Smart...passionate about subject, deeply/personally connected to the places/topic.

In addition: Adventure Life provided clear, timely and consistently excellent service from the first contact through the entire trip. Even to this request for feedback. The accommodations/hotels were really exceptional, and in case of Peru, the guide really more than I had even hoped for. Logistics were never a problem once we 'arrived' and before our final 'departure' from the trip. It made the experience ... Read All

Suzanne Stroh (Island and Incas (Legend), Aug 2007)
I can't say enough good things about our experience in Peru. It is so culturally rich and colorful and such a physically beautiful country. Our time there was handled very smoothly. What really opened our eyes to Peru was our wonderful guide, Washington Gibaja. Actually, he was beyond wonderful! He is pleasant, knowledgeable, thoughtful, considerate, organized, flexible, sincere, and helpful. He has a lively sense of humor, shares his cultural heritage with proud enthusiasm and lives the principles of helping others every day. Washington shared many Inca traditions and stories, gave us both Quechua names, and generally put a human face on what it means to be the descendent of the Inca culture working to preserve the best of the traditional ways in these modern times. I can truly say that meeting him may prove to be life-changing as I think about the ways I might continue to be associated with the principles he shared with us! Visiting Peru with Washington as a guide made me feel that I would return in a heartbeat.

In the Galapagos portion of the tour, the food was excellent and has dining room service to match. The MV Galapagos Legend is the best-run cruise ship I have ever encountered. The ship itself is gleaming white, clean and polished, attractively and comfortably furnished. The transportation back and forth on the pangas is done with ... Read All

Kathie Keane and Grace Becton (Islands and Incas 13-Day, Dec 2006)
Our guides made our trip wonderful!

Casey Kaptur (Islands and Incas -- Beluga, Oct 2006)
The Adventure Life Incas and Islands trip was excellent. Every aspect was as good or better than we had hoped. The Adventure Life contacts were always where they needed to be, pick-ups were prompt, the hotels were very nice, and the tours excellent.

I can't say enough good things about Ayul Acuna. He was a superb guide, but perhaps even more importantly, just a wonderful man who obviously took great pride in his country and his culture. He made our tour of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Macchu Pichu a tremendous success.

Thanks for a great trip!

Galapagos Multisport

Eileen Singer (Galapagos Multisport, Apr 2009)
that was the most amazing trip that I've ever taken. The guide was stupendous and the locals were phenomenal!!! I could do the same trip over and over again, and not ever be bored!!

my daughter had her 15th birthday in San Cristobal. Kudos to the wonderful staff at the Hotel Opuntia for the decorations, song and cake!

I had the pleasure of not just taking my family on the most fantastic tour of the Galapogos, but having the privilege of meeting local people who had hearts of gold and personalities brighter than the millions of stars that we saw every night!

Paige Harper (Galapagos Multisport, Mar 2009)
Our guide was terrific, he went above and beyond, even got my bag resewn by the local shoemaker when it was ripped.

I was excited to see the birds (I'm a birder), but the sealions were what realy blew me away. They were so playful and charismatic.

Fillipe was so knowledgable and would answer all of our never ending questions. He humored us with answers from "what's that?" to "why"s that". He knew everyone it seemed, which made it seem even more like we were his guest in his country! The local guides were very knowledgable also and pointed out things that we might have missed. Gordo would dive down to bring our attention to things, Carlos on Santa Cruz was great with the bird, and Carlos on Isabella was good because he was so communicative. Important safety reminder....if you are severly cacasan like I am....the sun laughs at 30 SPF at the equator... Tell others to take more tip money, they take such good care of you, we went through ours in no time, and had to get more!

Teresa Robinson (Galapagos Multisport, Mar 2009)
We loved staying with local establishments. The one on Isabella was our favorite location. The hotel on San Cristobal had the best food. (Our air conditioner didn't work) All of the hotel hosts were wonderful.

Felipe was the best. He was attentive to all of our needs and desires. Always encouraging and informative.

We had a small group which added to the enjoyment of the trip. We almost didn't go horseback riding. I'm glad we did. It was sooooo much fun.

Justin Boggs (Galapagos Multisport, Nov 2008)
Sebastian was an amazing guide. His support was amazing - both the guiding, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm, and the behind the scenes coordination. That coordination was less visible, but we were just as appreciative of his work to ensure that everything and everyone was where they needed to be when they needed to be there. He was proactive in scheduling our activities to catch the best that the islands had to offer with minimal interruption from other groups enjoying the same activities. We would look to specifically request him on future adventures, but also feel confident that he was representative of the types of skilled professionals that Adventure Life employs.

Susan Williams (Galapagos Multisport, Nov 2008)
Everything was organized and explained well by our guide.

Our guide seemed to know everyone which made it seem more like a family. The local guides on Isabella were great. Their enthusiasm was contagious!

I didn't know quite what to expect as this is my first guided trip since I was in college. It was great!

Barbara Lewis (Galapagos Multisport, Oct 2008)
Rebecca & Renee answered all of my husband's MANY questions promptly and with great information.

I would recommend this to to anyone that wants an adventure filled (aka non-stop) vacation.

We had the most awesome time. The other members of our trip were great and a joy to travel with. The trip was everything that I expected and more. Snorkeling with baby sea lions was extra special.

Rodney Lewis (Galapagos Multisport, Oct 2008)
Our tour leader, Fabisimo, was the best and despite him being sick during the trip, he never complained and did more than necessary to make the trip great for all of us.

Overall, could not have asked for a better trip which was our second with your firm. We'd recommend your trips to all of our friends. Exactly the adventure we read about and planned for. We went to bed each night, exhausted and happy.

We thought our previous Adventure Life trip to Costa Rica was great but this multisport to Galapagos was even better. The activity plan was well laid out and our guide was outstanding.

Rhea Guertin (Galapagos Multisport, Sep 2008)
Our Guide Alfredo was just the best. The local guides were good also helpful. Both went out of their way to be helpful to me.

The trip was just what I expected. We saw and did what we wanted. I have always wanted to visit the Galapagos Islands and was very happy to find a land based tour . Being able to see more of the Islands by the diverse activities was very good. Seeing up close a sea lion nursing her young was just great. Getting to see the birds I had only read about and the snorkeling was spectacular.Seeing things I didn't expect like the Galapagos Air Force( Blue footed boobies diving in formation) was a highlight. As you can see I did ENJOY!

Jennifer Lile (Galapagos Multisport, Jul 2008)
The standard pre-departure material sent to us was very helpful, but we especially appreciated the quick, personable responses from Adventure Life staff whenever we called or emailed with a question.

Every hotel was amazing--far better than we expected in every way. In fact, we've never stayed at nicer places in all of our travels. We almost felt a little guilty! Our absolute favorite was Casa Opuntia ...the rooms, the food, and the service were perfect. We honestly could have stayed forever.

Alfredo spoiled us for all other tours ... I can't imagine anyone leading a tour better than he does. He had the knowledge and skills of a seasoned guide (which he is) but the enthusiasm and passion of someone just starting out. He was funny and approachable, and he always welcomed our questions. He not only said that it was his job to make us happy and comfortable, but he always made sure that we were. He even took me surfing during an afternoon of free time, which cut into his own free time! We would love to go on ANY tour he's leading ... I have no doubt he's one of the best guides in the business.

The tour exceeded every expectation we had. We'd never been on a tour before, and we were actually concerned that it would feel restrictive after traveling in Ecuador for nearly a week on our own. It turned out to be exactly what we were looking for: action- and ... Read All

Nathan Pajor (Galapagos Multisport, Jan 2008)
It was better than expected. We feel like the land based tour of the Galapagos was the ideal way to experience the islands. We loved every part of it. Jan, our tour leader in the Galapagos was excellent. He did a great job explaining things and making things interesting.

Hiking Galapagos

Li-hsia Wang (Sacha Lodge + Hiking Galapagos, Aug 2009)
Im not generally interested in tours, preferring to have the flexibility of a non-structured vacation. However, for Amazonia and the Galapagos, I don't see how I could have seen/learned/enjoyed the experience as I did with your guides and arrangements--smooth transfers made it so easy, and once again let me praise your guides. Daniel Hicks at Sacha Lodge and Juan Fernando Duran in Galapagos were outstanding for their knowledge as well as their enthusiasm, and the special knowledge of all the local guides was a bonus. Daniel II, as we called him took good care of us in and around Otavalo and dealt well with travel arrangements up to the end of the trip. The tour guides are the strength of your tours.

Because of susceptibility to seasickness, we chose a land-based Galapagos tour, and were very pleased to have done so, not just for the seasickness reasons. With a group of only 5, we had a degree of flexibility which I suspect a cruise tour doesn't have. We had a chance to wander through towns, eat in restaurants, strike up conversations, experience different hotels (and their breakfasts). I arrived home with my head bursting with information and impressions--but did NOT feel hustled from site to site, though in retrospect we were pretty busy (eg from our first evening at the Sacha Lodge we were out looking at things, morning, afternoon, and evening, but ... Read All

Steven Hillyard (Sacha Lodge + Hiking Galapagos, Aug 2009)
Tour was wonderful. The places that we visited and the planned events were outstanding. The guides were superb: Daniel at Sasha Lodge, Daniel in Otavalo, and Juan Fernando in the Galapagos. All very knowledgeable, competent, and friendly. Local guides also were excellent

John Mitterer (Hiking Galapagos, May 2009)
Jen Barile and JOnathan Brunger were exemplary in their assistance. Alfredo Meneses, our tour leader in the Galapagos was outstanding. I have travelled many times but never with such an excellent person!

Kathleen Rollins (Hiking Galapagos, Feb 2009)
We had the best guide - Sebastian Jurado. Amazing - friendly, bright, knowledgeable about a wide range of subjects, capable - just great! This trip (Hiking Galapagos) was my third with Adventure Life, and it was fabulous. Our guide (Sebastian Jurado) was great, and the islands were a series of wonders, from the breaching whale to the dancing sea lions to the view from the top of the Sierra Negra volcano. A trip to remember!

I loved the small hotels, especially on the islands.

Dennis Beck (Sacha Lodge + Hiking Galapagos, Feb 2009)
This is the first time we've done a "guided" tour and I can't say enough good things about Adventure Life. We would recommend them to friend and would not hesitate to use them again.

Marissa was very helpful and responsive on a timely basis. Casa Aliso was great - wonderful hotel and very helpful staff. Sacha and Hacienda Pinsaqui were awesome.

Sebastian was our Galapagos guide and he is terrific. Luis was our guide for Cotopaxi and Otovalo. He is a wonderful young man and a terrific guide. Sacha guides were great.

Renate Johnson (Hiking Galapagos, Oct 2008)
Our tour leader Sebastian was very informative about Galapagos and caring about everyone's welfare in our group.

Pepe at Hotel Optunia on San Cristobal is a great cook!!! Great view. Staff at Hotel Fernandina very helpful with phone calls and e-mail. Casa Marita on Isabella had a great view and beautiful sunset!!!

Would recommend taking the tour during March-April in order to see the red pouch on Frigate birds, enjoy warmer water, see more plants in bloom.

Gayle Kearns (Hiking Galapagos, Jun 2008)
Very impressed by the whole experience. I have traveled extensively and Adventure Life was A-1 in all areas. I was most impressed with the travel guides, Sebastian and Jan that stayed with us in the Galapagos. I learned SO much from them about the wildlife, culture, etc. They were very patient with all our questions and demands. I talked to them about a return trip and look forward to visiting the islands again in the future.

Laura Read (Inca Pathways, Jun 2008)
Teddy contributed hugely to our enjoyment of the trip. He was fun, knowledgeable, responsible, thoughtful. He fit perfectly with us as a traveling companion, and gave us many laughs along the way. Also, his enthusiasm about architecture, history, birds and flowers is wonderful.

Susan McLeland (Hiking Galapagos, Mar 2008)
I cannot say enough good things about our guide, Sebastian. He is personable, enthusiastic, organized, friendly, knowledgeable, encouraging, and above all else, patient. He made sure that we fit in as many once-in-a-lifetime activities as possible at the same time that he worked to balance every member of the group's individual needs. Everywhere we went the locals greeted him with real enthusiasm, and I can understand why. It speaks well for your company that you attract such competent, compassionate and spirited guides.

I didn't want it to end. We loved all of the activities and really appreciated Adventure Life's agents taking care of the details so we were free to just enjoy them. We'll always treasure our memories of this tour. Thanks for providing us with an adventure that was exciting, challenging, fun and educational for every member of our family.

Nevokshonoff Family (Hiking Galapagos and Sacha Lodge, Dec 2007)
I'd recommend this tour to anyone interested in Ecuador. We feel that we were able to get an excellent overview of the country in a very short period of time. The trip was well organized and each guide was well informed and obviously well trained. The tour was everything we expected . . . and more. I never thought for an instant that I'd ever swim with hammerhead sharks!!! It was crazy, and with my wife, and 10 and 12 year old kids, too. Fantastic.

Ecuador Adventurer

Robert Digney (Ecuador Adventurer, Oct 2008)
The accommodations were great. Love the Hotel Rabida in Quito (rabbit mascot was great). Hot Springs were fantastic. Bellavista Cloud forest was great too.

By far the most friendly, knowledgeable & articulate tour guides in all my trips.

Food was great the entire time. Cooking during the trek was fantastic. Meals at the lodge were great

Alycen Lacombe (Ecuador Adventurer, Jul 2008)
Diego Altamirano for our biking and rafting was extremely friendly and was a wonderful guide. Luis Miguel on our camping was very accomodating and an excellent guide. The chef on our camping trip, Patricio, was so nice and made sure we had everything we needed. The porters and other crew members were extremely friendly.

Todd Beel (Ecuador Adventurer, Jan 2006)
On a scale of 1 to 10, this trip was a 10! You did a wonderful job. I love Ecuador and am hoping to go back next year.

Michelle Carrie and Brian Scott (Ecuador Adventurer, Oct 2002)
The organization of the trip was seamless. Each day unfolded exactly as planned. Bravo to Adventure Life...This trip is well suited for those who want an active, fast paced trip. We were a little apprehensive about our safety on this trip, but those fears were extinguished when we saw all of the safety precautions adopted by the local guides. (ie when biking, we were followed all day by a van in case of emergency or if we needed spare parts for the bikes. On the rafting days, a kayaker paddled ahead in case rescues were required.). Thankfully, we never needed the van or the kayaker but it was just nice knowing that they were there! The final day at the hot springs was the perfect finish...time to indulge in a well deserved massage.

Peggy Doekson (Ecuador Adventurer 16 day, Jan 2001)
This trip was the sort of trip I love- I learned loads, met people to continue connecting with and  moved through Ecuador in a just right "insiders" way. I was introduced to the very best of Ecuador...I have never had such a short trip that I had so many stories to tell-it seemed like we lived about a year in our short time...I think the  variety of accommodations from hacienda to hostel was excellent!

Tanya Smith (Ecuador Adventurer 16 day, Jan 2001)
Very Organized! Very enthusiastic leaders,…excellent knowledge, very accommodating, very friendly and helpful.  Everything at the jungle lodge was superb! The trip was more than I expected, much more!