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Ecuador

-- Amazon Adventure --

Robert Parthun and Lori Kuhn (Amazon Adventure, Jan 2007)
I have only a few words...The Amazon...an amazing adventure...just do it!!

Michael Haynes (Amazon Adventure, Jul 2007)
This trip was very well done. I cannot think of anything I would add or change to improve it. I loved the Shiripuno Lodge!

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.

Cherry and Beth Baker (Amazon Adventure + Galapagos 7-day cruise, Jul 2005)
I just want you to know that Beth and I had wonderful times on both trips with the Amazon trip being a life-changing experience. Beth is currently a graduate student in environmental/energy engineering at Stanford and that Amazon experience is invaluable to her. We talk about it all the time and she still wears the bracelet Tidi ( our Huarani guide ) made her. I’ll never forget kayaking back to the lodge as the sun set over the jungle and flocks of macaws screeched overhead looking for a roosting tree.

Thanks to our wonderful Ecuadorian guide for sharing his country and superb knowledge with us. He was also one of the most fun people I have ever met.

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.

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!

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

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.

Amanda & Joseph Berglund (Amazon Adventurer, Jul 2002)
Alfredo brought everything we needed for camping & the Galapagos boat was lovely. Everyone was there to meet us as expected. Alfredo was great and knowledgable. The local guide he hired, Stanley, was wonderful. The crews on both trips were great.

John Geary (Amazon Adventurer, Aug 2002)
I've taken several guided trips similar to this one, with many different companies, and in many different locations - in Belize, Africa and Canada - but this trip provided, without a doubt, the best service I've ever experienced from a tour group. Alfredo and his guides were friendly, down-to-earth and real, going way above and beyond the call of duty that is so important in customer-service industries. They were very knowledgeable, educating us about the area and its people. And the gourmet jungle feasts were fantastic!

- John Geary, freelance travel writer/photographer

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.

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-- Amazon Discoveries: Search for the Pink Dolphin --

Katie Egerton (Machu Picchu by Train and Wildlife Odyssey, Oct 2007)
A wonderful once in a lifetime experience. It was everything we expected, and better than expected in most parts!

I will definitely recommend Adventure Life to people planning to travel in South America. The standard of accommodation, tour guides and the fact that we could rely absolutely on being managed in transition was fantastic.

Marianne Kutz and Antal Szijj (Guatemala Custom Tour, Jul 2007)
We were so pleased and thrilled by the amount of effort your staff went through to take care of EVERY detail and request on our custom tour, from the birthday wine to finding specialized birding guides. It was perfect! Very organized, yet flexible to our needs every step of the way. We couldn't have been happier with everything.

Hannan Family (Custom Costa Rica, Jul 2007)
We wanted to make a last-minute change and really appreciated Adventure Life accommodating it, especially when it involved two lodges and a change in transportation time. The trip was wonderful, very relaxing, but plenty to do when we wanted to. Marcos, who drove us to and from Puerto Jimenez, was great about stopping to show us wildlife - he pointed out monkey and crocodiles!

Catherine Pendlebury (Galapagos Cruise: Corals, Jun 2007)
The Casa Aliso is a beautiful hotel. This was the best tour ever and will be hard to top!

Christopher Nurko (Independent Testimonial - Inca Trail, Jul 2006)
Dear Adventure Life -

I would just like to compliment your company on one of your guides for the Inca Trail. I booked my trip with a competitor firm but while on my trek met one of your guides named Vidal. I was happy with my tour guide - but was impressed with Vidal and his knowledge, friendliness and concern for trekkers other than his "clients". As it turned out - I became friends with his trek clients through him which enhanced my experience and visit. However -the most impressive thing was his concern on the final day of the trek for a girl who had fallen and injured herself (a torn ligament). Vidal helped her to receive medical attention at Machu Picchu, he carried her backpack, and generally lent assistance - and he wasn't even her guide! To me - this is a professional - and one who well represents your firm; plus it is the true spirit of Peru - kind, helpful and not only in search of tourist dollars! I hope you may be able to commend him or reward him. Next time I will consider Adventure Life on the basis of his representation of your firm!

Christopher Nurko

London, England

Ann Astrove (Adventure Pacifica, Jun 2006)
You were the first site on the Internet that I looked at. I was so impressed with the amount of information and how thorough it was that I hardly looked at any others. Even though this was my first time traveling with a travel group/company, I felt comfortable with my choice based on the support of your staff and the supply of details. I'm looking forward to another trip!

Gerald and Judith Porter (Guatemala Explorer, Jun 2006)
We have done extensive adventure travel prior to this trip, and we would rate this as the best organized trip we have taken. We'd be happy to highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this type of travel.

Sheila Babbie (Incas and Rainforest + Nazca extension, May 2006)
I typically travel solo, but after this trip I may never plan again! You made everything simple and painless.

Elinor Petusky (Inca Pathways, May 2006)
Everything went off like clockwork and everyone took great care of us. Our guide was great - knowledgeable, caring, competent, enthusiastic and good company.

Thank you for organizing such a wonderful and carefree adventure for me and my friends. We will talk about it for years to come!

Larry Brassem (Machu Picchu by Train, Mar 2006)
As a rule, we take beach type and cruise trips. This was our first "adventure"-type trip. We loved it! There is not a better way to integrate into the local culture.

Mary Hilton (Galapagos Category I Cruise (Angelique), Mar 2006)
Thank you so much for making this somewhat inexperienced world traveler feel so confident. The trip to the Galapagos changed my worldview and the trip went so smoothly. I had a wonderful time!

Dot Meola (Hamanasi Adventure + Ambergris Caye, Mar 2006)
This was our second tour with Adventure Life and it was so relaxing and fun. We were very confident going to Central America knowing that everything would run smoothly. We had a great mix of adventure and relaxation, and are trying to decide where to go next!

Dennis Riordan (Galapagos Category 1 Cruise - Angelique + Sacha Lodge, Mar 2006)
Amazing! The duration of my trip was one month - and this was my first international travel experience! With Adventure Life I always knew someone was there for me. What a great comfort! The trip was far beyond my expectations!!

Pam and Brian Layzell (Belize Explorer - Ambergris Caye, Feb 2006)
We not only enjoyed the activities and sites that we visited but also the way that the tour was conducted with respect to supporting the local economy. This allowed us to become more intimate with the people, their culture and their way of life. This could not have happened on a typical vacation, or if we would have planned the trip ourselves.

Tuhin Sen (Machu Picchu by Train, Dec 2005)
This was our second trip with Adventure Life. We couldn't believe it, but this trip even outdid our first one! There really is no equal when it comes to South American vacation packages. Please keep up the good work!

Jill Montgomery (Galapagos Luxury Cruise - Eclipse, Nov 2005)
This was one of the best trips we have ever taken! It is the first time we have traveled with a company making the arrangements for us - we usually travel independently. We loved what Adventure Life did for us and we would not have seen or done so much as independent travelers.

We hope to spend more time in the future traveling to South America, and we now would not attempt to do so without Adventure Life making the arrangements!

Brenda Simmons (Guatemala Explorer, Dec 2005)
I've never had such a well-executed tour anywhere, anytime! Traveling in a third world country is generally a crapshoot, at best. Adventure Life made it an amazing adventure!

Jonathan Siekmann (Machu Picchu by Train + Inti Raymi, Jun 2005)
The tour was everything we expected and more! Peru is such a charming country. I really appreciated the values and spirit of Adventure Life. I got a sense of them from the website, and the reality on the ground reflected my expectations.

Bonnie and Joseph Lamphere (Rainforest and Ruins - Belize, Jan 2005)
We did things, went places, and saw things we never would have otherwise. This was not the "same old vacation" - and we had fun! I don't think that we've ever dealt with a travel company that took so much care with its customers. Usually, once the money is paid for a vacation, you're pretty much on your own. But we never felt that way at all with Adventure Life. There was always a resource person available and we really appreciated that. Thanks, we had a great time!

Christoph and Nancy Schachinger (Beaches and Rainforest - Costa Rica, Apr 2005)
This is the best vacation we have ever had!!! The trip wasn't what we expected - it was better! We are not "tour" type of people, and so we were apprehensive about the trip at first. But we never felt that we were part of a tour group during our time in Costa Rica. Everything was perfect and we can't imagine going anywhere in Latin America without going with Adventure Life!

Jeralyn O'Brien (Awesome Argentina, Mar 2005)
Adventure Life put together a great trip, did all the planning and work, and I just enjoyed! It really was an awesome trip and I would definitely be interested in traveling with your company again!

Stewart and Maryann Shaw (Earth, Fire, and Water, Mar 2005)
The tour was marvelous! This was the first time we used a tour company to plan our vacations, and we felt really catered to. Having a guide who was so knowledgeable made the trip so relaxing. We didn't have to worry about where we needed to go to next or if we would have problems with the language barrier, so it really took the pressure off of us!

Annie Gage, Barbara Green, and Corey Greengage (Beaches and Rainforest, Feb 2005)
The trip was wonderful! We had so much fun. Selva Bananito was just amazing.

Price Family (Adventure Pacifica, Dec 2004)
This was the best trip we have ever taken! We had never done a tour before, but after this experience we would go on another. Everything was perfect and we felt pampered, informed, and well-cared for. Our guide took care of any arrangements that needed to be made along the way, so we were free to enjoy the trip. It was an "adventure" and a true vacation in every sense of the word. Thanks for making our trip so very special!

Suzanne Bland (Reefs & Cayes + Mayan Mysteries + Adventure Pacifica +Peru Custom, Feb 2004)
I had a fantastic trip. I was extremely impressed by all the tour guides Adventure Life had selected, the accommodations, meals, tours, and the whole organization of my trip. It was far better than I could have hoped for. Thank you for organizing it so well. I also recommended Adventure Life to many other travelers along the way as they were impressed with the activities I was doing and how I was able to fit so many tours together without one single problem all the way through.

Scott and Pamela Orton (Mare Australis + Iguazu Falls, Apr 2004)
Having private tours and small group expeditions is the only way to do this type of trip. While others were herded like sheep, we were given hands on experiences such as tasting medicinal bark and learning to use lichen as dye.

Joyce Able (Wild Tambopata, Jul 2004)
On the final day of our trip Sandy said, "I can't think of any way to have made this trip better." Neither could I. The Wild Tambopata 7 Day trip was absolutely fantastic!!!! When we signed on with Adventure Life, we did it with some apprehension. After all, I had found Adventure Life by doing an internet search. All we really knew about Adventure Life was what was written on the web site. Truth or fiction? We have the answer to that question now- truth!...From the time we were picked up at the airport in Puerto Maldonado by our guide, Gaby, and our driver we felt in good hands. Gaby was our guide during the time we were in the Amazon. Almost unbelievable.... If I were to plan another trip to any part of South America to which Adventure Life arranges trips, I wouldn't have to do another internet search. I'd go straight to Adventure Life!

Marc Simon (Beaches and Rainforest, Dec 2004)
I just want to tell you that we had a fantastic time and thank you for the great job Adventure Life did on putting our trip together. I don't know how you found the places and people that you connected us with, but they were awesome. Your people even pulled us through when our luggage did not arrive with our international flight by coordinating its retrieval. We will definately keep you in mind for a future trip. It was one of the best things we've done together as a family, and a trip we'll be talking about for many years!

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-- Amazon Exploration: Pañacocha Lakes Systems --

Katie Egerton (Machu Picchu by Train and Wildlife Odyssey, Oct 2007)
A wonderful once in a lifetime experience. It was everything we expected, and better than expected in most parts!

Catherine Pendlebury (Galapagos Cruise: Corals, Jun 2007)
The Casa Aliso is a beautiful hotel. This was the best tour ever and will be hard to top!

Christopher Nurko (Independent Testimonial - Inca Trail, Jul 2006)
Dear Adventure Life -

Christopher Nurko

London, England

Sheila Babbie (Incas and Rainforest + Nazca extension, May 2006)
I typically travel solo, but after this trip I may never plan again! You made everything simple and painless.

Thank you for organizing such a wonderful and carefree adventure for me and my friends. We will talk about it for years to come!

We hope to spend more time in the future traveling to South America, and we now would not attempt to do so without Adventure Life making the arrangements!

Annie Gage, Barbara Green, and Corey Greengage (Beaches and Rainforest, Feb 2005)
The trip was wonderful! We had so much fun. Selva Bananito was just amazing.

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-- Amazon Quest: Exploring the Napo River --

Katie Egerton (Machu Picchu by Train and Wildlife Odyssey, Oct 2007)
A wonderful once in a lifetime experience. It was everything we expected, and better than expected in most parts!

Catherine Pendlebury (Galapagos Cruise: Corals, Jun 2007)
The Casa Aliso is a beautiful hotel. This was the best tour ever and will be hard to top!

Christopher Nurko (Independent Testimonial - Inca Trail, Jul 2006)
Dear Adventure Life -

Christopher Nurko

London, England

Sheila Babbie (Incas and Rainforest + Nazca extension, May 2006)
I typically travel solo, but after this trip I may never plan again! You made everything simple and painless.

Thank you for organizing such a wonderful and carefree adventure for me and my friends. We will talk about it for years to come!

We hope to spend more time in the future traveling to South America, and we now would not attempt to do so without Adventure Life making the arrangements!

Annie Gage, Barbara Green, and Corey Greengage (Beaches and Rainforest, Feb 2005)
The trip was wonderful! We had so much fun. Selva Bananito was just amazing.

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-- 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

Sandy Schaffer (Andes and Amazon, Aug 2007)
The organization and reliability of Adventure Life tours is of paramount importance to me, and you have never let me down. Being in an unfamiliar environment, it was very important to be able to count on a responsible guide who kept our comings and goings in good order. Our main guide, Gustavo, was wonderful. He was knowledgeable, well organized, and always attuned to our well being and comfort. I know it takes real skill and commitment to stay with a small group over a 14 day period and keep everything going smoothly.

I'd like to compliment Adventure Life on once again having a well balanced and interesting itinerary. I very much enjoyed all the places we stayed, the pace of the tour, and the ability to see various artisans creating their work. Otavalo market was wonderful, but enjoyed even more going into specific shops, as the work seemed to be of very high quality. Ecuador is a unique place to visit, quite different from Peru and definitely worthy of seeing. I particularly enjoyed going from the large city of Quito, to Cuenca and on to the jungles. Our last stop at the hacienda was a real gem. Keep up the good work!

Gregory Griffith and Marilyn Monroe (Andes and Amazon, Oct 2005)
Our guide, Gustavo, worked very hard to make everything go smoothly and we appreciated that very much. He is VERY well informed on all aspects of Ecuador touring and his cultural knowledge is superb. As there were only the 3 of us, we did request more hiking options rather than city sightseeing and market shopping. Gustavo easily provided us with fun alternatives. We really had a great time on this tour as we did in Peru last year. You can expect to see us again for sure.

Kay Gruss (Andes and Amazon, Jul 2002)
The Andes and Amazon tour was excellent!!! I never expected the country to be so beautiful! There is such a variety of things to see- from glaciers to jungle. I felt as though all the beauty in the U.S. and more was compacted into one little country. Our guide, Gustavo Rios, was outstanding! He truly made the trip a memorable one. As I said on the front, he is very friendly, accomodating, knowledgeable, and fun to be with. He exuded a real pride in his country and helped us all to fall in love with its beauty and diversity. He was flexible and wanted only what was best for his passengers. He was a fountain of knowledge regarding the geography, history, and culture of Ecuador. He was fun and delightful to be with. He made all of our experiences truly enjoyable...A trip like this is a gift to be cherished forever!

Fran Spicer (Andes and Amazon, Jul 2002)
Everyone was very helpful; I had lots of questions. Gustavo Rios was the best leader - intelligent - fun - good company. The trip was really for my grandson - he had the time of his life. I had a great time too. The country is beautiful. I loved it.

Janet Bass (Andes and Amazon, Jan 2001)
The accommodations were very comfortable and friendly throughout the tour, especially friendly in Cuenca. Juan Munos (guide) was wonderful. He made the trip interesting, comfortable and informative. He was very flexible in meeting unexpected events and provided space for exploring on our own and experiencing things that wouldn't have occured had he been around to translate. For example, while strolling the island of Tena, three 8-year-old children adopted us and guided us around the exhibits, pointing out animals they liked or thought we should see. We didn't always understand, but had great fun! The food was good, especially the fresh fruit juices, we miss them.

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-- Ecuador Adventurer --

Larry Ceplair and Christine Holmgren (Ecuador Adventure, Jan 2007)
The guides were all excellent-friendly, enthusiastic, and experts in their fields. This tour was one of the best we have experienced and the scheduling of events was perfect.

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.

Tanya Smith (Ecuador Advnturer, Jan 2003)
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!

Gerla Stienen (Ecuador Advnturer, Jan 2003)
Very well organized, educational, and diverse throughout the entire experience! In regards to pre-departure support: Very personal and friendly service available to answer all questions.

Patrick McNeal (Ecuador Advnturer, Jan 2003)
I liked the variety. (accommodations) It was also good to spend time in the small villages. I can't say how impressed I was with our guides! The food was excellent. Everything worked like clockwork-amazing!! (Of the trip overall) Incredible! I had been in South America before but I felt like a mere outsider. This trip made me feel like an insider. I had a true sense of what life was like in the mountains and in the jungle. I liked being with the Ecuadorians. I enjoyed the buses, the hostels and the small villages.

Peggy Doekson (Ecuador Advnturer, Jan 2003)
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!

Allen Rosini and Aimee Dean (Ecuador Adventurer, Aug 2002)
Excellent- it was everything we hoped and more... We will recommend this trip to others. We highly recommend Miguel and Sebastian- very skilled, knowledgeable, and friendly.

John Neu (Ecuador Adventurer, Jul 2002)
I was very happy with my Ecuador Adventurer. The itinerary was well-planned and the guides were professional, friendly, and knowledgable. I had a really great time. Accommodations: The Hotel Sierra Madre is in a good location, and the staff spoke great English and were exceptionally helpful. Mindo Gardens Hotel was wonderful. The grounds of the hotel were beautiful, and my room in our separate bungalow was spacious and well-appointed. My tent for the three day trek around Antisana was very large and modern, and I was given all of the equipment I needed for comfort. Guides: Miguel Vera, our tour guide for the mountain biking and Mindo Lodge parts of the Ecuador Adventurer Tour, was excellent, and I was very impressed. He is very intelligent and well informed about the local ecosystems and geography, and was willing to share his views on Ecuadorian culture, economics, and politics. Sebastian Ponce, our guide for the Antisana trek, also was excellent, and I was very impressed. He is also very intelligent and well-informed about local flora, fauna and geography and was very friendly and professional.

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.

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!

Gerla Stienen (Ecuador Adventurer 16 day, Jan 2001)
Very well organized, educational, and diverse throughout the entire experience! In regards to pre-departure support: Very personal and friendly service available to answer all questions.

Patrick McNeal (Ecuador Adventurer 16 day, Jan 2001)
I liked the variety. (accommodations) It was also good to spend time in the small villages.

I can't say how impressed I was with our guides! The food was excellent. Everything worked like clockwork-amazing!! (Of the trip overall) Incredible! I had been in South America before but I felt like a mere outsider. This trip made me feel like an insider. I had a true sense of what life was like in the mountains and in the jungle. I liked being with the Ecuadorians. I enjoyed the buses, the hostels and the small villages.

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!

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-- From the Panama Canal to the Andes --

Katie Egerton (Machu Picchu by Train and Wildlife Odyssey, Oct 2007)
A wonderful once in a lifetime experience. It was everything we expected, and better than expected in most parts!

Catherine Pendlebury (Galapagos Cruise: Corals, Jun 2007)
The Casa Aliso is a beautiful hotel. This was the best tour ever and will be hard to top!

Christopher Nurko (Independent Testimonial - Inca Trail, Jul 2006)
Dear Adventure Life -

Christopher Nurko

London, England

Sheila Babbie (Incas and Rainforest + Nazca extension, May 2006)
I typically travel solo, but after this trip I may never plan again! You made everything simple and painless.

Thank you for organizing such a wonderful and carefree adventure for me and my friends. We will talk about it for years to come!

We hope to spend more time in the future traveling to South America, and we now would not attempt to do so without Adventure Life making the arrangements!

Annie Gage, Barbara Green, and Corey Greengage (Beaches and Rainforest, Feb 2005)
The trip was wonderful! We had so much fun. Selva Bananito was just amazing.

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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.).

Lisa Jagielski (Galapagos Multisport, Aug 2007)
Having traveled with Adventure Life last year and having a great trip I had high expectations of this one as well, but it far exceeded them! I cannot say enough good things about our guide Fabricio. He was friendly, very enthusiastic, knowledgeable and more than competent. When we had a plane delay and were short on time, he always had a plan B. When he saw we all had had enough of the ocean, after getting seasick on the boat from Santa Cruz to San Cristobal he again had a plan B for us. He was very alert and responsive to our needs, sometimes he knew what we needed even before we did. He far exceeded my already high expectations!

Again I don't really have the words to describe how great this trip was other than to say I had very high expectations and it far exceeded them. When I go on vacation I want to have fun, be active and see new things. I want to go to bed each night exhausted from a full day of activities. I got to do all of this on this trip. The Galapagos Islands are an amazing place. The animals are unique. The terrain and plants are so weird it seemed like we visited other planets at times, not just another part of the world. I can't recommend this trip or Adventure Life enough!

(Patti Hill, Galapatos Multisport 9 day, Jul 2007)
The Galapagos Multisport tour was beyond wonderful! Generally, at the end of a good vacation, the time seems to have passed very quickly. At the end of the Galapagos Multisport, we felt that we had spent a month on the islands! Each day was full of activities and we learned so much about the islands and wildlife in an unbelievably short time.

There were so many highlights that it is hard to name just a few. While snorkeling at Kickes Rock off of San Cristobal, we saw about 40 Galapagos sharks, spotted eagle rays, a sea turtle as well as shoals of brightly colored fish. At the beach, we snorkeled again with sea lions whose playful antics kept us amused for hours. At Isabela, we rode on horseback up the slopes of the second largest active volcano crater in the world and hiked across the crater to magnificent views of the islands.

The friendliness of our local guide was amazing. Alfredo was tremendous fun, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The lodge staff were all exceptionally friendly and helpful. The tour was absolutely wonderful. I would recommend it to anyone and I want to come back with my husband and son very soon!

Ken Serkjownek (Galapagos Multisport , Apr 2007)
Our guides, Alfredo and Fabio, were both helpful, fun, and knowledgeable. I had a great time-a good balance between information and activity.

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

Donna and Michael Pachota (Galapagos Multisport, Aug 2006)
I would definitely travel with Adventure Life again. They were very helpful. Marissa, DarAnne, and our local guides Alfredo and Valentin were so knowledgeable and professional, yet fun. They assessed our group and the other group that toured tandem with us (alternating activities) and tailored everything to our two different groups. The other group consisted primarily of 20 and 30 year old couples-while our group consisted of three couples in their 50's. The guides knew what activities to scale up or down and what we could do together and yet all have fun. We had a blast!

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!

John and Pamela Holic (Galapagos Multisport, Aug 2006)
Our predeparture accomodations were better than expected. The tour was a memorable experience and we are ready for another!

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.

Jennifer Duberstein & Benjamin Lockshin (Galapagos Multisport, Jun 2006)
The local guide, Miguel, was amazing. He led the group well, answered everyone's questions, was full of knowledge, was reliable and hardworking. He made the trip great--he even went running with me into the highlands and on beaches!

This trip was a perfect adventure. I experienced this special world in every way--swam with sea lions, biked in the mountains (and had to stop for a "turtle crossing"), came within inches of giant tortoises, hiked a volcano (after a horseback trek) . . . Every day was its own journey of fun, activity, and challenge. This was a life experience I'm so happy I didn't miss out on. I can't wait to go on another Adventure Life trip! Thank you!

Frank & Paige Krekeler (Galapagos Multisport, Jun 2006)
Miguel and Alfredo were fantastic guides. They were flexible and had great enthusiasm. They even went to dinner with us each night! The tour was fantastic . . . the trip of a lifetime! It was a great trip with a good assortment of activities. We got to see things that the cruise tours could not see.

Steven Dodson (Galapagos Multisport, Jan 2006)
The tour was excellent! We enjoyed the guides a lot - they were the perfect match for an active group.

Ed Weihenmayer and Maryann Dahl (Galapagos Multisport, Dec 2005)
We felt very pampered on the trip. Everything was efficient and went smoothly. The tour was Excellent with a capital "E"!

[ Back to Top ]

-- Hiking Galapagos --

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.

Bob, Kitzy & Rebecca Parker (Hiking Galapagos, Nov 2007)
Sebastian, our main guide, had such an enthusiasm and knowledge for the Islands that you just soaked up his every word. He was excellent!! In fact, we miss him. The naturalists (San Cristobal-Vicente; Santa Cruz-Gallo; & Isabella-Omar)were all outstanding. Their love of all that entailed the Islands was contagious.

This trip was beyond words. Before I selected this hiking trip, I debated on either taking this type of trip or the boat cruise. But we were so PLEASED to do the hiking tour as we were able to stay on the islands and to get the feel of its culture and people.

We feel so lucky that we used the services of Adventure Life. You all provided us from start to finish everything to make our trip one that will be etched in our memories for a lifetime.

Kris, Mollie, Lucas & Aidan Jensen (Hiking Galapagos, Nov 2007)
Our trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos far exceeded our expectations. We have never done a packaged 'tour' before and were concerned it would lack spontaneity and privacy. The reality was the quality of the guide, the well-thought out agenda and attention to detail provided an experience we could never have created on our own. Our kids (10 and 7) will remember this trip for its adventure, culture, animals, great food and friendly people. We could not have asked for more. Outstanding!

Karen Smith (, Nov 2007)
The trip was an adventure and more than met my expectations of the Galapagos. They were very high from wanting to go there for the past 20 years, but being unwilling to go on a boat as I am not a person who would enjoy being cooped up on a boat. I loved the hiking! I would highly recommend it and was so glad to have your land based experience.

Daniel Kuhnen (Hiking Galapagos, Apr 2007)
Sebastian was a great leader-he gave great briefings before and after excursions. The cooks were very good at Casa de Marita. The crew even came in early one morning to get our breakfast prepared so we could get an early start on our day. This tour was excellent and the trip of a lifetime. The hiking, snorkeling, boat trips, and beaches were all great.

Robyne and Paul Rast (Hiking Galapagos 9 Day, Sep 2006)
Our tour guide, Alfredo, was super. His enthusiasm and "zest" for his country and the Galapagos islands was infectious. He was "awesome!!"

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-- Islands and Incas --

Robyn Swanson & Brian Lepine (Machu Picchu by Train and Galapagos Category III on Eric / Letty / Flamingo, Jan 2008)
My spouse and I normally prefer independent travel to tour groups, so the Incas and Galapagos trip was an exception. But thanks to Adventure Life's excellent guides and superb accommodations, we will definitely be back for more. I really appreciated having the trip tailor-made for us, allowing us to select our own dates. We also were impressed that our trip was still a go even with only three of us. Talk about special service. That was fantastic. Plus, our guide Vidal was amazing. Thanks to everyone at Adventure Life Journeys for helping us realize some personal goals and bank some incredible memories.

Deal Family (Machu Picchu by Train and Galapagos on the Darwin, Dec 2007)
We had a once in a lifetime experience in Peru and the Galapagos! We will recommend this trip through Adventure Life to our friends!

Brian Hopkins (Islands and Incas - 7 Day Tour onboard the Seaman, Sep 2007)
This was a very well organized trip. Lots of connection that had to happen in concert that did; I had a great time!

Our guides were EXCELLENT!! Especially Vidal in Perú! He was so friendly and knowledgeable! What an great asset to the company and a tremendous ambassador to his country, and Rafael in the Galápagos was great too! Everyone was exceptional, it's hard to thank everyone, but perhaps the staff at del Prado in Cusco earn a particularly high mark as friendly and helpful. All the drivers were safe and friendly. The boat crew was very friendly, too.

This was truly an adventure; just what I was looking for. Hands on, in the water, in the mountains, with the people, learning the land - GREAT!

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

Oblock Family (Islands and Incas, Jun 2007)
Truly the highlight of our trip was getting to know our guide, Vidal in Cusco. We fell in love with Peru, but also felt as though our family grew to include Vidal. We were amazed how organized this trip was and we appreciate how clean and well maintained the vehicles were. The food was a great mix of local foods and some "Western" foods so our kids were always comfortable with the meals. No one got ill at anytime.

We just returned yesterday so it will take several weeks to digest all that happened, so our first impressions are what we have to offer: We all fell in love with Peru. I find it hard to accept the description of the country as "third world" because their riches are beyond measure; their culture, charm, and pride in their country is remarkable. Of course our guides fed our passion for Peru, Ludio in Lake Titicaca and especially Vidal in Cusco and Machu Picchu. Many thanks to Adventure Life. Our next trip will be with you!

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

Jennifer Gust and Nathan Mirocha (Islands and Incas 13-Day, Nov 2006)
This tour was the best trip we've taken thus far-hands down. We hope to return to South America someday soon. Our friends are going to hear all about our wonderful Adventure Life trip.

Sharon and Alton Mattioli (Islands and Incas 13-Day, Nov 2006)
Our guide, Marco Palomino, was a gem. His knowledge of nature, culture, and history as well as his enthusiasm for sharing these really made this trip.

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!

Beth and John Lawton (Islands and Incas, Jul 2006)
From planning through execution, you were thorough, took care of all the details, and made our trip pure pleasure!

Herbert and Veronica Stein (Islands and Incas - Millennium, May 2006)
Everything was done right! It was great not to worry about connections, taxis, etc. Our guides were fantastic! The food on the Millennium was great - we wanted to take the chef home! Our guide in Peru knew all of the best places to eat. The trip exceeded our expectations.

Cindy White (Islands and Incas - Spondylus, Mar 2006)
Everything went exactly as planned. I especially loved how quaint all the hotels were! It made our vacation so memorable. The tour was beyond our expectations! We will tell all of our friends to use your services!

Gary Hathaway (Islands and Incas (Seaman), Apr 2006)
The local guides were very informed and helpful. They allowed us the opportunity to search out our own interests. The ship's crew was great and the food was excellent. In particular the birthday celebration and cake for me was a memory that I'll cherish - how thoughtful of the crew!!

Clair and Jonson group (Islands and Incas (Eric/Letty/Flamingo) + Kapawi Lodge, Jul 2005)
The staff on the trip was great. Our transfer person in Quito even helped us by running back to get our camera that we forgot at the hotel! The tour was amazing. It was more than we expected in so many ways!

Rick and Barbara Desautels (Islands and Incas (Fragata), Dec 2005)
We had an exceptionally great trip! Our guides, both in Peru and the Galapagos, were excellent - very personable and very knowledgeable. All of the members of the crew on board the Fragata were exceptionally cheerful and helpful.

Mary Gilbert, Daria Casilli & Joann Levins (Islands and Incas (Archipel), Sep 2005)
I cannot say enough kind things about our guide, Juan Carlos, in Peru -- we never felt rushed, there was always plenty of time to do everything. He obviously took great joy in sharing his country's history with us. We enjoyed all the hotels we stayed at in Peru and in Quito. Everyone was very friendly and very helpful. The food was great in Peru and on the Archipel -- I can't recall a disappointing meal. The tour was great -- many wonderful memories.

Debbie & Gentry Jones (Islands and Incas (Samba), Oct 2005)
Our Peru leader was excellent! Our guide in Galapagos was exceptional. We got the best from both countries. This was our best vacation ever! Our days in Peru were jammed packed with activities from early am to pm. Our guide in Peru was excellent and spent every day and evening with us. he had the knowledge of a library!

The weather gods were with us at Machu Picchu when we arrived for some very good photographing and the sun came out, the next day, after a rainy night, for our hike up the mountain. Such a spiritual country -- we enjoyed every place we went and tried corn beer too! The food was excellent.

Onto Galapagos where we were met by our "Samba" tour guide. He was self taught in English and was very well educated about the Islands. Very passionate about the environment and effects of people on the Islands. I appreciated his awareness and great humor! The crew were hard working and friendly and the itinerary was the best! Thanks Adventure Life staff for a great trip of a lifetime. We will definitely return one day.

Sabrina Keisch and John Smith (Islands and Incas - Corals, Jul 2005)
The trip was a dream come true! We learned, explored, relaxed, snorkeled, climbed... It was truly wonderful! It was really more than we expected. We knew we would see amazing scenery, but what was really impressive was how the guides were able to give so much history of the people who lived in the region. The knowledge and professionalism of the guides and crew was key. The history, places, tours, and activities made this the trip of a lifetime.

The Browne Group (Islands and Incas (Beagle), Jun 2005)
Even though we were traveling to such remote places, it was as easy as travel in the U.S.! Your staff allowed our group to have no concerns for 2 weeks!!

Earl and Kathy Gipe (Islands and Incas (Archipel), Sep 2005)
Our tour was excellent - one of the very best that we've taken. Our groups were small, so we had personalized attention throughout the trip. The local guides were fabulous, and the food - especially on the yacht - was wonderful!

Frances and Robert Gillis (Islands and Incas - Fragata, May 2005)
Our trip was excellent! If we had custom made this trip, it would have been the same as what we experienced with this tour package. We were surprised at how comfortable and relaxing it was on the boat. We were also pleased with the quality of and the quaint character of the hotels. Our guide in the Galapagos was very knowledgeable and his love of nature and his work was contagious! Our Peruvian guide was also exceptional. His shared not only his knowledge of his country but also his spirit and devotion to his land and his people. He made us feel like more than just tourists! What else can we say? You provided us with the perfect blend of creature comforts, nature, and activity. We were lucky to have found you!

Courtney Jordan (Islands and Incas - Archipel, Jun 2005)
Thank you for such a great trip! Everything was very well organized and spelled out for us in the welcome packet that we received when we arrived in Lima. Our guide in Peru took care of us from the moment he picked us up at the airport to our sad good-byes. He shared as much of his country with us as he could in our short time together. He taught us not only the facts and myths about the Inca civilization, but he also showed us the wonderful people of Peru, the plants and animals found there, and what everyday life is like there. While doing this teaching, he also made sure that everyone in the group had their needs met and that they would be able to take home a positive experience. This was a fantastic trip that I will forever remember as a favorite. I would definitely consider Adventure Life for a future trip and would recommend your services to anyone thinking of going to South America.

Jennifer Nicole Miller (Islands and Incas, Dec 2004)
The tour was excellent! Peru was filled with color - from the people to the food. I especially enjoyed the markets in Cusco and Pisac. Both Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu were very spiritual places, and it was so nice to have two full days to spend at the ruins at Machu Picchu. The Galapagos is a biologist’s paradise! Our trip was, without a doubt, one of a lifetime!

Patti Stone and James Gutmann (Islands and Incas, Jan 2004)
It is so wonderful to be able to rely on someone to get you from one place to another- Everyone was grand. Marco Palomino (tour leader) deserves a big raise!! He made Peru come alive for us. His passion for his country and vast knowledge really made the trip...I only took 266 photos- And have spent hours editing. The sights were wonderous and the guides truly knew the areas and made us feel intimately involved in the culture, flora, and fauna.

Vigdis Lovo and Karen Roberts (Islands and Incas + Sacha Lodge, Mar 2004)
David- the guide in Peru- was very friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Both the crew on the Galapagos cruise and staff and guides at Sacha Lodge were very good. [Overall] excellent- we've got memories for life!

Anne and Charles Andersen (Islands and Incas, Mar 2004)
We felt everyone in your organizaton was helpful and professional. We felt you offered better value than your competition and have already recommended Adv. Life to friends and a school group.

Judith and Nehemiah Hasak (Islands and Incas + Amazon, Apr 2004)
Our trip was very exciting and well organized. We would highly recommend you and the trip. You can give our name for recommendation. We hope to use your services for future trips. Your standard is high and you employ professional, good people. You could not ask for more!!

John and Catherine Lohman (Islands and Incas, May 2004)
Adventure Life has changed the way we are looking to travel in the future. We plan on taking similar trips in the future.

Gregory Morrison (Islands and Incas + Sacha Lodge, Jul 2004)
Ayul in Peru was perhaps the best guide I have ever had in tours of >16 countries. He did tons of extra research and brought materials to heighten his oral presentations. Ayul was Superior!!! I understand why your company gets rave reviews. I concur.

Brad Heric and Tara Parker (Islands and Incas, Jul 2004)
A life adventure. A fantastic honeymoon. A whole new world - well, three worlds we explored and loved. Thank you for making it go so smoothly for us!

George and Mary Beth McClain (Islands and Incas, Oct 2004)
This tour was better than we ever expected! We look forward to another "adventure" with Adventure Life. What else can I say? We kept pinching ourselves to make sure we weren't dreaming. It really was a much better trip than we though it was going to be. We had a wonderful time. THANK YOU ADVENTURE LIFE!

Lisa Urness (Islands and Incas, Oct 2004)
Thank you so much for a fantastic adventure! My husband and I will never forget it! Peru was an enchanted land, both culturally and scenically. Ayul Acuna was incredibly enthusiastic and introduced us to all aspects of Peruvian culture and antiquities with such humor and charm. We have no doubt that we would have missed many fascinating places had we chosen a different tour. The Galapagos leg of our tour was great fun and very relaxing. The Fragata is a wonderful yacht and the food was excellent. We have been home less than 24 hours and I'm already planning our next trip with Adventure Life to Costa Rica - I'm not kidding!!

Susan Karpeil and Martin Stanley Karpiel (Islands and Incas, Dec 2004)
In Cusco we had the extreme pleasure of being guided by Ayul. By far the best guide we have ever had our 30 years of traveling. He was knowledgeable, but not too much, fun, exuberant, entertaining, very athletic and compassionate. We cannot say enough good things about Ayul. As I mentioned earlier, he is the best guide we've ever had (we have been to 82 countries) so I have a good basis for comparison.

Jennifer Nicole Miller (Islands and Incas, Dec 2004)
I would recommend your comany to my friends. Peru was filled with color, from the people to the food. I enjoyed the markets in Cuzco Pisac. Ollaytaytambo and Machu Picchu were very spiritual places. It was wonderful to have two full days for Machu Picchu. Galapagos is a biologists paradise. I hope to go back again with you. Our trip was, without a doubt, one of a lifetime.

Josephine Cheng (Islands and Incas, Jan 2003)
Ayul was our guide for Cusco and Machu Picchu and he was very professional, friendly, knowledgeable, warm, organized, and has a great sense of humor. My experience in Peru would have been very different had it been led by a different guide. The entire Nemo crew and the guide, Rafael, at the Galapagos was a warm and a very happy bunch. Nemo was an excellent boat and I really enjoyed by stay. The captain ran a very good ship...The tour was very well planned and organized. As a solo traveler, it's always a comfort to know someone will be waiting outside the baggage claim to pick me up. It offered the kind of flexibility I wanted- allowing both some freedom and some organized itinerary. I love nature, the ruins, the food, the culture, and the local folks. It offered a great mix of things which I all enjoy very much. I also find fellow travelers very warm, friendly, and adventurous. This is the best vacation I've had in many years and I hope to return to South America again soon!

Karen Dye (Islands and Incas, Mar 2003)
Just wanted to let you know I had a fantastic trip. The hotels you selected were great. The tour guides were excellent. Vidal in Peru was very knowledgeable and very personable... Please feel free to use me as a reference. Your organization did an excellent job. Thank you.

Laura Welsh and John Roundy (Islands and Incas, May 2003)
Ship crew was outstanding- excellent cook. Local guides were very knowledgeable and helpful....the trip flowed seamlessly from segment to segment and we were thoroughly pleased. Would definitely book thru your company again.

Stacey Bernstein and Roger Roth (Islands and Incas, May 2003)
We loved the places we stayed. They all were very nice and had a lot of character and charm... Marco was our tour leader in Cusco. He was the best! Informative, friendly, very accommodating! We loved him! I had an unbelievable time and I am once again very impressed with Adventure Life...I definitely would go on a third trip with Adventure Life. I love the way you organize the tours. It is adventurous, but you don't feel like you are completely roughing it and it is no so touristy either. It's great you get to see things you may not be able to see if you went on your own.

Gerald and Maureen Pearo (Islands and Incas, Jun 2003)
Dalmiro was fantastic- Cuzco. Andrus was excellent...I had no idea the quality of the service- we were met on time, treated professionally by every driver and guide and it really took the stress out of travel at airports. Every aspect of this trip was exciting. We never knew what to expect, great bicycle taxi rides, boats, trains, buses, vans- it was exciting and you didn't spend time worrying about connections. My wife and I would like to express our thanks for a wonderfully coordinated trip. The quality of the people you chose was fantastic. They were able to speak about the culture, customs, history, and current affairs of the country or region....Thanks again for the great organization of this trip.

Julian Ortega (Islands and Incas, Jul 2003)
My trip was beyond expectations. This was the first time everyone in the group had taken a group tour (including myself) and each person had their reservations and fears about following a guy with a flag around like a bunch of sheep. This trip was nothing like that. Everyone was extremely pleased. Excellent- Better than all expectations.

John Fowler (Islands and Incas, Jul 2003)
Our Peruvian guide, David Espejo, went well beyond the call of duty in his coordination of and enthusiasm for our tour. David is a special individual. His knowledge of the Inca culture is extremely broad, and we could tell that it came both from his formal education as well as his upbringing in the mountains surrounding Cusco. He has a passion for the history of the region, and he was able to successfully transfer that enthusiasm to the group. David also showed wonderful patience with our eight-year-old son, Phillip, and answered his questions with the same grace and seriousness that he did for any other adult in the group. In addition to his knowledge and enthusiasm, David coordinated all the details of the trip flawlessly. He knows the correct timing for each event and, although he had everything preplanned, he only fed the group just enough information about what was coming next so that we were not preoccupied with trip details. This led to a very relaxing trip with no worries. We could truly forget about the rest of the world. David is a gem.

Joseph Epstein (Islands and Incas, Aug 2003)
David Chavez (tour leader) has ruined it for all other trip leaders. No one can match his knowledge, his passion, his warmth, his spirituality, and his generosity....Excellent. I want to go back.

Walter and Rochelle Gassner (Islands and Incas, Nov 2003)
Well, we just got back from a trip of a lifetime! Thank you both for a wonderful itinerary, great hotels, great ship and fantastic tour guides. At every airport, we were met by your agent, driven to the hotels, and given tours with a first class guide. They all spoke English very well, were very well informed, and EXTREMELY pleasant!! The hotels were absolutely FIRST CLASS!!! Could not have asked for better!! Would highly recommend the trip, the hotels, the ship, and especially your company for anyone interested in Peru or Ecuador! We will be contacting you within the year for a Costa Rican trip.

Andrea Bardack and Laura Leven (Islands and Incas - excerpts from a two-page letter, Jan 2002)
We have been trying to readjust back to our daily lives after such an amazing vacation. It hasn't been easy. Thank you so much for putting together such an unbelievable and impressionable trip!...All hotels were very comfortable with gracious and accommodating staff...Our trip leaders were the key to making this such a memorable experience. We could not have asked for better guides. We can't express how much we loved Fredy Delgado...we came to consider Fredy a friend...Her (Maya, guide in Galapagos) dedication and passion to her work in preserving the islands, left a great impression on us...We have wonderful things to say about everyone. (drivers, cooks, porters)...We learned so much about the animals and unique ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands. Machu Picchu is so unique and special, there are not enough words to describe the impression it left on us. We gained a deep appreciation for the culture and for the people that live in both countries. Every detail of the trip was extremely well thought out and organized and we really appreciated the attention given to even the small details (Day excursion to Otavalo, tour of Cuzco, dinner with Milagros)...

Lana Batts (Islands and Incas, Jan 2002)
Click above to read Lana's trip Journal

Maurice and Iona Harding (Islands and Incas, May 2002)
Williams, our Peru guide, was a gem, a mine of information and passionate about his culture. Marcel (Galapagos) was a walking encyclopedia... Food in Peru was uniformly excellent and interesting. Food on ship was also surprisingly good. Possibly the most awesome trip I have taken (and I have travelled extensively).

Junelle and Bruce Brandt (Islands and Incas, Jul 2002)
Ayul (Peru guide) was outstanding- he was a highlight of the trip! The crew and tour guide (Peter) on the Dorado were informed, friendly, helpful, and humorous. [The food] was very tasty! Local foods, soups, and stews were much better than expected. No "tourista"- hooray! [The tour overall] exceeded our expectations and we were very excited about going! Thank you so much for a tour that enabled us to feel safe, well-informed, and respectful of the people and land. We are recommending Adventure Life to all our friends.

Jason Weiner and Cori Anthony (Islands and Incas, Jul 2002)
This trip was perfect. The right hotels, time in various places, and great guides. Everything was well organized and excellently done. Hotel locations were always convenient. Guides were knowledgeable and helpful. Transfers were orderly. Food was excellent. Everything was great, and at over $1,500 less than the other quotes we were given, we could not have asked for anything more.

Ruth McGuffie (Islands and Incas, Oct 2002)
Couldn't get any better. Trip leader was so knowledgeable and I loved their concern for the environment. I travel extensively and this was the best trip of all...I couldn't believe how available Betty (Quito) was. She arranged a guide and driver for us to bird watch while we were in Quito and we had a great two days birding, etc. She was terrific, friendly, and efficient!

Jacob Waddles (Islands and Incas, Jan 2001)
My biggest regret was that I only had two weeks of travel. At the end of my tours I was relaxed and happy. This trip covered a lot of ground, from hiking mountains and climbing and admiring Inca ruins to snorkeling off of coral beeches and standing on the Equator. It was great!

Randy and Glenn Brown (Islands and Incas, May 2001)
It was fantastic- Machu Picchu was a very spiritual experience thanks to our guide. Marco was excellent- best guide ever!

Maggie Llamido (Islands and Incas, May 2001)
I tried to arrange travel with another company that wasn’t able to come through for me. I called Adventure Life in last minute desperation and everything was put together with only 2 weeks notice. All was coordinated and the entire 3 weeks was well organized. I took so much video, I filled two camcorder tapes and I kept a journal in which I wrote everyday and filled! I even have a page in the back full of emails and addresses of people we met on the journey. Every one we met was friendly and enthusiastic, especially Marco, our guide in Peru and Cusco. Milagros presented us with good notes and maps and a nice farewell dinner.

Sandy Hopkins (Islands and Incas, May 2001)
We could not have had a better guide!

Donald and Christine Orr (Islands and Incas, May 2001)
Excellent! Can't say enough about Marco in Cusco! The best ever!

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-- Sacha Lodge --

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!

Kerry Regan (Sacha Lodge, Nov 2007)
I loved La Rabida in Quito.The staff were lovely and the people staying there were also very interesting. It was a lovely cosy place that felt like coming home. Sacha lodge was gorgeous. Swimming in the lagoon was bliss.

I think that this has to be one of my best holidays ever. The people were all fantastic. Ecuador had a lovely vibe and it was the right mix of free time and company. I loved every minute of the trip. The people that I met and the outdoor experience was amazing. It was getting away from it all but still being very comfortable. I will definitely be signing up for some more trips. I would love to see the Galapagos Islands next!

Keith and Vicky Jordan (Sacha Lodge, Mar 2007)
This trip, without a doubt, was the "best" trip my husband and I have ever gone on! It was a trip of a lifetime!

Acaba Family (Sacha Lodge, Apr 2007)
Our tour leaders were awesome!! The crew was very friendly-just fabulous and outstanding service. This tour went beyond our expectations.

William's Family (Sacha Lodge, Mar 2007)
Sacha Lodge was perfect for a family trip. It was remote but also very comfortable. Adventure Life gave excellent advice regarding where to take children under twelve. We have many cherished memories from this trip!

Bina Dugan (Sacha Lodge, Mar 2007)
Everything ran like clockwork: no rain, great guides and staff, and no bugs. This tour was very well organized and well run.

Cynthia and Patrick Malloy (Sacha Lodge, Dec 2006)
Sacha is extremely well done-hot showers, comfortable beds, great food (and bartender), and fabulous plant and animal life. The enthusiasm of the local guides is unmatched by any other tour we have been on. They were knowledgeable, friendly, and completely went above and beyond the call.

David & Turalu Murdock and Wyatt Gould (Sacha Lodge and Otavalo Market, Jun 2006)
The guides were friendly, helpful, enthusiastic, and willing to accommodate our desires and wishes. Our 11 1/2-year-old grandson also enjoyed it! It was a perfect mix of freedom and aid through guides and drivers. We have been in the rainforest and the Amazon before, and this was the best rainforest adventure we have ever had.

Jonathan Fine (Sacha Lodge + Otavalo Market, Apr 2006)
What an amazing tour! Probably the most unique trip I have done.

Ken Renfrew (Sacha Lodge, Oct 2005)
The guides were both friendly and enthusiastic. My next trip will be to Patagonia, and I will use Adventure Life for that mission as well!

Gary Kennedy (Sacha Lodge, Dec 2005)
Six of us traveled together to Sacha Lodge, ranging in age from 7 to 50. We all travel a lot, so we had high expectations. This trip was perfect in all respects. The arrangements pre-departure, the transfers, guides, and food could not get any better. This was the best trip ever!

Laura and Anya Logan (Sacha Lodge + Chimborazo, Jun 2005)
What can I say? You guys really know what you're doing! I was nervous about traveling alone with my 11-year-old daughter, but you made it so easy! Sacha Lodge was a perfect choice for us - very kid-friendly and fun for both of us. Our volcano tour was excellent as well. I didn't have to worry about a thing! Every transfer was flawless and the guides really looked after us.

Ecuador was amazing - such a tiny country but so much to offer. Who knew? Well, I guess you guys did! We'll definitely be calling you when it's time for our next South American adventure!

Richard and Dinky Newman (Sacha Lodge, Jan 2005)
Did we love it ... you bet!!

Allison Nathe (Sacha Lodge, Feb 2004)
Sacha Lodge was amazing! I felt like I was in a dream. The guides and staff at Sacha were friendly and fun. Everything was great...This is my second Adventure Life experience and it will not be my last!

Ed Ringle (Sacha Lodge, Feb 2004)
Thanks very much for the opportunity to comment on my stay at Sacha Lodge and Bellavista. I had a great time.

First of all, Adve

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Ecuador Travel Info
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