The food on our trip had been so healthy; we knew our senses would be ready for this day. Adventure Life had all of the tickets once again, and we were the early birds for the bus. We loaded easily with no waiting and began the twenty minute roller coaster ride up hill in a Mercedes bus holding about forty people. It seemed on the curves that the back of the bus was over the precipices as the front end darted ahead. Naturally passing another bus on the way down made everyone suck it in!
Entrance must be accompanied by with a passport. Once through the gate our bodies sensed being on the brink of an incredible experience. We were walking up a gradual stone walkway and automatically El Condor Passes filled my spirit. It was a melody that had been playing for months and the volume just went up! Jill said that she might cry. Melissa led the way.
The clouds were low and blowing, and a grayness and wispy whiteness on top of this mountain affirmed that we were in a sacred place. Strange that there were no people around us, and it was like we were alone. As we continued to slowly walk a short distance the angles of a stone roof line appeared with a window near the top. We were close. The path curved slightly, and within moments we were at a vantage point where the breadth and depth of the city lay before us.
Huayna Picchu was prominent and on the far side of Machu Picchu. Our eyes were gulping, and we were at a loss for words. Being among the first there, we knew that only the spirits of the Incas inhabited the surroundings. The wind and clouds were making it a movie, and even the llamas were cushed. Only our eyes moved.
Juan had mentioned that he had visited over three hundred times. We understood how that would be easy. Gradually as there were voices behind us we began to move forward along a path clearly marked as the direction to continue. As we were entering at about the middle, we recognized the Guard House above us, the Terraces, the living quarters and everything we had read about that could be seen from this vantage. Steepness entered into our feelings as did vastness.
Our guia would take time to now explain existing controversies and theories about this sacred place. Before the morning was over he had made me understand more than all of the books I had read. It was wonderful.
Hours later we would pass the gate to climb Huayna Picchu where Melissa, Jill and Juan would enter early the next morning. We were very happy to have the cloud cover and tentative weather as there were only a handful of other visitors there. We saw and absorbed everything that we could. The Condor Temple, the Temple of the Sun, the Three Doorways and Three Windows exhausted our expletives and superlatives. We were so happy we had prepared by reading and googling. The astronomy and geometry were only superseded by the unbelievable craftsmanship. Or is it the other way around?
We decided to hike to the Inca Drawbridge, a marvelous defensive structure. The very thought of passing over the logs that spanned the mote defied imagination. Close to the same area was the trail to Intipunku, the Sun Gate. Perched up above the city in the eastern sky was an edifice with huge pillars through which the morning sun passed. When we arrived, the rain had blocked the entire view of the city, but as we climbed up and looked over our shoulder, our imaginations had been sparked.
We had lost all sense of time and were mesmerized by our experience. To list each aspect and sight would be the subject of text books. We had been satiated, and it was a thirst well quenched. Tomorrow would be another day here.
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.