Most people who know me know that I hate to fly. The smaller the plane is, the more worried I become. So all of you travelers who ask me how big the plane is that flies between Quito and the Galapagos --- I know why you're asking and I feel your pain! The smallest touch of turbulence and I'm clutching the seat in front of me, convinced we are going down in flames. This is especially ironic since 1) I work for a travel company 2) used to work for Alaska Airlines and 3) my brother is a pilot.
BUT I refuse to let my anxieties limit my life experiences. I also get terribly sea sick and hate chairlifts -- but I ski 3 days a week and haven taken boats all over the world. We all have our coping mechanisms. Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve (Kassandra Magruder)
Flight seeing is almost mandatory when it comes to Alaska. Especially inland. There are only like 7 roads in Alaska and the state is gargantuan, so if you want to see stuff, you have to get up high. On the one day when the clouds parted, the first thing Ian and I did was hit up the local flight seeing company in McCarthy --- Wrangell Mountain Air. Bush flying in Alaska is old hat. I thought we were mavericks asking to take our 6-month-old flying, but WMA has a pilot on staff with a toddler and he started flying with his daughter at 5 months of age. He didn't blink an eye at the request and even had a headset her size. Since everyone was game, we went for it! Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve (Kassandra Magruder)
In one 50 minute flight, we saw mountain goats, glaciers, snowcapped peaks, and miles upon miles of true wilderness. THIS is the way to see Alaska. Our pilot, Austin, knew more about the landscape, geology, wildlife and history than we could possibly have expected. I hadn't realized he would be a bush pilot AND a guide. This was by far and away the highlight of our trip. When we go back to Alaska, we'll pay the money to fly into the wilderness and hike or raft out. Or we'll just fly for a week. From the ground and from roads, you're only seeing a tiny portion of the landscape. Getting up is only way to understand the vastness that is Alaska's landscape. Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve (Kassandra Magruder)
Hopefully we'll be seeing Alaska again real soon and if you ever find yourself in McCarthy, ask for Austin. He's a stellar pilot and person!
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.
